Cheap ways to get some extra HP

Dylan7262 · 07-30-2012, 09:02 AM

Hey guys I have a 2008 Subaru Liberty and it is all stock at the moment apart from the map lights which I have put in Red LEDs and I have blue vision headlights too install when I get black home from holidays...

Can anyone suggest some cheap/good upgrades I can do to get some extra HP?

Also, what would be the difference between a complete new set of exhausts or just getting some new tips to give it a nice tune? Apart from price :P

my car.

Much love,
Dylan

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Frogsthatmoo · 07-30-2012, 12:23 PM

Technically tips wouldn't do anything at all. A new muffler would change the sound but you wouldn't notice any HP gains. New headers and a high-flow cat would actually help get you what you were asking for.

Sadly I don't think the naturally aspirated motor is set up to make much power. So you might be looking at ways to utilize the stock horsepower better. Springs, struts, weight reduction. You might think about some lightweight pulleys though. They're not too expensive and fairly straightforward to install.

But welcome to NASIOC

pilfflip · 08-04-2012, 11:20 AM

You might also look into some sort of intake-the easiest way to get power out of a N/A engine is to make the air enter and exit the engine easier.

2point5RS_Dan · 08-04-2012, 04:33 PM

You trade it in for an h6 or turbo car. The returns on trying to make an NA motor more powerful aren't worth it. This is coming from a guy who owns two non-turbo subarus.

Wiscon_Mark · 08-04-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilfflip

You might also look into some sort of intake-the easiest way to get power out of a N/A engine is to make the air enter and exit the engine easier.

Intakes show very little to no gains on Subarus. They're expensive noisemakers on these cars. Exhaust however, does have some promise.

I would support the idea that a lightweight crank pulley or a lightweight flywheel would make a nice gain. If anyone makes performance cams they can make a difference. PnPing the heads would allow for some more flow. Engine management is definitely a must if you're going to get serious.

The problem is, a lot of people have found its way too expensive to get anything significant out of the EJ25 N/A motors. When all is said and done, a WRX swap would do more for about the same money.

punchjamesarnol · 08-04-2012, 05:03 PM

Get it tuned is your best bet.

AlWaysDrivin · 08-06-2012, 12:10 AM

Perrin makes a solid crank pulley thats about 4 pounds lighter than the stock one. They say its equivalent to removing around 100lbs of weight off your car and you can pick it up for about $130. I'm sure cobb and other companies make the same sort of thing.

08-04-2012, 05:03 PM	#6
punchjamesarnol Scooby Newbie Member#: 284835 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: S.D. Vehicle: 2010 450+whp DGM STI DOM2.5/e85/Phatron tuned	Get it tuned is your best bet. Last edited by punchjamesarnol; 08-06-2012 at 12:15 AM.

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07-30-2012, 09:02 AM	#1
Dylan7262 Scooby Newbie Member#: 327360 Join Date: Jul 2012	Hey guys I have a 2008 Subaru Liberty and it is all stock at the moment apart from the map lights which I have put in Red LEDs and I have blue vision headlights too install when I get black home from holidays... Can anyone suggest some cheap/good upgrades I can do to get some extra HP? Also, what would be the difference between a complete new set of exhausts or just getting some new tips to give it a nice tune? Apart from price :P my car. Much love, Dylan * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

07-30-2012, 12:23 PM	#2
Frogsthatmoo Scooby Specialist Member#: 153374 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ocala, FL Vehicle: 2001 Outback Wagon White	Technically tips wouldn't do anything at all. A new muffler would change the sound but you wouldn't notice any HP gains. New headers and a high-flow cat would actually help get you what you were asking for. Sadly I don't think the naturally aspirated motor is set up to make much power. So you might be looking at ways to utilize the stock horsepower better. Springs, struts, weight reduction. You might think about some lightweight pulleys though. They're not too expensive and fairly straightforward to install. But welcome to NASIOC

08-04-2012, 11:20 AM	#3
pilfflip Scooby Specialist Member#: 40484 Join Date: Jul 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Salem, OR Vehicle: '02 Murdered WRX '02 Silver Legacy	You might also look into some sort of intake-the easiest way to get power out of a N/A engine is to make the air enter and exit the engine easier.

08-04-2012, 04:33 PM	#4
2point5RS_Dan Scooby Newbie Member#: 237205 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maine Vehicle: 2002 Impreza BRP	You trade it in for an h6 or turbo car. The returns on trying to make an NA motor more powerful aren't worth it. This is coming from a guy who owns two non-turbo subarus.

08-06-2012, 12:10 AM	#7
AlWaysDrivin Scooby Newbie Member#: 327668 Join Date: Jul 2012 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Oregon Vehicle: 1993 Legacy Turbo Winestone	Perrin makes a solid crank pulley thats about 4 pounds lighter than the stock one. They say its equivalent to removing around 100lbs of weight off your car and you can pick it up for about $130. I'm sure cobb and other companies make the same sort of thing.