rugbyben

the way i would drive a turbo would probably eat gas. ha ha. but seriously i love my OBS but i get bored with cars quickly. This is my first subaru, previously (back in the cheap gas days) i always had jeeps and never kept one for more then 2 years. Its an expensive habit that i am hoping to remidy with the less expensive modification of my current car to keep me interested. I am definetely going to try to find some WRX alloy wheels. Or maybe aftermarket depending on price. In my experience, lighter wheels make a noticable difference.

Thanks thats good information. So in short its not worth it for the cost. Im fine with that. As long as i know i dont really have the option i can settle. If i knew i could get a lot more out of the engine then i would want it. I do want a turbo but the decreased mi/gal keep me from going after it. I may not do the intake upgrade because i see that it decreases low end. I like the torqueyness of my scoob so i dont think i want to change that. it would be a step backward in my mind. I will consider the sport muffler for the sound though. You and I both know if the car sounds better it MUST be going faster...

I am looking to improve performance slightly in my non-turbo '00 Out Back Sport. I know it wasnt built to be a race car an i dont intend it to be. Im just trying to speed it up to keep things interesting and to keep myself from getting that itch to buy a new car. My main question is.... Is a cat-back exaust system worth the time and money? Since the exaust will have to pass through the initial restrictive pipe and cat, do the wider pipes and better flowing muffler after that actually make any difference? If so, can someone reccomend a good flow muffler that doesnt sound like a ricer? i dont mind it being a little louder but im not looking for a coffee can either. I like a low tone. If i do decide to improve exaust flow, i will fabricate a better intake tube so it breathes better in the front too. I have already looked for aftermarket intakes and there are none available for the 2.2L i plan to simply use the stock air box and replace the resonating intake system with a smooth tube that sucks air from the fender well. (i have been planning this for a year or so, i just need to get off my duff and do it)

Cool. The guy im talking about it is a WRX newer body style. I also saw an STI yesterday, blue (because 99% of them are) but this guy put the old school double racing stripes over the top. Well best of luck. maybe I'll see you around some time.

Okay I guess we can close this thread soon. I got the cats replaced today. The dealer was suprisingly nice about it and was extremely quick. it took about 3 hours from the time i dropped it off until they called me to come pick it up. We will see if that cures the Po420 code. If not I will be back, probably asking advice on replacing o2 sensors.

just throw a lift and some tires on there!!!!! OOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!

Cool. You can actually use the code tool they have at the Auto Zone on North Atherton St. Near CVS and Wendy's. Thats where I go. I see a lot of Subys here. is yours the silver WRX with the nice Cat-Back system? Every time i see that it sounds really great. nice low tone not like all those imprt tuners who cars sound like weed wackers. I drive the green imprezza outback. Mine is one of two in town that has the hood scoop and spoilers. See you around. P.S. I am getting my cats replaced today under the warranty because of the Po420 code.

Well the light came back on, the dealer is going to replace the cats under the warranty. In answers to other questions. the air cleaner filter is not dirty. I replaced in about 7 months ago. i could replace it again, no problem. THe car does run differently since they reprogramed. No performance change, but it does start better in the cold and doest idle as high right after a cold start. it jumps up to almost 2500RPM the instant of start and then falls to about 1500 until it warms a little then returns to normal. Before it would maintain that 2500 for a minute or two then drop all the way down to 1000. i didnt know but it didnt sound right. Apparently it was a programming issue that was solved by the Flash Update. Anyways it goes in today to get the new cats. Once it warms up a little (Central PA with no garage) i will look over the intake really well and check for leaks and change the filter. I may replace the front o2 sensor at that time.

That rocks!!!!

The similarities are killing me. I am also in central PA, (State College) I have a 2000 (its a 2.2L though) and i kept getting the P0420 code... Just curious where do you get your gas? im wondering if maybe a suplier here is suspect. Anyway see my thread about the PO420 code for what i had done. i dont know if it worked yet though.

Maybe read my recent thread on the code po420. I know you dont have any codes, but i experienced a loss of gass mi. and the code makes us suspect the cats. i got the computer flashed after it was found out that the idle was set way too high for cold starts. This resulted in running ritch until it warmed up and hence probably caused the loss in milage and even the cat problem codes. OR the cats are actually bad also...The jury is still out at the moment.... we will see if i get the cat code again. In my experience with other vehicles (never with such sophisticated on board computers). having a bad cat can result in the loss of milage and the smell you encountered.

Will do. they did put it on the paperwork that if the code comes back they will replace the cats. So far it has not come back on, which is sort of a suprise because it has been off for 2 days, i ahve not had a single day where the light wasnt on since june. it would be off ocasionally but always came back on once the car heated up. Ive got my fingers crossed for the code though. because with my luck it will be the cats but the code wont come back on until a mile after the warranty is up.

Okay here are the results. They also got the two codes. The sensors and fuel trims all tested okay. THere was however a flash update for the computer related to the idle speed and the 1507 code. They updated the computer, and both codes were erased. The mechanic believes that it may be possible that the high idle could cause one of the sensors to react. So im just going to drive it for a while and see if the Po420 codes comes back. If it does they will replace the cats... I have 7K miles left on the federal warranty. so if its going to happen lets hope it does in the next 7,000 miles.

Thanks a lot for your help Color-Blind. I will ask them to do the update thing while im there tomorrow. Here is somthing i though i would never say. I'm praying it is the cats because that way the fix will be covered. if its somthing else then i will have to pay for it. The guy actually told me that i need to write down the repair history, i.e. when the plugs were changed because a misfire could kill the cats. i really dont think its a misfire because i would immagine there would be a code for that too. Anyways. Thanks for the help guys (& girls?) I will report back with results.

I just spoke to Bob at Stocker Subaru in State College PA. He was actually very friendly and when i described my problem he suggested the federal warranty before i even mentioned it. Here is the sticking point. To actually do the warranty work he has to determine if it is actually the cats or a bad sensor. to do that they hook a diagnostic machine up and drive the car around. Sounds great, but that is going to cost me $70.... OUCH! but if thats the only way to get them to do the warranty work what other choice do i have?

5 speed, 2000 Out Back Sport, with 70,000 miles

AAGHHH! you said the R word. Yes you are right. Rust is a major problem in PA because of the road salt.

I have 72K miles so I guess imunder that warranty. Do i just go to my regular mechanic, or do i need to go to a Subaru dealer to get the CATs replaced under warranty? Ill check for leaks in the intake and exaust but its difficult right now as its winter in PA and I have no garrage. Also the boxer "sound" makes it impossible to determine a leak just from listening, so i need to do the soap & water test.

Color-Blind, Please give me more information if you find it. I need a little clarification though; What are fuel trims, that is a new term to me and how do i check them also What do you mean by "Flash Update"?

Thanks Cook... I assume the front one is easier to change anyway b/c i have no lift. It sucks that i only have 70K miles on it. a bit short of that 100K expected life span. This might inspire me though because For a long time I have been considering putting on a cold air intake. The bendy stock intake with corrugated 90 degree bends and a square mouth is an air flow physics nightmare!!! Unfortunately there is no after market version so im going to have to fabricate. Maybe needing to actually do some work will inspire me to figure that one out. I have heard of people removing the whole stock air box and putting in a single tube and cone filter. You have to drill and place the sensors right into it. Its still just a thought but I might move it to paper soon….. then maybe even into reality.

I went to Auto Zone to check the price of the o2 sensor. and they cant give me one. They have a part number but it says "unavailable". The guy got on the phone with the main parts center and he said they confirmed its unavailable. i.e. they dont have it, and wont get it for me. F***ers! Any reliable on line sources for an 02 sensor for less ching$ than the Subaru OEM parts site?

Does "Bank 1" mean the front sensor?

Do any of you know what the P1507 Manf Cntrl Veh.Spd. Idle Speed Control Auxiliary Inputs is? I am just speculating now but couldnt an idle speed control problem could cause the car to run rich and foul the o2 sensor &/OR the CAT. Could result in my loss of milage as well..... ???????

I have found MANY possible causes and solutions for the code PO420 by searching the site, they range from o2 sensors to exaust leaks. So im trying to narrow it down for my case. can anyone who has been through this confirm a gas milage decrease before the fix? If so what was the problem? I am also getting a code P1507 Manf Cntrl Veh.Spd. Idle Speed Control Auxiliary Inputs Have any of you had this combination of codes? THANKS!!!!!!

Okay I got the codes.... there were two P1507 Manf Cntrl Veh.Spd. Idle Speed Control Auxiliary Inputs I have no idea what that means but its the same one i have gotten before P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) That is the one that scares me. So Now I'm asking for trouble shooting information and possible solutions? Thanks!