Outback performance upgrades

[iceman89]

Hi,

I have just bought a 2000 Outback (Auto) and I absolutely love it, however I was wondering what can be done to improve the power output?

Can a liberty GT turbo be installed on an outback? Its the same 2.5L engine as the base. Has anyone done this before or installed turbos on their outbacks?

Thanks for the help guys.

[El_Freddo]

A turbo wouldn't be hard to install - if you know what you're doing. If you've never done anything under the bonnet its another story. This will need a turbo motor, operating wiring loom and matching ECU. You'll also have to fit the turbo dump pipe and may need to modify your engine crossmember (not sure on the crossmember mod but know its needed for an L series turbo conversion).

The other way to go is to have a supercharger installed. Google Raptor superchargers, or do a search on the forum here. There's a member with one on his RX liberty and he swears by it.

I don't have an outback, I've got an L series with an EJ22 replacing the original 1.8 litre EA82. The supercharger would be the next upgrade for more power

Good luck in your search.

Cheers

Bennie

[iceman89]

Thanks for the advice El Freddo.

What do you think a ball park figure would be for both the turbo option and supercharger option if they were both professionally installed?

Once again thanks for the advice, its much appreciated.

[AlpineRaven]

I can tell you based front cut option - $1600 approx plus labor average $80 per hour, experienced mechanic would be able to do that in a day and two to finish with conversion - but you will need someone who is familiar with that kind of stuff.. Most mechanics arent.
Cheers
AP

[ChPLAT]

Dunno how good these are but,
Raptor Supercharger

Claimed bolt on to stock motor, seems odd to me.

[iceman89]

I had a look at the raptor supercharger but it starts at $4,400 for the liberty 2.5L kit.

How much would a modest turbo set up cost? I want a bit of extra power, not looking for ridiculous figures, just a bit more get up and go.

[Alex]

turbo motor conversion would set you back very similar to the blower.

you wouldnt want to go an old crappy motor. Is yours an auto, cos if it is that would make things alot more difficult with new gbox xmembers and interior parts. Speaking of which youd have to swap out the gbox anyway cos even it is a manual it wouldnt last very long with the extra power, which would probably mean a custom tailshaft and new matching ratio diff.

i looked into doing this to my auto 01 liberty and decided not to cos it was just too hard.

alex

[AndrewT]

Yeah turbo motor conversion would be the best way to go. This involves swapping the engine, not bolting a turbo onto the existing one.
While there are 2.5litre engines in some turbo Subaru's, these are "turbo" engines, yours is "non-turbo". The engines may have the same capacity but the turbo versions are actually designed with a turbo in mind.

Bolting turbos onto non-turbo engines usually results in expensive disappointment.

But yeah - frontcut conversions are quite easy to do and a few common upgrade, I say go for it.

[INEEDABEER]

Why not start with an exhaust upgrade first it could be what you're lookin for.

[Alex]

i forgot about cv shafts also :P

alex

[bobbyjimmy]

Bolt on Turbo kit for N/A's;
http://www.rallitek.com/avo25tukitwi.html
Runs around 6psi if I remember, search on RS25.com for info about it.

[Gannon]

Not a bad kit.

I wonder if one could make up a similar kit and then use a piggy back engine management (like a GReddy E-manage) to take care of fuel and timing.

But i suppose a WRX front-cut wouldnt be much more expensive than this $3500 kit

[clarkey]

i am thinking about doing the same thing to my foz, i can get a gt turbo for 150 bucks, and my mate can install it for me.

Dunno about it now though, after reading this.....

Cheers Mike

[El_Freddo]

i am thinking about doing the same thing to my foz, i can get a gt turbo for 150 bucks, and my mate can install it for me.

Dunno about it now though, after reading this.....

Cheers Mike

JUST the turbo or a turbo motor? You'll also want the wiring loom and computer to cut down and install so you can run the turbo motor without further complication.

That Raptor unit is the one I was talking about. I can't remember who the member is on here that had it installed on his Liberty though

I reckon the last upgrade to Ruby Scoo would be a supercharger... *Dreams about having RS finished with supercharger*

Cheers

Bennie

[Gannon]

I keep on dreaming about a twin turbo conversion for my Outback.

I making a set of headers like the MRT ones for mine instead.

[bobbyjimmy]

I making a set of headers like the MRT ones for mine instead.

You should go into business selling these then - i'd more than likely ($$ of course) buy a set.

[Morcs]

My suggestion would be buy a h6 outback instead of putting a turbo on a na one higher levels of comfort gadgets etc.

Also putting a turbo on the na motor means that your gear ratios wont be right
meaning you change gears it drops out of the meat of the power range not so much strength as the only difference between na and turbo is oil type used and the clutch mech.
All in reference to the manual version
Still not enough then turbo the h6 saw one at compact meeting at eastern creek in a wrx.

Also why would you

i am thinking about doing the same thing to my foz, i can get a gt turbo for 150 bucks, and my mate can install it for me.

Just buy an XT foz

It might start at $150 dollars then be paying for it as long as you own
it eg ecu tune exhaust engineer cert etc etc
2nd is the suspension is slightly more performance related in the xt.

Later model cars drop in value so greatly when a conversion has been done to them.