CanonShooter's '07 FXT

[CanonShooter]

Updated 05/29/2011

I purchased my 2007 FXT in Newport Pearl Blue with 4EAT new in January of 2007. At the time I had a 2006 WRX 5MT that I very much enjoyed, but needed something a bit more "practical." This was my '06 WRX (http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/WRX-22.jpg).

From the outset, stealth was the name of the game for all of the mods I have done with the FXT - I wanted to keep it a "sleeper." I also wanted to improve the dismal stock handling characteristics but still maintain a reasonably smooth, comfortable ride.
Here is the complete list of mods as of this posting -

Engine

IMI VF48 turbo
Perrin TMIC
Aquamist HFS3 Water/Methanol Injection
SPT Heat Shield
PTP Turbo Blanket
Samco turbo inlet
AEM Cold Air Intake
Perrin BOV hose
Subtle Splitter
Subtle Hood Struts
Subtle Radiator Shroud
STi Hood Scoop
Grimmspeed PnP/ceramic coated exhaust manifolds
Grimmspeed Air-Oil Separator
MadDad catted bellmouth DP
MadDad Forester-specific 3-inch Whisper cat-back
Kartboy Exhaust Hangers
KillerB oil pickup tube
Walbro 342 fuel pump
274 WHP - 344 ft/lbs, open source tune by EFI Logics (http://www.efilogics.com/dyno/index.php?gb=0&hp=1&torque=1&boost=1&rpm=1&sl=1&sln=1&runid1=1006&rgb1=000000255)

I installed an Aquamist HFS-3 (http://www.howertonengineering.com/Aquamist_hfs3.html) water/meth injection system. Using Autozone -20 degree windshield washer fluid (about 30% methanol, the remainder water) and with a re-tune, the car produces 274 WHP and 344 ft./lbs. of torque on the EFI Logics Mustang Dyno. The graph below shows the gains using the system;

http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/dynograph-3.gif


Update May 1, 2011

I had the opportunity to get the Foz on a different dyno, a Land & Sea DYNOmite unit this past weekend. Word has it that this is a very low reading dyno. The only change from the graph above is that I went to a 50% meth/50% distilled water mix for the injection. The car has not been retuned for the new mix, but it feels like the ECU has adjusted to take advantage of the higher octane. On this dyno, the car put down 268 WHP and 360 ft./lbs. torque;

http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/dynographkinetic-1.jpg

Performance

12.966 at 105.94 MPH

http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/timeslips5112011.jpg

Brakes

Hawk Performance Ceramic Pads
Centric Premium Rotors
G2 Caliper Coating (silver)
Grimmspeed MC Brace


Suspension & Handling

Swift Sport Springs
Whiteline 22mm RSB (adjustable) with STi mounts and mo_boost support brackets
Whiteline 22mm FSB (fixed)
Kartboy Links
Whiteline subframe locking bolts
Whiteline Quick Release Rear Strut Brace
Whiteline steering rack bushings
Subtle fender braces ("cowl stays")
Subtle trunk brace
GTSpec Front Strut Brace
GTSpec 4 Points Front Ladder Bar
P235/50R-17 Yokohama Advan S4 on Steel Grey Rota Tarmac 2 wheels (3 seasons)
P225/55R-17 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R on factory alloys (winter)
Performance alignment - minus 1.5 degrees camber all four corners, 1/16" toe-in front, zero toe rear

Exterior

Forester Sports Front Bumper
Forester Sports grille
'08 Sports black tail lights
'08 Sports black headlights with LED strip parking light mod and Philips Vision Plus high beam bulbs
Hella Rallye 4000 Compact Driving Lights with 100 watt bulbs
Tint - 50% front windows, 35% rear windows and moon roof
Rally Armor UR mud flaps

Interior

Aquamist HFS-3 Gauge
AEM Digital Boost Gauge
Subtle Gauge Bezel
Shifter boot mod with WC Lathe Werks custom knob
Redline Armrest Cover
Lloyd Luxe Carpet Floor Mats (front)
Weathertech floor liners (rear)
Lloyd Luxe Carpet Cargo Mat
RAAMmat and Ensolite Sound Deadening

Audio

Pioneer AVH-P4100DVD (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AVHP410/Pioneer-AVH-P4100DVD.html?c=3&tp=20217&avf=N) with SIRIUS and iPod
Polk DB 6501 (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB6501/Polk-Audio-db6501.html?tp=106) components (front) powered by Rockford Fosgate P400-2 (http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_575P4002P/Rockford-Fosgate-Punch-P400-2.html?tp=115) amp
Kenwood KFC-1362S (http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KFC1362/Kenwood-KFC-1362S.html?tp=105) 5-1/4" 3-way rear door speakers powered from HU
Infinity Basslink (http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_108BASSLIN/Infinity-Basslink.html?tp=114) (installed in spare tire well)

Awards

June 2008 SubaruForester.org Calendar Selection
2010 Wicked Big Meet Car Show - 1st Place, Performance Category
January 2011 NES ROTM
January 2011 SubaruForester.org FOTM

Photo Gallery

http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/fxt-15.jpg




http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/fxt-17.jpg


http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/fxt-20.jpg


http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/fxt-23.jpg


http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/hfs3-1.jpg


http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/cargomat-2.jpg


http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/fxtenginebay-2.jpg

[98Wagoon]

bump for updates and pics! such a nice foz!

[jonny-rockets]

looks nice i approve!

[jmb1983]

I love it

[CanonShooter]

Thanks! I am currently planning a brake upgrade (probably 4-pot/2-pot WRX calipers) and some additional bracing.

[jwebsta32]

Very nice sir

[lucipha]

This is the nicest foz I have ever seen. :up:

[CanonShooter]

This is the nicest foz I have ever seen. :up:

Thanks! Updated with some new photos.

[CanonShooter]

Installed the Subtle trunk brace (http://www.subtle-solutions.com/product_info.php?products_id=130) today. Tough job, took all of about 10 minutes. :lolno:

This is a U.S. made part based on a Cusco JDM design (http://www.rhdjapan.com/cusco-power-brace-rear-trunk-subaru-forester-sg5-56776) which costs about 5 trillion Yen. Wagons generally need all the stiffening they can get in the hatch area.

I haven't gone for a test ride yet but I am heading to EFI Logics on Friday to get back on the dyno for a tune tweak (cold weather compensation, increase water/meth concentration to 50/50).

Pic of Subtle trunk brace installed;

http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/trunkbrace-1.jpg

[RCKSTR]

Very well done and clean fozzy you got there :up:

[serioussubaru]

I think this is as cool as you can get! And talk about stance! Some times it isn't all about how low you can go, well ok most of the time, but dammmmn this thing is mean looking! :up::up::up::up:

[Psychoreo]

How are you liking the infinity bass link? That looks like a simple solution to the "custom spare tire box"

[serioussubaru]

oh I'm going to start rating cars out of 10, you get the first 10/10 for sure!

[CanonShooter]

How are you liking the infinity bass link? That looks like a simple solution to the "custom spare tire box"

The Basslink is IMO one of the better powered subwoofers on the market. A 10-inch active driver on one side, a 10-inch passive on the other and a built-in 200 watt RMS amp.

Like any other subwoofer, location-location-location. I've been using this one for about 6 years, and out of the 4 vehicles it has been in (a '96 Cherokee, a '00 Grand Cherokee, my 06 WRX and now the Forester), this location absolutely kicks azz! It's the third spot I've tried and it's a home run screwed down to the pan in the spare tire well.

I carry a portable compressor, Green Goo and a tire repair kit, all of which fit tucked in around the Basslink. I'd be happy to meet up and provide a demo on how it sounds.

[CanonShooter]

oh I'm going to start rating cars out of 10, you get the first 10/10 for sure!

Thanks - much appreciated! And at the same time, the Foz "flies under the radar" if you know what I mean. :up:

[Psychoreo]

I carry a portable compressor, Green Goo and a tire repair kit, all of which fit tucked in around the Basslink. I'd be happy to meet up and provide a demo on how it sounds.

Hmmmm... What time are you headed to EFI Friday?

I've been looking for a solution like this considering I have no use for my spare tire (stupid big brakes lol)

[twza-leggt]

Its very clean especially the engine. Very nice

[CanonShooter]

Hmmmm... What time are you headed to EFI Friday?

I've been looking for a solution like this considering I have no use for my spare tire (stupid big brakes lol)

My appointment is at 11 so I'll be leaving a little after 8:00 AM.

[02wrxman]

very clean and well built forster you have there and does having the sub in that spot be very clear and sound

[CanonShooter]

very clean and well built forster you have there and does having the sub in that spot be very clear and sound
The Basslink performs exceptionally well in that position. I would describe the sound as "musical" in that it hits all the frequencies very cleanly and in balance with the rest of the system. Securing the brackets directly to the pan no doubt helps.

It won't vibrate the fenders off, but it truly sounds exceptional mounted in the spare tire well. I've been screwing with audio systems for a very long time and the one I currently have in the Foz is hands-down the best I've ever had in any vehicle. The system is well matched to the acoustics inside the cabin.

[02wrxman]

great cause i am serching around for subs and place to place put them and seeing what the best resualt are going to be in ever spot

[Berge56]

any updates on the toaster?

[CanonShooter]

any updates on the toaster?

Got on the Kinetics Motor Works DYNOmite dyno this past weekend at SM5. I recently increased the meth/water ratio to 50/50 and the car feels stronger and smoother. Last summer on the EFI Logics Mustang dyno (with 30% meth), the car put down 274/344. Here is the graph from Kinetics;

http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/dynographkinetic-1.jpg

[Joe]

I am terrible at reading these things, but is it saying you made 267 hp, 242ft-lbs? even though your torque curve is up over 350 at the beginning? and your A/F is wicked flat, that from the meth?

sorry for newbish questions, but I've never owned a tuned or dynoed car. :hide:

[CanonShooter]

I am terrible at reading these things, but is it saying you made 267 hp, 242ft-lbs? even though your torque curve is up over 350 at the beginning? and your A/F is wicked flat, that from the meth?

sorry for newbish questions, but I've never owned a tuned or dynoed car. :hide:

Stated numbers refer to peak, so this graph would read 267/360.

[Joe]

Stated numbers refer to peak, so this graph would read 267/360.


That's what i thought. I'm suprised the program didn't pick the out and label the graph for you. must've just picked up the peak hp and printed the torque at that point. either way, very nice forester!

[CanonShooter]

either way, very nice forester!

Thanks!

[CanonShooter]

Finally broke into the 12s (car #801)!

http://www.canonshooter.com/photos2/timeslips5112011.jpg

[CanonShooter]

Today I swapped out the STi 20mm RSB and rubber mount bushings with a Whiteline 22mm adjustable RSM with poly bushings. Whiteline steering rack bushings going in tomorrow.

[98Wagoon]

how much for the 20mm and stuff? :hide:

[DHGurs]

VULTURE!

[98Wagoon]

haters gon' hate! :lol:




http://kids.christiansunite.com/images/animals/vulture.jpg

[hiprsha666]

Today I swapped out the STi 20mm RSB and rubber mount bushings with a Whiteline 22mm adjustable RSM with poly bushings. Whiteline steering rack bushings going in tomorrow.

Nice. I hope the steering wheel and wheels stay straight for ya.

[CanonShooter]

how much for the 20mm and stuff? :hide:

PM sent. :)

[CanonShooter]

Nice. I hope the steering wheel and wheels stay straight for ya.

I hope so too!

[DHGurs]

CanonShooter (http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/member.php?u=1313)
2.5T

http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/image.php?u=1313&dateline=1294581654 (http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/member.php?u=1313)

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Bedford, NH
Vehicle: '07 Forester XT
Posts: 500

:devil:

[CanonShooter]

:nes:

[98Wagoon]

PM sent. :)


vollied!! thanks again Jim!




500 posts eh? theres a place for level 500 donators.... :hide:

[Oldguyfxt]

Thanks canonshooter, much appreciated will be I'm Ma. All next week for lab view training, hopefully 98wagoon will surrender the foz back to daddy.

[hiprsha666]

Labview uugh

[Oldguyfxt]

I'm a hardware guy by choice, lab view looks like an easy way to program my test beds.

[Oldguyfxt]

I'm a hardware guy by choice, lab view looks like an easy way to program my test beds.

[98Wagoon]

stop doubleposting. I blame that piece of **** ipad.

[apkarian100]

+1Labview uugh

[yaya]

Finally broke into the 12s (car #801)!

Congrats! That is awesome.

[CanonShooter]

Congrats! That is awesome.

Had to power-brake it to Warp 9 to make it happen. Jush mashing the gas with soft (under 2k RPM) power-braking, it's a low 13s toaster. Once it gets its ass off the line, the 4EAT shifts really nicely with my current tune - full boost with no drop-off between shifts!

[civic si hb]

Had to power-brake it to Warp 9 to make it happen. Jush mashing the gas with soft (under 2k RPM) power-braking, it's a low 13s toaster. Once it gets its ass off the line, the 4EAT shifts really nicely with my current tune - full boost with no drop-off between shifts!


Just watching you go down the track you can tell it's really starts to move once you get past the initial 60ft. I'll have to vid it next time for ya. The car really looks like it moves well once you're rolling :)

[CanonShooter]

Just watching you go down the track you can tell it's really starts to move once you get past the initial 60ft. I'll have to vid it next time for ya. The car really looks like it moves well once you're rolling :)

It really does. But by the time I pass the 1320' mark at 107 MPH, the brick-like aerodynamics are beginning to takes its toll. Also, I'm still in third and past the power curve.

So, it's not really a 1/4 mile machine at all, though it aquits itself reasonably well. On the street however it's a mega-pleasure to drive, even with the 4EAT.

[CanonShooter]

Steering rack bushings in, no problems with install.

Observations;

1. The 22mm bar is a nice improvement. I think with wagons you need a heavier bar to deal with the extra weight in the back. The Foz feels nicely balanced with 22mm bars front and rear.

2. The steering rack bushings tightened up the steering, or at least it feels that way.

Overall, good stuff!

[hiprsha666]

Ya the steering rack bushings were not what I was expecting exactly. But the more you drive it the more you notice it.

[Berge56]

Congrats Cannon!

[CanonShooter]

Congrats Cannon!

Thanks!

Did a de-mod today - removed the LED strips from the headlight eyebrows. Though I really liked the way they looked, the crappy LED strips burn out fast and they're a pain to change.

Luckily I did the mod in such a way that it's 100% reversible. I put some amber 168NA bulbs back in and considering they last forever, they look just fine.

[CanonShooter]

Installed some sound deadening products from www.raamaudio.com (http://www.raamaudio.com) this weekend.

I ordered one box of their RAAMmat RXT ll (http://www.raamaudio.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=19&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=3) and 3 running yards of their Ensolite IUO Peel and Stick (http://www.raamaudio.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=21&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=3) foam.

I started with the front doors, lining the inside of the outer skin with the RAAMmat. I got nearly 100% coverage of this surface. Reaching inside the door through the available openings was not bad at all. I then covered those openings with RAAMmat and the placed the Ensolite over that. I then placed some RAAMmat on the inside of the door cards in a few spots, then entirely covered the inside surface with Ensolite.

I took the Foz for a test spin and did notice a reduction in road noise. It was very obvious that the rear doors were not done as I could hear a lot of road noise coming in through them. The real surprise was how much better my audio system sounds. I have a set of Polk db6500 components in the front doors with a Rockford Fosgate P4000 2-channel amp powering them. This amp came with a "birth certificate" showing 149 watts RMS per channel at less than .04% THD. The bass response is significantly improved and the total sound is MUCH cleaner, leading me to believe that I had a lot of vibration inside the doors killing the sound. The improvement in this regard is quite remarkable.

I then did the rear doors in the same fashion. I have a set of 5-1/4" Kenwood speakers in the rear doors, powered off the Pioneer HU at 18 watts RMS per channel. The improvement in the rear speaker performance is somewhat noticeable, but the reduction in road noise is dramatic. With the 4 doors done, the Foz interior noise levels are significantly lower. Closing the doors gives a solid "thud" sound too.

Overall, this is an excellent mod for those looking to reduce interior noise and to get the most out of after market audio equipment. Total extra weight at this point is less than 20 pounds. My next project is the rear hatch area, which should make a noticeable improvement too.

[slightlymodified]

Very cool man! You cant beat dampering road noise. Btw i was looking around on another sites pictures of wbm last year and saw your car! :)

[boxer3maine]

"sounds" like good stuff.


I was going nuts over sound too, the drivers door vibrated at an idle when I first let engine run in an old one...

after all the steel added, I am not even in a rush to fix bottom of door seams to tight. No annoyances at all.

if noise was annoying, inspect structure often.. something is not happy. That is what I got out of it.

that raamat seems a good replacement after scraping oem floors of the melted roof tar type stuff. I was at a loss there too, ended up using grace and water shield from the garage.

[Berge56]

Sweet Canon!

[CanonShooter]

More RAAMmat, and a few more squeaks/rattles hunted-down and eliminated...

I worked in the hatch area yesterday, on the left side. I removed all the foam trays from the floor, the trim on the left side and did the following;

1. Removed the pitiful factory "subwoofer" (which hasn't been connected for a long time) and covered the opening with some wire mesh, RAAMmat and Ensolite. I then covered a good part of the underside of the window/side cargo trim with Ensolite, especially around the window where thare are small strips of foam from the factory. I figured those are contact areas that could potentially squeak/rattle, so I placed the Ensolite on top of the factory foam too. The approach I took was to stop the noise at the inner panels, so the outer skin was left alone, as was the vent.

2. I've had some minor but yet annoying squeaks/rattles coming from the headliner in the rear. I pulled the headliner down from the rear hatch and spent some time placing Ensolite on top of the headliner. The annoying "soft rattle" I've been hearing were the two plastic push-pins, located about 16 inches in from the rear edge of the headliner. The pins did not hold the hard headliner tight, and thus it rattled. Some Ensolite on top of the headliner took up the slop and silenced the noise.

I also placed some RAAMmat and Ensolite in the spare tire well under the Basslink, which seemed to tighten up the already tight bass even more.

It turns out the time and effort was really well spent. The in-cabin, low-frequency exhaust tone is greatly reduced by closing up the subwoofer opening. In combination with the elimination of those few "soft" rattles from the headliner, tire tread noise is now the dominate sound at highway speeds. I'll take some DB readings this week and post them.

So, I think I'm done with the sound deadening for now. If I ever get the ambition to pull down the entire headliner, I will line the top of it with a layer of Ensolite to guard against future rattles and squeaks.
It's nice driving over rough surfaces and not being serenaded by squeaks and rattles. Between the sound deadening, all the bracing I'm using, a reasonably compliant suspension (Swift springs on stock struts) and the Yoko Advan S4 tires at 30 PSI, the Foz rides like a Lexus yet still handles nicely. I'm enjoying the sound system more too!

[whtrexgrl]

awesome canon!!

[CanonShooter]

A Spin Around the Block in My Forester XT (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ8aU00YTpc)

[Psychoreo]

Saw you at WBM as you were headed out. Toaster looks great!

[CanonShooter]

Saw you at WBM as you were headed out. Toaster looks great!

Thanks!

[whtrexgrl]

so sexy as always canon!!!

[CanonShooter]

so sexy as always canon!!!

:wub:

BTW, between the glaring sun and poor background, WBM was not good for photo ops. How about we set something up for a Sunday morning at Arms Park in Manch?

[whtrexgrl]

^ sending you a pm :)

[CanonShooter]

After we went to NED in May and I got my 12-second run, my brake pedal was a little lower, probably from laying on the brake pedal while brake-torqueing. Ah yes, the soft Subaru firewalls...

So this weekend I adjusted my brake pedal (adjustment under the dash) to bring it back up and installed a Grimmspeed MC brace. The brace does make a difference during hard braking, but not so much during normal braking. What I like about the GS brace is that it attaches with 4 bolts instead of just two.

Good mod, worth the $100 IMO.

[Berge56]

I love my master cylinder brace too!

[Berge56]

Any new updates?

[hiprsha666]

Anything new going on with this?

[DHGurs]

I spotted him today...

[CanonShooter]

No new updates. In fact, the Foz has been enjoying life in the garage. Last year I put 6800 miles on it between inspections, I think it will be even less this year. Bear in mind it got heavy use in its first 3 years of life before 90% of the mods were done - it now has 83k on the clock.

Actually, I drained the diffs and refilled with M1 75W-90 and drained the trans again and refilled with Subie AT fluid (even though these don't count as mods).

From long-range commuter to leading a pampered life - that's the story and I'm stickin' to it!

[Berge56]

Great! My car has been enjoying the same kinda life.

[CanonShooter]

Link to review of MadDad 3-inch Foz-specific Whisper exhaust -

http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24321