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Post by batou on Dec 3, 2020 18:51:52 GMT
2004 JDM Subaru Forester (SG9) STiSo bascially I ran the Roadster as my main car from 2014 and decided in 2018 I wanted something that could actually carry a bit more stuff and more people, I didn't want a new car, I didn't want a boring car but I did want something practical. Any sane person would just buy a good used Audi RS4 and have done with it...  Yeah, I think once you've played through every Gran Turismo over the years something happens to your brain when it comes to buying cars. Always loved Subaru's, honestly if I had to put if down to one thing its the noise, really it is, it takes me back to the sound blatting through forests and many times sat watching rally as a kid. They went through a rough patch in the UK and often driven by a certain type and often absolutely destroyed as a result but over the past few years they seem to be gaining traction again (and price) and the old image is certainly almost gone. So an Impreza was on the short list (a GC8 to be presise) but really, did I want another 90s car to worry about rusting? And would there be enough room for camping gear and bikes? I can't buy an Impreza wagon can I? Without the wang whats the point? My brain went back to 2007/8 when we were out tarting up a mates MKIV UK Twin Turbo Supra he was selling back then... (for £10K I may add!  ) ... just round the corner was the distinct BLUB.. BLUB.. BLUB idle sound, a chap we'd never met, was rolling out a Forester STi St/b which we'd never seen... 1st thought: "What a weird, boxy looking, arch bulging, wang toting, snorting, ugly jap wagon is this that?!" 2nd thought: "I f***ing love it, I want one!!" So since then, this idiotic rally bus has been sat there somewhere in the same part of my brain where man maths happens. In 2018 I did all the research (atlex will testify this after making the mistake of asking me about it and getting a massive brain dump  ). There are not many of these about, infact I've only ever seen one since I got it... (which happened to be in the same town I live in, turns out a chap the next town down owns one lol), so finding one was a task. Used ones can be hit an miss as there aren't as many Subaru specialists these days and the ones Litchfield imported and dicked around with have seen far too many winters for my liking. I test drove one I intended to buy in white, but unforunately it was a bit tattier than I'd liked, shame as it was a long drive... sat in a pub that day browsing I came across an importer that had just got one in... in blue, perfect. Went to see it and apart from needing some new tyres (it had bridgestone runflats on, urgh) and some new wing mirror/window seals to cut the wind noise it was spot on, plenty of service history, clean, timing belt done and history to show etc etc. Driving it home was a blast, seeing that massive blue bonnet scoop from the driving seat just made me think of Rally games on the playstation haha.  2004 スバル フォレスター SG9 STi バージョン by batousan, on Flickr Now looking back, whilst this car is in great shape I would avise getting one with all the good bits done, remap, exhaust etc as it does rack up as used aftermarket parts for this car do not come up very often so you'll be buying new stuff, and if your that way inclined often importing it via good old rhdjapan. 
スバル フォレスター SG9 STi バージョン by batousan, on Flickr  For the past 2 years its been fine, no issues really other than having to replace the battery and top rad hose. Servicing is really easy (which is good as oil changes are every 6K), although the mapper fitted the plugs so I'll see how much fun that is when I next do it. Plans really are just to enjoy road trips in and some winter touge action, keep it in good condition and see where things are at 100K. After that we'll see how the engines doing (no reason why it shouldn't keep going if I look after it) and decide if I go down the forged engine route or not. The rear dampers on these don't always last but given the history of this car (Tokyo commuter by the looks of things) I might be okay, I like the ride and handling so don't really want to ruin that.    2004 スバル フォレスター SG9 STi バージョン by batousan, on Flickr
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Post by atlex on Dec 4, 2020 14:35:19 GMT
Huge Inspiration.
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Post by suggs84 on Dec 4, 2020 15:21:25 GMT
Great write up! It's funny, that is a car I think i've seen one of.... then think about it a bit longer and realise, nope, never seen one in real life and the memory is indeed old school Gran Turismo days I think  Very rare car indeed and the boxy, almost aggressive looks do suit it! Am I right in assuming that is an Impreza STi, in a different body? Regards engine and drive train etc? You said you got a good history with it, but have you also got all the import details etc? My other car is a white JDM import E46 330i saloon of which I am the only UK owner and which also came with full service history (if you can read Japanese!) as was graded 4.5 when exported. The thing is, being OCD with such things I wanted as much history as possible so got in contact with 'Japan Car History Check' who have access to all the auction records from 2007 onwards and they in short found me the auctioneers report, auction photos, full keeper history, basically I have everything from their version of the DVLA and paid extra to have the original documents sent to me from Japan via Japan Post. If you have a few gaps, it's worth looking into! |
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Post by boggissimo on Dec 4, 2020 15:25:20 GMT
Lovely wagon, I had a UK WRX wagon previously, which I fitted lots of STI bits to; then it had an argument with the pit wall at Silverstone, so I now have a more sensible wagon (JDM Legacy BP5)
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Post by lowender on Dec 4, 2020 16:50:00 GMT
I had an SG9 2.5 XT Forester with Prodrive pack and a remap to 280hp plus suspension tweaks. Fantastic car, the 5 speed manual is quite low geared, so the 0-60 time was sub 5 secs, even in the wet. Surprised a few people over the couple of years I had it, including me....I've always had at least one Subaru for the last 22 years, currently on my seventh - they really are special cars.  |
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Post by batou on Dec 4, 2020 16:51:27 GMT
Great write up! It's funny, that is a car I think i've seen one of.... then think about it a bit longer and realise, nope, never seen one in real life and the memory is indeed old school Gran Turismo days I think Very rare car indeed and the boxy, almost aggressive looks do suit it! Am I right in assuming that is an Impreza STi, in a different body? Regards engine and drive train etc? You said you got a good history with it, but have you also got all the import details etc? My other car is a white JDM import E46 330i saloon of which I am the only UK owner and which also came with full service history (if you can read Japanese!) as was graded 4.5 when exported. The thing is, being OCD with such things I wanted as much history as possible so got in contact with 'Japan Car History Check' who have access to all the auction records from 2007 onwards and they in short found me the auctioneers report, auction photos, full keeper history, basically I have everything from their version of the DVLA and paid extra to have the original documents sent to me from Japan via Japan Post. If you have a few gaps, it's worth looking into! Yeah, very rare to see one, I'll go mad when I actually see one at somepoint haha. So its a zenki Forester, they later facelifted it and made it a bit softer looking, its a bit of a frankenstein of STi bits. Its essentially a 2004 blob eye STI chassis and running gear with an EJ255, and a few slight differences, the exhaust is slightly different too and sometimes not entirely clear as you can get headers, axle back, mid pipe but most jasma cert downpipes aren't made for this model but apparently a prodrive PPP downpipe fits (this is why I haven't changed the downpipe yet). The other main difference sadly is the lack of an adjustable centre diff (DCCD) so its always 50:50 front to rear power, other than that its just the weight, something like 70kg ish extra. The EJ255 while not quite as reliable as the EJ20 does have a much better low down pull and feels like a bigger engine, turbo doesn't really wind up till 3500rpm but keeps pulling right to the redline (unlike modern turbo euroboxes) and of course, no traction control just trick diffs to keep you in check. I do have all the import/auction details and some of the previous keeper stuff as well as the registration details from the Japanese DVLA (as you say, you can always buy the rest later, autopatrul.ru/ start as cheap as $10). It was a grade 4, but honestly do not obsess over import gradings too much as they can vary massively which is why its best to go through an importer who has someone to actually view and check over the car rather than taking a punt on an auction. Theres an article somewhere where an importer shared images of a grade 3.5 gtr they passed on which got bought by a private buyer in the UK... the thing had the dreaded strut tower corrosion so basically a complete lemon! I'm not saying discount a 3.5, I'm basically saying buy it like any car with all the right info infront of you  . So yeah grade 4, but heres the thing, I got a bargin as it had a few dents, scratches etc at auction, and was auctioned on cheap winter wheels with Yoko ice guards which would have put me off, but unbeknownst to people not on the ground viewing the car, the oem wheels were in the boot haha. All of those blemishes were were all easily fixable with a good PDR man and some professional paint work (the front bumper was been redone and its a perfect match) as it turns out I got this a good £2k under what they were going for back then so I was very chuffed, oh and the interior is absolutely mint with no wear marks on the bolsters. Main thing, no rust or corrosion and was undersealed straight after import (with before and after pictures), mechanicals and blemishes can be fixed, rust as we all know too well can be an expensive, sometimes car destroying problem. Lovely wagon, I had a UK WRX wagon previously, which I fitted lots of STI bits too; then it had an argument with the pit wall at Silverstone, so I now have a more sensible wagon (JDM Legacy BP5) Cheers, wagons are so underated, why anyone needs a big crossover or massive SUV is beyond me, this version of the forester was considered a "crossover" but its much narrorwer than most cars and really isn't that long or jacked up so much more of a tall estate car (easily fixed with suspension changes). Nice! I always considered the Forester STI as the more grown up version of the Impreza but the Leggy is by far the classiest of Subaru's a true gents Scoob for sure. I did have a BH5 or BP5 GT-b on my shortlist too but I went for the brute (even in my late 30s I still haven't grown up ). I had an SG9 2.5 XT Forester with Prodrive pack and a remap to 280hp plus suspension tweaks. Fantastic car, the 5 speed manual is quite low geared, so the 0-60 time was sub 5 secs, even in the wet. Surprised a few people over the couple of years I had it, including me....I've always had at least one Subaru for the last 22 years, currently on my seventh - they really are special cars. Nice, yeah this comes with the close ratio 6 speed box and damn is it close, I've found myself smashing into the limiter far too quickly sometimes so whilst the 0-60 time is quick, your having to shift that box quite a bit. The XT is a MASSIVE sleeper of a car, theres some people who've built 400+ hp ones in the states, crazy! I fully expect to get destroyed by one at some point |
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Post by lowender on Dec 4, 2020 18:49:59 GMT
....but I went for the brute (even in my late 30s I still haven't grown up ). Haha I was 63 when I got mine |
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Post by suggs84 on Dec 4, 2020 19:01:12 GMT
Yeah, very rare to see one, I'll go mad when I actually see one at somepoint haha. So its a zenki Forester, they later facelifted it and made it a bit softer looking, its a bit of a frankenstein of STi bits. Its essentially a 2004 blob eye STI chassis and running gear with an EJ255, and a few slight differences, the exhaust is slightly different too and sometimes not entirely clear as you can get headers, axle back, mid pipe but most jasma cert downpipes aren't made for this model but apparently a prodrive PPP downpipe fits (this is why I haven't changed the downpipe yet). The other main difference sadly is the lack of an adjustable centre diff (DCCD) so its always 50:50 front to rear power, other than that its just the weight, something like 70kg ish extra. The EJ255 while not quite as reliable as the EJ20 does have a much better low down pull and feels like a bigger engine, turbo doesn't really wind up till 3500rpm but keeps pulling right to the redline (unlike modern turbo euroboxes) and of course, no traction control just trick diffs to keep you in check. I do have all the import/auction details and some of the previous keeper stuff as well as the registration details from the Japanese DVLA (as you say, you can always buy the rest later, autopatrul.ru/ start as cheap as $10). It was a grade 4, but honestly do not obsess over import gradings too much as they can vary massively which is why its best to go through an importer who has someone to actually view and check over the car rather than taking a punt on an auction. Theres an article somewhere where an importer shared images of a grade 3.5 gtr they passed on which got bought by a private buyer in the UK... the thing had the dreaded strut tower corrosion so basically a complete lemon! I'm not saying discount a 3.5, I'm basically saying buy it like any car with all the right info infront of you . So yeah grade 4, but heres the thing, I got a bargin as it had a few dents, scratches etc at auction, and was auctioned on cheap winter wheels with Yoko ice guards which would have put me off, but unbeknownst to people not on the ground viewing the car, the oem wheels were in the boot haha. All of those blemishes were were all easily fixable with a good PDR man and some professional paint work (the front bumper was been redone and its a perfect match) as it turns out I got this a good £2k under what they were going for back then so I was very chuffed, oh and the interior is absolutely mint with no wear marks on the bolsters. Main thing, no rust or corrosion and was undersealed straight after import (with before and after pictures), mechanicals and blemishes can be fixed, rust as we all know too well can be an expensive, sometimes car destroying problem. That's very interesting about the grades and I guess that must happen very often, I mean yes they must have strict guidelines to follow for the grading BUT it is also one person's opinion at the end of the day hence one day a car could be a 4, another day a 3.5. Maybe! Ouch to the buyer of that GTR!! It's comical that my car wasn't an intended purchase, I was looking on eBay at cars my mate could also buy within his budget (he wanted a UK Hawkeye WRX) and I looked at B M W's - having previously had a 325i E46 Sport saloon and my Dad had an E46 M3, for me they are the best of the 3 Series - trouble is, a certain white JDM import 330i appeared on the search and within a few days i'd put a deposit on it, no messing about, to the huge amusement and disbelief of my mate - who still ended up with his UK Hawkeye WRX in silver! My car *apparently* is the highest grade it can be for a 2001 plate but i've no knowledge of that stuff myself, so had to go by photos, emails and phone calls to sus it out myself. That said, it is immaculate with only 47, now 48k miles (76k km). I asked for photos of it underneath before purchase and like yours, it was in fantastic shape having never seen salt. Also like yours, i too have now had it undersealed and have a before and after photo. Oh and with the wheels in the boot, i love that! I can't quite be as cool as that, but an as brand new condition full genuine mat set was in the boot of mine, same set I paid £80 for in my last E46 so that was a result! That's interesting about the spec of this STi, so I wasn't wrong in thinking it's an Impreza STi in theory, but defo not quite as simple as that! |
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Post by batou on Jan 17, 2022 9:38:12 GMT
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Post by batou on Jan 17, 2022 9:55:09 GMT
Also, I thought I'd posted about it but notice I didn't really do update here, but the engine had a bit of an oopsie last year, I mean its a Subaru so it was to be expected but quite a weird one for sure....
The only thing I can think of is that it appears that the car may have had some work done previously, probably in Japan (as I'm the first owner) that wasn't quite upto scratch, so at a good amount of motorway speed in 5th I had what appeared to be a catastrophic engine failure. Car lost immediate power, like it had lost a cylinder so I lifted out of it and the car was just backfiring like crazy, like anti lag the rear window was flashing orange and flames licking up the back (the car does not have anti lag and rarely pops/bangs) but no smoke. So I assumed it was just throwing fuel straight through the engine, fark. I wanted to turn it off immediately but I was in the 4th lane of a Motorway and needed powersteering and servo, thankfully I managed to safely get across without causing any drama for anyone or myself. Phew.
As I got over to the hardshoulder, I was just about to kill the engine so I clutched in and the engine shut off itself. After a long wait and a recovery the car was sent to someone I trusted to do the work, I didn't have the time/space to strip down a boxer engine where I am. Anway, I checked a what I could see from the top and removed the timing covers to check for the obvious, looked fine. Oil was still in engine, no obvious holes in the block, no fluid leaks, timing belt still attached, sounded like no compression and the car cranked but wouldn't start. Later the compression test showed no/low compression on one side (left side 2 & 4).
As it turns out, the block was fine, the head was fine and the cams were fine, the cam bolts had some how worked their way loose on one side of the engine, maybe it wasn't tightened down to spec when the timing belt was done in Japan hmm. So there was some slight inlet valve contact and timing very much out of whack amongst other things. I guess I was just very unlucky, but at the same time, getting out of throttle and switching it off when I did meant it didn't really go much futher a few slighty damaged inlet valves, the cam was okay so didn't need to be replaced, bores were fine, rings were fine, all in all I am happy with that all things considered.
Part of me saw this as an opportunity for a crazy build, and had the damage been more considerable I might have caved in as I have some of the finances to do it at a stretch, but really, I was completely happy with the level of performance it had for what is, essentially my daily driver (5-6000km a year). I have other big costs coming up in the near future too so splurging on a silly engine was not the right move at that moment in time. I just wanted to preserve the car and get some more life out of it without too much headache or "built engine anxiety" for want of a better phrase. If you know, you know [insert picture of the guys with gauge pods filling the dash], been there done that.
The following has been done, some necessary, some precautionary to prevent any future issues/cost of work while it was already in bits:
New OEM inlet valves.
New Headgaskets on both sides (Cosworth Multi-Layer 0.78mm std)
ARP headstud kit - (There are some other pricey options but I've used ARPs on my previous built engine and never had issues with them lifting at nearly 8,000rpm on a 300hp supercharged 1.6 head)
Cambelt replaced, new (late) tensioner too.
New ACT Clutch (Holds upto 500+ ft/lbs - feels great/oem to me)
New turbo inlet mani gaskets
New camshaft sprocket bolts (long and short)
New OEM JDM 12mm Oil pump
Fresh Coolant and new oil (Black jdm filter and Millers 10w60 cfs nt+)
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Post by atlex on Jan 17, 2022 11:53:59 GMT
Glad you've fixed it up One of the few cars I actually want Unsure about dropping it tho I guess you don't take it offroad that much ? |
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Post by batou on Jan 17, 2022 12:02:15 GMT
Glad you've fixed it up  One of the few cars I actually want Unsure about dropping it tho  I guess you don't take it offroad that much ? Values are fairly strong still so made sense to keep it, no idea what I'd buy instead as theres not really much with this performance/practicallity at this price point. No it never gets offroaded, just the odd field no and again if we are visiting some event/nature thing, its really more of a raised estate car in all honesty, its no where near modern SUV standards in terms of height thankfully. I'll not slam it for sure as I like my exhaust too much |
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Post by atlex on Jan 17, 2022 14:08:34 GMT
gotta drive it one handed with a cigar |
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Post by batou on Jan 17, 2022 15:05:25 GMT
gotta drive it one handed with a cigar Lol, I mean the platform itself is shared with the GDB impreza so its more of a crossover really, its just the raised ride height, taller roof and bigger boot that would put it into an suv class. The modern day forester has gone full SUV now sadly, there really isn't anything to replace it as such in their range. |
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Post by atlex on Jan 17, 2022 15:07:06 GMT
TBH, Scooby has lost the plot.
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) ... just round the corner was the distinct BLUB.. BLUB.. BLUB idle sound, a chap we'd never met, was rolling out a Forester STi St/b which we'd never seen... 1st thought: "What a weird, boxy looking, arch bulging, wang toting, snorting, ugly jap wagon is this that?!" 2nd thought: "I f***ing love it, I want one!!" 
). There are not many of these about, infact I've only ever seen one since I got it... (which happened to be in the same town I live in, turns out a chap the next town down owns one lol), so finding one was a task. Used ones can be hit an miss as there aren't as many Subaru specialists these days and the ones Litchfield imported and dicked around with have seen far too many winters for my liking. I test drove one I intended to buy in white, but unforunately it was a bit tattier than I'd liked, shame as it was a long drive... sat in a pub that day browsing I came across an importer that had just got one in... in blue, perfect. Went to see it and apart from needing some new tyres (it had bridgestone runflats on, urgh) and some new wing mirror/window seals to cut the wind noise it was spot on, plenty of service history, clean, timing belt done and history to show etc etc. Driving it home was a blast, seeing that massive blue bonnet scoop from the driving seat just made me think of Rally games on the playstation haha.
Very rare car indeed and the boxy, almost aggressive looks do suit it! Am I right in assuming that is an Impreza STi, in a different body? Regards engine and drive train etc?
. So yeah grade 4, but heres the thing, I got a bargin as it had a few dents, scratches etc at auction, and was auctioned on cheap winter wheels with Yoko ice guards which would have put me off, but unbeknownst to people not on the ground viewing the car, the oem wheels were in the boot haha. All of those blemishes were were all easily fixable with a good PDR man and some professional paint work (the front bumper was been redone and its a perfect match) as it turns out I got this a good £2k under what they were going for back then so I was very chuffed, oh and the interior is absolutely mint with no wear marks on the bolsters. Main thing, no rust or corrosion and was undersealed straight after import (with before and after pictures), mechanicals and blemishes can be fixed, rust as we all know too well can be an expensive, sometimes car destroying problem.
I guess you don't take it offroad that much ?
le sigh