Pezimm's 2007 Forester

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:50 pm

Decided to update the interior lights and some of the exterior ones too. Got some pretty cool LEDs from Diode Dynamics:

Before shots:

After shots:

Uhhh, the light!!

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:56 pm

Rego lights:

Front parkers:

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Thu Aug 21, 2014 1:35 pm

LEDs make sooo much difference. Try them in your reverse lights too

NOTE: its very important to consume alcohol while installing LEDs to prevent lumen overload

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:07 am

Nice mate. Now I can save on my battery usage at night when we're camping... although, I do go bush to get away from the light spill you get these days from surrounding towns!

Cheers

Bennie

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:37 pm

El_Freddo wrote:I do go bush to get away from the light spill you get these days from surrounding towns!

Hehe, me too! All of my lights have an on/off switch in my control!!

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:46 pm

I got a few more goodies arriving on the mail:

Not everything will be installed now, but the first 2 fancy bits I allowed myself went in the car already. First, I got a new rear view mirror from a BRZ. I liked them from the first time I saw them because of the frameless design. The fact that my original one was delaminating was just an excuse to get it.

New mirror mounted on the same base as the original, making it a 30 second mod:

The other item I got installed just this afternoon was a JDM hazard switch, the full red one to replace my silver/grey unit. Photos below:

The switch:

DASH BEFORE:

AND AFTER:

Little things, I know, but I like them! I'm stoked with the way it looks and it makes my Forester a little more unique!

Pedro.

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 6:06 pm

My radiator had a bit of a disagreement with me as I pushed the car up a dune in Big Desert Wilderness Park. I wanted to get up the top and the radiator was more interested in blowing up and spilling all its coolant on the sand...

A bit more about that here: Desert break-down - my RACV experience

Anyways, I needed a new radiator and given my suspicions and past experience with plastic tank ones, I decided to go full alloy. Reviewing my options, I purchased a Koyorad Racing unit from eBay (link here) which is actually made for the MT Forester XT.

While doing my research, I learned the difference between the 2 with the transmission fluid flowing through the bottom tank of the radiator in the AT cars. Since I have an external transmission oil cooler, the MT radiator should be fine in my car. This is also the same experience from other people that did the same mod.

I also got the recommended radiator cap from Koyorad and have silicone hoses on their way. These will be fitted in about 1000kms when I flush the radiator out.

I finally got the car back last Thursday, and it was a bit dusty after sitting out by the desert for 2 weeks:

And here it is in the engine bay:

I've driven about 200kms on it and temperatures are always sitting between 85-95 deg Celcius. It seems that if I push it hard, it cools the engine more, which is a nice place to be...

Hopefully happy days ahead!
Pedro.

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:05 pm

Very nice, no more worries about overheating now!

Liberty Valance · Post by **Liberty Valance** » Wed Oct 15, 2014 6:39 pm

Mate can you give details on your external transmission cooler?
Brand, price, etc?
Maybe a pic of the install location?

Thanks.

By the way, I have two automatic XT's and both have blown radiator top tanks.
The missus stock MY06 at 130,000kms and my off road MY07 at 108,000kms.
Must be a standard failure.

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Wed Oct 15, 2014 9:37 pm

Liberty Valance wrote:Mate can you give details on your external transmission cooler?
Brand, price, etc?
Maybe a pic of the install location?

Thanks.

By the way, I have two automatic XT's and both have blown radiator top tanks.
The missus stock MY06 at 130,000kms and my off road MY07 at 108,000kms.
Must be a standard failure.

Interesting feedback about your experiences with your radiators...

The transmission cooler I have is the factory fitted one as part of the heavy duty (50mm hitch) towing pack. I will dig out a photo showing install location and post it here for your reference.

Pedro.

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Wed Oct 15, 2014 10:00 pm

Transmission oil cooler photo below:

You can see it mounted on the passenger side in front of the aircon condenser...

Liberty Valance · Post by **Liberty Valance** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 5:32 am

Good one, thanks.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 11:36 pm

Pezimm that radiator looks like what you should've had from the start! I wish I could get something like that for Ruby Scoo off the shelf!

Can't complain though, the N13 stock rad did well with only one thermo fan!

How are those head gaskets holding up?

Cheers

Bennie

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 9:38 pm

Head gaskets seem to be good...

I've been watching the temps and their pretty consistent. Coolant level is holding still. I filled it to the top when cold so I've been checking it in the mornings before running the engine.

The Foz and I are coming to an agreement, I give it nothing but nice, shiny parts and it promises not to spoil my holiday plans anymore...

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Tue Oct 21, 2014 10:40 am

pezimm wrote: The Foz and I are coming to an agreement, I give it nothing but nice, shiny parts and it promises not to spoil my holiday plans anymore...

So your Foz is a bling whore lol

It also helps to talk sweetly to her dash when on a difficult climb

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Sun Oct 26, 2014 4:18 pm

Just arrived back from a quick trip to Canberra... I think it's fair to say the car is absolutely fine following the new radiator.

Out of interest, some statistics:

1) Highest water temp: 99 degrees, 2.30pm with external temp at 33 degrees while driving uphill for about 6kms at 110km/h
2) Total kilometres: 1,366km per odometer (more like 1,400km in real life)
3) Total litres: 142.7L
4) Efficiency: 10.2L/100km - not bad for a quick dash up and down the Hume Fwy...

Pedro.

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 8:39 pm

Not a happy Forester day today... And just one day before my birthday!

I think the old girl is getting a little long on the teeth, so here's a little rant:

- The radiator blew up and interrupted my desert trip with the Vic crew.
- I've got this annoying little leak from the front diff or transmission that I can't locate.
- Gearbox feels like it's running a little rough, so I'm alert and concerned
- Got a P0420 error coming up on the ScanGauge over the weekend twice! This code catalytic converter not working within spec, but still annoying
- And today: the power window control switch decides to break on me, so when lifting the driver window, it will only go all the way, not stop if I release the switch...

I know nothing is THAT critical, but they're just annoying little things (I know, first world worries), but still: I'm OCD about the car being fully functional!

On a positive note:

Another week or 2 and the car will celebrate its 200,000th kilometre! Evidentiary photos will be taken.

Pedro

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:00 pm

They're certainly first world problems!!

And they're little things. If Ruby Scoo was in one piece I'd lend her to you for a week so that you'll fall in love with your forester all over again!

Get a front LSD and do all the seals at the same time - issue sorted

Cheers

Bennie

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:08 pm

Ah your just in the transition to "on-going" maintenance where you slowly replace the entire car as the years go by.

AKA good excuses for awesome upgrades.

Diff leak = new custom auto front LSD.
Rough gearbox = ECU and TCM tune to improve shifting
Catalytic converter code = new full sick bro exhaust.
Power window switch = maybe some JDM spec limited edition replacement?

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Nov 11, 2014 9:53 pm

Venom wrote:Ah your just in the transition to "on-going" maintenance where you slowly replace the entire car as the years go by.

Yeah, speak to Bennie about that, he's got loads of experience with that

Venom wrote:AKA good excuses for awesome upgrades.

Diff leak = new custom auto front LSD.
Rough gearbox = ECU and TCM tune to improve shifting
Catalytic converter code = new full sick bro exhaust.
Power window switch = maybe some JDM spec limited edition replacement?

I think Venom needs to introduce you to his ImportMONSTER "consultant" - then hide them from Mrs Pezimm!

Cheers

Bennie