FSRBIKER

Anyone have a part number for a Magnaflow, Dynomax, Flowmaster, Gibson muffler they swapped onto there 1st gen(1997) Legacy Outback? I am approaching 200K and think i should be swapping this out soon as all the other parts of my exhaust have been replaced recently. I don't want a tuner type sound, just slightly mellower sound would be fine. I was also thinking of welding a reducer to a 3" inlet/outlet muffler to adapt it to my system, maybe it would flow a bit better?

I just swapped mine as well, i had a low mileage one from a 2002 Impreza RS that came with an engine I bought. I didn't think it would work but it fit perfect.

Andy I ususally run Techron or Lucas cleaner but haven't in a couple of months, I just added a bottle of Lucas today. I like the Lucas better, but they both work well.

The lugging was only an experiment, before the super it was when I didn't downshift until i did shift. So far the mileage doesn't justify the cost, I might try mid grade to see how it runs after a few more tanks.

I have always noticed better gas mileage with certain brands of gas as well. Anyone know if the computer will make adjustments and learn from the increased octane rating?

Well I am on my second tank of super and with the first my mileage stayed around 23 but any low rpm hesitation is 98% gone. I can lug the car in 4th or 5th at 1000 rpm's and floor it with no bucking, this was not possible when running regular. The acceleration is smoother as well, so maybe my knock sensor has been retarding the timing with the regular gas. I''l post up some more observations in the next few tanks. FYI I have a 97 OBW with a 96 2.5 hydraulic lifter engine which has a recommendation to use super. I can say though I did have some of the bucking before this engine swap. I'll add some fuel injector cleaner as well but the extra $2-3 isn't going to kill me for the super if she runs this much better.

If these were truly turbo engines anyone have specs on them? Compression ratio, valve/cam specs, etc?

$600 Now is cheap insurance to make your car very reliable, even if you buy another 2.5 you should still change the HG to the newer design.

Looks identical to the 2.5 I bought from TigerJapanese as well. I ditched the exhaust, intake and wiring and swapped my stuff onto it. I had to drill the head for the EGR and I also installed new head gaskets as a precaution...this was when I found out it was a hydraulic lifter engine and might require premium gas. I have a thread on that but so far it runs fine on regular gas and I am very happy with my engine purchase.

So that's underneath the plastic cover then right? No other marking/numbers on the block/heads? I am going to get my brother's MAC Taskmaster Scan tool and watch and see if I can tell that the timing is getting retarded at any RPM. If it does then I'll have to fill up with Super and try it again.

I am assuming I have a 96 engine since it has hydraulic lifters, it was a replacement engine from Japan. Any other way to tell?

I installed a 96 2.5 in my 97 Legacy Outback and I have been using regular not premium gas, can I expect a big bump in power and mileage if I do use Super? I am knocking on wood when I say this but she runs fine on regular but a 2-3 mpg bump and more power would make me switch.

The US refinery capacity for diesel is fine right now, sure we need to develop new refineries but what we need is to allocate all refinery production to US consumption. There is a member of a 4x4 board I am on that works at a diesel refinery on the west coast, guess what NOT A SINGLE GALLON IS REFINED FOR THE US MARKET....he watches the tanker ships everyday fill up and sail off to China. Until the US government gets their heads out of their asses and starts to enact laws to prevent this and repeal all tax incentives for gas companies unless they subsidize the cost of our petroleum products we are all in a ************ load of trouble financially. Oh yea that will never happen since lots of our lawmakers have hands in their pockets or own energy stocks... Long gone are the days people ran for public office to help the citizens, now it's how they can help themselves/families/friends gain advantages we aren't aware of or allowed to take advantage of. Off my soapbox for now....

Stick/auto? So what is your typical average mpg?

97 Legacy Outback, 5 speed, 196,000 miles(engine has about 50,000) 22-24mpg, 50/50 split on highway/town I tend to drive hard off the lights and then cruise but never hold back when i need to downshift and get on it. I am happy with my mileage, can obviously do better but I need to enjoy driving the car as well.

Another factor to consider will be the additional cost of the diesel engine, typically in the US it's $3-4,000. With that in mind you have to figure out your payback vs a gas engine as well. I think this is a major hinderance for diesel sales in the US since most people don't keep their cars long enough to recoup and benefit from having a diesel engine. Do I want one, absolutely but I'll look at the benefit to value of my money and recouping my investment before I do it. I would be interested in a Bio-Diesel conversion as well.

It should have a 2.5L. If you are mechanically inclined the HG aren't a problem. http://www.cars101.com/outback_archive95-97.html#1997%20outback Regular Legacy's had the 2.2L until 2000, I believe some upscale models had the 2.5 as well.

For $800 I would buy it for sure, ask him why it has a 2.2L in it? It should have a 2.5L but either way fix the HG and drive it.

A bad head gasket design for sure. I got 170,000 before my HG went there are some over 200,000 without issues so it's not really the 2.5 it's the gaskets.

If you tear it down then make sure you replace the water pump, thermostat, timing belt, possibly idlers and tensioners which I did as cheap insurance as you are already there.

Aren't there any members that live by you who can do the repair? If not get another opinion, start with the small stuff if you want to but it really seems like the HG. If it is the longer you wait the more damage like warping the heads that can be done. I have to say I never once regretted putting another engine in my 97 OBW, it was money well spent and I really like having no car payment. FYI I bought a replacement engine out of Canada for around $950 to my door, I swapped my intake manifold over but did replace the HG's, timing belt, tensioners, etc so I new I was starting fresh. Again money well spent IMO.

It sure sounds and looks like a head gasket, you are probably blowing hoses since you are pressurizing the system with exhaust gases from a leak as well.

I bought one from Costco for about $40-45 with 700+ CCA, it's two years old and doing great. I do run a Optima in my 69 Bronco though.

How important is that flex joint to have the springs? I had to use regular bolts on mine to get it tight.

Go ahead and drive the STI, get his best price and then leave. Give it THREE DAYS before you make your final decision, in that time you can clear your mind of the "I need it now" mindset and make a rational choice.