Rally's MY04 Forrie- Poverty Pack special

Purchased second hand. Rear diff and instrument cluster replaced under warranty. First change was to fit CB UHF GME radio. Car has externally mounted windscreen aerial bracket. Just purchased set of new KYB shock absorbers- the originals have had it- will install when they arrive. Next step is to replace standard steel rims with MY99 WRX rims. Then sump guard and driving lights.
001.jpg

002.jpg

003-1.jpg

WatagansOctober2010b.jpg

WatagansOctober2010a.jpg

WatagansOctober2010.jpg
 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
Will be good hear here the results?

How is the Kaaz going? Do you think a women would cope with one in the car she drives everyday in terms of the noise?
 
Geez Rally your Forry sure has come along way since you first got it :ebiggrin:

Good luck with the low range install too mate :)

So can we now say that it's not a poverty pack special anymore :biggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Well, what a day. With the clutch sounding something terrible every time I depressed the clutch pedal, I was pleased to actually arrive at A1 Tuning & Performance under my own power. Upon removing the gearbox, it turns out that not only was the throw out bearing in need of being thrown out, but the pilot bearing had collapsed and spun as well. My decision to turn the WRX into my work car had paid off, because it would not have been a good idea to keep driving on the car the way it was.

The spare gearbox definitely had some problems, but the important bits in it I needed were fine. The new low range ratios were installed, and as the box was been assembled one of the components that form part of the shifter was found to be quite worn. The part from the other gearbox replaced this bit.

First up the clutch felt lighter, so there was some binding going on which is no longer happening. Engaging low range is notchier, and I can only put that down to the likelihood low range was probably never engaged or if so very rarely in the car this part was out of. You definitely notice the difference in the gearing- time will tell how it goes off road.

As for the rear diff, I don't even notice it anymore. It is just the lightest of shudders now and considering how much better the car is because of it I am delighted. I think if I was to give my car to a non fussy typical owner they would be lucky to notice. But it depends on the driver doesn't it.

And thanks to Dave at A1 Performance & Tuning for doing such a great job and at such short notice. It's great to have my car back on the road. The other good news is that the replacement ABS line is ready to be installed. That will be happening tomorrow.
 
Last edited:
Yes Damo, I guess it has. Thing is, only the rear diff was a new part to bought in. I already had the front diff sitting around and only installed it because I could not sell it. Well and extra traction appealed to me too. The gearbox which had the low range cost me $100. Yes, the rear diff was expensive but of all the mechanical bits that was the only expensive bit. What I don't understand is why the off road world is not beating a path to the door to install this stuff on their cars.




mr turbo said:
Geez Rally your Forry sure has come along way since you first got it :ebiggrin:

Good luck with the low range install too mate :)

So can we now say that it's not a poverty pack special anymore :biggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo
Click to expand...
 
Seems like it turned out very well indeed!

Rally said:
What I don't understand is why the off road world is not beating a path to the door to install this stuff on their cars.
Click to expand...

Probably 'cause rear LSD and auto (with lock-up) is sufficient for some :iconwink: Lack of dollars may also be a reason.
 
Rally said:
low range was probably never engaged or if so very rarely in the car this part was out of. You definitely notice the difference in the gearing- time will tell how it goes off road.
Click to expand...

Thats great, sounds like you got very lucky with this box. I'm sure you'll be even more impressed offroad :lildevil:

As for the rear diff, I don't even notice it anymore. It is just the lightest of shudders now and considering how much better the car is because of it I am delighted. I think if I was to give my car to a non fussy typical owner they would be lucky to notice. But it depends on the driver doesn't it.
Click to expand...

Rally said:
What I don't understand is why the off road world is not beating a path to the door to install this stuff on their cars.
Click to expand...

I would love a KAAZ or Cusco but price is what stopped me :( My STi plated diff will have to do for now....
 
Nothing wrong with a plated STI diff- given the choice I'd most likely get the STI diff!

I appreciate your point Kevin, these toys can be expensive. My thoughts were that being a forum dedicated for offroading in a Subaru, some of these mods might have been further explored. Given the choice between a plated rear diff and a dedicated set of off road tyres, I'd go with the diff over the tyres. Cost is not that much different, and a diff will last longer than a set of tyres. I know others have gone down this path both locally and overseas and they have also had excellent results.

Yes, a sump guard that does not break at the first stone is a vital first step. But I see so many people spending $$$ on lifting their cars without blinking, yet are reluctant to spend money on something that in many cases even more useful. Perhaps the point I'm trying to make is to really look at the cost benefit of everything you buy. You can't see the insides of a good diff like you do a lift or off road rubber or a snorkel, but that does not mean it's should be lower down the list than these mods.
 
^ Couldn't agree more with that assessment, Rally.

Same with my businesses. Spent a lot of time making certain that the clients understood that what they wanted and what they needed were not necessarily the same thing.

Ultimately their decision, of course, but I made darn sure they were aware of the cost/benefit analyses associated with their decisions ... :iconwink:.

Even the vLSD on the back of my Forester makes a very noticeable difference when on dirt (compared with my Impreza). I am sure that it helps a higher, heavier vehicle maintain better stability than would otherwise be the case on bitumen as well. Specially when it's wet. Just not so noticeable as when on dirt/loose surfaces. It only gets better from there ... :).
 
Glad to hear that you're happy (so far) with the install.

Will be great to hear how it goes when you have your next trip :)

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Rally said:
I am still toying with the idea of either supercharging or fitting an H6.
Click to expand...

Rally, from those two options I'd personally be going the H6 road - better reliability and everything parts wise is factory subaru.

Also after seeing two different H6 setups offroad they're very capable. My loaded EJ22'd L series seems to pull about the same fuel economy as Venom's H6 on the sand - but he's not as loaded as I am; also, he's now running a different gearbox since that comparison.

Other than that climb everyone's been talking about, how'd towing a camper offroad go - much different/more to think about when picking a line and driving the line?

Cheers

Bennie
 
The trailer was really good. I took the same lines as I normally would without a trailer. It was just those hills with the weight that were the problem.

There are pros and cons for both supercharging and the H6. Electrically, a supercharger kit would probably be easier. You still have 4 cylinders, so that bit stays relatively the same, although some additonal wiring would be needed for controlling boost that would not be much. Tacho would not be affected. ECU would need to be changed in both cases, but the tune would be more with S/C as opposed to custom wiring the H6. I haven't measured anything, and I know the H6 is barely longer than the H4 but the outlets may be different and so I imagine there would need to be changes with the cooling with the H6. With the H4, I'd probably just put an XT radiator in it. The H6 though is all Subaru, and that is important. But I just don't know what is really needed to be changed when installing it into an SG Forester. I've seen some threads, but the nuts and bolts differences I cannot ascertain. Another problem with the H6 is that it will need to be engineered. Another hassle and more money. But I have an open mind still and nothing is going to happen soon unless the current engine sh1ts itself. I am leaning more towards supercharging but as I learn more things may go the other way.
 
After all this time, I have finally got round to mounting the CB in the dash. The auxillary input is the output from the CB, so that instead of using the normal external speaker, it uses the stereo system. Works heaps better.



 
Rally said:
The auxillary input is the output from the CB, so that instead of using the normal external speaker, it uses the stereo system. Works heaps better.
Click to expand...

Nice install. Thats what I would like to do when I a) get a stereo & b) get a CB :iconwink:

Does that cover still flip down over the CB to hide it when not in use?
 
Well, it did initially but then you still had the microphone in the way, and it was too hard to read and to adjust the knobs. So I re-positioned it to where it is now. Maybe if you reversed the stereo and the CB's location it might be better, but you would still have the issue with the microphone. And I use the stereo every day, and the CB only on trips, so the stereo will stay where it is
 
Looks great Rally :)
That together with a very neat install too mate :raz:
Well done :biggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
I have also decided to re-wire the cigarette lighter points in the centre console and rear cargo areas to run off the second battery.It's pretty easy to do- just a matter of getting some fuse holders and away we go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top