2.2 and 2.5 performance questions

[4wheeln2]

i have a 96 legacy wagon 2.2 n/a, and my wife has a 04 outback 2.5 has anyone out there added a cold air kit or exhaust to either of these cars? the 96 hass 111k on it and is ready for struts. any suggestions there? would like a little more performance from the 2.5 as it seems reallyt sluggish for a brand new car. any help appreciated. thanks, Pat

[JonOfScio]

Well, check out www.rallitek.com for parts for both cars.

 

Easiest things to do are of course exhaust work, even something simple like changing the manifold to a header (Borla is carried on rallitek)

 

Now, if either of your subes are automatic, that could be one thing that would make a sure difference in feel of power. Subaru trannies aren't known for having a good transfer of power. Typically, most transmissions that are manual, carry over between 70 to 80 percent of flywheel power to the wheels. I think the typical manual (5 speed AWD) carries about 74% efficiency to the wheels. Most automatic trannies (NOT clutchless manuals, true automatics with torque converters) are about 50%!! So you're 165hp 2.5L engine could put down either between 82hp (estimate) to 122hp (on averages) just because of the type of tranny.

 

A stock 2.2L with a manual puts down about 100hp to the wheels from a 135hp flywheel.

 

To get more power to the ground, you can change your crank pulley, and flywheel. Lightening engine components puts more Hp to the ground. I think, I calculated it out, that the Perrin lightweight pulley and Exedy lightened flywheel would combine out to about 17hp gain. (flywheel hp)

 

Cold air works pretty well for both cars, but you have to deal with the WOT sound of it sucking in air. Which to me, is a cool sound, so I'm not too bothered. Once again, you can check out www.rallitek.com

 

Or you can do the cheaper method and cut the bottom of your airbox out and remove your silencer. The silencer tubing is way smaller than the intake tubing, thus it is a restriction.

 

hope all of this bantering helps in some way.