Easy upgrades for 2003 legacy?

[freeski2]

I just bought a 2003 Legacy wagon with the 2.5 liter. I have dropped a K & N filter in it and I am debating ordering the factory performance exhaust for the GT. I am also thinking of upgrading the plugs and wires. What are some other relatively easy and inexpensive performance upgrades that I can do myself. Any real reason to remove the resonator? Performance springs? Chips? Better exhaust options? I am pretty new at this and would love any decent advice.
Thanks,
Freeski2

[import_freak]

for plugs id go with NGK V-powers or NGK iridium IX plugs not bosch platinums they are crap. Ive got the iridiums on my car and i love them. NGK wires are good to. Before you go and get the subaru exhaust shop around a little bit you might be able to find a better system for cheaper.
Id upgrade the coil packs at some point too.

[Brat4by4]

First of all do searches for those specific topics before someone points this out to you in an angry manner. Ex: Plugs have been covered to the extreme, and the consesus is just stick with stock NGK coppers. And really specific stuff like spring vendors and chips might not be answered because this bbs is specific to the 90-94 BC/BF chassis (I think those years are right...). Otherwise you might want to plea with the admins to add a new gen Legacy forum.

Oh, and yes the resonator on the intake is a large restriction on air-flow.

[czo79]

I had a factory performance muffler on my 97 GT...I didn't feel it did much, although I never drove it without it, so I guess I wouldn't know. But if you are looking for performance increases, not just better sound, I would suggest looking to the aftermarket for an exhaust. Its hard to get much more power out of the NA engines. I would definately suggest upgrading the suspension a bit, as these cars are such a joy in the twisties...and IMHO, suspension work probably will get you more "speed" at least in the corners, than anything else. So yeh, uprated struts, say KYB AGX or at least GR2's...maybe an eibach or whiteline springs, STI struts tops, bigger rear swaybar, endlinks and mounts...
As for engine, CAI maybe, remove resonator, underdrive or lightweight pulley set.
Good luck
Micum

[vrg3]

I don't think Freeski2's car has the same resonator as ours. There isn't a snorkus; the intake tubing starts with a little scoopish thing mounted at the front of the engine bay. Right?

[Brat4by4]

Well, regardless, if there is a true "resonator" on the intake... it's only job is to reduce intake noise (and as a byproduct restrict air into the throttle body). So if this is the case, removing it will get some top end and better throttle response along with some more intake noise, which I can't imagine being harsh sounding.

[vrg3]

That's not quite true... Remember, resonators are also sometimes called "torque boxes." The resonator essentially acts as a reserve chamber, storing air during one intake pulse for the next intake pulse to use. That's a gross oversimplification, because I'm not well schooled in fluid dynamics, but the fact is that resonator chambers are often used to improve output in as well as (or rather than) reduce noise, especially on naturally aspirated cars.

[georryan]

If they are meant to improve torque, then why does the MRT websight say that torque will be improved by replacing the underhood resonator on the turbo cars with their metal replica (similar to what legazee is making)?

Other than it being just a sales gimic, it almost sounds contradictory.

[czo79]

I believe back in the day when this was a big subject of debate...that the MRT rampods have a small space behind the filter with a kinda metal cone shaped leading towards the engine...this space was enough to act as a plenum....so their intake was supposed to preserve low end torque more than other aftermarket intakes...again, could be another bit of advertising...who knows.
Micum