Dulagarl: the Lifted H6 Forester

Well, I bought it, and I have to say that what SKT has done is truly inspired.

It’s a freaking rocket on the bitumen, and it has an enormous amount of grunt offroad.

Engine transplant thread is here:

https://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16564

Here’s a little log of bring it home, and it’s first offroad trip once home.

Jan 29th I flew to Coolangatta. Scott picked me up at the airport and we went for a drive. It didn’t take long for me to be convinced that I should buy this. Sure, it had a couple of issues, for example some worn out bushes in the front end, and a cooling issue, but I could tell that this was a VERY serious vehicle.

Brought it home via Lismore and Casino and then to Tamworth for the night. Next day was Tamworth to Narrandera. Narrandera to Melbourne on the Minday was relatively easy after all of that.

Saw some amazing country in the process. Didn’t have time for many snaps, but here are a few…

Some of the country just into NSW after casino…

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Took a detour via the outer solar system…

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Actually, that virtual solar system drive from siding spring observatory is a good idea. That pic was taken in Gilgandra.

While on the space bent, couldn’t resist a couple of pics with the Parkes Radio Telescope…

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It was 38 degrees Celsius when those shots were taken, and it didn’t get cooler for hours. Unsurprisingly, the vehicle got a bit hot just south of Forbes.

004southofforbes.jpg



A bit further south past West Wyalong, and there was still water around from December. Ridiculously flat country with paddocks turned to lakes…

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So, when I got home, I went straight to the mechanic and got an aircon service. I also consulted about improving airflow to the radiator. I looked at pics of offroad bars on Outbacks on the Subaxtreme site, and also the bar on the latest Forester. Armed with that info I decided to cut some holes in the bulbar, and this is the result…

001grille.jpg


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Gotta love the grille mesh from supacheap auto!

So, I then set up the GPS on the dash with some adhesive Velcro…

003gps.jpg


and connected the ECU to the laptop to monitor engine performance and temperatures.

004ecudata.jpg


(BTW: I think I might have resolved the “cooling issues”!)

... part two to follow
 
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That's a killer driveline you have now!! :monkeydance:

What's the 20kg centre like in car parks?

The 20 KG centre is no problem at all in car parks. There is no discernible difference between the 20 kg diff and a standard 4 kg viscous coupling on tight turns.
 
Head gasket blown. Tested radiator for CO and Co2: Test failed. Explains the occasional instance of the radiator overflow bottle filling.

Hunting around for best option on rebuilt engine as replacement. All drive Subaru rebuilt motor at around $6k is one option, other suggestions welcome.

Definitely NOT putting in a non rebuilt engine: this car will be on the road for many years to come.
 
Bugger! I have faith in Alldrive ;-)

Also contact Norrie Anderson Subisolutions (ex Alldrive) as he is a highly qualified Subie mechanic - he used to provide training in Japan! (coals to Newcastle!)
 
.. I know you said 'no non-rebuilt' - but for much less than $6k I'm sure an importer could source a low-km JDM engine, or you could find a late model wrecked with low kms.
 
There are many excellent engine builders depending on what you want. I'd talk to several & explain you don't just want a screamer, low down torque is important too. Might be time for Delta 1000 grind cams if they do them for the H6
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Yes I will follow up Norrie. Thanks Kevin.

matt: will look at some cams. Rhys suggested something similar.
 
I highly recommend Shaun Fletcher. He runs Carbon Autohaus and can come to you. He did his apprenticeship back in 98 on WRXs, Foresters and Outbacks. He says he can keep my Forester running beautifully for ever and I trust him 100%. He has has my car in a thousand pieces in my garage, he has fixed absolutely everything I have thrown at him.

Shaun: 0426 172 090
carbonautohaus@gmail.com

https://www.carbonautohaus.com.au
 
Rebuilt engine fitted. I went with a level 2 reconditioned engine from all-drive subaroo.

Seems to run very well, but I need a tune. There will obviously be a few little gremlins to sort out, but I'm confident we'll get through that.

Will now be transferring rego to the ACT, which will involve an engineering certificate. This will be an interesting process, but I have a reliable engineer who already knows the car. before we do that I'll get a tune so that we have the best chance of passing emissions test.
 
Great to hear the beast is back!

Will be interesting to see how the engineering goes, I'm curious if he will mention the 20kg centre diff
 
Tweaksta: cost for Motor was around $8k, fitting was done locally.

Nachaluva: Don't think the diff will be an issue. Its all about lift, emissions and tyres.

he mentioned that I might need to do a lane change test, which will cost but it should pass with flying colours given the suspension set up.
 
Have started the process of getting this engineered for A.C.T Registration. It's legal in Victoria and Queensland, but a transfer of registration to ACT requires an inspection by the local roads authority.

So far so good: the engineer's time is expensive!

Body lift and strut lift OK, Tyre height ok (BF goodrich 215/75/R15), but will have to do a lane change test which will cost extra cash. Engineer says it will be fine.

Aftermarket ECU means I have to do an emissions test as well: this is only done in Sydney and only on a Wednesday!

With all the mods I am close to being over GVM, so am considering a GVM upgrade. That being said there is a lot of heavy stuff in the car at the moment: fridge, 110 amp battery, snatch ropes, tree protectors, D shackles, tools, spare parts. I could even remove the second spare and swing arms on rear bar.

Will take a few weeks to get this all done, but the end result will be worth it.

New motor is running in nicely and it will go for second tune next week.
 
Have started the process of getting this engineered for A.C.T Registration. It's legal in Victoria and Queensland, but a transfer of registration to ACT requires an inspection by the local roads authority.

what a wonderful system of government(s) we have here in Oz.
 
more progress....

engine has been run in. Re-tuned yesterday.

Very flat torque curve.

It makes almost 260Nm from about 2300 rpm. peak torque is approx 317Nm at 4100 rpm.

Max power was 135.7 kW at 5600 rpm. (128.6 kW with air box closed).

leaving the air box open (i.e. by passing the snorkel) makes a significant difference in power, but not so much in relation to torque.

These are significantly better figures than the old motor when it was first tuned for the exhaust.

Those who use facebook can use the link below to see the print our from the dyno runs.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...set=pcb.1344470235700796&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Impressively, in the course of 27 dyno runs, engine coolant temperature did not exceed 90 degrees:ebiggrin:
 
It makes almost 260Nm from about 2300 rpm. peak torque is approx 317Nm at 4100 rpm.

Max power was 135.7 kW at 5600 rpm. (128.6 kW with air box closed).

leaving the air box open (i.e. by passing the snorkel) makes a significant difference in power, but not so much in relation to torque.

Very impressive torque curve!

Possibly time for a new, larger snorkel?
 
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