calazo

Hi all, In my country, the 2012 Tribeca, 3.6 Outback and Forester 2.5 Turbo all cost about the same; now, which would be your top choice out of the three and why?. My priorities are 1. passenger and cargo room 2. performance, and 3. fuel economy, uh, I'm 6 feet 2 inches tall by the way... Thank you:)

Hi all, ...Haven't posted since 2008... now I'm a Subie owner again! The question, however has to do with my Dad's 2006 Impreza SW M/T (1.6L stock engine as sold in my country). The car is fine except when driving uphill (very common in my country) with passengers, getting rather sluggish, even with the LO Range engaged... In addition, ground clearance is very poor and the car tends to hit the ground -especially front fender- when fully loaded. Now, what could I do to improve (on a budget) both power and/or torque as well as ground clearance (taller tires?, or?). Thank you in advance. ------------- 2006 1.6L M/T Impreza SW: Dad's latest acquisition 1993 2.0L M/T Legacy SW: My own current ride 1991 2.2L M/T Legacy Sedan: Owned it between 2005 - 2008 1981 1.8L M/T GL SW: 1988 - 1998 (car in which I learned to drive).

Hi Guys, I've had the ABS light on for a while and I didn't care much about it until I realized the ABS weren't working during a couple of extreme stops... What could be wrong?; everything seems OK with the ABS module under the hood, where should I start searching for problems?, thanx:burnout: -------- 1981 1.8L GL SW 4WD (1988-1998) 1993 2.0L Legacy SW AWD M/T (1998 - present) Dad's rig 1991 2.2L Legacy Sedan AWD M/T (my own)

Guys, I've been reading everywhere the EJ-22 is considered to be one of the most reliable Subie engines. I'd be happier if I could boost the power, though. What cheap mods could work best (headers, exhaust, etc...)?. Thanks in advance.

I have always regapped the plugs on all the cars I have ever owned with good results. I have never broken an electrode in the process. I'm not sure if it is 0.040, but in the metric system I usually gap them at 1.1mm, as long as that the ignition is electronic and thus provides a strong spark. The NGK spark plugs usually come out of the box with a narrow gap (narrower than usually recommended, I think). After gapping, I have never had a misfire, except when I used to try those fancy Bosch 4-electrode spark plugs which only work for German cars, of course. For Subies, NGKs are best (Nippondenso are also recommended, but I think they are harder to find...). I currently use NGK's BKR5E or BKR5E-11 (indicated for cold weather, high altitude, good running engine) in my EJ-22 engine.

Hi guys, happy belated St. Patrick's day, of course! My current rig is a stick shift but I was thinking on getting an A/T Legacy since I have to commute through many traffic jams in my city, plus I just love A/T... I know this subject has already been discussed here and I have read some topics against the E4AT tranny, etc. So, is it a good idea or not to move from M/T to A/T on an early 1990s Legacy and why?. extra info: -My town has lots of hills and altitude is about 8.000ft above seal level-:cool: _________________________________________________________________ 1992 Legacy Sedan 2.2 AWD M/T - Mine 1993 Legacy Wagon 2.0 AWD M/T - Dad's 1981 GL Wagon 1.8 4WD - Had it for ten years, the one I learned to drive in...

Thanks, what about the 15W-40?, I know it is designed for diesel & truck engines, and it is a moderately priced option, but like I said, I need heavy duty oil, and one that can reduce engine clacking noises...:cool:

Guys, I am about to go for an oil change in my rig. I've been using Mobil 20W-50 which is the generic oil in my neck of the woods (I'm not particularly pleased with the way it performs, though). However, other than the more expensive synthetic motor oils, what kind of oil would you recommend? (I am kinda heavy duty user: 8.000ft above sea level altitude, some mud/dirt roads, lots of hills and heavy on the gas)... Thanks:confused:

Well, in addition to what my friend has told me, I like the weather (little or no snow), the cost of living, hospitality, the cultural environment and it is a good place for Latinos like me to work.

Guys, I'm about to get my "Green Card" and my wife and I are thinking of moving to Austin, TX, after all the research we've been doing. Any comments?, thanks in advance... P.S. I lived in Boston between 1991-1996, but have never been to Texas, yet my best high school buddy lives in Houston...:cool:

Guys, I'm having a lot of power issues with my 1991 Legacy 2.2 M/T AWD (it runs good only when the car has no cargo or people besides me. Based on your experience, which mods can help boost power/torque best? (other than a Turbo, that is)... Thanks...

I just wanted to know if anybody owns or has heard goog comments about the B9 Tribeca, I am just curious 'cause I like it...

Hi again guys, I've noticed that when I start my subie in the morning the "check engine" sign lights up sometimes, the car starts hesitating and shaking with the tacho needle swinging up and down. If I stop and start the engine a few times it goes away and the engine functions correctly after that. I had the computer scanned and it didn't i.d. any problems since at that time the "check engine" light was off. What should I do?, thanks again...

Hi guys, some mechanic asked me about my timing belt on an EJ22. I don't know when it was the last time it got replaced (since I bought it just they way it is now). Now, how could I know when to replace it?, and what effect would that have on performance, if any? (I ask since I've been experiencing some power issues especially when hauling people uphill, and I already replaced spark plugs, plug wires, fuel filter & air filter and a couple of injectors with only a little improvement in performance).Thanks...

Hi guys, does anybody know whether performance is affected by using resistor plugs?. NGK people say no, but I ask since my daddy's 1993 Legacy 2.0 Wagon uses NGK BK5E (5 is the heat rating at our altitude, as opposed to 6, for around sea level), and I use BKR5E plugs in my 1991 Legacy 2.2. I can't tell much of a difference, but I feel my daddy's Wagon has more pulling power... any comments? I ask since I am about to replace the plugs on my rig... On the other hand, do any of those fancy Bosch plugs work fine on subies?, the Subaru people here say no (maybe because of warranty purposes..). Thanks:rolleyes: ------------- 1991 Legacy 2.2 sedan M/T AWD all stock

Yup, the regular gasoline here now comes with 10% ethanol. I don't normally fill it up with premium gasoline (not mixed) since it is very expensive. I haven't changed the fuel filter yet, ever since I bought the car. Timing belt & sensors seem to be OK or so appears in the scanner. On the other hand, the fuel pump was replaced almost a year ago. I will implement your suggestions and let you know what happens... Thanks...

My Legacy, when I hit the gas hard it tends to hesitate and knock and ping, it feels almost as if it were running out of gas. This happens especially when the engine is cold. Could it be the octane rating or the fuel pump?. Thanks...

Guys, I have a 1991 1/2 Legacy Sedan 2.2 M/T AWD. I want to improve performance in a big way. Should I have a turbocharger installed?, is it worth it?, does it have a toll on the engine?, what about the reduction in mileage?. Thank you all...

Yeah, I've heard a lot about head ´n gasket problems in the Outback, but I'm sure there's gotta be a way around that... In any case, I'd like to got for the car thast offers the best ride & performance of the two, plus the space...

I forgot to mention guys, in 1998 the Forester here came with the 2.0L engine as opposed to the 2.5L from the Outback...

Hi guys, In my country the 1998 Outback and Forester cost the same (both the Forester and Outback models were launched into the local market that year...). If I were to buy either one of them, which one should I choose? what are the pros and cons?. Two considerations: I am 6' 2" and like off-road capability. The Subarus I know about are the ones at the bottom... Thanks! ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1981 1.8L GL Wagon 4WD M/T (Dad had it for 10 years, sold in 1998) 1992 2.2L GX Legacy Sedan AWD M/T My own) 1993 2.0L GL Legacy Wagon AWD M/T (Dad's)

Well, I don't know if this is the case for U.S. versions, but I've had overheating problems with our two Legacys (1991, 2.2L & 1993, 2.0L). The solution for both cars was to install radiators with more capacity or just have a bigger radiator custom-made. As for the air getting into the cooling system, I think it is also a Honda's problem (I own one BTW). I had to replace most of my Civic's cooling system hoses...

My 1991 1/2 Legacy 2.2 Sedan M/T AWD gets about 20 MPG City 23 Highway at an 8.000ft altitude & lots of hills with 89-octane gasoline, and average load, which is not bad, as compared to the 9MPG combined of my last car (Ford Bronco). By local standards it is considered to be a car of moderate fuel consumption in general, but higher than their local non-AWD competitors such as: Honda Accord, Nissan Altima (Bluebird), Toyota Camry & Mazda 626. My dad's 2.0 Legacy Wagon gets about the same mileage...

Wow, that's something. Mine (a 2.2L Legacy also) has like 100K only an has a lot of issues, well that's my fault 'cause I bought a cheap lemon whose last owner didn't know much about maintenance, etc. My daddy's 93 Legacy Wagon on the other hand (which I found for him BTW) has only needed a few repairs like a radiator replacement and a cam also other than than is just oil, cluthc, tires, brakes and the usual stuff... (his mileage is about the same as mine) yet he takes it into the country every weekend, through hills, dirt roads, etc. Colombian road conditions are pretty harsh, especially in my city, with lost of potholes, bumps, puddles and dirt roads, plus the 8.000ft altitude and not so good gasoline which takes a toll on all vehicles, even Subarus...:cool:

Hi guys, Thank you for your input. I keep all tune-up items checked, except the PCV valve. excuse my ignorance, but where is it?, so that I can check it and replace it... On the other hand, my spark plug wires are pretty old, I think they are OEM. How can I tell when to replace them?, since ignition seems to be working fine, etc. I will try premium gasoline to see if it improves (a bit expensive, though, in my neck of the woods..)