Bang for your buck < $1k - throttle response

[gazmanster]

Hey All,

I have a completely stock MY05 LGT auto (I know, I know, get a manual ) and I'm wondering which mods/upgrades to start with to get a more responsive drive.

I've come from a background of 6 cylinder Fords/Holdens and the throttle response of those big cars leaves the GT feeling a bit flat from stopped or when the car is in the low (say <3k) rev range.
I know the auto is partially to blame but I'm used to the whole "wait for gearbox to kick down" business - been driving autos for a while now.

With the tough economic times - I was wondering what you have done to your car that you though gave the best bang for buck with respect to throttle response.

I guess that putting a limit on the "buck" part of this question will help guide your answers that's why I added the < $1k mark.

I was thinking ECU tuning - but I dont know what else there is or if there is somewhere else more worthwhile to start.

Cheers,
Gaz

[suff]

In the following order:

TBE Exhaust (<$100 if done through local exhaust shop)
Intake (Resonectemy & Panel filter will suffice) <$100
Tune <$1000

This will totally change the car, and give you more of the "off the line" go that your used to with a bigger bore engine

[walrus]

I have an MY04 GT and feel exactly the same way, the car feels lazy unless you really get on it in `Sport'.

I'm probably going to get a tune with Pulse Racing and leave it at that, I'll keep you updated with results.

[Arith]

Aw, don't blame the auto! But Subaru put a lot of obstacles in place in order to keep the car quiet and civilised, but also to protect the engine from everyday idiots.

For me I've found the two biggest 'impact' mods are an ECU tune and the dump pipe. If there are any mods that transform the car from yeast to beast (yeast? wtf?), it's these 2. The best path would be to get the dump pipe first, and then a tune to optimise the car's power to run with that dump pipe.

Otherwise if you're on a real budget, catback and pod intake are good mods to have for a bit better throttle response.

[Spec B Wgn]

tune ...

[Arith]

TBE Exhaust (<$100 if done through local exhaust shop)

Under $100 for a turbo back exhaust system? Where at? Sign me up!!!

[walrus]

Just spoke to Pulse and booked myself in for June 16th. They recommended Tune ($1100) and Turbo Back stainless ($1750).

I'll post up results.

[tangcla]

I think Chris meant $1000.

If you want just better throttle response for punchiness, just get a Sprintbooster. It'll help get you that feeling without actually giving you any more power. Then you take it to tune.

[Arith]

I think Chris meant $1000.

LOL! I know. I just like poking fun at him.

If you want just better throttle response for punchiness, just get a Sprintbooster. It'll help get you that feeling without actually giving you any more power. Then you take it to tune.

But isn't that a bit of a waste? Since the tune can sharpen the throttle response anyway, and you'll end up uninstalling the Sprintbooster (like many have done)?

[gazmanster]

Thanks for the quick responses all.

Just spoke to Pulse and booked myself in for June 16th. They recommended Tune ($1100) and Turbo Back stainless ($1750).

I'll post up results.

Looking forward to seeing those results and your opinion of how it feels.


If I was to do a TBE do I need a tune straight away to avoid any possible engine damage? - i.e. mixtures running too rich or lean (I'm not sure which way it would go ) or would the ECU just look after engine anyway (although not optimally)?

I guess my next job is to start to research exhausts...

[Arith]

If I was to do a TBE do I need a tune straight away to avoid any possible engine damage? - i.e. mixtures running too rich or lean (I'm not sure which way it would go ) or would the ECU just look after engine anyway (although not optimally)?

Naw, don't believe the hysteria. The ECU is quite good at protecting itself from such things, so just don't expect the best gas mileage ... but also don't expect the engine to blow up either.

I guess my next job is to start to research exhausts...

With the horrible exchange rate the way it is, most people are going domestic! Your choices are either HiTech, P3, or just a custom made one from scratch (ie- MagnaFlow). Each brand provides its own noise level, sound, performance, appearance, etc. All depends on what you're after (looks? sound? performance?).

[tangcla]

But isn't that a bit of a waste? Since the tune can sharpen the throttle response anyway, and you'll end up uninstalling the Sprintbooster (like many have done)?

After my re-analysis, I've decided the anwer to that question is no. The tune will help to sharpen the response VERY slightly. For us pre-facelifters, there's nothing fancy like S-drive for different throttle response mods, it's all slush. I got a SprintBooster again and I can say that it now makes even more of a difference in gear kickdown, after the tune.

[Arith]

Heh-heh, must be a Melbournian thing. All the Sydney folks I know chucked out their Sprintboosters after the tune because it was too sensitive and overreving.

[tangcla]

Heh-heh, must be a Melbournian thing. All the Sydney folks I know chucked out their Sprintboosters after the tune because it was too sensitive and overreving.

Yeah it is a tad overly sensitive, it means I adjust my driving foot the other way to prior to tune/Sprintbooster

[walrus]

Looking forward to seeing those results and your opinion of how it feels.

If I was to do a TBE do I need a tune straight away to avoid any possible engine damage? - i.e. mixtures running too rich or lean (I'm not sure which way it would go :oops: ) or would the ECU just look after engine anyway (although not optimally)?

I guess my next job is to start to research exhausts... :D

Sorry didnt get time to post up all info before, busy work day!

Pulse said the Tune by itself does wonders and that the car is detuned significantly by Subaru. (I know a lot of you guys know that already)

From tune alone expect better throttle response and up to 30Kw at wheels over stock. I'm not sure about the 30kw and frankly I dont care, the car just feels lazy to me and I want to fix that. Have to run 98 octane.

The recommendation for the Exhaust is that it saves having to get the tune again if you do exhaust. Pulse said main benefit of Exhaust is better low to mid range power and response.

I always wanted to do Turbo back so I'm doing that but I think you could be happy from just a tune.