I'm looking for some help/info on where to look for parts for my 2004 Outback. It is in need of some work (brakes, tires, struts, exhaust, etc) and I was thinking of trading up for a new one, but after some test driving and the sad realization that if you want a manual transmission you have to sacrifice options I have decided to just work on the old girl. I'm looking to make it a little more rally'esk, but can't seem to really find a good place to get parts to performance her out.
Needs Improvement!
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Submissions are now being taken for MAY OUTBACK OF THE MONTH
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The Legacy guys might have some performance mods listed some place. Given the OB is not a performance car its pretty tough to find any reference to performance mods for it. The legacy stuff is almost always a match besides the suspension stuff. The OB is a legacy wagon after all.
(formerly) 03 H6 OBW , (presently) 06 WRX Sportwagon & 2021 Honda CR-V
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boxer4racing has some go-fast bits for legacy/outback.
kinda depends on what you want to do. heavier anti-sway bar, upgraded brake pads (StopTech Street Performance), max or ultra performance tires, new/refreshed struts (KYB) and stiffer bushings might get you a lot of noticeable improvement in handling. If your struts are original - you WILL notice even replacement stock struts.
kinda depends on what you want to do. heavier anti-sway bar, upgraded brake pads (StopTech Street Performance), max or ultra performance tires, new/refreshed struts (KYB) and stiffer bushings might get you a lot of noticeable improvement in handling. If your struts are original - you WILL notice even replacement stock struts.
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The dealer where we bought two Subarus does a custom car every month. They do aftermarket leather and will add other things pending their budget and park it on the show room floor. When we bought our first car there in late 09 they had a Forester with Saddle Brown custom leather interior - custom nav and audio system. They had it for two days we had to go back to get blue tooth installed in the prem legacy we bought grandma and they had sold the Forrester after having it for two days after the shop that did the leather had returned it.
When we bought our OB - they had a premium 6spd MT silver Legacy with a custom leather interior sort of a redish brown - with custom audio system on the show room floor. It was already sold they had it one day. Both times the cars looked GREAT! The head sales guy said he was only able to do it because they sold so fast and he easily recovered his costs and they did it for two main reasons they enjoyed doing it and they liked to have some what special cars on the showroom floor.
It is true the Outback is hard to spruce up. After the first brake overhaul I ended up putting some EBC performance brake rotors and pads to help with the hill driving I do everyday. Great improvment in heat control and stopping power at speed. I have had to replace the struts once already, few years back, and there was a boost in handling. Just wanted to explore more options. I spend a lot of my time driving back woods roads and in off weather, so I am trying to give the old girl a little more durability in these conditions.
I did look into the newer models ('11,'12,'13) with the MT and each time ended up with an eh feeling. It seems the only way to get the better packages is with the CVT or after market. Seems silly to spend $30,000 and then have to add to it.
I did look into the newer models ('11,'12,'13) with the MT and each time ended up with an eh feeling. It seems the only way to get the better packages is with the CVT or after market. Seems silly to spend $30,000 and then have to add to it.
Well to add to the fun, I did a quick check on my brakes to see how the pads were doing and found out why I thought something was up with the struts. Both my sway bars were loose, bent or disconnected. Time for an upgrade!
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Yikes for sure that would make the car handle pretty odd. LOL
Onyx, 2008 LL Bean 3.0R and 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring
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Yup, the anti-sway bars on the 00-04 years were craptastic. I've replaced both of mine with OEM and new links. Maybe I should of upgraded to something heavier. I don't really take her off-road unless you count driving the streets of Baltimore - pretty rough in places - or suburban speed bumps. 
Most of the mods I have done to my 2004 are off-pavement oriented. Haven't really done much to improve handling (though the King Springs sort of did that), but a lot of stuff helps protect it or improve its capabilities off road.
I easily have put $2000 into it since I bought it a year ago just in aftermarket stuff, and that doesn't even count the $700ish I just spent on snows mounted on their own rims for it. It's all too easy to get carried away, but my thinking is that I absolutely love this car, plan on taking it up over 200k, and it's still less than a car payment!
Almost everything is listed in my signature with the exception of some audio related (and other interior) stuff.
I easily have put $2000 into it since I bought it a year ago just in aftermarket stuff, and that doesn't even count the $700ish I just spent on snows mounted on their own rims for it. It's all too easy to get carried away, but my thinking is that I absolutely love this car, plan on taking it up over 200k, and it's still less than a car payment!
Almost everything is listed in my signature with the exception of some audio related (and other interior) stuff.
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