chris_abayasinghe

I wanted to share with you guys a link that highlights an Outback at the drags. I'll upload a 1/4 mile pull versus a 5.0 GT. I'm going to look through my flip camera to see if I still have footage of my Outback after we completed the mods running the 1/4 mile to upload as well. and against the 5.0 GT My vid (if I can still find it!) has me completing my run at just a lick north of 13.55 for the 1/4 mile... Enjoy! Best as always, Chris

Gayan, You could be onto something. While never having experienced the twin turbo set up above 120km/h personally, my specific unit is pushing about 300 hp at the wheels now with some of the mods that have been completed. The mapping that was done using my COBB tuning port reduced the lag time and helped increase peak boost over a wider torque curve (aka flatter curve). My Legacy is the Outback model versus the sedan. Attached is a picture - enjoy!

Hello Eurofan, I have a 2006 model year with the turbo engine and can fill you in on any questions you might have about reliability etc. It is a real blast to drive and I prefer the single larger turbo over the smaller twin set up in the earlier models. Best, Chris

Hey Thuan, Glad to share! Legacygt.com is pretty neat with a lot of the more hard core tuners on it. I participate on subaruoutback.org (since I have the Outback). It really is a great car and with the mods, makes it quite a hoot to drive. The COBB accesport was a good addition plus some more work done to help it breathe easier, boost harder, run cooler and exhaust better. Its pushing about 300 whp now without sacrificing any of the reliability pieces Subaru's are well know for. I did toy around with a wet NOS application but decided for the better with now 2 boys to place in the back seat! The new Outback is really nice though I miss the turbo application. I've driven the 3.6 R and would recommend that model. Don't do any mods until the warranty expires on it - some dealers are real sticklers to that notion (why I'm not sure). Best, Chris

Congrats on the purchase! As a fellow Subaru USA owner, welcome to the club! The Legacy is really in a class of its own - AWD for under 20K. We have a Subaru Outback XT (yes... a 2.5 liter turbo with AWD) that comes with the VDC. Tuned it up a bit and it really does run strong - I really enjoy pulling up on the usual suspects and passing them by. The Subaru community is pretty large and there are so many great forums and information out there if you need any thoughts on the car, or just want to share the love! I've attached some pics from the most recent snow storm my way - enjoy! Chris

I used to own a 2007 Honda Civic 2 door with the I-VTEC 2.0 engine. Real neat ride and can answer any questions you have on them? Cheers, Chris

The actual mileage intervals can be misleading. Let me provide an example: - My car, though it has been speced for mineral oil, also requires that if you use synthetic, that it be changed every 3750 miles. This might be due to Subaru turbos having a well documented history of failure due to the banjo filter getting clogged. To avoid continuing turbo failures SOA (Subaru of America) issued a technical service bulletin advising all owners to change their oil at 3750 miles or every 3 months even with using fully synthetic oil. This just might be an attempt by SOA to cover their collective ass*s from continuing liability for engine and turbo failure. In sum - if your car is normally aspirated, the 6000kms scenario should work. If it uses a blower (supercharger) or a turbo, the intervals need to be less due to the nature of how you drive. Just my 2cents as I dive for cover from the inevitable thermonuclear detonation fall out from every Subaru owner who swears by their car's reliability especially the WRX and STI crowds Chris

Let me add my 2 cents here... I think if you are seriously looking to purchase a recent model montero/prado/patrol, the cost of petrol is a non-issue. I mean seriously, if you are willing to pay that sort of money, I think you could afford the petrol Even if you are leasing one of these 4X4 units. In the event it does, perhaps you should look at another class of SUVs? Perhaps along the lines of a soft-roader (like the Tributes/HRV/CRV/Camis)? Chris

Hello ZUL, I have a version of the B5 and it is a blast to drive. I would so recommend one to you if you are looking for speed, style and versatility. Not to say the other choices aren't exciting cars to drive - it's just that the combination of all I mentioned earlier are not as evident. Chris http://img229.imageshack.us/i/subaru005.jpg/ http://img268.imageshack.us/i/subaru003.jpg/ http://img229.imageshack.us/i/subaru010.jpg/ http://img193.imageshack.us/i/subaru001.jpg/

I believe it would be impossible to make the run from Kandy to Pelawatha in an hour, or, just a little more than an hour... Fastest I've gone is 131mph in my Subaru Outback. The limiter kicked in and shut down the party! Road was I90 - heading west from Boston... Chris

Hello Mean Green z28, Thanks! We want to keep the car as stock looking as possible - hence the sleeper effect. I like the exhaust system suggested by BORLA for this car as it maintains the noise level close to stock but allows it to run less restricted. I agree witht the excessive drone of an exhaust system and we don't want to attract any unwanted attention from the popo if you know what I mean! Tell me about this electronic valve system - does that mean you are bypassinig the cats etc?

I take it that the the difference between the EJ20 and EJ25 is the engine capacity? My Outback is a 2.5L so it must be the EJ25... The engine is quite torquey and seems quite solid. Subarus have a strong reputation here in the Northeast because of the AWD. When we were shopping for the car, we also checked out the WRX STI and Legacy GT Spec.B. However, none of them came with the automatic and that kind of helped sway our decision. We also looked at the Volvo V70 R wagon, an Audi A4 3.0 wagon, and the BMW 328xi wagon. I really liked the way the Outback drove against the other wagons given that the AWD feature was key for us. I think we have some Subaru owners of the B4 model and I would like to hear their thoughts too...

Thanks for the props... The plans right now are to tint the windows and add a turbo timer so I don't have to stand around waiting for like 2 minutes after driving the car to shut it off. The COBB unit flashed the ECU and you can feel the difference when you get on it. I was then thinking of modifying with a cold air intake and eventually changing the exhaust system on it when the factory one rots out. Does anyone have any experience good/bad/indifferent with these Subaru turbos? I'd like to hear about any mods done etc. since I believe they bring the Outback to Sri Lanka (right?)... Thanks!

Hello, I wanted to update all of our AUTOLANKA fans my new ride. I just purchased a Subaru Outback 2.5XT Limited last week. I hope each of you can give me your thoughts on what I should do to the new ride! Porkster thinks I should add a front mount intercooler and update a Boost control system. The car has undergone some modifications including a COBB TUNING for the boost level (check out http://www.cobbtuning.com/products/?id=3268) and the car now has the paddle shift option on the steering. Both my wife and I love the car for different reasons - it is a compromise for me as the car is quick and has the tiptronic and turbo - for Natasha it is the space for our little boy). Give me your thoughts... http://img530.imageshack.us/content.php?pa...ubaru001zc5.jpg http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=subaru005zv9.jpg http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=subaru003dl5.jpg http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=subaru010oi4.jpg

Top Speed: 119MPH ~ 190 km/h Machine:2007 Honda Civic EX 2 door Mods: None Road: Interstate 90 heading west from Boston, MA The VTEC opened up real nice on this stretch. What prevented me from going faster: Crested a hill and saw a State Trooper at the bottom of the hill!! Car could have hit 130MPH+ I think... Top Speed: 130MPH ~ 208 km/h Machine: 1990 Acura Integra LS 2 door Mods: Free flow exhaust; DC headers Road: Interstate 95 heading south from New Haven, CT Had the old gal pegged and she lived up to every expectation!! I really miss that car...

All, I hear what Andrew is saying - but, the law varies from state to state. Since the US is founded on granting individual states the ability to mandate laws independantly within a federal system, the requirement for international visitors differs from state to state. For example, DMV regulations in Florida vary from those in Connecticut or Massachusetts. As a general rule, if you are a bona fide visitor to the country (as in on a B1/B2 visa or F1/F2 visa) you may drive on an international license (as in the local SL license - only since it is in english) for the duration of your visit. However, while on a F1/F2 visa, you may be required to acquire a local driver's license with a valid social security number (thanks to the Patriot Act). Therefore, it works best for all if you have an international license. My experience has been that there are some members of the law enforcement community who do not know that Sri Lanka exists (imagine explaining that scene!). Just my 2 cents. Chris

Hello Getposition, Nice ride - the 2007 Honda Accord is a good buy. Is it an automatic or manual?

Thanks - the car is neat. Working on getting the windows tinted now, as well as, intake/exhaust/headers and VTEC controller. Chris

Hello Mihirana, The Honda Civic is built well and will be reliable for years to come - just look at how many older Hondas you see on the roads. As for this particular car, I have had a very trouble free experience with it. Do the regular services at a reliable service station - I am sure they have them in Galle if none are available in Matara. The major service intervals should be done at the agents. You will enjoy the car - it is a blast to drive! Chris

Hello Getposition, I can speak of the Honda Civic EX - I bought one in January. The car is definitely a driver's car - everything in the car is ergonomically placed. Also, the car has the performance from the VTEC engine. Our Honda has performed well, and is driven by my wife for the most part. And, I personally am a Honda fan! Let me know if you would like me to upload some pics or so. Chris

Hello Dillon, I don't have any tech tips on this ride - but, I do have a review. I've driven a 2004 330ci, and it was a blast! When you take it around a curve and goose the throttle, the back hunches down and pushes the car through the curve (as long as you don't induce too much oversteer). I could only imagine that the 325ci is similar. As for techy tips, I'd turn that over to Lalithster... any comments? Chris

Hello Mirihana, I would stick with the Honda. My decision would be based on if you wanted a driver's car or a car to be driven in. The philosophy, in my opinion, is Honda builds cars that engage their drivers, similar to BMW (I can just see the non-Honda guys getting all bent out of shape ). Whereas, Toyota builds solid vehicles that have a build quality comparable to a Mercedes. So, if I were making this choice, the decision is simple - if you like driving your car choose the Honda. As a disclaimer - I bought a 2007 Honda Civic (guilty!) for my wife and I am currently looking to buy a BMW X3. Chris

Hello Blazin, The car is built in Canada for the US/Canada market. Different from the EU market (where the car comes as a hatchback or a sedan) and different from the SL and Japanese markets. I will post some more interior pics this evening when it gets dark outside - the designers at Honda spent some considerable time behind the wheel because everything is where it should be - from the gear stalk to the radio dials. Chris

Hello Pilawoos, Yes - it is an auto (the wife insisted)! I sold my Integra for this car. As for the transmission feel/performance, it also employes something called Drive by Wire throttle and holds the gears just like a manual (when you are hotdoggin the car down the hills). Where I live in Massachusetts, we have mountain passes like the drive to Agrapatana and down from Ginigathtena to Avissawella. Beautiul scenery and curves! I thought I would miss the manual, but the car has found the best of both worlds (good for both the wife and I). It also adapts based on how you drive. Chris