Chipping an Impreza RV??

PeteFromTassie · Post by **PeteFromTassie** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:32 am

Hey guys,
I recently bought a 2006 MY07 Subaru Impreza RV and I'm in love...

One thing I do notice is that it's not great on fuel (expected that) and not particurly powerful. I'm wondering whether I should get one of these 'chips' that are about the place? Does anyone have any advice or opinions on the matter?

Things like this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/15BHP-Power-Mod- ... 2eaab60e6f

OR this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PERFORMA ... ccessories

Peace,
Pete.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:19 am

Im not having a go at anything, i used to try out that kind of shit in the past but not in subaru and didnt notice a change, think about it - If Subaru knew that they could bring out power improvement like that chip, they wouldve bought it by now, but they have tuned it for specific reason/power output etc... If its an N/A you have a small chance to improve the power output, if you want a bit of extra power, increase exhaust flow but it'll shorten the life span of the engine...
My 2 cents worth.
|Cheers
AP

PeteFromTassie · Post by **PeteFromTassie** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:04 am

Hmmmm. I was thinking the same until I read the description on that second link about engines running rich...?

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 2:56 pm

AlpineRaven wrote:if you want a bit of extra power, increase exhaust flow but it'll shorten the life span of the engine...

Only if you flog it AP! Increased exhaust flow would theoretically reduce some pumping effort of the motor thus reducing engine resistance. The motor won't die earlier unless your over revving it, thus increasing internal stresses.

Cheers

Bennie

Post by **Alex** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:13 pm

pretty sure those chips just change your fuel/air mixture. Id be lead to bleive it would increase your fuel consumption also. but meh, never hear anything good about the chips aye.

alex

INEEDABEER · Post by **INEEDABEER** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:38 pm

Get a diagnostic done there might be some kind of sensor problem.A bad O2 sensor can point to bad economy.The 2.5 should have plenty of power I would have thought so there could be another issue.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 5:32 pm

PeteFromTassie wrote: Things like this: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/15BHP-Power-Mod- ... 2eaab60e6f

OR this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/PERFORMA ... ccessories

The first one wires in with the intake temperature sensor. It fools the ECU into thinking the air is cooler. The ECU then advances the timing producing more power.
You could go to Dick Smith Electronics or Jaycar and buy a $1.50 variable resistor that would do the same job.
The problem is that in hot weather, with the ignition falsely timed, you are prone to detonation, which will either damage your engine, or throw the ECU into limp mode.

The second one im not too sure how it works, possibly the same as the first one, or maybe it modifies the signal from the air flow meter. It suggests changing the air fuel ratio to be stoich under load to save fuel.
This isnt ideal as combustion temps would be too high and can burn holes in pistons ect.

Im also very sceptical of the claims,...

Gain 15 miles per gallon
75 wheel horsepower
80 ft/lb torque

PeteFromTassie · Post by **PeteFromTassie** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:45 pm

Well guys, thanks for the advice. I was wary, thus my question. Glad I asked, so I'll be steering clear.

INEEDABEER, aside from having a cool username (ha ha!) you have baffled me. I think mine's a 2.0l... Not that I know much about cars really.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:55 pm

INEEDABEER wrote:Get a diagnostic done there might be some kind of sensor problem.A bad O2 sensor can point to bad economy.The 2.5 should have plenty of power I would have thought so there could be another issue.

My mate's got a liberty RX 2.5 non turbo - he reckons it should have more poke too. I told him to supercharge it

Dunno what he's going to do if anything...

I think the best way to tune your subi would be on a dyno - I've never done this before and don't know if its really worth it with the factory ECU.

Cheers

Bennie

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:09 pm

get it tuned by dyno if you really want to figure out what is actually wrong with it if you believe that something is wrong.
Cheers
AP

INEEDABEER · Post by **INEEDABEER** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 3:56 pm

PeteFromTassie wrote:Well guys, thanks for the advice. I was wary, thus my question. Glad I asked, so I'll be steering clear.

INEEDABEER, aside from having a cool username (ha ha!) you have baffled me. I think mine's a 2.0l... Not that I know much about cars really.

No worries,I thought it was an RX for some reason,anyway get that diagnostic done and it'll find the source of the problem before you spend to much moola.