H6 3.0 - dull performance?

[RX25SE]

Agreed.
/off topic

I have a tuned H6 6speed and I find the performance adequate/good. As I tow a fairly heavy camper trailer, I felt a H6 was a better option than a turbo motor.

To compare a 180kW 3.0 6cyl to a 185kW 5.0 V8 is a little like apples and oranges. The V8 makes a ton of torque low in the rev range so it will accelerate a vehicle of similar weight much harder. Bear in mind that torque is what will accelerate the car, power will just make it go fast so basically a small capacity engine with low torque will make good power numbers if it can rev hard enough.

If you are thinking a 2.5 n/a will save on fuel over the H6, it may be worth speaking with a few members. I was chatting to a bloke with a 2.5 n/a auto wagon and his fuel consumption was almost identical to mine, worse is some cases.

My suggestion would be go for a spin in a tuned H6, it may just change your mind.

[BillyCorgi]

Hi there,

Let's address notmyrealname's two questions......
Do I need to keep the revs up to get some decent excitement? Is it highway cruising and overtaking where these engines do best? I'm honestly thinking I'll just get a post FL 2.5 to save on fuel and rego.
I know this all rather subjective, but any real world experience from other 3.0 owners would be appreciated.

Having four Subaru's across the family, I will try to cover the differences across each.
There is my MY05 3.0R-B Wagon, the MY09 2.5I Liberty Wagon now driven by No.2 son, the MY12 Forester 2.5 manual driven by Mrs Wife, plus No.1 Son's MY02 Outback 2.5.
Admittedly all are manuals, and I do not have experience with Subaru Automatics.

It is the 3.0R-B and the MY09 Wagon that I drive the most. Both have been treated by Matt with a Kido-Tune.
I enjoy driving both and they DO BEHAVE differently. Different engines, different gearboxes and different ratios.
Yes, the 3.0R-B needs revs on board to get the most performance. Everything happens above 3,500 rpm. However it does have sufficient torque delivery down low. I can potter it about town keeping everything below 2,500 rpm and extract low 11's per 100km out of it. I consistently achieve better consumption around town in the 3.0R-B than does Mrs Wife driving her FB25 engine Forester.
However, when giving the revs it wants, it can get up and goes nicely (enough for me).

The MY09 2.5i Liberty wagon delivers nice torque immediately above idle and is a very nice point-to-point car to punt around the city. However there are two issue with the car that should be noted.
By comparison to the 3.0R-B it feels to be running out of puff at 4,000 rpm, where the 3.0R-B is coming into song.
Also, the 2.5i cannot be pottered about at the low end of the rev range to the extent that the 3.0R-B can.

Which is better?
Definitely for straight out grunt, the 3.0R-B exceeds.
Both cars are a pleasure to drive, however they deliver different driving experiences.
Both driving experiences are rewarding, however they are different.

A post face-lift 2.5i remains a good proposition.
Sincerely, I would still consider a 2.5i if I were in the market for a replacement car within the Family.

I hope that this provides you with an independent viewpoint from a 3.0R-B owner with regular access to the 2.5i.

[notmyrealname]

Thanks again guys.

I took notice of the long range trip meter in the 3.0R-B I test drove the other day and was surprised the indicated consumption was very similar to what I get from my 2.5NA - so fuel consumption in a 3.0 is one less thing I have to lie to my wife about

I do enjoy the drive in my 2.5 wagon, but since I have decided I will be keeping it then that is all the more reason for me to get something different for the 'second' car. I think I am sold on getting a 3.0, and I don't think I'll regret it. Now, do I get the regular 3.0R or Spec B ......

[BillyCorgi]

SPEC-B
The 6 speeder is Bliss-On-A-Stick

By the way, you WILL have to modify your driving style to extract good economy from the 3.0R.
On a trip, the 3.0R and the 2.5i will return very similar fuel economy numbers.

In the city be conservative with your driving.
Stick the boot in only when someone deserves to be chopped.

[dr20t]

I got H6 mt though never been in an auto so cant judge directly on the autobox but the H6 is a nice engine. After a tune you def feel the difference as stated. The TCU can be tuned to a point so take that into consideration. I love this car is a good bit of fun when it needs to be but smooth and reliable the rest of the time . hope you find what your looking for

Auto TCUs are not tuned by anyone. Even kido tuning who claims to have all tcus mapped out etc etc won't bother tuning a TCU for a stock car.

As hardware bob said the transmission will liven up with a proper ECU tune, but it is in no way due to tuning of TCUs. The gearbox just likes a smoother engine tune. Even then if you want the best performance you'll need to put it into gear yourself.

Comparing your experience as a passenger and as a driver doesn't work. My car scares the shite out of me when driven by my tuner or engine builder (me as a passenger). When I'm behind the wheel it's a more controlled feeling, even getting pushed into the seat won't impress you as much.

Please dont tell me what I am or am not doing. Your wrong like usual.
Tuned a TCU only for a car I dont tune purely to lift the rev limit to 7200rpm before it changes as the engine has big cams in an MY10 2.5. Its running Cobb plus Tactrix... TCU tuned via Tactrix
I tune the TCU computer in the early 04 to 05 cars purely as they drive better with even with the 06 TCU program loaded. Last 12 months has seen me tuning the actual TCU so it improves gearshifts on even a stock car.

Matt that's awesome. Can we tune the tcu on mine seeing as I've been complaining about the Convertor not allowing me to get on boost properly with the 0.82 housing for ages? I wouldn't have gone to the 0.63 if i knew that was the case.

I can get it to spool on the brake now alot easier with the 0.63 housing but would be great to see what this does.

Also would be great to get maybe a little less sharp shifting in 1st to 2nd?

[alexeiwoody]

Matt that's awesome. Can we tune the tcu on mine seeing as I've been complaining about the Convertor not allowing me to get on boost properly with the 0.82 housing for ages? I wouldn't have gone to the 0.63 if i knew that was the case.

I can get it to spool on the brake now alot easier with the 0.63 housing but would be great to see what this does.

Also would be great to get maybe a little less sharp shifting in 1st to 2nd?

Goodluck Mick. Let us know how it goes

I won't hold my breath though...

[McDoof]

I had my 3.0RB (6MT) tuned by Matt and there is a real improvement in the low RPM torque. Much better to drive than than a turbo model in my humble opinion. I found the 2.5 N/A just lacked top end.

[SegR]

Plenty of 3L H6's in Brisbane that might be willing to take you for a spin

David, this. Where in Brisbane are you?

[notmyrealname]

Plenty of 3L H6's in Brisbane that might be willing to take you for a spin

David, this. Where in Brisbane are you?

Taigum - northside.

[WIDELOAD]

Plenty of 3L H6's in Brisbane that might be willing to take you for a spin

David, this. Where in Brisbane are you?

Taigum - northside.

If you come out to a cruise you can have a punt around in mine. Auto 3.0R with a Kido tune.

[Ric B]

To Get back on Topic ,

I bought my 3.0RB and thought it was a little sluggish at low revs - the Kido Tune makes a huge difference extra torque at the lower rev range.

[seanmau5]

Goodluck Mick. Let us know how it goes

I won't hold my breath though...

You come across as quite the douche.

[Tonic]

I'm saving for a supercharger. Kido's tune is great... Saving heaps of fuel with better drivability.... But too much power is never enough.........

[alexeiwoody]

Goodluck Mick. Let us know how it goes

I won't hold my breath though...

You come across as quite the douche.

Sorry, inside joke. I'm sure Mick isn't offended and knows what I mean

[illuzn]

DBW does not increase line pressure. Increasing line pressure through the valve body increases line pressure. Perhaps even the TCU tuning can do it? I don't know, as I've never seen proof of the latter. Neither has anyone I know on this forum.

Isn't that precisely what this thread on the US forums tells people to do to increase line pressure? http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/tune-5eat-line-pressure-149282.html

That chap does sell modified valve bodies I guess but it is an independent person saying exactly the same thing.