If you’re not already aware, A Subaru Forester is basically a jacked up Impreza with a slightly larger, boxy body. Those are the things that attracted me to one, the performance and tuning potential of an Impreza but with more space in the back for stuff. Being ‘jacked up’ and the ‘larger, boxy body’ both […]
How to Guides and Reviews
Forester STI – New Fog Light Cover STI Decals
The left fog light cover could do with a new decal and a little freshen up with a layer of lacquer so I carefully measured the dimensions of the original STI decals and had an eBay seller make me some exact copies of them for me. I wanted to make sure I placed the new […]
S1 Elise – Gear Linkage Bush Kit
When I test drove the Elise before buying it, it was immediately obvious there was too much slack in the gear linkage. Having already done my research, I knew this would most likely be due to tired bushes in the linkage at the gearbox end. I also knew there are inexpensive kits available to replace […]
How To Guide – Underbody Protection, Rust Prevention, Stonechip, Underseal, Cavity Wax
Having found myself a fairly recent Japanese import Forester STI. I wanted to give the underside the best chance of surviving UK winter roads as I could. Leaving it with no protection as it came from Japan was not an option. Too many newly imported cars are given a quick and cheap spray over the […]
S1 Elise – Front Ball Joint Replacement
The brake caliper needs to come off first, starting with the clamp for the brake hose. Then the two caliper bolts. With the disc off too next was the disc shield. As expected, the bolts were not keen on coming out. After cutting a slot in the head of the bolts I used my drill […]
Forester STI – How to Repair Brembo Caliper Threads
As I showed in my last post, when I replaced a rear wheel stud, Brembo calipers can cause problems when it comes to removing them. This is because they are an aluminium alloy and they are bolted with steel bolts. Galvanic corrosion happens between the two different metals which weakens the aluminium and it sort […]
Evo VI – Timing Belt, Balance Belt and Water Pump Replacement
I had the timing belt / cambelt and balance belt replaced when I first bought the Evo. My mate Jon, a mechanic, did it for me as I really hate doing them and at the time I didn’t have the garage facilities I have now. Well I’ve had the Evo quite a while now and […]
Evo VI – Turbosmart Dual Port Dump Valve / BOV
When I bought the Evo it came with an HKS SSQV dump valve, fitted by a previous owner. Not something I would have chosen to fit myself as fully venting to atmosphere has it’s problems with the Evo using a MAF sensor. But they are a good dump valve mechanically, it didn’t leak, it made […]