What parts from other subarus would make an L faster, not counting engine swoping?

I've heard people say RS headers, exaust, things like that.
I know this subject has been touched on before, but what I'm hoping for is a list. If anyone is up for it.

RS
this
this
this

not
this
this
this

WRX
this
this
this

Legacy
this
this
this

You can adapt either the WRX turbo or Legacy turbo to your L. It is not a simple thing but can be done. There are threads and web pages devoted to this. search in aftermarket forced induction.
The exhaust catback from an RS is pretty much the same, but looks a little different. They are a cheap replacement if yours is gone.
There is really no easy things to swap to get more power. Gains can be had from head swaps and block swaps, valve lifters and maybe cams.
Sorry but you need to go aftermarket or deep into the engine to get gains.

Save your money for a turbo kit, swap or new WRX or STi for the big gains.

Intake, borla headers and catback, light pulley may get up up to 15 or so extra hp for $1000+. A K&N filter, light pulley and throttle body mod may get you 6 or 7 on good day for about $250.

Thats what I thought. I just kept getting people telling me that putting on an RS or WRX exaust on an L would help...others saying that it would not do anything or even hinder performance.

I was trying to figure out what you ccould put into an L from other Subaru's to make it a bit better. I couldn't think of anything really besides doing an engine swap.

Cheers for your reply.

you have a '97, so you probably have the 2.2, no?

work on simple intake/exhaust mods, and dump the rest in suspension and instruction/auto-xing. the 2.2 is a sufficient source of motivation if you know what you're doing. :devil:

Originally posted by RaceCarRiot
you have a '97, so you probably have the 2.2, no?

work on simple intake/exhaust mods, and dump the rest in suspension and instruction/auto-xing. the 2.2 is a sufficient source of motivation if you know what you're doing. :devil:

thats what i did on my 2.2. Brospeed exhaust(w/borla headers & cobb hi-flo cat) and K&N drop-in panel filter. The rest of my money went into the suspension.

Originally posted by RaceCarRiot
you have a '97, so you probably have the 2.2, no?

work on simple intake/exhaust mods, and dump the rest in suspension and instruction/auto-xing. the 2.2 is a sufficient source of motivation if you know what you're doing. :devil:

While we are on the suspension subject, I originally had my stock springs/shocks swapped out for some older WRX springs/shocks. Height dropped about an inch or so and body roll was reduced a LOT. With some decent tires, your car WILL be faster. I'm not even a suspension person but I really liked this modification. You'll be thanking yourself going around a turn(s) post 85mph or so (Which you shouldn't be doing unless you are on a track :D ).

Now I have 2.5RS springs and shocks which are not as stiff as the older WRX ones but still rides pretty well.

I should have said that my car is a 2.2L and I have done a couple of things to my car so far
(all things I have done/installed myself)

- REAR SPOILER
- SUBARU KEYLESS ENTRY
- WRX SWAYBAR
- COLD AIR INTAKE
- HEAT SHEILD
- SUBARU PROJECTION DRIVING LIGHTS
- HELLA 500 DRIVING LIGHTS
- LIGHT BAR
- SPARCO MUDFLAPS (WHITE)
- ALUMINIUM DASH KIT
- 99 RS ALLOYS WITH SUMITOMO HTRZ-2
- SPARCO RACE PEDALS
- UNDERBODY FRONT SKIDPLATE
- SOUND DEADENED (extra weight but makes it sound better)
- CD PLAYER SPEAKERS ALL THAT STUFF

When I get enought cash together I'm putting on an RS hood, and CUSCO style hood scoop. Do a 98+ RS/outback dash swap (there is one in the local wrecking yard I discovered today). Get a guage pack put in once I've done that.
I was just wondering if there were anyparts for the engine from other subarus that would make my car a bit more lively.
I'm going to try putting a 98+RS/outback intake in, the filter is larger. See what that does.
A friend has a Magnaflow exaust in his Legacy turbo...which is nice. So I'm looking into that.
Got a short shifter off ebay, but it is what I expected...crap...so I'm not going to put that in.
I would love to put in a LSD in the rear.
She's a happy little Subaru, I just like playing with her. As I don't have much money, I'm looking for things on the cheap. Which is normaly used Subaru parts.
For example I picked up the spoiler brand new in the box and painted for $15. Just got the rubber trunk mat (proper Subaru one in mint condition with Impreza on it) for less than $3 (oh and some "oh no" handles with the mat) . Living in a town where Jap cars are rare really helps, people don't know how much stuff is worth.

The things I have done for my 2.5 for some what cheap are, AEM intake, full borla exhaust, Pulley and free flow cat.

(All prices are around how much they were)

AEM Intake- $127 (with out shipping)

Borla Header- $300 (without shipping)

Borla exhaust- $200 (bought from friend)

Free flow cat.- free (burned out fibers)

light wait pulley- $100 (work for a subaru dealer 20% off)

Originally posted by quietgiroth
For example I picked up the spoiler brand new in the box and painted for $15. Just got the rubber trunk mat (proper Subaru one in mint condition with Impreza on it) for less than $3 (oh and some "oh no" handles with the mat) . Living in a town where Jap cars are rare really helps, people don't know how much stuff is worth.

remind me to go to your town... :lol:
Road trip! :devil:

Anytime man. Right now you would have to wade through roads that haven't been plowed for the past week...and have been snowed on everyday.

:) cheap stuff is good. Also helps that the Subaru people around here are a great bunch of people.

hey quietgiroth,
did you experience a lot of problems with any of the mods? or with your 2.2L engined Impreza L (before and after mods)?

Cuz I'm looking at possibly getting myself an L and doing similar mods, but don't know if its really too much trouble.
Or should I just get myself and RS and save the trouble?

Buy an RS, if there had been one for sale in my area when I was looking for a car I would have bought one. Every day I wish I had bought one. Although I do love my little L, I just wish she was a bit more powerfull, and looked more like a real Subaru Impreza.
I have the normal engine knock on cold days, I had Subaru replace the clutch...biggest mistake I ever made. People think I have a pet cricket in my car.
If I could do it again I would go to someone I trust and get them to put an ACT (or similar) clutch in.
Stay away from the cold air intakes. Only mod I ever did that I really hated. Oh that, and buying the six star brand brakes that my Subaru dealership said were just as good as OEM Subaru ones. They are not.

I should point out that your taking advice from someone who isn't a mechanic, just someone who loves to tinker with his car. A lot of people on this website know a lot more than I do.

check out

http://www.subarureview.com
http://www.scoobymods.com

good websites

Yeah, I'm just gonna tune my Subaru a little bit.

I was looking at the L because it's a wagon (fold down seat means I can fit my guitar and amp). Also, I heard the 2.2L was more "reliable" than a 2.5L?

i don't know about reliable compared to the 2.5, but i wouldn't call my 2.2 reliable...

the engine it's self yeah...

but the wear parts... they wear at an accelerated rate...

anyway... i might be more help on adding power...

i have a custom 2.25" cat back exhaust from mineike... 200

ebay dtm muffler... 50

susp def needs upgraded... and so does sway bar...

i have a custom home depot racing intake using the stock box... about 25, and works good...

that combo of the intake and exhaust, made such a large difference, the stock exhaust is just garbage...

the next perf thing i'm gonna do is a lightened pulley...

it's not hard to free up lost power, the system is full of constrictive less than optimal parts... that if replaced have a double effect because of how badly designed they were originaly...

if you have manual... get a lightened flywheel...

that's all i have to say for now

hey, if you're looking to free up the exhaust on an L, buy this off me, it's brand new and still sealed in the box! http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=3195744#post3195744

Borla Headers for the 1.8/2.2 with single port exhaust, it was originally on my '96 L and got it replaced by Borla. I gotta start parting out my car because I need the $$$ :(