Thoughts on Turbos in Forester and Baja?

[Edward Arata]

Greetings All,

I would have to say that I am a little disappointed of Subaru USA in that
they have released the 2.5 Turbo Engine in both the Forester and the Baja.
I have not read anything besides what is on the site that they have the 2.5
L engine Turbo with 210 Hp.

Maybe I'm mad at the fact that I have a '02 Impreza WRX wagon (which I
absolutely love! by the way), and now people with Foresters and Bajas have
an extra .5 L on my engine which in my mind would allow for larger power
increase from bolt on after market parts. I wonder if they will ever relase
a 3.0 L Impreza?

Is the 2.5 in the Forest and Baja the same exactly as the STI or is it the
same block with weaker internal parts like DSM did with the Eclipes?

I just dread the day I pull up to a light and a Baja dusts my ass off the
line. I'm upset to see the Baja in the first place because its very ugly
(in my opinion), and useless (in my opinion). Others will disagree. Also
the Forester has always been boxy in my mind, but I guess a car company can
not survive on just the Impreza and Legacy lines alone. Oh well, I still
love Subaru and will probably by them for the rest of my life. Let me know
your thoughts on these topics.

An additional topic what do people think of the Saab Subaru connection with
the new 9.2x?

Ed

 

[Alan]

The turbo is available on the 04 Forrester (XT), and it is extremely fast.

 

[H. Whelply]

My only thought about my '04 Forester XT is that it is extremely fast,
doesn't look like it would/should be, and therefore you can have fun
surprising people driving more ostentatious cars. I especially enjoy the
look on the face of a BMW driver in my rearview mirror.

As for the Forester's boxiness: yes, of course it's boxy. It's an SUV. It's
not beautiful, though it looks fine for what it is, IMHO; no SUV on the
planet is a beautiful vehicle. One reason I bought the XT is that it is boxy
and can carry stuff, in contrast to my Volvo S60, which now seems very low
to me. And there's another reason I got the XT: the perfect seat height.
Don't have to climb up into it; don't have to crawl down into it. Put all
that together with Subaru engineering, reliability, the fact that it doesn't
weigh over two tons, and---did I mention the power?---you have my perfect
vehicle, beautiful in its own way.

HW

 

[Verbs Under My Gel]

The turbo is available on the 04 Forrester (XT), and it is extremely fast.

Did you read Edward's post? He's aware of the turbo Forester (one
"r"). He's upset that the turbo Forester and turbo Baja have an
additional .5 Liter of displacement to his 2.0l WRX.

Edward, I'm not certain, but I get the impression that the STi gets a
stronger block (at the very least) than the turbo Forester and Baja,
meaning you probably couldn't get 300hp out of these (and still have
acceptable reliability). Take a look at http://subaru.com/

 

[LeBernadin]

I have the '03 stock Baja and, like many Baja/Forrester owners, can
testify that they need more umph. Well Subaru listened and obviously
knew it from the start(marketing, pure marketing) and we now have the
option for the newer models. Its my impression that it would be suicidal
to increase engine capabilities to make the entire fleet flush,
especially when a manufacturer has a vehicle like the WRX STI in its
fleet. I don't have any hard figures, but its just my opinion that i
doubt the newer turbo incarnations, regardless of that extra half liter,
will be beating you at stop lights. I don't think that is the intention
Subaru is reaching for.

To stereotype, Baja owners really could care less about going 120mph
after they spent an additional $30,000 on their car, only to have
another speed demon steal their vehicle...lol...eventually.

All i'm looking for is smoother grade acceleration when my Baja is
packed with two couples, their camping gear, and their bikes.

 

[Rob]

I believe it's pretty well the same engine but with a smaller turbo and
different gear ratios.

 

[Greg Reed]

Greetings All,

I would have to say that I am a little disappointed of Subaru USA in
that they have released the 2.5 Turbo Engine in both the Forester and
the Baja. I have not read anything besides what is on the site that
they have the 2.5 L engine Turbo with 210 Hp.

Maybe I'm mad at the fact that I have a '02 Impreza WRX wagon (which I
absolutely love! by the way), and now people with Foresters and Bajas
have an extra .5 L on my engine which in my mind would allow for
larger power increase from bolt on after market parts. I wonder if
they will ever relase a 3.0 L Impreza?

Is the 2.5 in the Forest and Baja the same exactly as the STI or is
it the same block with weaker internal parts like DSM did with the
Eclipes?

I just dread the day I pull up to a light and a Baja dusts my ass off
the line. I'm upset to see the Baja in the first place because its
very ugly (in my opinion), and useless (in my opinion). Others will
disagree. Also the Forester has always been boxy in my mind, but I
guess a car company can not survive on just the Impreza and Legacy
lines alone. Oh well, I still love Subaru and will probably by them
for the rest of my life. Let me know your thoughts on these topics.

An additional topic what do people think of the Saab Subaru
connection with the new 9.2x?

Ed

Ed,

The Forester 2.5XT is indeed faster than a WRX (with both in stock form, and
comparing 5-speed to 5-speed), based on my test drives of both cars. I
haven't driven an STi and probably won't, but the ratings on the engines
would lead me to believe that the STi is much faster than the Forester 2.5XT
despite their having seemingly similar engines. (Those ratings are 215hp /
235 lb-ft for the Forster and 300hp / 300 lb-ft for the STi.)

The last time I did a Google search, there wasn't yet much in the way of
bolt-on HP for the Forester 2.5XT in the aftermarket. But there undoubtedly
will be. They've only been on the street for a couple of months, after all.

The STi also has a more advanced AWD system than any other Scoobie, with
various types of limited slip differentials in all three places (front,
center, and rear). Both the Forester 2.5XT and the WRX have limited slip
center and rear diffs, but open diffs in front. Limited slip front diffs
are extremely rare in production vehicles. The only examples I can think of
off the top of my head are the STi and a new Acura coupe that employs a
Torsen diff in its FWD drivetrain. Jeep has a new Wrangler with a
manually-locking front diff and I think the Hummer H1 has a manually-locking
front diff, but that's not really the same thing.

And you'd better believe that I'd *love* the hell out of blowing the doors
off your (stock) WRX with my unassuming-looking Forester!! ;-) (Car and
Driver printed a 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds for the 5-speed!!)

- Greg

--
1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Formal Limousine
(for sale: http://www.dataspire.com/caddy)
1989 Audi 200 Turbo Quattro sedan 5-speed
2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue
2001 Chevy Astro AWD (wife's)
2004 Forester 2.5XT 5-speed (coming soon!)

 

[Edward Arata]

Greg,

Thanks for you great post.
I was aware of the more advanced AWD system on the STi, but thanks for all
the info.
And as for ya "blowing" the doors off my WRX, that's what I'm worried about!
Glad your enjoying your Forester!

Ed

 

[h_brown]

center and rear diffs, but open diffs in front. Limited slip front diffs
are extremely rare in production vehicles. The only examples I can think of
off the top of my head are the STi and a new Acura coupe that employs a
Torsen diff in its FWD drivetrain. Jeep has a new Wrangler with a

It's less rare in FWD cars than before:

2003 & 2003.5 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege has a limited slip front differential
2000-1 Nissan Sentra SE/PP had one also, as well as the
2002+ Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
new Acura TL sedan has it,
new Nissan Maxima also has LSD as an option,
2004 Dodge Neon SRT-4

 

[H. Whelply]

Somewhere--Subaru site, I think--there was a short list of STi aftermarket
stuff that fits the Forester XT engine. As you say, more should be coming.

One item I was specifically interested in is the air filter from the STi,
which the site said would fit my Forester. Lets more air through, more
easily. That would be a good thing, right? Would it be worth the $79 price?

Thanks.

HW

 

[Subaru]

Wait till a Forester blows you away with over 700 horsepower: )))))))
http://www.isrperformance.com/main.html

EJ25 High Horsepower Engines, 2.5L/740hp:

includes:

-Bored engine
-Crack treated, tested
-Balanced crank, treated, tested
-Custom steel rods
-Forged pistons
-Modified rings
-Oringed block
-Copper head gasket
-Head stud kit
-Modified heads, big valves, modified retainers & springs
-Custom planum intake
-Retainer groves for orings
-Billet flywheel
-Custom button clutch
-Modified pressure plate
-Additional components, timing belt, seals etc.
-Ignition system m&w
-Garret Turbo w/ custom housing and ball bearing core
-External gate
-Custom up pipe
-Custom down pipe
-Custom planum, std or reversed (loose a/c)
-700cc injectors
-Bosch external pump
-Surge tank
-Front mount intercooler (depending if using a/c or no a/c, offer two
types) -Radiator (depending if using a/c or not, offer two types)
-Catch can & pipin

 

[2 Stroke]

Higher flow capability thru the air filter is not going to be much of
an improvement on an otherwise stock vehicle. Under full throttle
acceleration, thru most of the rev range, the ECU limits the amount of
air supplied to the engine by the turbo. It does this by controlling
the amount of boost pressure applied to the wastegate. Increasing the
ability to flow air upstream of the turbo is not going to do much by
itself, as the turbo is already capable of providing more air to the
engine than it is usually allowed to do.

The ECU is where the big performance gains are to be found. I would
wait until Cobb or ECUtek develop a new map for the FXT, then send my
ECU off for a reflash. I have a Prodrive/ECUtek modified ECU in my
WRX, and it transformed the car. It's MUCH faster and more fun to
drive.

The stock ECU is optimized for emissions and fuel efficiency, not
performance. A reflash can change that.

Steve

============================================================

 

[TransFixed]

Did you read Edward's post? He's aware of the turbo Forester (one
"r"). He's upset that the turbo Forester and turbo Baja have an
additional .5 Liter of displacement to his 2.0l WRX.

Edward, I'm not certain, but I get the impression that the STi gets a
stronger block (at the very least) than the turbo Forester and Baja,
meaning you probably couldn't get 300hp out of these (and still have
acceptable reliability). Take a look at http://subaru.com/

Not so. Same block, same internals - look at the Canadian site for details.

- D.

 

[Ken Gilbert]

Greetings All,

I would have to say that I am a little disappointed of Subaru USA in that
they have released the 2.5 Turbo Engine in both the Forester and the Baja.
I have not read anything besides what is on the site that they have the 2.5
L engine Turbo with 210 Hp.

Maybe I'm mad at the fact that I have a '02 Impreza WRX wagon (which I
absolutely love! by the way), and now people with Foresters and Bajas have
an extra .5 L on my engine which in my mind would allow for larger power
increase from bolt on after market parts. I wonder if they will ever relase
a 3.0 L Impreza?

Is the 2.5 in the Forest and Baja the same exactly as the STI or is it the
same block with weaker internal parts like DSM did with the Eclipes?

I just dread the day I pull up to a light and a Baja dusts my ass off the
line. I'm upset to see the Baja in the first place because its very ugly
(in my opinion), and useless (in my opinion). Others will disagree. Also
the Forester has always been boxy in my mind, but I guess a car company can
not survive on just the Impreza and Legacy lines alone. Oh well, I still
love Subaru and will probably by them for the rest of my life. Let me know
your thoughts on these topics.

An additional topic what do people think of the Saab Subaru connection with
the new 9.2x?

Ed

ed,

there are of course a lot of mixed emotions about this topic.

one one hand, great... it's a subaru, it is a brother, and it is a
nice car. be happy for the fact that it exists.

on the other hand.. damn--an extra 25% of displacement is a nice
thing!

i've got a 03 rex sportwagon, and i love it. i love the bug eyes. i
love the fact that i can fit a water heater in the back. i love the
fact that it doesn't look so boxy as a forester.

bite the bullet and mod your car. there's enough untapped power to
scare the shit out of you in that seeminly small 2.0. astounding
hp/liter numbers... ~300 _wheel_ horsepower is possible, even with a
stock block/pistons/heads. that's about twice what you're putting to
the ground now!

if/when you blow your bottom end, get yourself a brand new 2.5l
shortblock for less than 1500 bucks and never look back!

jm2c
ken

 

[Alan Peterman]

bite the bullet and mod your car. there's enough untapped power to
scare the shit out of you in that seeminly small 2.0. astounding
hp/liter numbers... ~300 _wheel_ horsepower is possible, even with a
stock block/pistons/heads. that's about twice what you're putting to
the ground now!

if/when you blow your bottom end, get yourself a brand new 2.5l
shortblock for less than 1500 bucks and never look back!

I'm waiting for the Legacy GT Turbo wagon. Then I'll sell my WRX wagon, and the
difference in price will get me a new car, and the new bigger engine, and maybe
a 6 speed and sunroof. Heaven..