Worth doing anything to my rx 2.5?

Posts specific to the 2.5 litre NA engine

Worth doing anything to my rx 2.5?

Postby Jmal » Sat May 30, 2020 5:37 pm

I have a 2000 lib rx 2.5, it’s been my first car had it for two years almost now, probably thinking of keeping it for a little while longer until I can afford a newer-ish liberty (thinking 07-09) or even a wrx not sure, was wondering what are some things worthwhile doing to it? I’ve put a catback exhaust and painted the rims that’s about it, I wasn’t sure about cold air intake would that help performance? And looks wise maybe lowering and touching up the paint
Jmal
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 5:29 pm
Car: 2000 Subaru liberty rx
Real name: Julian

Re: Worth doing anything to my rx 2.5?

Postby Yowie » Sat May 30, 2020 8:50 pm

Saving for a newer turbo subaru would make the most sense.

If that is off the cards and short term improvements to your car will put a smile on your face, then handling & braking improvements will give the most fun-for-dollars.

A 98 octane tune to the 2.5 litre NA might wake it up a bit - I wouldn't know.

Watch-out for so-called "cold air intakes" that consist of a pod filter in the engine bay, perhaps with a feeble attempt at shielding engine bay heat. They will add noise but reduce power through lost air density (engine bay heat being ingested).

A genuine DIY cold-air-intake running cold air from the front of the car to the factory airbox can be a fun project that makes a small noticeable difference (when I've done it on a 3.8L NA engine and on a turbo engine anyway) - possibly marginal on a 2.5L NA engine.

Good luck with whatever direction you choose.
Last edited by Yowie on Sun May 31, 2020 12:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Yowie
 
Posts: 574
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2015 10:05 pm
Location: Brisbane
Car: SH Forester XT

Re: Worth doing anything to my rx 2.5?

Postby BillyCorgi » Sat May 30, 2020 9:16 pm

Forget anything about "a tune".
The ECU in that model Liberty is a Read-Only-Memory device and cannot be changed and cannot be reflashed.
The tune is what it is, what it is.

Do the best of what you can with what you have.
Good synthetic lubricants in engine and transmission, suspension to enchance handling and brakes to make it stop better.
Learn how to drive it.

I had an MY2003 RX Liberty as my first Subaru. lots of fun times.

Things you can do?
When we changed the head gaskets on No.1 Son's MY2002 Outback we fitted EJ252 head (because we had them ready to go). The Gen4 2.5NA has slightly wide intake cam duration. This made a small but noticable lift in performace. The lift on the exhaust cam is also slightly higher.
(we would not have done it if we were not doing teh head gaskets, the head gaskets gave us the opportunity).
Note: the EJ251 cam ange sensors and cam pulleys had to be used/retained.
The equal length exhaust headers from the Gen4 2.5NA will also give a small improvement in exhaust fow, but require a front end exhaust upgrade, relocation of the O2 sensor harness, change to the engine sump pan and change to water pump (to clear the front mounted exhaust. (less rumble but better gas flow)
Get your Short Shift Adaptor viewtopic.php?f=68&t=30525
Get your Gear Shift Rejuvenation Kit viewtopic.php?f=68&t=31240
Get your Centre Differential Rebuild viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31089
Want a custom built Brake Cylinder Stopper? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31321
Need to hire a Guard Rolling Machine? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31899
Get your BillyCorgi's "Not-4-Wimps" Chilli Sauce
User avatar
BillyCorgi
 
Posts: 1804
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:11 pm
Location: Bankstown Area, Sydney
Car: Liberty 3.0R-B Wagon E85 Flex Fuel
Real name: Peter
Profile URL: www.facebook.com/CorgiWerx

Re: Worth doing anything to my rx 2.5?

Postby Jmal » Sun May 31, 2020 12:24 pm

definitely having shorter shifting gears would be great, I definitely was skeptical about intakes so thanks for that, it seems to be in really great condition for its age so I think I might just keep it as is and keep it looking as clean as I can maybe lower it a little and fix up the paint perhaps, thanks for the info (y)
Jmal
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat May 30, 2020 5:29 pm
Car: 2000 Subaru liberty rx
Real name: Julian

Re: Worth doing anything to my rx 2.5?

Postby BillyCorgi » Sun May 31, 2020 4:44 pm

BillyCorgi wrote:
Jmal wrote:definitely having shorter shifting gears would be great,


Contact CorgiWerx for a Short Shifter Adapter to suit your Gen3 Liberty.
New shifter bushes too!

Image Image
Last edited by BillyCorgi on Sun May 31, 2020 4:51 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Get your Short Shift Adaptor viewtopic.php?f=68&t=30525
Get your Gear Shift Rejuvenation Kit viewtopic.php?f=68&t=31240
Get your Centre Differential Rebuild viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31089
Want a custom built Brake Cylinder Stopper? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31321
Need to hire a Guard Rolling Machine? viewtopic.php?f=6&t=31899
Get your BillyCorgi's "Not-4-Wimps" Chilli Sauce
User avatar
BillyCorgi
 
Posts: 1804
Joined: Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:11 pm
Location: Bankstown Area, Sydney
Car: Liberty 3.0R-B Wagon E85 Flex Fuel
Real name: Peter
Profile URL: www.facebook.com/CorgiWerx


Return to 2.5i engine specific

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 5 guests