Subaru Impreza Performance Upgrades

kbstreat

i have a 1997 subaru impreza 2.2L non-turbo and i am trying to give my car turbo what do i have to do to complete the job the cheapest way possible...help please!!!!

ateixeira

Try Cobb, Vishnu, i.e. the usual suspects for Subaru tuning.

Most of the focus is on the 2002+ WRX, though.

tom165

hey everyone, iv got an impreza lx 1997 sedan. its my first car and i want to try and do some small/cheap upgrades to it. any suggestions??
cheers

paisan

Tires and brakes are really the only upgrades you can do that mean anything.

After that get yourself to an HPDE aka a Track Day and learn to drive the car better. The best mod is to fix the nut behind the wheel!

-mike

hks_wrx_sti

Well you can do things like short ram air intakes, lightweight pulleys, exhaust, fresh spark plugs if you haven't changed them in ages, and a bottle of octane from walmart!

paisan

Well you can do things like short ram air intakes, lightweight pulleys, exhaust, fresh spark plugs if you haven't changed them in ages, and a bottle of octane from walmart!

And all of those things will do absolutely NOTHING for you in terms of performance. Take it from someone who's been working on subarus since 1998 when the 2.5RS first came here. There is nothing you can do in terms of power increases on these motors, short of a turbo-kit, but a motorswap is cheaper.

-mike

c_banks

hey guys i have an 05 2.5RS and i was gonna get an air intake. Any suggestions on what one would be good for my car?? Thanks

gsuth7435

Hey there. I'm in the same situation as 'c banks' and was wondering what type of intake I could install in my 2005 2.5RS. I just got it a few days ago and I'm really eager to add a little more torque/horsepower to it. I'm also wanting to add exhaust, not neccessarily for performance, but I just want to get a slightly deeper, better sound coming from the exhaust. I don't want something loud that wakes up the whole neighborhood either, something usually seen on honda's. Would a Performance Chip help at all and be worth the money? My budget for this car is pretty low as of right now, but any input on prices/brands/models would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

paisan

You will get no performance upgrades on a 2.5RS from any of those things. (Chip, Exhaust, Intake). I've been modding subarus for almost 10 years and it's just not something you want to do, unless you want that ricey sound.

-mike

harvey192

Hey guys, i have a 07 impreza 2.5i non turbo and i was just wondering what type of exhaust might give my car a little better exhaust sound (deeper) kind of like the WRX STI and also is a cold air intake mod helpful at all??? Also if i bought an aftermarket muffler (ebay) would it have any effect on my cars performance or any other aspect?

paisan

You won't get any performance increase from intakes or exhausts on the 2.5i. You also can't boltup any exhausts from the turbos to the non turbos, you'd need a custom fab on them.

You can make it louder but it won't sound like an STi really.

Personally, I'd stick with it stock, if you want to actually drive faster, do Brakes, Tires, Suspension that will help you be able to drive it significantly faster.

Oh and go to an HPDE event, where you can do on-track driving with an instructor in your car, this is the best mod you can do, and it's universal no matter what car you get in!

-mike

harvey192

what about putting a aftermarket muffler only on it, does that void my warrenty at all and will it sound any different or screw up my computer becasue of compression and all that

paisan

An aftermarket muffler will probably be louder, won't void your warranty (except on the exhaust system) and won't effect the computer.

-mike

harvey192

Thats awsome, thanks alot for the help, i really do appreciate it, that sucks that i cant boost the power at all but its not like it cant hold its own. I've pulled off the line with many different cars and most of the time i win. I love this car and everything to do with it, i'll never go from subaru ever. Anyways do you have any suggestions on aftermarket mufflers that might work to produce a better sound?

paisan

Hmm, don't know of any specific for the 2.5i, I think it's due to the rotation of the flange on the axle-back. It's rotated on the 2.5i v. the turbo cars. Your best bet would be to take a generic muffler to a shop and have em cut your old flange off and put it on the generic one.

-mike

cptplt

Mike

what would you recommend for an 02 wagon for power upgrades? there used to be all sorts of stuff advertised but I guess since its an old model most places aren't interested anymore. so far I've only put on 17in wheels and a Foresters cup holder in the back :-)!

dennis

paisan

WRX?

-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

cptplt

sorry Mike, yes, for a wrx 02 wagon, MT

paisan

For power upgrades, I'd go for a Downpipe, Catback, and a Cobb Access Port. Other than that, you are talking big money for power upgrades.

-mike

cptplt

so if I'm a cheapskate which two or one of those 3 is the best way to go? and which is least likely to mess up my emissions testing?

paisan

Sorry for the late reply. I'd go for the Cobb AP. That's all I'm running on mine right now. Shoot me an e-mail mike @ iace.com for some more details.

-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

bmxracir

Hey,

I have a 2008 Impreza 2.5i and just put some after market mufflers on it. I was reading some of the other posts and i had to bring it to a specialty shop to get them welded on. Anyways, i was looking at getting an Injen CAI. I live in Pittsburgh, Pa, so the winters get pretty bad. I had a cobalt and got a short ram and it worked pretty good. I was just reading a lot about how CAI suck in water and if its cold then the pistons can break and how the short ram can take in a lot a hot air and over heat the engine. I read that the AEM can get a valve. So would that be the best, or should i look for a CAI that can be turned into a short ram?

Thanks

wx_geek

I see that Subaru offers an STI spring upgrade dealer installed on the 2009 Impreza. Anyone have experience with these springs? I could drive an STI but there are too many other suspension changes on that car to make a direct comparison concerning ride quality. My goal is to create an Impreza that handles like an STI (or at least close) but with the better fuel economy.

holisticnurse

Hi, wondering if it's better to buy a bottom line WRX and add mods or better to buy a STI with everything included? I heard the mod package on the STI is just the best. I would really like to get the premium cuz of the sunroof and would add the exhaust and some other little things. Is it worth getting the sat radio? Also, got any sites that sell good aftermarket parts? The subaru.com site doesn't really describe all the parts available as options. Thanks guru~

ateixeira

C&D tested both and oddly enough the plain WRX was actually quicker.

I'd want the rock-solid 6 speed MT from the STi, but besides that I'd save my money and start with a plain one.

actimos098

hi,
i purchased the 07 2.5i impreza. i haven't done anything to it other than regular maintenance.
my questioin is what is the besting thing that i could do to improve vehicle performace without adding a turbo (it's not a WRX). thank you.

saedave

Start by removing any extra weight you are carrying in the car...bowling balls,garden tools, etc. Be sure tires are inflated to the max correct pressure. If there are any check engine lights, get the problems fixed.

Then relax and enjoy the adequate performance which won't change much without extensive and expensive modifications.

mrsincere7

I saw an installation video on Youtube. It mentioned that 2.0 WRX 03 and later, aside from putting the 2 male/female green connectors together ( under the dash ), you are supposed also connect the white connector too. I only see one loose white connector under the dash next to the two green connectors. How is the white connector connected under the dash? Thanks in advance.