What basic mods can be done to a '00 2.5 rx liberty

[Byob2015]

Hello all,

I'm the proud owner of a manual 2000 2.5l liberty rx.
After reading a few articles and topics in the copious forums I have come to ask for a brief run down of what I can do to the car to make it feel a bit more aggressive. I've recently done the timing belt and water pump. with plugs, leads, coils to be done as soon as I have the funds.

The vehicle has just clocked 176,000 kms so it's still moderately young for a 15 year old car.

Is it better to invest in opening up the exhaust flow and do an ecu tune or to invest in suspension, braking components initially as i plan to keep the car for a few years to come?

Any response would be valued.
Thank you all.

[Jordan.k]

You could change to a high flow panel filter, or even a cold air intake for that induction noise

[Sti_lib]

Most id do engine wise is put a diffback muffler on it....anything else is pointless....same as any ecu work

Think more about suspension (swaybars, coilovers, bushes, strut braces etc) and also brakes......the gen4 spec b front 316mm brakes are an awesome upgrade for these

And i feel most importantly the tyres....get some quality rubber under it...its the only thing keeping you on the road

Come have a look over on subyclub.com as theres a bigger number of gen3 liberty owners over there...i had one myself that started same as yours and built up to a converted STi

[shav]

Most id do engine wise is put a diffback muffler on it....anything else is pointless....same as any ecu work

Think more about suspension (swaybars, coilovers, bushes, strut braces etc) and also brakes......the gen4 spec b front 316mm brakes are an awesome upgrade for these

And i feel most importantly the tyres....get some quality rubber under it...its the only thing keeping you on the road

Come have a look over on subyclub.com as theres a bigger number of gen3 liberty owners over there...i had one myself that started same as yours and built up to a converted STi

I agree with these suggestions.

The na Gen 3's lacked a little in as far as engine performance. I had a 2.0 gx and basically had to wring the neck out of the little motor to get it to do anything. But it performed faultlessly.

I recommend suspension upgrades first and foremost as already mentioned. They will give you the biggest bang for buck when you hit the twisty roads.

[Byob2015]

Cheers for the replies,

Induction noise and a muffler from diff back is pointless, all show no go isn't the aim. but thanks for the recommendation.
I like the gen3 body style and the comfort of the car without having all the bling of an actual B4.

They do tend to understeer a bit though so i couldn't throw it around as much as i wanted so i may go down the suspension route first..
I would have thought a re-map would make it perform atleast a little better removing the conservative tunes from factory as well as opening up the breathe-ability of the engine both inflow and exhaust? would have to make a modest improvement wouldn't it?

[Sti_lib]

Are they even tunable? And no i doubt it would make much difference...maybe to throttle response. ...maybe

Best bang for buck to help cure understeer is a big rear sway bar

Diffback is the only restrictive part on these...all other bits are plenty big enough for the small amount of power they make

Removing the resonator box on the intake and replacing it with some intercooler bends made the response a poffteenth better

[Adrian2627]

A Whiteline Anti lift Kit, a set of second hand JDM Bilsteins, and some slightly lower springs will improve the handling and looks of the car. With the lower springs and JDM dampers I wouldn't worry about changing the sway bars as you'll further stiffen the ride. The JDM dampers are already pretty firm.

[Byob2015]

Hello all thank you for your responses
However in the past 6months the car was an unfortunate victim of a shitty driver incapable of braking in time and has subsequently recieved $6,000 damage to the rear end, so the next step find a body for the running gear i'm looking at a cheap straight bodied wagon of the same year with the same motor however his motor has faltered in one way or another so the question i pose is can the motor and gearbox from the sedan be transplanted into a wagon?