Flash Tuning (Forester XT)

In this episode of Mighty Car Mods, the boys crack some more power out of the MY09 Subaru Forester XT with a portable flash device. But first they need some supporting mods and some time on the dyno, which surprises them with some unexpected results...
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Also something to note around Mighty Car Mods: we are normal guys and are not trained mechanics. We like to make interesting car mods and show you how we've gone about it, but we can't promise that anything we show you will work for your particular car, or that you won't harm yourself, someone else, your car or your warranty doing it. Please be safe, be responsible and unless you know what you're doing, do not fool around with very serious machinery just because you've seen us make it look so easy. Talk to a qualified mechanic if you are in any doubt.
This video is intended as Entertainment only.

[@SamsTechTips]

It has to be one of the nicest looking SUVs I've seen.

[@mewwew411]

+Sam' s TechTips I think the BMW X6 is the nicest SUV I've seen & owned.

[@DylanCyr]

+Sam' s TechTips Out of the box, not really, but the way Moog has this one outfitted? Absolutely!

[@rachinsrisakulchawla2704]

+Mew Wew I think Range Rover Evoque looks the best

[@mewwew411]

***** yes, and I still do own it

[@gohome6982]

+Mew Wew leasing doesn't mean you own it

[@Jake36183]

"I choose the quietest one possible because that's how I roll" builds a v8 S15 with straight pipes

[@Ward1706]

That's 'cos the Forrester was legal to use on the road, therefore has to meet strict noise laws in our country. The S15 isn't. Simple as that.

[@Jake36183]

+Ben Ward I was being sarcastic

[@wolfy9005]

"Strict noise" nekminnit V-twin with straight pipes goes past

[@user-bh6zt1it2l]

+Ben Ward the Saabmarine

[@Alex-qx5rv]

Once you get an STI, you can't get rid of it.

[@Ward1706]

+Alex Carrington Nor can you sell the car in most cases.

[@brandon1157]

no one wants a moded car, or a sti priced to high or i would have bought one

[@xtrix_feed6562]

+Brandon Barber i bought a brand new one and no i Dont wanna get rid of it

[@kamden5623]

Not sure if STD joke

[@Marc.S.78]

So now he has :-)

[@Ziggsinablanket]

You guys did a great job on the forester. Love the look of it

[@BNR_248]

I thought the car came with an aftermarket exhaust when you bought it???

[@TheArcticWonder]

I realize this comment is 5yr old but, the aftermarket it came with was just mufflers. They do a turbo back which is downpipe, midpipe, mufflers

[@gooferman609]

maybe you should revisit the cold air intake after a ECU tune with it

[@PebelWasTaken]

because cold air intakes give a 1.7% increase and it risks damaging the car. so its shit.

[@BR3N-D0N]

cubesinanutshell "risks damaging the car" lol what the shit

[@PebelWasTaken]

OneThirdLife did you watch there original video. the place that you have to put it make it so rocks and other debris can damage the filter

[@armymatt83]

cubesinanutshell "1.7% increase" you are a idiot the gains depend on the car. ".the place that you have to put it make it so rocks and other debris can damage the filter" again it depends on the car.

[@d1gps15]

cubesinanutshell you both shit, don't know how to mod tuning any better! anyway you guys are Not Japanese or an any Asian!....

[@BlueXonar]

13:06 I have an MX5, I live at the redline... :D

[@Shiftaholics]

Lucky Australians, you cannot even get the XT manual in the US, I had to do a WRX swap on mine to get what those guys can get from the factory. Awesome vid!

[@erty95]

Shiftaholics are you sure? They were made.

[@BurnedAura68]

@@erty95 those generation forester in manual are like 1 in 50000 though.

[@erty95]

Burned Aura true. I found a lot of premium 5 speeds

[@Na7ure]

I have a 2011 forester XT and this was my inspiration for picking it up. Mine is the touring instead of the premium like Moogs but I cannot wait to start moding it

[@martijnvankan8355]

The chemistry between these guys is great.

[@kristoferfreemyers-card9714]

I'm beginning to think this dyno is broken lol

[@wit468990]

AWESOME LOOKING FORESTER!

[@olly8435]

Chewbucca taking a dump! XD

[@TheOxyMorin]

This episode was awesome, can't wait to see more just like it. AND the power gains were incredible! Nice work gentlemen!

[@georgematos9380]

What a beautiful ride! And a manual transmission to boot! From Oakbank Manitoba...wicked job!

[@evanshanks]

Moogaru

[@fooooordy]

was 7 year ago evan a MCM fan?

[@rbti1401]

bruh

[@x2kzx]

@@fooooordy fax yo

[@fattybeats869]

🤙

[@marshallzaid521]

You guys should build a car from scratch!

[@HungryMusicFan]

Subscribe if you like music!

[@syntronzremixx978]

Hungry Music Fan no

[@domsimonf]

watching mcm makes me forget how really broke i am.... :)

[@Pigeoning]

Damn, this era's intro was legit.

[@jordanp6420]

Season 4 has by far the best intro video

[@ALLCAPS]

Love your videos! (: Just started watching them! I don't know much about cars but I'm a Man who loves modifying things, making them better, and enjoying the mods. Please give me a tip on how to get better (knowing cars) and where I would need to start.

[@naterapien]

+JoinCrossFire Start at season 1 and enjoy while you learn. Forums can also be a great place for vehicle-specific mods and information that can be otherwise difficult to find. Welcome to the wonderful world of modifying cars my friend!

[@spineblaZe]

I wish we could see the benefits of the ECU Flash BEFORE the exhaust change.

[@boulderburwell]

There won't be much like maybe 4hp since its stock which 4hp isn't a notocable gain

[@Benedocta]

boulderburwell Thats not true. Basically all modern engines have a margin of about 20% that can be gained by chip tuning.

[@daarrkstarr]

Benedocta thats incorrect unless ur car has a stock basline turbo whp gain s are normally quite low got a custom ecu for a ford focus 1.6 and that only gained like 4 to 5 bhp not whp and also put a blufinn superchip on my focus st 57 plate and that gained 65 from a plug and play went from 225 to 280 or 290

[@daarrkstarr]

what i brought it brand new from there website ? i didnt buy a 2nd hand ecu flash

[@thomasphillips885]

boulderburwell I don't think the exhaust makes that much difference. Definitely seeing substantial numbers before the exhaust replacement with the ECU tune would be interesting.

[@TheMadIsRealXXR]

"Moogaru" Lol

[@TheMadIsRealXXR]

Sexaru

[@TheLaXandro]

I've first thought it's Moogaroo, from Moog and kangaroo, but after your comment I realised it's Moog+Subaru.

[@stephenchan7309]

one of the best looking SUVs ever!!! It looks awesome!!!

[@yourscary123]

the forester i reckon is the coolest looking car on the channel just what MCM has done to it.

[@TheDriftingStig]

Can you use the flash tuning device on a car that doesn't have turbo? I know it's meant to adjust the tuning, but they didn't say if it's exclusively for cars with turbos.

[@JeffSereno]

TheFutureEVH Don't know about the device used in the video, but you can certainly flash non-turbo Subaru's as well, but only those with flashable ECU's. A lot of N/A Subaru's older than 2007 are fixed ROM's that would require a replacement or interceptor ECU to customise. I achieved a 10% improvement in torque and power with no further hardware mods (ie: 100% stock setup) on my 2008 Subaru Liberty via flash tuning. There is a noticeable seat-of-the-pants difference and the overall driveability and fuel efficiency has improved a lot. Well worth it - definitely not something that is only for turbo cars.

[@Kalisto2002]

Jeff Sereno I have an 02, 02-07 can all be flash tuned via Open Source tuning IE Tactrix + rom raider + ecuflash or via cobb accessport.

[@JeffSereno]

Kalisto San Turbo Subaru's, yes. Most of the N/A range older than 2007, no.

[@TheBlackWaltz]

TheFutureEVH You can reflash NA cars, but usually you only see a 4-8 kw increase instead of the 30 you see here.

[@blainy-o93]

TheFutureEVH You can but it's pretty much pointless. You gain between about 3 and 6 BHP.

[@snipe3d3]

Anyone else knowtice that it says "Penis Reflash" in the credits? lmfao 16:07

[@JohnnyFnG84]

+Pivotpwn LOL good eye, dafuq is that about?

[@jamiepullen1555]

Yo guys how's it going? i would love to have a job working with cars, mainly modifications paint and bodywork instead of repairs, im in school right now starting my gcse's in a months time. does anyone have any idea for the name of the job i am after, if so what grades and all that will i have to get etc..?

[@AndyZULUL]

Google it

[@henrysykes5192]

So you would be dealing with paint work. So you would just wrap and colour. There is little work if you wanted to only do that. Take a course in mechanics and then you can do whatever you want inside the garage ;)

[@hitechmufflers]

By the time the exhaust gasses have reached the Y-Pipe, they have cooled sufficiently to not need such a large diameter pipe. This helps to clear the exhaust quicker and increases low-down torque.

[@MrUltraworld]

Great Video. I have a modded '05 GTO (Monaro). I tried a handheld initially, but I couldn't tune it precisely. I use a lap top with GM software. I can tune it from the passenger seat while it's being driven. WOT is easy to tune for, give it enough fuel & timing to keep the A/F happy. It's the mid range where the car spends most of it's life that's important. You where wise to include a higher flow cat converter. It can be a huge bottle neck.

[@jordycontre622]

So it's has as much HP as a stock Mustang? 2000 to 2004

[@shotnva777]

But not a Mustang Cobra ;)

[@brandonhakki4798]

to be fair us muscle car bhp means honestly nothing

[@kordwedler9382]

Jordy Contre yup and only 1/2 the cylinders

[@abadmixtape]

power to weight ratio is important too

[@TheBlackWaltz]

Jordy Contre My mustang has like 380-390 hp to the wheels, but it's a 2015 lol. 191 hp to the wheels is not bad tbh.

[@derrerrrr]

7:16 sounds like a V6 rather than a 4 cylinder

[@curtisss]

because of the type of engine. look then up :)

[@riskybisness]

Technically it's because of the exhaust manifold runner lengths ! Look it up (Borla make good equal length that get rid of subaru burble)

[@aidenbird7293]

you realise it is a boxer 4. not inline. most if not all subarus have Boxer engines.

[@voodazz]

7:10 never fails to crack me up

[@muhannanasser4566]

voodazz that shuffeling dance lol

[@allwheeldrive1]

The reason why is that a mild tune wont effect power from the intake. They are designed to be efficient and free flowing. Exhausts are a little restrictive stock to reduce emissions and also weigh a lot because of it.

[@RolandoGonzalez-rz9ov]

5:58 my favorite part haha "sounds like chubacca taking a dump." haha ish had me rollin'.

[@dillonhatton6131]

I think this thing would look way better with some side skirts.

[@blowinendox420x]

has forester... lowers it.....

[@jaybrown6617]

Sebastian Wittmann Nunn

[@bilsongaming96]

Nothing but low fozzs hahaha

[@bena3341]

Yea nothing wrong with lowering an xt. If you want to off road in your forester buy the turbo diesel one. It has more torque.

[@angusgates69]

Did mine as well and the good years of it

[@Trevorious2010]

2017 squad, where you at??

[@MachoMostacho]

no

[@vainiusk9414]

2018

[@levey2]

2018 with the same model foz.

[@HitThePanikButton]

What I've learned is that valet mode sets your alarm on a "sleep" mode meaning that if a valet takes your car, he can use the key to open the door ... (normally if you lock your doors with your remote and try to open them with a key, the alarm will go off) the valet mode disables that

[@ThoughtsFired]

sounds beautiful when you leave the dino the second time had to change my underware

[@obiesunstreak2409]

Forster XT > Impreza(wrx/sti)

[@doubletapproductions]

Damn u guys and your High ass Octane! 98! The highest we can buy here is 91 at the pumps! Such Bullshit!

[@DVLENGSS]

where do you live?

[@doubletapproductions]

DVLENG SS USA! There so damn strict here! At least it's cheaper

[@FTGdrummer]

doubletapproductions That sucks wherever you are in the states. In Wyoming, you can get 93 in alot of places and in Michigan, you can get 93 at almost every station.You can get 100 octane in north detroit at some stations.

[@doubletapproductions]

DJsiks Yea Sadly I'm in the Prius driving state of California!

[@BrianC1664]

doubletapproductions we use a different rating system to you guys, your 91 (AKI) is equivalent to 95 (RON) over here, so it's not as bad as you think, however the highest i've seen here (England) is 99, but most places have 97 as their premium.

[@MarantzSt153]

1000 bucks for the EZY flash! jesus christ!

[@kylemilford5968]

Yeah, megasquirts much cheaper and acts as a standalone in virtually any car

[@squirlybmx]

Yes but don't expect huge gains. If you get a quality exhaust with larger piping it will free up the flow and you'll gain power.

[@Rogers1977]

Mighty Car Mods is helping me cope with my relationship troubles.

[@qweeftomeetu]

Moogaru lol

[@1212sk84life]

I really like you guyses show but one thing that gets me is please stop choosing shitty ass cars?

[@HardyzSwanton]

Literally all they do is choose sleepers and 'shitty' cars to show their potential, moron.

[@PILOTRADO14]

they are fantastic cars!! and besides you got money to buy them idiot

[@mintchipster]

Well if you would be so inclined to buy them some nice expensive cars, I'm sure they would be glad to do videos on them.

[@PILOTRADO14]

mintchipster exactly right mate, some people need to be brought up with some discipline to know what real life is like!!!

[@1212sk84life]

well in 'real life' im gonna get whatever i want. And im not talking nice expensive cars im talking about ones that simply have potential. Like holy fuck i wouldnt choose a soccer mom car like they did.

[@uummmnocoolnames]

the choices in the US are usually 82, 89, and 91 octane. I've seen a few 95s, and from what I understand, in some coastal regions where boat racing is popular, you can find 110, but those are rare exceptions.

[@ytxstream]

95 is now standard in germany but 98 is available in every gas station, the two biggest chains (shell and aral) also have 100 and 102 octane fuel available

[@stefanelmapugay1103]

I'm in love with that Forester. Those wheels are so damn pretty. If only the Fozzy was white!! 😍

[@alexgeorge699]

Feel free to look at any magazine article on the Scion FR-S or Subaru BRZ. The engine is a 2.0 liter Subaru boxer four-cylinder with Toyota's direct and port injection. The chassis and platform are also all new and made by Subaru.

[@fitz1114]

You guys are the best, I have a white 09 XT Limited 2.5 Same JDM setup

[@iainriordon550]

You guys have made me like foresters I used to think they were just for soccer moms and didn't know you could mod them

[@alexgeorge699]

yeah, i test drove one the other day and I have to agree. At least the power delivery is very linear, but the real power is all up high. the engine characteristics remind me a lot of my integra.

[@nicholasschmutte6573]

They have done an EXCELLENT job on this Forester! I love this video. I love Marty and Moog! Nice work, guys.

[@7MpoweredSUPRA]

Get a holley EFI conversion, or a blow through carb, blower and adapter plate. Then start tuning. Naturally the more power you want, the more supporting modifications will have to be made.

[@roddydykes7053]

That exhaust note is one of the nicest Subaru sound ever

[@TheMrBrianScott]

Maybe there's a difference between US and Australian outputs but shouldn't the turbo Forester put out 220 hp stock? After they tuned it they still only had 190 hp..

[@SC2Barbarian]

Stock air filters don't restrict the flow very much.... Stock Exhausts do, to keep emissions and noise very low. Oh and they actually tune the intake section, but they use turbos for doing it

[@evilhacks1]

The same could be said for your CAI video as well, need to reflash the ECU. Interesting how the AWD system is engaged. I though it was in FW by default.

[@jeffman3]

Remember that they're talking about power at the wheels; in an AWD car it is safe to assume as much as 30% loss through the drivetrain, in the modern high-efficiency Subarus they have gotten it as low as about 20% loss. Taking that into consideration, they're making some pretty healthy power.

[@iRJRx]

I think after looking at the forester some larger discs would look sick. Obviously not just for looks it would obviously give better performance but larger disks would set the car off

[@keithbrettell2058]

I guess that's just one of the differences between the two countries I guess ie. trunk vs boot or hood vs bonnet. If you look at any advertising in Canada about cars they use a mix of metric and standard measure. Engine size is measured in litres vs cubic inches and we talk in HP instead of KW's. I was actually born before Canada adopted the metric system.

[@rex669]

You can still do a tune on your car and get more power out of it, but of course when working with stock turbo cars its easy to setup more boost just like in the video.

[@ghostpeel]

What? How? A KZbin discussion that came to a reasonable conclusion? And without any insults? I'm staggered.

[@madhamsterpr]

It's just the way they measure their power. If you look on the screen next to the kilowatts it has it in HP and they had a 30 hp gain.

[@MrCircus177]

I'm American, and I Love Subaru's. Doesn't matter if you're Australian or not.

[@alexgeorge699]

yeah, I understand the benefits of the boxer, I just think it results in generally four cylinders that are generally not as refined as their inline four competition (like say in an S2000). That being said, the engine in the FR-S is pretty refined for a boxer.

[@JustLetMeComment80]

The forester, although bloated in this generation, is a disguised impreza. Same chassis. Makes a great sleeper.

[@sharbelkhnanisho8146]

One of my favourite intros for mcm tbt

[@rockymuasau8982]

God!!! What I wouldn't do to be able to do these mods to my car. Im dying for more power and style. I hope I win the lottery.

[@95racerx]

I absolutely love this Forester!!! What I wouldn't give to have one of my own!

[@hellsing187]

The cobb access port is probably one of the best upgrades you can do.

[@TheHoth1]

You guys are awesome! I am from the States and you guys crack me up!

[@kphillips012]

brakes, full exhaust. really depends on if your going for speed/acceleration or cornering/handling

[@uMovie97]

Rewatching all the old episodes!!

[@tcoffin014]

I know this is old but why not use a cobb accessport and use one of their free tunes? I had the same mods on the same engine with an accessport that made 266whp and 280ftlb torque on a hesrtbreaker dyno. These engines hold 18 psi all day

[@williamstaib4623]

tcoffin014 i remember hearing from an Australian friend they aren't allowed to buy any type of non-integrated gauges for cars or something like that... And since the v1 wasn't made for this car, they're stuck with that.

[@Reginaldesq]

Yeah, I'm really suss about these exhausts. Some of the originals dont look very restrictive. I'd like to see a test with the flash 1st, dyno it and then put the exhaust on. My guess is that the exhaust will make about an extra 3kw. I dont think any of the tuners will want to show us those results because they will loose a lot of cash for the exhaust upgrade.

[@BeaudoinMotorsports]

one of the best intros ever. #ClassicMCM #2016

[@rossclarke10169]

Ive re-flashed my 2009 FozXT from stock and have had a noticeable improvement in power. Its definitely worth doing even without TBE. Maybe you guys can prove me wrong.

[@tysxngz.3126]

Hey man I’m thinking of doing the same thing did you re flash the ecu ??

[@smumm]

You mean one of the 5 that were ever sold in Australia, or of the the 424 that were ever produced (making it one of the most rare Subarus ever)? The motor in the Moogaru is fairly similar to the STI so there really is no need to swap it out, just add bolt-ons.

[@ChickenAnonymous]

Torque is the turning effort of an engine. Revs is the revolutions per minute

[@legos249]

I just watched this with captions, made my day

[@MrL1mey]

These are right bonza mates, watched three in a row now.

[@mwilesbass]

I envy the 5 speed transmission. I have a 2010 XT and they stopped offering the manual XT after 2008 here in the US.

[@TurningPurple]

Factory ECUs learn as they go, so another possible way of seeing gains without a tune would be to hard reset an ECU (disconnecting battery or pull fuses).

[@raurimckenna]

boys this was awsome. u just got your self another subscription

[@davidkumetis]

should definitely tune after installing a CAI, Im not saying youll get AWESOME gains but a lot more than what your showing. As shown in you ECUFlash with the forester, then engine will compensate for the mods to try and keep the hp at its most stock levels. A lot more technicality behind it but thats the jest of it. Love the videos by the way

[@danvmp706]

Marty's right at the start hahaha. Some of the best ground clearance in its class, but nothing wrong with getting more power out of it ;)

[@travistucker5076]

The BRZ's engine is almost 100% Subaru Boxer, there is one minor part that Toyota did, but I don't remember what it is. Its also not necessary to post the same comment 4 times.

[@Blake69ington]

MCM best thing im subscribed to on youtube

[@JuYoungAllStar]

there have been a lot of proven gains on a tuned turbo car with intake, check out cobb tuning with mazdaspeed 3's and mazdaspeed 6's.

[@Suikakuji]

Keeps some back pressure on the motor without running it completely free and burning the motor up. I run a 3" straight pipe to 2.5" Y

[@Middlemcd]

great looking forester, tastefully upgraded to make the perfect fun DD

[@NotFinalTillVinyl]

95 is a rare find out here in AB, I've only found 2-3 gas stations that have it. Though the first comment to my post explained very nicely why our octane numbers seem lower, they are based off of a different scale and our 87 octane is equal to like 95 in germany. Which I could then take to assume even if my car says premium 91+ only, if it's based off of European numbers I could fill it with regular and do no harm =P

[@matthewrattansingh3868]

Heres a tip:send your Subaru to Japan for 25 days and see the magic you can also turn everything in the suv english

[@lilRicky891]

I still prefer the blue pastell hard tubed small form factor build you did. The one you use to use for you opening skit at Christmas.

[@SimpleCarGuy]

you are correct: 2.5 L flat-4, 169 kW (226 hp) 320 Nm (236 ft-lbf) Wonder why it was making so little power

[@finno_0708]

"The ECU may have had a curse placed on it by a Nissan owner" haha Moog. Legend.

[@SmokeyMcb0ngwater]

I love how you included going over a speed bump at the end :D