Performance upgrades 2000 2.5L Outback

[subbie]

Hello,

 

I am new to the forum. I am looking for what you all might suggest for some basic performance upgrades on my 2000 2.5L Outback wagon. I would like to bump up the power a bit to give her some more oomph while on the road and some better gas mileage. She has about 77,000 miles currently. I have been doing some research here and I am not convinced that going with a cold air intake is the best option. I have read that if I install a cold air intake that water can get into the filter through the opening in the fender well. I have thought about putting in a direct replacement K&N filter for the stock filter. Is there is computer mod that could help with power increase or are the direct bolt ons the best way (cold air, exhaust etc). I would like to take the 165hp stock engine and give it a little more pep for road trips and for better emergency maneuvering. I do not want/need a 400hp engine, just a little more pep for the wife

 

 

Thanks for any input.