Member Profile - Poida GT
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 9:31 pmHey Guys
I've finally decided to build a profile post after owning my lib for 12 months.
I needed to find a car that I could drive for a few years and then handover to my wife to ferry the kids around once i have paid it off.
I've had 3 Ford XR6 Turbos & 1 G6E Turbo company cars prior to the Lib and have always loved Turbos for the power and torque.
I purchased my Lib GTB wagon from Melbourne as i couldn't find an auto wagon here is Sydney that was within my price range (under $30,000).
I got a good price on my lib as it had a few small dints and every wheel was gutter rashed really badly, everything else was OK.
First thing i did was purchase 4 Brand new GTB wheels for $125 each for a wheel shop near Bankstown
I planned to do some power and suspension mods as soon as i could get some cash together.
Suspension, Brake & Tyre Mods
Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushes ($500 fitted with Wheel alignment)
Whiteline Front & Rear Sway Bars ($650 fitted)
Yokohama DB Advan - 225 40 series ($375 a corner fitted)
Dixcel front slotted rotors & Pads. ($647 fitted)
Power Mods
Invidia Stainless Down Pipe & Quad Tip Cat Back System (sold the cat back system 2 weeks later as it was way too loud) (Dump $900 - CBE $850)
STi steering knuckle ($90 + $110 to fit + $50 wheel allignment) needed to fit the Invidia down pipe - designed for left hand drive US Legacy GTs)
AVO Top mounted Intercooler ($700)
First Dyno tune by MSR - 170kw atw ($900) (standard cat back exhaust)
X Force 3 inch Centre & Y pipe in mild steel ($375) (kept standard GT mufflers to keep noise levels near standard)
PSR Equal Length Headers - Ceramic Coated ($600 + $350 ceramic coating + $200 fitting & turbo porting)
PSR Silicone Intake & Fat Pipe ($300 + $100 fitted) (standard airbox and filter recommended by MSR)
IHI VF52 Turbo ($1270, + $350 fitted)
MSR Dyno Tune - 200kw atw ($450)
Planned Mods
Another Muffler in the mid pipe to take away the off boost drone caused by the =L headers.
STI Quad tip mufflers.
Basic tidy up of the dents and paintwork.
Possibly some 18 inch STI Enkei Wheels
Mistakes made along the way
Like anyone modding a car you make some wrong choices even after you believe you have done your homework.
1. The whole Invidia exhaust system was a nightmare with the Down pipe not clearing the standard steering column and the Cat back system being far too loud.
Lots of mucking around and additional expenses that proved to have cost me a lot of extra $$$. I should have gone to X Force from the start.
2. Unifilter air filter - sold to me by MRT as a great replacement for my standard air filter. Apparently the oil in the filter coats your airflow sensor and causes issues.
Mick from MSR says the standard Subaru paper air filter does not restrict air flow until you go for big HP applications and traps just as much dust as after market units.
3. LCA Bushes fit by MRT - They forgot to tighten the bolts holding my lower control arms together after fitting the bushes. 1 Main bolt was missing and the other 3 were loose. That was the last time MRT will get my business.
How does it Drive Now
My Lib now drives completely different to when i first drove it. The exhaust and tune together make such a big improvement to drivability.
Much more torque right across the entire rev range and loads more power at the lower revs which make it much more pleasurable to drive around town.
The bigger turbo and headers have created about 750 rpm more lag however there is a heap more torque again from 3500rpm all the way to redline (previously it was all over by 5500rpm). The equal length headers have created drone below 3500rpm but makes the engine feel so much smoother and stronger once it comes on boost.
Another muffler in the Mid pipe will fix the drone. With a good launch i believe i can get from 0 -100kmph in about 5 seconds now.
The sway bars make a huge difference to handling / balance and the lower control arm bushes are a must replacement for all Gen 4 Libertys (they all wear very quickly).
The tyres also make a massive difference to grip and handling so its definitely worth while getting some high performance rubber.
I've finally decided to build a profile post after owning my lib for 12 months.
I needed to find a car that I could drive for a few years and then handover to my wife to ferry the kids around once i have paid it off.
I've had 3 Ford XR6 Turbos & 1 G6E Turbo company cars prior to the Lib and have always loved Turbos for the power and torque.
I purchased my Lib GTB wagon from Melbourne as i couldn't find an auto wagon here is Sydney that was within my price range (under $30,000).
I got a good price on my lib as it had a few small dints and every wheel was gutter rashed really badly, everything else was OK.
First thing i did was purchase 4 Brand new GTB wheels for $125 each for a wheel shop near Bankstown
I planned to do some power and suspension mods as soon as i could get some cash together.
Suspension, Brake & Tyre Mods
Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushes ($500 fitted with Wheel alignment)
Whiteline Front & Rear Sway Bars ($650 fitted)
Yokohama DB Advan - 225 40 series ($375 a corner fitted)
Dixcel front slotted rotors & Pads. ($647 fitted)
Power Mods
Invidia Stainless Down Pipe & Quad Tip Cat Back System (sold the cat back system 2 weeks later as it was way too loud) (Dump $900 - CBE $850)
STi steering knuckle ($90 + $110 to fit + $50 wheel allignment) needed to fit the Invidia down pipe - designed for left hand drive US Legacy GTs)
AVO Top mounted Intercooler ($700)
First Dyno tune by MSR - 170kw atw ($900) (standard cat back exhaust)
X Force 3 inch Centre & Y pipe in mild steel ($375) (kept standard GT mufflers to keep noise levels near standard)
PSR Equal Length Headers - Ceramic Coated ($600 + $350 ceramic coating + $200 fitting & turbo porting)
PSR Silicone Intake & Fat Pipe ($300 + $100 fitted) (standard airbox and filter recommended by MSR)
IHI VF52 Turbo ($1270, + $350 fitted)
MSR Dyno Tune - 200kw atw ($450)
Planned Mods
Another Muffler in the mid pipe to take away the off boost drone caused by the =L headers.
STI Quad tip mufflers.
Basic tidy up of the dents and paintwork.
Possibly some 18 inch STI Enkei Wheels
Mistakes made along the way
Like anyone modding a car you make some wrong choices even after you believe you have done your homework.
1. The whole Invidia exhaust system was a nightmare with the Down pipe not clearing the standard steering column and the Cat back system being far too loud.
Lots of mucking around and additional expenses that proved to have cost me a lot of extra $$$. I should have gone to X Force from the start.
2. Unifilter air filter - sold to me by MRT as a great replacement for my standard air filter. Apparently the oil in the filter coats your airflow sensor and causes issues.
Mick from MSR says the standard Subaru paper air filter does not restrict air flow until you go for big HP applications and traps just as much dust as after market units.
3. LCA Bushes fit by MRT - They forgot to tighten the bolts holding my lower control arms together after fitting the bushes. 1 Main bolt was missing and the other 3 were loose. That was the last time MRT will get my business.
How does it Drive Now
My Lib now drives completely different to when i first drove it. The exhaust and tune together make such a big improvement to drivability.
Much more torque right across the entire rev range and loads more power at the lower revs which make it much more pleasurable to drive around town.
The bigger turbo and headers have created about 750 rpm more lag however there is a heap more torque again from 3500rpm all the way to redline (previously it was all over by 5500rpm). The equal length headers have created drone below 3500rpm but makes the engine feel so much smoother and stronger once it comes on boost.
Another muffler in the Mid pipe will fix the drone. With a good launch i believe i can get from 0 -100kmph in about 5 seconds now.
The sway bars make a huge difference to handling / balance and the lower control arm bushes are a must replacement for all Gen 4 Libertys (they all wear very quickly).
The tyres also make a massive difference to grip and handling so its definitely worth while getting some high performance rubber.
