rugbyben Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strakes Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 Subaru has a sport muffler, but that's only axle-back. I've got it on my car and I bought it because I thought the stock was too sterile-sounding. It gives a little lower tone. I like it a lot. The cat back (or the full exhaust including a high flow cat) that everyone likes is made by Stromung: http://www.stromung.com/ These 2 options are not "ricer" sounding or goofy fart-can looking. Performance wasn't the reason I bought mine...it was sound. I really can't tell if there is a difference in performance. The installation directions that came with the Subaru muffler that I bought had me reset the computer to "benefit" from the better performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 19, 2006 Share Posted January 19, 2006 you'll get a wiiiiiide range of oppinions since everyone has different needs/wants/desires/etc. i haven't heard/seen much info on newer NA soobs, so it would be cool to see your results. the 2.2 is popular enough that you should be able to research some exhaust/intake mods here on this site by doing a search. yours is a 99 i believe, which is the year the 2.2 changed significantly according to ccr (and they know their junk), so it could differ some, but i wouldn't expect too much. short oppinion: bottom line, exhaust/intake helps a little but i wouldn't expect much. long oppinion: NA motors are not worth the time/money on improvements in mine (oppinino). turbo motors can experience significant gains easily, NA motors can not. i've had redesigned headers, high flow cat, high flow muffler, all new exhaust, upgraded cams and intake modifications and it all really amounts to....not much, but that's relative of course. i can do all the work myself, so i don't mind playing. i get better highway gas mileage with a better exhaust so i do it to my XT6's, but that's vehicle specific and won't necessarily help other models. problem with NA is exhaust intake give you so little increase in performance that it really just starts a downward spiral in terms of wanting more power, for me it's better to be happy with my NA the way it is or look for a turbo. myphalx (on the board) has extensive dyno testing of intakes, exhaust, cams, timing etc. not much gains to speak of, but he did get like 7hp by just advancing the timing and i think he had to run higher octane with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugbyben Posted January 20, 2006 Author Share Posted January 20, 2006 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I do want a turbo but the decreased mi/gal keep me from going after it. turbo's can get great mileage considering the horsepower they can put down. the trade off isn't necessarily that bad, depending what kind of mods and how much power you want. but you can get significant increases without much mileage loss. i wouldn't worry too much about loosing low end if you want to experiment. like i said, the intake/exhaust mods don't make a huge difference and that applies both ways. i doubt you'll experience any significant loss that you'll feel, i doubt you would experience any loss at all. i've never noticed any loss with intake or exhaust mods except when running straight pipe (no converter, no muffler) also when i installed modified cams. again this is all from older subaru's i haven't played with my 2.2 at all. but NA motors are similar in regards to lots of effort required for HP gains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugbyben Posted January 20, 2006 Author Share Posted January 20, 2006 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 Is this the sound you're looking for? http://media.putfile.com/Outside57 Recorded with a mic hanging inside the bumper on my "Subaru Sports Muffler" equipped Impreza - 2.0 na. Euro model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugbyben Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 Sounds good. So that is Subaru's sport muffler? I'll check the web. By the way is my current stock muffler welded on? I havnt been under there to look. Also, What does the "NA" mean on the 2.0L engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted January 23, 2006 Share Posted January 23, 2006 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. i have a set of WRX wheels in excellent condtion with snow tires if you're interested and i'm headed up the PA Turnpike this weekend. NA stands for Normally Aspirated (non-turbo) engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugbyben Posted January 23, 2006 Author Share Posted January 23, 2006 Gary, please give me the info about the wheels i am interested. Size, spoke design, color and most importantly, PRICE. How far up the Turn Pike are you coming and on what day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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