The compact-sized Subaru Forester CUV is widely known for its broad tuning opportunities and unassuming looks, resulting in what is usually described as a ‘sleeper’. One such vehicle went up on sale a few days ago.
The 2004 Forester in question no longer has its original low-power engine, instead being driven by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder borrowed from an earlier Impreza WRX STI generation. The mill comes upgraded with a plethora of high-end aftermarket components, including Manley Performance forged pistons and connecting rods, better bearings and turbos, and so on (there is a detailed overview in the video). A six-speed manual transmission carries the power to the wheels through a rear differential taken from a 2004 Forester STI.
There is no mention of horsepower, but the video demonstrates the acceleration chops of the sleeper in exhausting detail. The car cropped up on auction a few days ago with slightly over 50,000 km (31,000 miles) of range on it post-swap, but never sold with the highest bid below $20,000 USD.