I saw a TV show (Top Gear or Fifth Gear) where they dyno'ed old performance cars and found they had a lot less power than expected. It sounds reasonable that an engine with 100K on it will have lost power - is it common?

What is the cause and can you prevent it with basic maintenance (not an engine rebuild)? I'm thinking clogged injectors and maybe a slight loss of compression as rings wear, but I can't think what else would do it. I don't want my car gettng slower over the years!

I think car companies used to exaggerate their cars' power a lot. Also more accurate technology might play a small role in it.

Did they dyno it when it was new?

I think car companies used to exaggerate their cars' power a lot. Also more accurate technology might play a small role in it.



:lol:.....car companies used to UNDER rate their cars engine power......and accurate technology?????:lol: :lol: :rolleyes:

Did they dyno it when it was new?

No, so it wasn't apples to apples, as they say, but the differences were petty big. I'm sure they were extreme examples, because they were cheap old Ferraris, Lambo, etc that hadn't been taken car of.

From the lack of responses, I'm guessing this is not a big issue!

I saw one vehicle road test of a Subaru WRX (Car & Driver I think). The Suby was actually as fast ot faster at 40,000 miles than it was when nearly new. That kind of test removes any ambigunity of hp rating.

well at 40,000 you engine is broken in not worn so push rods have worn a groove to ride in and pistons ride better and everything is boken in where as 100,000+ could be starting to wear down and not run as well.

i think my push rods are b0rken.

i think my push rods are b0rken.
:lol: ;)

well at 40,000 you engine is broken in not worn so push rods have worn a groove to ride in and pistons ride better and everything is boken in where as 100,000+ could be starting to wear down and not run as well.


....uuuummmmmm.......w :rolleyes: w......just w :huh: w

Push rods in my Subaru? I think not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Push rods in my Subaru? I think not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe it's preped for NASCAR.

Well if you don't take care of them then ya, it's going to have less power. Valves need lashing, injectors need cleaning, filters need changing.

I think it really all depends on how well the motor is built. Granted it's going to wear no matter what you do but one thousandth wearing out to two or three is better than two to three thousandths wearing out to four or five (if you catch my meaning).


No, so it wasn't apples to apples, as they say, but the differences were petty big. I'm sure they were extreme examples, because they were cheap old Ferraris, Lambo, etc that hadn't been taken car of.

From the lack of responses, I'm guessing this is not a big issue!

Thanks. Hopefully piston slap won't become a premature killer for my engine. I'll probably take it into the dealer next winter, since I don't hear it unless it's cold. Other than that, I have high hopes for its longevity :)

I've got over 136,500 miles on my '02 wrx, and as far as i'm concerened it has more HP than when it was new... Of cource it's stage 2 now, but still going better than ever. :)

Thanks. Hopefully piston slap won't become a premature killer for my engine. I'll probably take it into the dealer next winter, since I don't hear it unless it's cold. Other than that, I have high hopes for its longevity :)



.....bet ya run 5w30....like M1????

speaking of engine life, how long can we expect the turbo to last... any thoughts from anyone. this is my first turbocharged car.