Modding an N/A - the truth
- Gannon
- Senior Member
- Posts: 4580
- Joined: Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Bowraville, Mid Nth Coast, NSW
Modding an N/A - the truth
I found this over on Oz liberty and thought id share.
All these power mods you people are doing, are cool but useless..
Direct piping, intakes, filters, mufflers etc, will not make any noticeable difference to a N/A AT ALL!
Im not being a dik, im being honest, your wasting your time..
the only way you will ever get more power from an N/A is to do internal engine work, which will be more expensive then just putting a turbo kit on..
If you want any power difference there are some things that need to be addressed which are the basics to more performance.
1st - Why isnt there anyone here with an N/A that has played around with different types of cams?, a good cam set will get you more intake and exhaust which = more power!! pod filters = 0.000001kw power!
2nd - Why dont you people continue with the group buy and get some extractors!! extractors = atleast 3-5 KW's if not more!! CAI = 0.00001KW
3rd - Why not do some cheap headwork?? for about $400 you can get your heads ported, polished and shaved 40thou to increase compression and flow! this = atleast 5-10kws at a minimum!
4th - Port match your heads to your exhaust! this will increase the flow without restriction!! = atleast 2kw's.
5th - Valve springs, harder valve springs ensure no leak from the cylinders and more even fuel combustion, along with a good set of cams this = another 2kw's if not more + better driveability and torque.
6th - all you Auto's, go install a shift kit in the gearbox, $400-500, will give you firm and hard shifts from each gear without that dreaded wait time from gear to gear!
7th - look at larger throttle bodies with other subi's that give you more flow! there is more power gained here and cheap!
8th - Diff ratios, this is one of the most important, a good high revving set can awaken your car like you wouldnt believe
Im only doing this thread as a reference point for you N/A people, too many people are posting questions about things that cost a fortune with NO or little power difference.
All these power mods you people are doing, are cool but useless..
Direct piping, intakes, filters, mufflers etc, will not make any noticeable difference to a N/A AT ALL!
Im not being a dik, im being honest, your wasting your time..
the only way you will ever get more power from an N/A is to do internal engine work, which will be more expensive then just putting a turbo kit on..
If you want any power difference there are some things that need to be addressed which are the basics to more performance.
1st - Why isnt there anyone here with an N/A that has played around with different types of cams?, a good cam set will get you more intake and exhaust which = more power!! pod filters = 0.000001kw power!
2nd - Why dont you people continue with the group buy and get some extractors!! extractors = atleast 3-5 KW's if not more!! CAI = 0.00001KW
3rd - Why not do some cheap headwork?? for about $400 you can get your heads ported, polished and shaved 40thou to increase compression and flow! this = atleast 5-10kws at a minimum!
4th - Port match your heads to your exhaust! this will increase the flow without restriction!! = atleast 2kw's.
5th - Valve springs, harder valve springs ensure no leak from the cylinders and more even fuel combustion, along with a good set of cams this = another 2kw's if not more + better driveability and torque.
6th - all you Auto's, go install a shift kit in the gearbox, $400-500, will give you firm and hard shifts from each gear without that dreaded wait time from gear to gear!
7th - look at larger throttle bodies with other subi's that give you more flow! there is more power gained here and cheap!
8th - Diff ratios, this is one of the most important, a good high revving set can awaken your car like you wouldnt believe
Im only doing this thread as a reference point for you N/A people, too many people are posting questions about things that cost a fortune with NO or little power difference.
Current rides: 2016 Mitsubishi Triton GLS & 2004 Forester X
Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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Ongoing Project/Toy: 1987 RX Turbo EA82T, Speeduino ECU, Coil-pack ignition, 440cc Injectors, KONI adjustale front struts, Hybrid L Series/ Liberty AWD 5sp
Past rides: 92 L series turbo converted wagon, 83 Leone GL Sedan, 2004 Liberty GT Sedan & 2001 Outback
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- AlpineRaven
- Senior Member
- Posts: 3682
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:00 am
- Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Yeah that is right - its not really worth to mod an N/A as you're wasting your time, you're better getting either EJ25, EJ20T, EJ25T, EG27, EG33 & EZ30
Cheers
AP
Cheers
AP
Subarus that I have/had:
1995 Liberty "Rallye" - 5MT AWD, LSD - *written off 25/8/06 in towing accident.
1996 Liberty Wagon - SkiFX AWD 5MT D/R, Lifted.. Outback Sway Bar, 1.59:1 Low Gearing see thread: 1.59:1 in EJ Box Page
Sold at 385,000kms in July 2011.
2007 Liberty BP Wagon, 2.5i automatic

1995 Liberty "Rallye" - 5MT AWD, LSD - *written off 25/8/06 in towing accident.
1996 Liberty Wagon - SkiFX AWD 5MT D/R, Lifted.. Outback Sway Bar, 1.59:1 Low Gearing see thread: 1.59:1 in EJ Box Page
Sold at 385,000kms in July 2011.
2007 Liberty BP Wagon, 2.5i automatic

LOL!Matatak wrote:come on....
surely FLAWLS was onto something
That guy seems like he's pretty right on alot of that. Although one thing is with mods like that, especially if you do a few of them, you'd really need to start messing around with aftermarket ECU's to custom tune the motor - that starts getting pretty expensive.
*edit - he didn't mention supercharger!

EZ30 L series - Monsterwagon
https://www.ausubaru.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=26163
https://www.ausubaru.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=26163
- RetroLover
- Junior Member
- Posts: 134
- Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:49 am
- Location: Osborne Park, Perth
I just whopped in a CAI on my EJ22 today, no noticeable power gains (wasn't expecting any) but my car now does coast a lot better. Some pics are at - showthread.php?t=10385&page=3
Well, the challenge has been put out there. It looks though to spend the sort of money on each of the mods to an EA82 N/A may just cover an EJ swap in without touching the engines internals - as things seem to be these days - unlike days of old. The post does not make mention of the engine age - just the N/A lifestyle. Can an EJ20 be souped up the old way or has Subaru pretty much got it sorted beyond the above suggestions

yeah...I still maintain the best way to increase the power in your car is to do a conversion to a motor from a more powerful carEl_Freddo wrote:So modding an L to fit and run an EJ is a waste of time![]()
Just taking the piss... I'm not bothering with much else after the EJ interms of power increases, maybe an EJ22 or EJ25 if the opportunity arises
Cheers
Bennie

EZ30 L series - Monsterwagon
https://www.ausubaru.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=26163
https://www.ausubaru.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=26163
N/A means normally aspirated. Superchargers do the same as turbos which is force air under pressure, forced induction. A supercharged engine cannot be called an N/A engine. In short, N/A means no boost.
And when you shave a Subaru head, always remember you'll be f***ing up the flow from manifold to head... You can't shave enough off to make a difference in compression without screwing flow up (is what I've been told and have heard.)
And when you shave a Subaru head, always remember you'll be f***ing up the flow from manifold to head... You can't shave enough off to make a difference in compression without screwing flow up (is what I've been told and have heard.)
Owned - 89 Brumby, 83 Wagon, 83 Leone 4WD Sedan, 83 Touring Wagon, 99 Outback
Own - 87 Brumby, 93 Liberty, 09 Forester
Offroading Subarus Facebook Page
Own - 87 Brumby, 93 Liberty, 09 Forester
Offroading Subarus Facebook Page