G'day from Victoria Australia

Guvna

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May 18, 2017
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551
Location
Victoria, Australia
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MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
Yeah not sure I want another one. I don’t like the look of the new one at all and prices on late model ones are pretty high.
I don’t think it’s a lemon, it just seems minor issues. I just CBF dealing with calling Subaru, dropping it off/picking up etc. I mean I shouldn’t have to.
I agree, I’m not a fan of the new model either. I understand the CBF, man I reckon you’ve spent as much time at the dealer as some of their staff! Lol
 

MarkMelbourne

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Dec 9, 2018
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28
Location
Melbourne, Australia
Vehicle(s)
MY18 GT-S, Mazda2
Lifting will give better approach and departure angles but whereas lowering decreases things like body roll and centre of gravity, lifting will increase these noticeably.
Height is a secondary consideration, fixing the stock suspension issues is a must. But the reason for asking all this is I had a chat to DHF and they said "well, what height do you want?". :rolleyes: Mad research starts. I know it will come down to personal preference and driving style ... for context last car was a 2000 Forester GT which we loved for it's modest size, super practicality and more fun than than the base model. Levorg is such a massive jump up in many ways, but was chosen for the same reasons to be a great family getaway wagon.

Coming from an SUV I get annoyed at the approach and departure angles - so if I can fix the suspension on poor roads and jack it up a little 'without being disappointed with the handling' - that would be ideal. Perhaps I'm asking the wrong audience how high I can lift it ;)
Anyway, what a nice feature of coilovers that I can try out a few heights and decide what's right for me.

I notified my insurance company of my suspension changes and all they wanted to know is that the car wasn’t lifted, I thought lowering would be more concern but apparently not, something to consider before lifting.
Interesting! I will certainly check with my insurer as well.
 

Guvna

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Victoria, Australia
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MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
Coming from an SUV I get annoyed at the approach and departure angles - so if I can fix the suspension on poor roads and jack it up a little 'without being disappointed with the handling' - that would be ideal. Perhaps I'm asking the wrong audience how high I can lift it ;)
Anyway, what a nice feature of coilovers that I can try out a few heights and decide what's right for me.
When I say handling won’t be as good if you lift it, that’s only in comparison to the your Levorg now, not in comparison to an SUV. I would think a lifted Levorg will still handle better than a Forrester as it’s not only the height that affects the handling.
Lifted or lowered it’s still gunna kill the Bilsteins. I have mine low now but will raise it in summer for camping etc. I think it will go a smidge higher than stock height. You’re right that the Coilovers ability to easily change height is awesome, as is the damper adjustment. Good luck with it, maybe you can go Coilovers with suspension spacers? Best of both worlds perhaps
 

MarkMelbourne

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Dec 9, 2018
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28
Location
Melbourne, Australia
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MY18 GT-S, Mazda2
When I say handling won’t be as good if you lift it, that’s only in comparison to the your Levorg now, not in comparison to an SUV.
That's what I'm hoping, even if I go up a few cm's.

You’re right that the Coilovers ability to easily change height is awesome ... maybe you can go Coilovers with suspension spacers? Best of both worlds perhaps
I don't understand. If I can adjust my Coilovers above stock height a few cm ... don't spacers do exactly the same thing?
 

Guvna

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May 18, 2017
Messages
551
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Victoria, Australia
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MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
That's what I'm hoping, even if I go up a few cm's.


I don't understand. If I can adjust my Coilovers above stock height a few cm ... don't spacers do exactly the same thing?
I meant if the Coilovers don’t go high enough for you, then you could add spacers as well to get a bit more, bit of a double dip
 

Guvna

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May 18, 2017
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551
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Victoria, Australia
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MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
Looks good, I remember the days we could go for a nice long drive in our cars :confused: before covid!
I know right! Can't wait to drive more than 5k's for something other than work! Must say the weekly fuel bill has changed to half as much and half as often though ;)
 

Guvna

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Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
551
Location
Victoria, Australia
Vehicle(s)
MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
Latest additions, swapped out all brake pads to Intima SR at 100k service, I bought the pads online and Subaru Dealer only wanted $77 to fit them ;)
I also fitted vented fender shrouds and Grimmspeed radiator shroud for a bit of engine bay dress-up and function. After much thought and research and second guessing and more research I've decided on a not too crazy Dyno tune, she's booked in for early Feb. They tell me to expect numbers a little higher than the JDM's 221Kw and 400Nm, closer to 223 and 430, we'll see. That's just a straight no parts dyno tune, as I already have the catback and didn't want the risks of a CAI. Can't wait!, will be done just in time for a road trip we're taking in mid Feb to mid March.
 

Guvna

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Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
551
Location
Victoria, Australia
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MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
How are the new pads? Better than the old? Where did you get them from and how much? Thanks
They feel good, still new so takin it a little easy on them, no hard braking yet. They’re supposed to be better with heat and less fade. I was surprised how much meat the old front ones still had after 98,000 odd km’s, heaps of life left, the backs were quite low though in comparison.
Front pads were $179 Part # IN1722M-SR
Rear pads were $143 Part # IN2398-SR
Subaru charged $77 to fit and bed.
Found them on Intima’s website, found a stockist called Elusive Racing and got from them. Fronts were in stock but rears had to be ordered in, only took a couple of days.
 

robo498

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Sep 19, 2020
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479
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Melbourne Australia
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My17
They feel good, still new so takin it a little easy on them, no hard braking yet. They’re supposed to be better with heat and less fade. I was surprised how much meat the old front ones still had after 98,000 odd km’s, heaps of life left, the backs were quite low though in comparison.
Front pads were $179 Part # IN1722M-SR
Rear pads were $143 Part # IN2398-SR
Subaru charged $77 to fit and bed.
Found them on Intima’s website, found a stockist called Elusive Racing and got from them. Fronts were in stock but rears had to be ordered in, only took a couple of days.
Thanks for that, mine has done 60k so based on what you have said I should have lots of life left! I hope....
 

Guvna

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May 18, 2017
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551
Location
Victoria, Australia
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MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
Thanks for that, mine has done 60k so based on what you have said I should have lots of life left! I hope....
Rear pad in front and Front pad at rear of photo, this is after approx 98,000km, front has quite alot of meat left, rear more worn but still not needing replacement yet. So if you've only done 60k you should be right for a while yet. Glad I bought pads that should be an improvement over the OEM's or I'd be spewin I replaced them too early. I'm surprised how well these OEM pads have lasted TBH. The fronts would normally wear before the rears, but I use the Adaptive Cruise Control more than not, so the rears have been earning their keep, hence wearing quicker than the fronts.
Brake Pads.jpg
 

robo498

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479
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Melbourne Australia
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My17
I think subaru changed the pads for our year onwards, too a better preforming pad from the early model. Or so I read.
 

Arkatee

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Jan 29, 2020
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111
Location
Bristol UK
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Levorg 1.6 GT, Forester SF, Mazda MX5
They must have different pads on Euro spec cars - my fronts were almost down to the metal at 40000km.
 

Arkatee

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Jan 29, 2020
Messages
111
Location
Bristol UK
Vehicle(s)
Levorg 1.6 GT, Forester SF, Mazda MX5
you must be driving somewhat angrily - my EU (benelux) levorg got new rear pad at 90k and front pads & discs at 105k
Not at all. I bought the car used with 32000 km on it. Previous owner maybe. Discs were done for too. Car drives like new though, currently on 56000 km.
 

Guvna

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May 18, 2017
Messages
551
Location
Victoria, Australia
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MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
Well, after much research, procrastinating and mind changing, I bit the bullet and got her Dynotuned yesterday. Decided against the CAI due to their reduced filtering ability, spewin coz I'd love to release all those beautiful turbo and induction noises, but she sees a few dirt roads and nothing filters like the OEM paper filter, so stock airbox remains. The only other mod that could help the tune is my Q300 catback which I fitted myself years ago, so no parts added, just a straight tune. Got it done at HorsePower Factory in Dandenong South, cost was $1295.
Stock HP for our 2Ltrs is 268HP of which about 187 of them reach the wheels. After remap is 292.7HP at the flywheel, 204.89atw. Torque was increased by 11-25% across the rev range, From 350Nm torque to approx 437Nm at peak, 395Nm average. But more importantly than numbers is the lines with no dips.
So what difference has it made? Smoother Idle, much improved throttle response, builds boost earlier, quicker to start moving from dead stop, no flat spots or drop offs in acceleration. Obviously early days as it was just done yesterday, but happy with the noticeable results. Will test 0-100 time with the Draggy soon, see if its made much difference to the 6.7sec I got out of her so far.
 
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Guvna

Active Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
551
Location
Victoria, Australia
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MY17 Subaru Levorg 2.0LTR GTS
Here's the Dyno Chart. I think it's reading pretty accurately as the before run lines are virtually spot on what Subaru says the figures are stock, catback without tune seems to have made a very slight increase, but after tune lines are much nicer and higher and more importantly the dips and dead spots are gone.
Subie DynoTune Graph - Edit.png
 
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