Got a "new" Outback Sport. Wanna add some power

Gamil · 08-14-2009, 09:43 AM

Hi, I just got a '97 Outback Sport. Loving it

. I finally have a subaru that is actually my own. Was driving a '94 Legacy L Wagon for the last 2 years. I'm a college student, Software Engineering. I'd asked my parents to keep an eye open, and they found it while i was interning in Florida. But it was like 3 days before my 21st B-day, so I flew home to celebrate and pick it up. Phone call from my mom telling me she had found it (while checking out new subarus) was like an early b-day present. Except that i only got to drive it once in the frst 2 months i was paying the insurance on it.

Still learning how to drive manual. Getting better. At least I don't look like a fool when pulling up onto a busy 2 lane highway off of a gravel path anymore. (ya know, i don't spew rocks or stall..or roll 15 ft back down the hill {never done that one actually

})

Anyway I want it to have enough power to *Potentially* beat my dad's 99 Grand Am, My apartment for college is in a pretty strict golf community, so loud is unacceptable.

I don't know where to start. I've tried reading through this site and finding information elsewhere, but i can only find parts for WRX's.

My car knowledge is very limited. Assisted my dad in replacing a head gask and oilpan once. I've done my own oil changes and coolant flushes on the 94 Legacy. Also replaced the exhaust on the '94 Legacy once.

I did some math, and to match the power/weight ratio of my Dad's Grand Am, my Outback would need 154 HP, stock is 137. I know that there is a lot more than Power/weight ratio. I just don't know how else to compare.

Was hoping you guys could get me started in the right direction. Budget would be a couple hundred $$...not to exceed $300....i think....depends on how my financial situation looks after i get my tuition paid off.

Thanks in advance.
Gamil

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magicstop · 08-14-2009, 10:05 AM

Maybe someone else can be more helpful than I can... But I'm thinking two things:
a.) $300 isn't going to buy much of anything
b.) You're not going to squeeze out much more power

The WRX's are a whole different ballgame. But for an N/A engine, especially on $300, I'm not sure there's a lot you can do. Perhaps you could get a cold air intake, or maybe a less restrictive downpipe, but I'm not really sure that'll give you much gains as far as horsepower goes.
I think your best bet would be to enjoy the car as it is, and save that $300 for when the car has mechanical problems (being a '97, it will have them . . . said head gasket comes to mind . . .). Then, you could challenge your dad to some snow sports!

You should have him on those

Defiant Autospeed · 08-14-2009, 11:21 AM

Unfortunately the only way you will get any sort of decent power gain is a motor swap. The reality is that bolt ons just dont yeild any sort of meaningful results on NA subaru motors, we are talking you can spend $2000 in bolt ons and gain @10whp. Its really a waste of time

So a motor swap is where its at, and its cheaper/easier than you would think. Easiest and cheapest would be an NA 2.5L from an RS. A WRX motor would be the best choice, and you can do it for @$2000 and end up with 200whp if you shop around.

Defiant Autospeed · 08-14-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magicstop

or maybe a less restrictive downpipe

Where exactly will he hook up a downpipe on an NA car? Or do you mean like buy it and leave it sitting in the trunk?

magicstop · 08-14-2009, 02:26 PM

LOL! Sorry, early morning post was early morning . . .

Maybe on the roof of the car? That would look . . . interesting . . .

But yeah, w/ $300, I don't think he's going to be doing anything extensive and power-related.

jack klompus · 08-14-2009, 02:32 PM

Save your money, use it for transportation and get a WRX or STI later. NA mods are a waste of money.

cmiovino · 08-14-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack klompus

Save your money, use it for transportation and get a WRX or STI later. NA mods are a waste of money.

Read my FAQ:
http://www.rs25.com/forums/f106/t801...build-faq.html

Yeah, if you want to beat WRXs, sure your money is spent just buying one. BUT, if you want to make your car handle well, sound good, and to build a nice little daily driver, read the FAQ.

You'll have tons of people on here tell you NA is lame. Fact is: Not everyone can afford car payments and higher insurance payments (referring to the WRX/STi). Join RS25.com for some good NA information.

Gamil · 08-18-2009, 03:01 PM

Thanks for the responses.

@magicstop: I already have $400 built into my budget specifically for repairs.

nice cmiovino. Thanks. I see you have a 96 OBS, and that you've done a bunch of work to it yourself.

I just like to have a little project that I can work on in my off time when I have finished homework and I don't feel like indulging in my usually routine. But after researching more, and reading your FAQ, i don't think that this is a good idea for my senior year of college, especially since i'm off campus this year. I think that the project will just have to be learning 3D graphics programming this semester. Last fall it was a

YouTube - 1812 Overture Gungrave AMV

This past spring i joined a group that fansubs the anime One Piece. I'm the encoder.

Let me know if there are any little tweaks i can do that don't require too much experience, and can be done in an afternoon...or at least don't require my car to be unusable for more than a couple hours. Obviously stuff like cams are out of the question. All i have is a wrench and socket set, screw drivers, and access to a dremel....not even a drill.

EDIT: Decided what i'm gonna do. Get the grounding kit (looks nice sounds like it will make my car feel better) and a new radio. HD radio + bluetooth so i can use my bluetooth phone

Gamil · 09-19-2009, 05:39 PM

Just did some auto-x today. First time. It was so much fun. It was not an SCCA event. It was run by some corvette club.

Here's a google maps of it. I put placemarkers at the start and finish and each turn.

We got 14 runs. My first lap was 1:11 my best was 1:03.177

Gamil · 09-19-2009, 05:43 PM

hmmmm. wouldn't let me edit it...

I forgot to say that sadly, I didn't lock my hubcaps in place properly. So unfortunately they all got lost on the trip home

Anyone know where I could get some replacements? I have the ones that turn on and lock in place. Not the kind that pops on and you have to pry them off.

If there isn't an easy way to get some, then I'll have to get some new rims since I hate that my car's wheels look like crap now.

magicstop · 09-20-2009, 05:09 PM

I'd find a cheap used set of wheels off of a WRX or a newer impreza outback sport. Lose the hubcaps altogether!

Mike Wevrick · 09-20-2009, 06:54 PM

^^Agreed; used Subie wheels are cheap since so many people go to aftermarket

FCmaniac · 09-20-2009, 07:58 PM

Outback sports look more at home with no hubcaps... don't sweat it

If you really want power, like said earlier, an EJ205 WRX swap would be your best bet and can be done for not too much coin.

First I'd focus on the suspension and wheels and tires if you want to enjoy the car more.

FunkRider · 09-20-2009, 08:20 PM

Congrats on the purchase! I saw leave it stock and collect parts for a swap. Get everything you want and do it once including brakes and wheels/tires. Wait for a good deal on a wrecked wrx or even an STi and use it as a swap car.

The BEST advice I got after I had figured out the basics of driving standard 10 years ago (2 years before I got my license)was letting the clutch out is not always one fluid motion. That is, just because you've started to let the clutch out doesn't mean it has to come all the way out at once. You can let it out just enough to provide torque to the transmission to get moving and hold it in that spot for a short time vs continuing to let it out past that point and adding in power to make it smooth without bogging the engine. Once you get moving just let it all the way out as you see fit. Just make sure your not excessively dragging the clutch.

I find most people seem to get MUCH smoother on starting from a stop once they get the hang of this.

penrod · 09-21-2009, 01:33 PM

If you don't have the money for power or the power isn't available, work on the other side of the Power/ weight conundrum.
remove weight from the car...lighter wheels/ tires? Any excess weight that can be taken out will help (I hope you at least did this for autocross).
Also, you'll see a HUGE difference in acceleration, handling, and braking with r-compound tires (competition use only). You can sometimes find them used if you don't want to pay full price.

My advice? don't worry about beating your Dad in a straight line. Practice with a few autocrosses, and see if he wants to compete against you in that event. I've seen stock miatas beat modded corvettes on some courses. A good driver can bring a *****ty car to life on an autocross course.

good luck.
have fun.

FaastLegacy · 09-21-2009, 03:52 PM

I had a '00 OBS - they really are dogs and short of a motor swap, there isn't much you can do to make them faster.

I would recommend saving your mod money for a downpayment on something better. Modding these cars is a waste of time, you're going to spend a lot of money and not get much out of it.

Gamil · 09-28-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkRider

Congrats on the purchase! I saw leave it stock and collect parts for a swap. Get everything you want and do it once including brakes and wheels/tires. Wait for a good deal on a wrecked wrx or even an STi and use it as a swap car.

The BEST advice I got after I had figured out the basics of driving standard 10 years ago (2 years before I got my license)was letting the clutch out is not always one fluid motion. That is, just because you've started to let the clutch out doesn't mean it has to come all the way out at once. You can let it out just enough to provide torque to the transmission to get moving and hold it in that spot for a short time vs continuing to let it out past that point and adding in power to make it smooth without bogging the engine. Once you get moving just let it all the way out as you see fit. Just make sure your not excessively dragging the clutch.

I find most people seem to get MUCH smoother on starting from a stop once they get the hang of this.

Good point and I already do this. I'm getting a feel of what gives the smoothest start for normal driving and what allows me the best launch for auto-x without a jolt to the diff. I've found that letting it out a bit is good so that it can get the wheels up to speed and connected to the engine then let it out all the way once it's connected and it's a nice, smooth transition. Just gotta make sure you don't slam the gas before letting the clutch out all the way. :P

Had an instructor drive with me during yesterday's SCCA autox and he kept it at 4500RPM until the clutch engaged. He shifted as soon as it engaged! I got a lap only 0.4 seconds slower than him. I only burned the clutch up to 3500RPM, and I was sucking horribly on the chicanes. He also hit 2 cones, and it started raining after his lap so I had a wet track for my fastest time. I'm not trying to make him sound bad, I think he just doesn't have much experience with AWD.

He made a comment about my clutch slipping. From my auto-x experience last weekend I think he was just putting too much gas into it. For the autox last weekend, it started with a straight to an acute corner, so I was able to check my speed at the braking point. My fastest speed at the braking point was only putting enough gas so that it fully connected at 3500RPM. I'd tried a few doing 4500RPM but they were 2mph slower at the BP.

There is a guy from my school's club who has some stock WRX wheels that are just sitting in his garage. I asked him how much, he said he'd think about it.

Also, now that I have a couple events under my belt, I have a practical understanding of body roll and stuff (especially after yesterday, seeing car after car with a wheel off the ground). So i'm gonna not do anything to my car until I get really comfortable with it and am consistent between road tracks and cone courses.

The plan for this car is that I will have some fun in it and use it for a daily driver until I have a career. Once I am in a more stable setting in life (not school but a real full time job), and I can afford a hobby, this will become a project car. I want to have someting unique. And I think it would be great to do it with an OBS. Ultimately, I'd probably have a lot of WRX equipment inside it. I'd take advantage of that cosmetic scoop and make it work. I'd of course do full suspension and handling mods first. My car has horrible body roll. Power mods and such will wait until after an engine swap.

I took everything out of my car that could be as well. I even took out the jack.

Gamil · 10-14-2009, 09:58 PM

YouTube - 97 Subaru Outback Sport Hood Scoop Cam

I gotta add some padding so that he car's vibrations don't mess with the web cam's mic. And maybe lessen the image wobble :P

wrxnoob10 · 10-14-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamil

YouTube - Subaru hood scoop cam

I gotta add some padding so that he car's vibrations don't mess with the web cam's mic. And maybe lessen the image wobble :P

nice, you should get a job with google maps, this could be just what they're looking for

ps- i just cased your whole neighborhood, as well as everyone else on youtube

sagvr4 · 10-15-2009, 12:05 AM

easy. small shot of nitrous.

but in all reality, save your money for something more beneficial. like alcohol or video games.

Da-Risin-Smoke · 10-15-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaastLegacy

I had a '00 OBS - they really are dogs and short of a motor swap, there isn't much you can do to make them faster.

I would recommend saving your mod money for a downpayment on something better. Modding these cars is a waste of time, you're going to spend a lot of money and not get much out of it.

This is why I am doing a swap.

Power is pointless.

If you do all suspension you can and maybe a simple exhaust, in the mean time you can think about it you want a swap, or just use this as a daily driver without wasting your money to try to get more power.

Gamil · 10-15-2009, 02:20 AM

i just bought a used 21mm whiteline rear sway bar.

I'll be doing a swap eventually, but not until I own another car that will serve as my DD.

I'd like to have this car and work on it with my kids (when i have some). Teach them about driving and racing when they are young. Take them to auto-x and stuff. That way if they do drive it i don't have to worry about them crashing when they show off. And by the time they graduate from high school, they'll be better drivers than I will be when I graduate from college.

I believe that student drivers shouldn't be taught by their parents. It becomes too stressful with many parents. Same reason why people teaching little kids to swim don't let the parents watch. Parents freak out and hinder the process. It should be required that to get a driver's license, everyone has to go to a driving school. Doesn't have to be like Skip Barber (except rich kids

), but still they should have some track time so they actually have experience driving a car at it's limit. This way, they will all screw up horribly in a way that scares the living **** out of them, but they aren't in any danger. They will understand why driving drunk is so dangerous, because they will experience just how easy it is to lose control when sober.

Sorry about the rant. Kinda just happened.

DC16A2 · 10-15-2009, 02:58 AM

In the same boat. Go for tires, then suspension. It won't be a tire-spinning monster, but it'll move very well.

Gamil · 10-15-2009, 03:15 AM

working on wheels. Trying to get a set of stock WRX rims from a guy at my school. They are relatively cheap, look good on my car and i know they fit properly and I can run them in SCCA stock class (was an option on the car). One problem, I don't have anywhere to keep a second set of wheels

08-14-2009, 09:43 AM	#1
Gamil Scooby Newbie Member#: 220375 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA / Daytona Beach, FL Vehicle: 1997 Outback Sport Green	Got a "new" Outback Sport. Wanna add some power Hi, I just got a '97 Outback Sport. Loving it. I finally have a subaru that is actually my own. Was driving a '94 Legacy L Wagon for the last 2 years. I'm a college student, Software Engineering. I'd asked my parents to keep an eye open, and they found it while i was interning in Florida. But it was like 3 days before my 21st B-day, so I flew home to celebrate and pick it up. Phone call from my mom telling me she had found it (while checking out new subarus) was like an early b-day present. Except that i only got to drive it once in the frst 2 months i was paying the insurance on it. Still learning how to drive manual. Getting better. At least I don't look like a fool when pulling up onto a busy 2 lane highway off of a gravel path anymore. (ya know, i don't spew rocks or stall..or roll 15 ft back down the hill {never done that one actually}) Anyway I want it to have enough power to Potentially beat my dad's 99 Grand Am, My apartment for college is in a pretty strict golf community, so loud is unacceptable. I don't know where to start. I've tried reading through this site and finding information elsewhere, but i can only find parts for WRX's. My car knowledge is very limited. Assisted my dad in replacing a head gask and oilpan once. I've done my own oil changes and coolant flushes on the 94 Legacy. Also replaced the exhaust on the '94 Legacy once. I did some math, and to match the power/weight ratio of my Dad's Grand Am, my Outback would need 154 HP, stock is 137. I know that there is a lot more than Power/weight ratio. I just don't know how else to compare. Was hoping you guys could get me started in the right direction. Budget would be a couple hundred $$...not to exceed $300....i think....depends on how my financial situation looks after i get my tuition paid off. Thanks in advance. Gamil * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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08-14-2009, 10:05 AM	#2
magicstop NASIOC Supporter Member#: 206853 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: RMIC Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon TXS Stage 4	Maybe someone else can be more helpful than I can... But I'm thinking two things: a.) $300 isn't going to buy much of anything b.) You're not going to squeeze out much more power The WRX's are a whole different ballgame. But for an N/A engine, especially on $300, I'm not sure there's a lot you can do. Perhaps you could get a cold air intake, or maybe a less restrictive downpipe, but I'm not really sure that'll give you much gains as far as horsepower goes. I think your best bet would be to enjoy the car as it is, and save that $300 for when the car has mechanical problems (being a '97, it will have them . . . said head gasket comes to mind . . .). Then, you could challenge your dad to some snow sports! You should have him on those

08-14-2009, 11:21 AM	#3
Defiant Autospeed NASIOC Vendor Member#: 155450 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Austin/Beverly 2 of us now! Vehicle: 2007 FXT WRB	Unfortunately the only way you will get any sort of decent power gain is a motor swap. The reality is that bolt ons just dont yeild any sort of meaningful results on NA subaru motors, we are talking you can spend $2000 in bolt ons and gain @10whp. Its really a waste of time So a motor swap is where its at, and its cheaper/easier than you would think. Easiest and cheapest would be an NA 2.5L from an RS. A WRX motor would be the best choice, and you can do it for @$2000 and end up with 200whp if you shop around.

08-14-2009, 02:26 PM	#5
magicstop NASIOC Supporter Member#: 206853 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: RMIC Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon TXS Stage 4	LOL! Sorry, early morning post was early morning . . . Maybe on the roof of the car? That would look . . . interesting . . . But yeah, w/ $300, I don't think he's going to be doing anything extensive and power-related.

08-14-2009, 02:32 PM	#6
jack klompus Scooby Specialist Member#: 152885 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: 05 Take the pen! vf39 wagon	Save your money, use it for transportation and get a WRX or STI later. NA mods are a waste of money.

09-19-2009, 05:39 PM	#9
Gamil Scooby Newbie Member#: 220375 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA / Daytona Beach, FL Vehicle: 1997 Outback Sport Green	Just did some auto-x today. First time. It was so much fun. It was not an SCCA event. It was run by some corvette club. Here's a google maps of it. I put placemarkers at the start and finish and each turn. We got 14 runs. My first lap was 1:11 my best was 1:03.177

09-19-2009, 05:43 PM	#10
Gamil Scooby Newbie Member#: 220375 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA / Daytona Beach, FL Vehicle: 1997 Outback Sport Green	hmmmm. wouldn't let me edit it... I forgot to say that sadly, I didn't lock my hubcaps in place properly. So unfortunately they all got lost on the trip home Anyone know where I could get some replacements? I have the ones that turn on and lock in place. Not the kind that pops on and you have to pry them off. If there isn't an easy way to get some, then I'll have to get some new rims since I hate that my car's wheels look like crap now.

09-20-2009, 05:09 PM	#11
magicstop NASIOC Supporter Member#: 206853 Join Date: Mar 2009 Chapter/Region: RMIC Vehicle: 2004 WRX Wagon TXS Stage 4	I'd find a cheap used set of wheels off of a WRX or a newer impreza outback sport. Lose the hubcaps altogether!

09-20-2009, 06:54 PM	#12
Mike Wevrick Scooby Guru Member#: 24654 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Scott heard 'round the world Vehicle: 1957 Taggart Comet www.saraseager.com	^^Agreed; used Subie wheels are cheap since so many people go to aftermarket

09-20-2009, 07:58 PM	#13
FCmaniac Scooby Specialist Member#: 142029 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Vehicle: 2004 STi 1997 Leg	Outback sports look more at home with no hubcaps... don't sweat it If you really want power, like said earlier, an EJ205 WRX swap would be your best bet and can be done for not too much coin. First I'd focus on the suspension and wheels and tires if you want to enjoy the car more.

09-20-2009, 08:20 PM	#14
FunkRider Scooby Specialist Member#: 195055 Join Date: Nov 2008 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Southern Ontario Vehicle: 2002 WRX PSM	Congrats on the purchase! I saw leave it stock and collect parts for a swap. Get everything you want and do it once including brakes and wheels/tires. Wait for a good deal on a wrecked wrx or even an STi and use it as a swap car. The BEST advice I got after I had figured out the basics of driving standard 10 years ago (2 years before I got my license)was letting the clutch out is not always one fluid motion. That is, just because you've started to let the clutch out doesn't mean it has to come all the way out at once. You can let it out just enough to provide torque to the transmission to get moving and hold it in that spot for a short time vs continuing to let it out past that point and adding in power to make it smooth without bogging the engine. Once you get moving just let it all the way out as you see fit. Just make sure your not excessively dragging the clutch. I find most people seem to get MUCH smoother on starting from a stop once they get the hang of this.

09-21-2009, 01:33 PM	#15
penrod Scooby Newbie Member#: 218495 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central FL Vehicle: 2008 WRX Wagon Black	If you don't have the money for power or the power isn't available, work on the other side of the Power/ weight conundrum. remove weight from the car...lighter wheels/ tires? Any excess weight that can be taken out will help (I hope you at least did this for autocross). Also, you'll see a HUGE difference in acceleration, handling, and braking with r-compound tires (competition use only). You can sometimes find them used if you don't want to pay full price. My advice? don't worry about beating your Dad in a straight line. Practice with a few autocrosses, and see if he wants to compete against you in that event. I've seen stock miatas beat modded corvettes on some courses. A good driver can bring a *****ty car to life on an autocross course. good luck. have fun.

09-21-2009, 03:52 PM	#16
FaastLegacy Scooby Specialist Member#: 11671 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Tempe, AZ	I had a '00 OBS - they really are dogs and short of a motor swap, there isn't much you can do to make them faster. I would recommend saving your mod money for a downpayment on something better. Modding these cars is a waste of time, you're going to spend a lot of money and not get much out of it.

10-15-2009, 12:05 AM	#20
sagvr4 Scooby Newbie Member#: 170718 Join Date: Feb 2008 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Colorado Vehicle: 04 WRX	easy. small shot of nitrous. but in all reality, save your money for something more beneficial. like alcohol or video games.

10-15-2009, 02:20 AM	#22
Gamil Scooby Newbie Member#: 220375 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA / Daytona Beach, FL Vehicle: 1997 Outback Sport Green	i just bought a used 21mm whiteline rear sway bar. I'll be doing a swap eventually, but not until I own another car that will serve as my DD. I'd like to have this car and work on it with my kids (when i have some). Teach them about driving and racing when they are young. Take them to auto-x and stuff. That way if they do drive it i don't have to worry about them crashing when they show off. And by the time they graduate from high school, they'll be better drivers than I will be when I graduate from college. I believe that student drivers shouldn't be taught by their parents. It becomes too stressful with many parents. Same reason why people teaching little kids to swim don't let the parents watch. Parents freak out and hinder the process. It should be required that to get a driver's license, everyone has to go to a driving school. Doesn't have to be like Skip Barber (except rich kids ), but still they should have some track time so they actually have experience driving a car at it's limit. This way, they will all screw up horribly in a way that scares the living **** out of them, but they aren't in any danger. They will understand why driving drunk is so dangerous, because they will experience just how easy it is to lose control when sober. Sorry about the rant. Kinda just happened.

10-15-2009, 02:58 AM	#23
DC16A2 NASIOC Supporter Member#: 174357 Join Date: Mar 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NYC Vehicle: 2002 OBS Green	In the same boat. Go for tires, then suspension. It won't be a tire-spinning monster, but it'll move very well.

10-15-2009, 03:15 AM	#24
Gamil Scooby Newbie Member#: 220375 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA / Daytona Beach, FL Vehicle: 1997 Outback Sport Green	working on wheels. Trying to get a set of stock WRX rims from a guy at my school. They are relatively cheap, look good on my car and i know they fit properly and I can run them in SCCA stock class (was an option on the car). One problem, I don't have anywhere to keep a second set of wheels