ViperGTS's 2004 Subaru Forester XT build thread

[NutBucket]

Shame on you for letting that plug go so long

 

[jlee]

Shame on you for letting that plug go so long

It was less than 10% past scheduled interval...I was pretty surprised.

 

[NutBucket]

I guess that electrode just wears quickly. They really don't look any different if you changed them out early. But, it was too easy to poke fun at you

 

[jlee]

I guess that electrode just wears quickly. They really don't look any different if you changed them out early. But, it was too easy to poke fun at you

lol, thanks

The other three looked normal, though - that one was toast!

 

[Black2na]

curious was that the passenger side rear plug?

 

[jlee]

curious was that the passenger side rear plug?

Nope, driver's side front.

 

[exdeath]

Shame on you for letting that plug go so long

You check the plugs daily on a boxer engine!

Curious how many 1.5" stubby extensions stacked one at a time does it take?

 

[jlee]

moar!

Old up pipe with pre-turbo catalytic converter:

Replaced with OEM Subaru 2008 WRX STi catless up pipe (Subaru decided it was a bad idea...now there's no chance of cat disintegrating into turbo):

The heat shield welds have a reputation for cracking and causing annoying rattling. Since the up pipe is kind of a bitch to get to, I had a few additional tack welds put on to (hopefully) prevent that from becoming a problem.

Turbo and intercooler have been removed to pull the up pipe:

Up pipe removed:

The STi up pipe does not have provisions for an EGT sensor, so we trick it with a 1/2w 2.2kohm resistor:

Taped up and put away:

Cleaning bolt threads (will be more fun when I have a garage/workbench/grinder & wire wheel):

The OEM turbo inlet had a tear in the rubber coupler for the turbo, which is bad. Perrin silicone inlet to the rescue! We went with Perrin because it does not require removal of the intake manifold for installation:

 

[jlee]

So much room!

And FINALLY:

Video of first start

 

[NutBucket]

I'm shocked that you left the catted up in there so long especially since you have increased the power. That was the first piece to go in our turbo cars.

 

[jlee]

I'm shocked that you left the catted up in there so long especially since you have increased the power. That was the first piece to go in our turbo cars.

It's been on my list for ages...hadn't gotten around to it yet. I was going to do it when I did the VF39 swap, but I had a no-name up pipe and decided to hold out for a better one.

I'm looking forward to driving it with the new UP; should make a little more power and improve spool as well.

 

[NutBucket]

I didn't notice much difference there...but piece of mind is great.

Also, kind of hear you on the no-name up. I initially installed a gutted up in my LGT and it leaked. I didn't fix it for years. I wonder how many brain cells the fumes killed

 

[jlee]

I didn't notice much difference there...but piece of mind is great.

Also, kind of hear you on the no-name up. I initially installed a gutted up in my LGT and it leaked. I didn't fix it for years. I wonder how many brain cells the fumes killed

Haha, yeah. I found an OEM STi up pipe and installed it with new gaskets, so hopefully it'll be good for another 100k+.

 

[NutBucket]

Of course, once I finally replaced the up I ended up selling the car. Luckily the one I installed in the WRX hasn't leaked. I think its been in there at least 6 years now.

 

[Insomniator]

My dad is such an idiot for not getting the turbo on his forester.

 

[jlee]

Headed to Portland.

brb.

 

[alphatarget1]

Jlee: isn't it illegal to modify existing emissions equipment?? lol...

 

[exdeath]

It's not modifying it, it's replacing a flawed and potentially dangerous OEM part with an improved factory revised OEM part.

That said I reserve and defend the right to do whatever I want with my own property by any force necessary.

If you really wanted to press the issue from a legal standpoint, then it's simply a case of the cat being destroyed by an accidentally too rich mixture or with leaded race fuel one weekend, which would necessitate a "mandatory" replacement, and in this case it's an OEM Subaru replacement. LOL.

 

[NutBucket]

Have fun trying to sell that argument to judge exdeath

I still have another year before the wife's car needs to another emissions test

 

[exdeath]

Have fun trying to sell that argument to judge exdeath

I still have another year before the wife's car needs to another emissions test

Emissions part damaged, show judge receipt for new OEM Subaru replacement part, case dismissed.

That's without the secondary case of bringing up flawed parts revised by the manufacturer to prevent engine damage, recalls, etc.

 

[NutBucket]

The part was never revised nor was there ever official documentation from Subaru identifying it as a potential problem. The part jlee installed was meant for a different engine. The STi is the only model that never had a pre-turbo cat. So while it may be OEM, its still a modification of the emissions system.

When Subaru finally removed the pre-turbo cat in the WRX, Forester and Legacy, they added a "smog pump" to help with cold-start emissions (the whole reason for the pre-turbo cat in the first place).

 

[HybridSquirrel]

The part was never revised nor was there ever official documentation from Subaru identifying it as a potential problem. The part jlee installed was meant for a different engine. The STi is the only model that never had a pre-turbo cat. So while it may be OEM, its still a modification of the emissions system.

When Subaru finally removed the pre-turbo cat in the WRX, Forester and Legacy, they added a "smog pump" to help with cold-start emissions (the whole reason for the pre-turbo cat in the first place).

Might be illegal in CA...but there are plenty of people here that remove the catted up-pipe with a non-catted one.


edit: just checked. You can only remove it if you are replacing or repairing it, since its a Subaru OEM part, he "replaced" it. It is also only illegal here if your car can't pass an emissions test, which they can force you to take either on the highway or at a station.

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/mountain-states/52783-colorado-catalytic-converter-laws.html

 

[NutBucket]

That's a pretty loose interpretation of the law IMHO. Again, its OEM but not the "correct" part for the car. Per the website you posted, "No person shall knowingly disconnect, deactivate, or otherwise render inoperable any air pollution control system which has been installed by the manufacturer...". Removing a cat is a no-no, any way you slice it. It doesn't matter that its being replaced with an OEM part as the OEM "replacement" lacks a cat.

And, just because its illegal won't stop many people from doing it. Personally, I plead the 5th