ringe

Do you get any wheel rub when you crank full over on the steering wheel, or do you have sufficient clearance?

I don't understand why you are so skeptical of the 5MT Forester XTs test times when you haven't driven one, except with the slushy.

Well, I agree the Forester is in essence a car, not an SUV, but the only factors truly standing in the way are structure, durability, ground clearance, and transfer case/lack thereof. With these elements, and by keeping the Subaru character otherwise, it could be the first TRUE crossover SUV with any semblance of offroad credibility.

I had a feeling that was the case, which really sucks. Oh well, I'll just have to stick with my filter element.(K&N anyway).

That looks sharp, and I am sure my green one would look nice too. Too bad mine ain't a turbo, lol

I didn't know that you could get a rear brace with the wagon. Does it span the cabin or something, or does it lay out underneath? Anyway, I am fairly interested, but right now I haven't the money. I will PM you, Subiegal, when I feel I can fork out 200+ dollars for both. Thanks,

The reason the Forester would rock as an SUV is because it is light, it has carlike handling, and with a little more ground clearance and D/R it could be fairly decent with true offroad work.

hehe, I'm sorry for nagging you guys with all these threads, but things keep occuring to me to ask. Does anyone make a strut tower brace for the 94 Legacy wagon? Thanks.

I was using the reference page on knfilters.com and put in my car, which has the N/A 2.2 fourbanger. The page came up with only the turbocharged engine however. Are they cross-compatible, or not?

So, here's the deal. I want to get rid of the crappy 14in steel wheels and replace them with aluminum 15 inchers of the same size as were used on the 94 Turbo. I'm assuming that I can use a lower profile tire and not have to recalibrate my speedometer (not like I pay much attention to it anyway! lol). Would this work in theory, and if so, any suggestions on nice looking ones. I hate rice, so bling bling is out.

OK, thanks. I had a feeling it meant something like that but I wasn't sure. I still can't believe they haven't got it here. Give the Forester a little more clearance and some stiffer springs with that D/R tranny, and it would almost be a true SUV.

Whatever the advantages of unlost boost between shifts, an automatic tranny is harder to launch than a MT (just take a look at how they launch AWD cars in these car mags) and the increased drivetrain loss from the torque converter and the lack of a ratio thoroughly negate any advantages. Slushies still suck, even with a turbo charged engine in front of it.

Sorry, but what is a D/R tranny?

I just hate the Korean brands, so Subaru has my vote.

A bit of advice: next time, try to find an independent Subaru repair shop. Its cheaper than a dealer, and they know about the SVX (usually! At least the ones in Fort Collins, CO do! lol)

If you live near an interstate highway it should be a piece of cake finding diesel. Since lots of trucks frequent the interstate, and need diesel, it should be available at nearly every pump station you can find along the way.

Yeah, good call. Looks like you've researched it pretty well.

There were some two door Impreza RSs around, but, like Legacy said, not Legacys. ...uh, lol.

The 2.5 liter engine developed that year was available only with the automatic tranny and was not the same as the one you are running in your Forester. It requires premium fuel and produces only 155 hp despite that. The 2.5 pretty much sucked until around 97. The 2.2 though is a great motor. Only 130 hp, but with a stick that is plenty.

The reason the Forester XT is quicker than the Rex is because the transmission is geared significantly lower. Second gear, for example, tops out at 53 mph. Car and Driver "normallizes" their tests for a certain barometric pressure and humidity, so this may not be easily duplicated, but they also rated the WRX as 0-60 in 5.4 and the quarter in ~14 flat I think, so the Rex is still up there in quickness. Part of the XT's acceleration is that it is also significantly torgueyer (made that word up!) down low, with 235 lb-ft available at 3500 rpms or so, and more than 80% of that at 2000 rpms.

I keep reading all sorts of mixed reports on the matter. Some say it will be a 3.0 tt, and others think it will be a 2.5 tt, or a 2.5 t. So, while I am sure the car will rock on with whatever combo they choose I ain't gonna hold my breathe as far as one engine to another.

I love the engine in my car, even if it is gutless below 3500 rpms...but hey, its a fourbanger! I have heard about gasket issues, but mine never had them. Maybe the fact that mine's a 94 is crucial there. Dunno. Anyway, Subaru's are probably more likely to have failed driveline parts than engines.

Awesome, thanks a ton guys! And thanks Lothar for referring me here!

I own a 94 legacy with a NA EJ22. I know of an aftermarket tuner (namely, Cobb) that does performance exhausts for the 95 legacy on up. Are the bends in the exhaust so dissimilar that I cannot shoehorn one into my car? Thanks.