2.5 dohc more power?

[outbackwagon96]

what is a good way to get a few extra ponies out of the 2.5? ive got a 96 outback and dont want a race car or anything i just want it to be a little peppy. i bought it with a rod knock getting motor rebuilt and would like to know what a couple things i could have done, cams? a header?

 

also its an auto:-\ would like to 5 speed swap it though

[89ChevondaSI]

get the intake and manifold and TB ported, then cat back exhaust, and a different intake set up. I have a an auto '97 with +250k and when I did all this with over sized tires launching with a brake torque I could spin a little.

[ShawnW]

Cams on a 4 cam is pretty expensive. Price it with Delta Camshaft though their prices are certainly fair.

[TajMan]

I think general improvements can be made all around, as mentioned..

couple things to note:

-if engine is being fully rebuilt anyway, minor improvements can be made with mild porting around areas of the cyl heads before they finish getting rebuilt w/ valves installed. You just gotta search for the right pics/tips for porting those DOHC cyl heads..

-exhaust improvements can be great, but I wouldn't do a cat-back and overlook the front, I would definitely try to re-design/finish the best cyl head-back exhaust completely. Exhaust exits from two round ports next to each other on each head, consider some long-tube (hopefully equal length) headers

ideas..

[outbackwagon96]

im no stranger to cars im just from the otherside of the mountains so to say, v8 land, so i dont know what these little motors "like". i was unsure of porting without doing anything else such as bumping compression etc, didnt want to shoot myself in the foot by giving up all low rpm grunt as well. this is the 1st 4 banger ive played with. id like to do an STI/WRX swap of sorts but holy cow! $

[outbackwagon96]

eye candy on the headers, got brand names to look for? ive been looking on ebay and they all say 97 and up will that fit a 96? im a total newby when it comes to things on these cars and interchangability also if i go putting a header and full exhaust on there, what do i do about the tune?

[newsoobdude]

I've got a 98 Outback and one of the best improvements I did was the snorkus delete. It's free and lets the car pull all the way to red line instead of falling on it's face around 3500. All you do is pull the contraption in the inner fender well of the passenger side that all the fresh air comes in from.

Another is OBX Equal Length headers. I'm running 28 inch tires under my Outback and it has more power know than before I lifted it and put the bigger tires. Wish I had done it before the lift so I could have played in the corners beforehand.

Grimmspeed made intake manifold spacers to keep the intake cooler and they also offer a thermal coating (I don't have yet). Group A did a throttle body spacer but are no longer produced but someone else might be.

You can get a cold air intake off e-bay for an Imprza RS and cut it down to fit also.

Other than that you are looking at cams from Delta and some port and light polishing work. IF I remember right, Delta can redo your heads and improved cams and porting all for a great price and all you have to do is re-bolt the heads on, no cam lash adjusting or any of that stuff.