Gen 5 GT - Bang for Buck Mods / Tune

[dubbwah]

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[Gen5is]

Coil overs are a must!

Well not really, but I just fitted them to mine, and it is really good now.

Also, fluffy dice.

To Coil Over or not to Coil Over - that is the question!

This was part of the decision of 'do I spend $30-35k on a MY08 STi or on a MY10 GT'. I thought about what I wanted the car for, and given the amount of highway and family driving the car does and decided that the creature comforts, space and longer 6th gear meant more than outright power and 'on rail-tracks' awesome handling (with compromised bucket seats) of the STi.

Hence in the theme of why I bought the GT and in the GT moniker in general, I don't think I will do the coil overs unless the bilsteins conk out for a reason or I am convinced otherwise!

Plus after the boatiness of the Fozza and the std MY08 WRX - in comparison, this has a great ride/handling compromise anyway!

I would love some feedback from existing 5th Gen owners, and not just that you 'love' a mod, but what changes it made to the car both the changes you wanted (ie the improvement) and any changes that are not important to you (ie the compromise if any).

Well I wouldnt get coilovers if youre looking for comfort especially if you have a family. I have Blitz ZZ-R coilovers and theyre pretty harsh on Australian roads.. Lets just say you'll feel every bump on the road and i mean EVERY bump. If you drive on a perfectly paved road from you house to your work or where ever then you have every right so to buy a set. If not, opt for better springs (Swift, Teins, STi) for your Bilsteins, that'll improve the handling a fair bit.

An even better way if you want to reduce that boaty body roll, install some rear sway bars. I have 22mm Whitelines, i installed these before i had coilovers and they worked wonders, eliminated almost all bodyroll in the rear of the car. (Mind you, this is with 2.5i suspension, not Bilsteins)

If you really want the height adjustable feature and damper setting expect to spend 2,500 and upwards on like KWs, HKS, Bilsteins..

Hope that helps!

[mongmong77]

Hi All,

On Friday I will take delivery of a 2009 MY10 Gen 5 Liberty GT Manual. It's an out of warranty/lease stock with 60k wearing all the depreciation that the ugliness of the MY10 attracts (when I am sitting inside it I am not looking at it am I?)...I am looking to get some mods to it, having some good previous experiences modding an MY08 WRX ( still ashamed of buying the worst Rex ever) and an MY09 Forester (the missus loves the dump, tune and many other mods to make it fun!).

Having spent some time investigating with Mercury Motorsport in Brisbane on the MRT TBE and TMIC XB upgrade vs Process West TMICS and VANEX solutions for a reasonable upgrade, as well as googling and reading blogs both here and elsewhere here is a bit of what I have gleamed to date regarding the MY10 GT:

1. The Turbo is a revised VF46 (now called VF54) which is a better low end performer due to its short pipe bottom end fitment, but is hard to upgrade. It's better than a TD04, but does not have the top end of the VF52. However even going to a VF52 stretches the relatively weak pistons in the engine when tuned to the VF52 limits. Hence should stay with VF46, unless upgrading internals to a BNR 18G solution, as the new location of the turbo has not been developed all that well.
2. Standard TMIC is better than MY08 WRX or even MY09 Liberty GT to the point that with the VF46 there is little point in upgrading the TMIC as it is ok up to 230kw ATW, and with standard internals you should not go past 200kw.
3. TBE's now here's a quagmire! The MRT solution is good (it has the split flange recommended for the VF46), but bloody expensive. Varex seems to be the go though given noise flexibility vs performance gains. Still unsure here.
4. Tuning does not appear to be extensively documented other than the facts that with tune bottom & mid range are vastly improved but top end tapers off similar to an MY08 WRX (although at higher levels) with top of 186kw ATW. TBE and std turbo and internals peak at around 200kw atw max. hence looks like turbo just can't breathe at the top end.
5. Little to be found on impact of Whiteline sways and ALK, at least the DB4000's fit under wheel arches unlike in the WRX and Forester!
6. Short shifter only improves performance by 10% which is way less than previous models.
7. At the end of the day a tune maintaining stock internals will create a great GT cruiser (little power difference between 4000rpm and 6500rpm - hence low end grunt without top end rush), but it will never be a rocket ship without major internal mods.
8. No news (good or bad) ref. the 5+1 manual gearbox.
9. STD tyres are 225 width 18s, Can I get some wider tyres on std wheels? Can I get wider wheels put on with wider tyres? I know the drivetrain can handle 245 width, but just need to know how.

Please feel free to confirm or disagree with on any or all of the above with your experiences or expertise to assist me with distributing the $5k on various mods that The One Who Makes The Decisions is allowing me to spend on the car. At the moment, I am thinking the Vanex and Tune, skip the TMIC, Sways & bushes, ALK, flexible strut bar, skip the short shifter, upgrade brakes when due for swap (another 20k), upgrade tyres (and wheels if required), braided brake lines and maybe an AOS.

Looking forward for your feedback!

Welcome Mr Fish Jetski,

Seems like u know exactly what u want. For more info ask Michael at Garage 88. Ive bought all my stuff from there.
If you want stuff that lasts on your only buy jap stuff. Stay away from MRT.
For me best bang for buck combo would be Kido Tune, Blitz Air Filter, Tommy Kaira Dump pipe, dixcel pads, Cusco Fr/Rr Swaybars and Coilovers.
Guess it really comes down to what you want ? Track ? Family car ?

Geno

[mongmong77]

Coil overs are a must!

Well not really, but I just fitted them to mine, and it is really good now.

Also, fluffy dice.

To Coil Over or not to Coil Over - that is the question!

This was part of the decision of 'do I spend $30-35k on a MY08 STi or on a MY10 GT'. I thought about what I wanted the car for, and given the amount of highway and family driving the car does and decided that the creature comforts, space and longer 6th gear meant more than outright power and 'on rail-tracks' awesome handling (with compromised bucket seats) of the STi.

Hence in the theme of why I bought the GT and in the GT moniker in general, I don't think I will do the coil overs unless the bilsteins conk out for a reason or I am convinced otherwise!

Plus after the boatiness of the Fozza and the std MY08 WRX - in comparison, this has a great ride/handling compromise anyway!

I would love some feedback from existing 5th Gen owners, and not just that you 'love' a mod, but what changes it made to the car both the changes you wanted (ie the improvement) and any changes that are not important to you (ie the compromise if any).

Well I wouldnt get coilovers if youre looking for comfort especially if you have a family. I have Blitz ZZ-R coilovers and theyre pretty harsh on Australian roads.. Lets just say you'll feel every bump on the road and i mean EVERY bump. If you drive on a perfectly paved road from you house to your work or where ever then you have every right so to buy a set. If not, opt for better springs (Swift, Teins, STi) for your Bilsteins, that'll improve the handling a fair bit.

An even better way if you want to reduce that boaty body roll, install some rear sway bars. I have 22mm Whitelines, i installed these before i had coilovers and they worked wonders, eliminated almost all bodyroll in the rear of the car. (Mind you, this is with 2.5i suspension, not Bilsteins)

If you really want the height adjustable feature and damper setting expect to spend 2,500 and upwards on like KWs, HKS, Bilsteins..

Hope that helps!

I had Tein springs and the ride was harrsshhhhhh to say the least.
The cusco coilovers are now smooothhhhhh.....

[agan]

I had Tein springs and the ride was harrsshhhhhh to say the least.
The cusco coilovers are now smooothhhhhh.....

Smoother than the tein stech / equivalent for gen5?? Damn now that's worth considering!! Which of the Cusco's did you end up with??

[Beanbag Brad]

I picked up the car on Yesterday - Awesome!
1. In terms of gear spacing there is a bigger gap between 2nd and 3rd in stock form. Doing 40 in a 40 zone has 2nd spinning too high, and 3rd slightly starting to labour. I think the tune will fix that.

Not sure why you're having issues here. What RPM do you sit at cruising? I stay between 1400-1600rpm cruising. 3rd gear is plenty fine, even for up hills at 40! As is in turbo cars, if I need more powa I merely down-gear!


Interesting thread regardless, definitely keeping an eye on it, as hopefully funds clear up shortly for me to spend some on mine!

[Fish Jetski]

After the last week trying to source a decent dump pipe (not a very good experience at all - see my thread under exhausts), I am now waiting 3 weeks to get fitment and tune. Can't wait to get it done, back and to post the results.

[Fish Jetski]

Not sure why you're having issues here. What RPM do you sit at cruising? I stay between 1400-1600rpm cruising. 3rd gear is plenty fine, even for up hills at 40! As is in turbo cars, if I need more powa I merely down-gear!


Interesting thread regardless, definitely keeping an eye on it, as hopefully funds clear up shortly for me to spend some on mine!

Is yours stock? I'm used to a tuned MY09 Forester which has waaayyy more torque down low than standard. To me at 1600rpm, the GT has very little on tap...I guess this is based on the fact that it's the least powerful car I have owned in the last 10 years...For me it needs at least 2400rpm to get cracking, and I'm hoping the dump and tune will address this.

In terms of powering down a gear, I bought a GT to be a GT!! The smaller Turbos in Subies that I have owned make them great torque monsters down low which run out of puff at around 5000rpm. If you want more top end you need an STi really...

[lump_a_charcoal]

I agree - I came from a tuned Golf GTi, which had awesome torque to my GT wagon, and I have found it a little flat.
Comparing the two is unfair, as the GTi is a race car compared to the GT, but still I can also agree that the GT is lacking torque down low.

[Beanbag Brad]

Not sure why you're having issues here. What RPM do you sit at cruising? I stay between 1400-1600rpm cruising. 3rd gear is plenty fine, even for up hills at 40! As is in turbo cars, if I need more powa I merely down-gear!


Interesting thread regardless, definitely keeping an eye on it, as hopefully funds clear up shortly for me to spend some on mine!

Is yours stock? I'm used to a tuned MY09 Forester which has waaayyy more torque down low than standard. To me at 1600rpm, the GT has very little on tap...I guess this is based on the fact that it's the least powerful car I have owned in the last 10 years...For me it needs at least 2400rpm to get cracking, and I'm hoping the dump and tune will address this.

In terms of powering down a gear, I bought a GT to be a GT!! The smaller Turbos in Subies that I have owned make them great torque monsters down low which run out of puff at around 5000rpm. If you want more top end you need an STi really...

Ahh I see what you mean. Yeah it is pretty gutless anywhere below 2400rpm, but has enough to keep at a stable speed! Mine's stock so suffers the same problem, if I try to floor it in 3rd at 40 I ain't going anywhere for a while

[Fish Jetski]

Car is booked in for this Monday!!!

Due to what this thread has been about I will move my contribution to this discussion to a new thread under Gen V: viewtopic.php?f=73&t=23330

[Camo66]

I would love some feedback from existing 5th Gen owners, and not just that you 'love' a mod, but what changes it made to the car both the changes you wanted (ie the improvement) and any changes that are not important to you (ie the compromise if any).

G'day,

I have a x-force turbo back exhaust and KiDo tune and love it. The difference to low down performance through to mid range is like night and day. If you start loading it up and turn from sports to #sport it is like the engine got a wif of nitrous. You actually have to be cafeful in traffic with it in sports sharp mode. I love that you can drive every day in sports mode and still have a quick'ish car but then turn the knob (car's not mine) and it wakes up the beast.

In relation to the gearbox, the only thing I can say that Subaru stuffed up on this car is the cable shifter. It's notchy and just doesn't feel good in my eyes (or hand). Have thought about the short throw shifter upgrade, but will it really make it feel any better. I don't think so.

Hope your tune turns out as good as mine

Kev

[KiDo_Tuning]

I would love some feedback from existing 5th Gen owners, and not just that you 'love' a mod, but what changes it made to the car both the changes you wanted (ie the improvement) and any changes that are not important to you (ie the compromise if any).

G'day,

I have a x-force turbo back exhaust and KiDo tune and love it. The difference to low down performance through to mid range is like night and day. If you start loading it up and turn from sports to #sport it is like the engine got a wif of nitrous. You actually have to be cafeful in traffic with it in sports sharp mode. I love that you can drive every day in sports mode and still have a quick'ish car but then turn the knob (car's not mine) and it wakes up the beast.

In relation to the gearbox, the only thing I can say that Subaru stuffed up on this car is the cable shifter. It's notchy and just doesn't feel good in my eyes (or hand). Have thought about the short throw shifter upgrade, but will it really make it feel any better. I don't think so.

Hope your tune turns out as good as mine

Kev

Should be able to pull from around 1500rpm in 5th now?

[Fish Jetski]

I got my car back from Mercury today...and boy am I excited...20.5kw atw extra!! 125NM ATW extra at 3100RPM!! With dump pipe ONLY at 16.3PSI. I was more focussed on more mid-range and not too worried about the top end, hence am more excited about the additional torque, but the power increase is still very impressive.

Also have a 11.1 PSI tune for high torque to 3000RPM for around town driving and a 9.1PSI tune for economy.

Mercury said that they are 'stoked' with the results and that it's one of the better Liberty outcomes that they have seen with full TBE let alone just Dump and Centre Pipe. Apparently the mufflers make little to no difference.

Extremely happy with the results and can't wait to drive it around some more tomorrow.

[Fish Jetski]

Update #1:

Here is a Dyno - not bad for dump and tune only upgrade. I'm very happy with the mid-range although the bottom ens is still a little light on for my liking, and the top end is a little limited by the smaller turbo.

Liberty Dyno 130821 Small.jpg (68.9 KiB) Viewed 5271 times