'04 Forester XT!!

A couple pics

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Won an STi gas pedal on ebay for 10 bucks, which is cheap compared to what they go for. I wasn't really looking for one, but figured why not. So I installed that today. Ooooo shiny.

I still have a few things to install, so maybe within the next few weeks, some of it will get done.

And the only real big job to be done in the future, is to replace the clutch. The brand new one that went in with the 6 spd is terrible. It chatters so bad, that I just don't want to deal with it. So I got a steal on a brand new 6 spd clutch kit, and I have an STi flywheel as well, so I just need to get that refinished, and then find someone to help me install it. At this point, I can't afford to pay for anything to be done, so I will have to do it myself/get help from the great people on here! Haha

And I'm still waiting to here back from ROTA about the wheels flaking. Hoping they are going to do something for me, since wheeldude flat out wouldn't do anything. They have terrible customer service. They were rude, and just didn't even try.

And the things I need to get are brake pads. Found a great deal on turninconcepts for front and rear stoptech pads for 90 shipped!! That's cheap for decent Brembo pads. And then maybe a Group N tranny mount to take care of some of the drivetrain slop.

 
So today, I left work early because of the rain, and a doctors appointment. Decided it would be a good opportunity to get a much needed alignment after the install of the rear lateral links, and then the rear hubs. So I dropped it off at a place local, which I have used another "location" of the same business before. Went back and picked it up and they were telling me how nice it was because nothing was rusted and seized up, obviously because the thing has been apart numerous times! So I leave and get going down route 1 and boom, my hood pops up. Well it latches funny because of the dent, so you have to give a good slam and then check it. The thing is, they had no reason to be under the hood. There are a couple local younger guys that work there, and evidently felt the need to see what was under the hood. So I called and very nicely told them that even though there was no reason to pop the hood, to make sure the next time, they double check it to make sure it's latched, so it doesn't pop up driving down the road. And all I was told was that no one popped the hood. Well I have owned the car for a couple years now and know the car, I know why the hood pops up when driving, I have done it many times myself, but I haven't had the hood up in a week and a half, and haven't had it pop open on me in probably at least a year.........because I KNOW how to get it to stay closed. The guy just kept repeating that my hood was not opened, I just told him I wasn't calling to argue the point with him, and to just tell his "boys" to double check stuff before it leaves.

THIS is why I hate taking my car to shops. It's not the first time things like this have occurred. I wish I had been able to stay there when it was done. Why is it so hard to just do what you're getting paid for, and leave POOP alone. And this crap is why I like taking my car to people like MikeyMeyagi when I NEED something done that I can't do, or don't have the time to do. Why can't the bugger business' be like the smaller guys?! And at least the smaller guys admit if they make a stupid little mistake.

Sorry for the rant, just can't stand it when it seems like people just want your money, and aren't up for making sure YOU are happy.

 
Gotta be careful where you go for service. I like sticking with big corporations to get work done. They are very strict with there standards. For instance. I had gotten my wheels balanced and when he put the wheels back on he told me to come back after 25 to 50 miles to get properly torqued. I believe that is very important. Ever seen a wheel come off a vehicle? I have. What im trying to say is that it's the little things as much as the big ones that really matter. Also if I were to have a new sound system installed I would go to a large chain. They usually always cover their work in case of any problems.

 
You have to take a car on a test drive after an alignment to make sure it drives straight.

I know some of the kids that work there. And I don't have a lot of good things to say about those particular individuals.

 
My last 5 alignments did not involve anyone taking it for a test drive after. The computer should tell them everything they need to know.

 
Got a steal on a lightly used group N tranny mount. It showed up today and will probably be installed by this weekend. Hoping it makes the difference that everyone says it does!

 
IBratmanI said:
My last 5 alignments did not involve anyone taking it for a test drive after. The computer should tell them everything they need to know.
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Maybe the don't HAVE to take it for a test drive... They probably wouldn't for, say, a honda civic...

 
Picked up my new winter set up last night. 17x8 OZ Crono HT's. Should make a pretty decent set up, and they clear Brembos, which is all I was really after. I'll get pics soon.

 
You really need to drive it after. The computer is telling you the specs on a perfectly flat service. You never know what it will do on roads with excessive road crown. I once had a car keep coming back because of a pull after I got done. My numbers were perfect but it kept pulling if the guy had his wife in the car. Turns out his wife was prob 4 bills. I had to politely ask them to sit in the car while I adjusted it.

 
So I learned over the weekend that the reason I have a bad vibration/noise is because I need to use a Forester auto driveshaft, not an Impreza one. The Forester one has a lower mounting point than the Impreza one, so it drops the driveshaft down to have the correct angle coming out of the transmission. So to just test the theory I added a few washers to drop it down a little, because I don't have a Forester driveshaft yet. So today I drove the car to work and that is DEFINITELY the issue. Just the 2 or 3 washers I used on each side, was enough to help. So, I either need to find a Forester driveshaft, or find longer bolts, and use a few more washers. It will be nice to have it back the way it was.

 
Lol, hell no!! If I was that sick of it, I would just sell it!! But I do need to find a driveshaft! Or longer bolts, which surprisingly I don't have any!!

 
So Gabe hooked me up with an older Forester auto driveshaft. Finally got it installed today and it's fixed!! That was the issue all along. Something as stupid as a slightly wrong angle on the driveshaft caused all this. I'm jut glad it's fixed. I did find that the mouting ears are smaller on the older ones, so I had to modify them to work, so it would be nice to find a driveshaft out of an 03-08 Forester auto, but this will do for now!

 
Are you using an accesport map specific for the injen intake? Or does the stage 2 map work with that intake without problems?

I would like to add a jna intake and silicone turbo inlet to my forester but Cobb warns that only the stock or Cobb intake should be used.

Also, is there a reason to use the sit ecu?

As you know, I'm using it as well. But I have the FXT ecu so I thought I'd download the FXT VF39 map to the accesport and put the FXT ecu back in the car.

 
I am just using the plan old STi stage 2 map from the Accessport. I had a K&N intake before, and Gabe has been running an intake with the same setup without issues, so I would say go for it, just reset the ECU and let it learn it, and it'll be fine.

As for the STi ecu, it definitely has different settings, and allows for higher and better performance. Take a look at COBB's website and look at the difference between the FXT with VF39, and STi stage 2 maps. STi ECU is much better.

 
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