Anyone modding the 2.5 for more power yet?
Model Years 2018 to 2023
41 - 56 of 56 Posts
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It is sad to see, that a good level of expertise is so hard to find these days 
If you don't have expertise - please don't destroy other people's ideas and interests in making their cars more personal, custom and fun.
An engine is a pump - PERIOD. Power = Air/Fuel mixture - the more, the better, given the engine can withstand the increase in power.
The options are ALWAYS the same for every engine, it's just a question of expertise and finding the right person, who knows what he/she is doing.
The very first thing as some of you already mentioned is indeed legality, whether you're allowed (or want to for that matter) to have decat, ITB, race fuel etc. in the end, every mod, no matter how small, adds up and increases power, but not every mod is legal in your specific part of the world.
You also have to understand the mindset of the Manufacturers, when they produce a vehicle, especially if it's not an end of the line STI or R Type or AMG version.
1. Emissions - the manufacturer ALWAYS looks on Emissions first, it is the highest priority, otherwise they cannot sell their product.
2. Fuel efficiency - the better MPG you get, the more likely the MASSMARKET will purchase your model, as everyone wants to save on gas.
3. Power - and only as the 3rd and last main priority is power output.
Now what you essentially do, is you shift Power to the first and highest priority - tuning in a nutshell.
Yes, some extreme mods will reduce the lifespan of the engine, but not going too extreme, with some minor changes frees up a lot of engine performance, giving it room to breathe, without compromising longevity.
Trust me, when I say, even the lowest Chinese manufacturer brand can produce a reliable 2L turbocharged engine with 400-500HP easy, they simply have a completely different goal in mind, so it is up to us, to personalize OUR own asset, with our own money when tuning a car/engine.
So that being said, for all N/A engines, the standard is:
Headers, exhaust, intake/runner lengths, lightweight pulleys, larger TB, tune - again, often you have to do your own research on where, what and how, the cost, and what can be found in terms of parts, or where to manufacture custom ones.
The more extreme/expensive route for tuning an N/A engine after the mentioned above, is porting the head, camshafts and ITB (individual throttle bodies) if you're into the sound, of course.
Water/Methanol injection, or race fuel, is also to be considered.
Fuel injections, Fuel pump, Fuel controller etc. need to be addressed as the modifications go.
That would be in the area of a Stage 3 tune (please don't start the "couch tune worriers screams" about "stages" and that they are useless labels)
Doing the theoretical research so far, I'm confident to say that going from 182HP to around 220HP is not impossible, given the fact that it is a larger 2.5L displacement in case of the Subaru Crosstrek Sport.
Supercharging:
If we talk force induction, the easiest and cheapest way would be to bolt on a Roots blower on top - Eaton M45, Eaton M65, Eaton M62, Eaton TVS 410, Eaton TVS 1320 are easy to find options for 500$ used on eBay, Craigslist, etc.
Specifically supercharging, and not turbocharging, as it is fairly easy to do and not many changes are required - seeing some Youtubers turbocharging NA engines for thousands and thousands of dollars without lowering ratios and adding forged internals just to get so little in return in just mind-blowing...
Given the compression ratio, usually a factory N/A engine could withstand up to 4-5 PSI of boost just fine (with water/meth cooling you could go up to 6-7 PSI), which will result in quite the change, HOWEVER given the cost, piping/IC, sensor installment and the potential bottleneck of the transmission (CVT) the increased torque of force induction could be dangerous, but then again, people who came that far, probably already know what they are doing.
Also, not to forget wheels and tires, their weight and design make quite the difference in being "fast", as well as a potential LSD, along with changed gear ratios.
Final note: coming from a practical tuning background, I plan to do a stage 3 build with ITBs myself, currently waiting for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness to be announced.
If you don't have expertise - please don't destroy other people's ideas and interests in making their cars more personal, custom and fun.
An engine is a pump - PERIOD. Power = Air/Fuel mixture - the more, the better, given the engine can withstand the increase in power.
The options are ALWAYS the same for every engine, it's just a question of expertise and finding the right person, who knows what he/she is doing.
The very first thing as some of you already mentioned is indeed legality, whether you're allowed (or want to for that matter) to have decat, ITB, race fuel etc. in the end, every mod, no matter how small, adds up and increases power, but not every mod is legal in your specific part of the world.
You also have to understand the mindset of the Manufacturers, when they produce a vehicle, especially if it's not an end of the line STI or R Type or AMG version.
1. Emissions - the manufacturer ALWAYS looks on Emissions first, it is the highest priority, otherwise they cannot sell their product.
2. Fuel efficiency - the better MPG you get, the more likely the MASSMARKET will purchase your model, as everyone wants to save on gas.
3. Power - and only as the 3rd and last main priority is power output.
Now what you essentially do, is you shift Power to the first and highest priority - tuning in a nutshell.
Yes, some extreme mods will reduce the lifespan of the engine, but not going too extreme, with some minor changes frees up a lot of engine performance, giving it room to breathe, without compromising longevity.
Trust me, when I say, even the lowest Chinese manufacturer brand can produce a reliable 2L turbocharged engine with 400-500HP easy, they simply have a completely different goal in mind, so it is up to us, to personalize OUR own asset, with our own money when tuning a car/engine.
So that being said, for all N/A engines, the standard is:
Headers, exhaust, intake/runner lengths, lightweight pulleys, larger TB, tune - again, often you have to do your own research on where, what and how, the cost, and what can be found in terms of parts, or where to manufacture custom ones.
The more extreme/expensive route for tuning an N/A engine after the mentioned above, is porting the head, camshafts and ITB (individual throttle bodies) if you're into the sound, of course.
Water/Methanol injection, or race fuel, is also to be considered.
Fuel injections, Fuel pump, Fuel controller etc. need to be addressed as the modifications go.
That would be in the area of a Stage 3 tune (please don't start the "couch tune worriers screams" about "stages" and that they are useless labels)
Doing the theoretical research so far, I'm confident to say that going from 182HP to around 220HP is not impossible, given the fact that it is a larger 2.5L displacement in case of the Subaru Crosstrek Sport.
Supercharging:
If we talk force induction, the easiest and cheapest way would be to bolt on a Roots blower on top - Eaton M45, Eaton M65, Eaton M62, Eaton TVS 410, Eaton TVS 1320 are easy to find options for 500$ used on eBay, Craigslist, etc.
Specifically supercharging, and not turbocharging, as it is fairly easy to do and not many changes are required - seeing some Youtubers turbocharging NA engines for thousands and thousands of dollars without lowering ratios and adding forged internals just to get so little in return in just mind-blowing...
Given the compression ratio, usually a factory N/A engine could withstand up to 4-5 PSI of boost just fine (with water/meth cooling you could go up to 6-7 PSI), which will result in quite the change, HOWEVER given the cost, piping/IC, sensor installment and the potential bottleneck of the transmission (CVT) the increased torque of force induction could be dangerous, but then again, people who came that far, probably already know what they are doing.
Also, not to forget wheels and tires, their weight and design make quite the difference in being "fast", as well as a potential LSD, along with changed gear ratios.
Final note: coming from a practical tuning background, I plan to do a stage 3 build with ITBs myself, currently waiting for the 2024 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness to be announced.
I haven't really found much in bolt on HP improvements so all I can do is improve what's there already.
Recently I have done a mild port job on the throttle body on the 2.5L engine. Installing that will help but not much, maybe 1 or 2 HP or so, IDK for sure, all I know is it won't be much but it will be something.
Recently I have done a mild port job on the throttle body on the 2.5L engine. Installing that will help but not much, maybe 1 or 2 HP or so, IDK for sure, all I know is it won't be much but it will be something.
The only times I've wanted more power has been when going uphill in the Sierras in the summer. Only a turbo would fix that. I've probably only used a quarter of the power of my other car that's turbo charged.
I dont think the intent of the responses was to destroy other peoples ideas and interests. I think people just need to be aware of the limitations of the modifications that are possible, especially in relation to the costs involved and the potential risk (if any) to the engine. My previous car was a 2007 Forester XT that I had modded to stage 3, and it was a blast to drive with over 300 hp. But that car started as a detuned turbo engine that could be tuned to that level and even higher. There are things that can be done to a nonturbo motor, but people have to realized the inherent limitations of that. With that caveat, play and mod to your heart's content!!
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We are talking here about Crosstreks right? So given the use case of Crosstreks, let me ask you this - do you weight your gear? I can tell, from many weekend warrior and overland builds seen on the internet, that people have no idea what GVM is, how it's measured and what impact it has on the whole vehicle, not only on performance. Now add driver and passengers to that build, and try a hill climb - I think you understand where this is going.... that is why "don't need more power" is mostly bullshit.
And that is without mentioning the loss due to AWD drivetrains, with all that added weight - my point is, thanks Subaru for giving us a good base vehicle for an adequate price, but it is not finished, and needs to be modded further, in order to unleash the full potential - the smiles and emotions you'll get from that are very much worth it.
And that is without mentioning the loss due to AWD drivetrains, with all that added weight - my point is, thanks Subaru for giving us a good base vehicle for an adequate price, but it is not finished, and needs to be modded further, in order to unleash the full potential - the smiles and emotions you'll get from that are very much worth it.
The only times I've wanted more power has been when going uphill in the Sierras in the summer. Only a turbo would fix that. I've probably only used a quarter of the power of my other car that's turbo charged.
[/QUOTE]
Unlike me, you have a legitimate need for more power and/or a Turbo. I hope you like your Crosstrek and also hope you don’t think I was being Snarky or rude.
[/QUOTE]
Unlike me, you have a legitimate need for more power and/or a Turbo. I hope you like your Crosstrek and also hope you don’t think I was being Snarky or rude.
Joined
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504 Posts
First time I was taking out my "new" 2018 Crosstrek to go out to Moab towing my cargo/canoe trailer loaded up with ALL the gear and such for an 7-day river trip, I very meticulously weighed everything, including the canoe, the water jugs, all boxes/containers, misc. gear, the trailer itself, and included the weight of the meat cargo to be transported. Cargo + trailer, I was calculating somewhere around 1000 pounds, way below the max rating for the Crosstrek. Gotta say I was somewhat concerned being this was my first CVT and the engine was not real big in the horse department. All rolled no prob, even close to light speed on some long stretches.
I am not holding my breath bc I know w'ell never hear from "your" stage 3. (only having 2 posts). Not sure why you are waiting for '24. There won't be a turbo or more power. And not sure why you would throw your warranty away for another 40 HP. Now my 250 HP XT is quick but its still no rocket. At 100 pounds lighter the XV will still be just ok with 220 HP
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With that attitude indeed, you probably never will - didn't know post quantity is a measure of expertise these days, hearing that from a guy who seem to be "not sure" about a lot of things....
Waiting for the 2024 because there is a rumored (or maybe already confirmed) Wilderness edition of the Crosstrek - I'm interested to see what it has to offer, before making a purchase
I wouldn't even want a turbo for softroading, you clearly have 0 understanding of the drawbacks a turbo setup brings to those conditions, and this is exactly my point - little expertise, but at least you own a 250HP XT, so that's good enough I guess.
Warranty? Did you even have a talk about warranty in your life? Or at least insurance for that matter? With an off-roader? With messed up and most often illegal GVM? Please, I understand you don't value your personality and are ok with driving in a stock unvoided warranty vehicle of the same basic color like millions of others do, but don't tell other people to sit in the same boat, when other options exist.
Waiting for the 2024 because there is a rumored (or maybe already confirmed) Wilderness edition of the Crosstrek - I'm interested to see what it has to offer, before making a purchase
I wouldn't even want a turbo for softroading, you clearly have 0 understanding of the drawbacks a turbo setup brings to those conditions, and this is exactly my point - little expertise, but at least you own a 250HP XT, so that's good enough I guess.
Warranty? Did you even have a talk about warranty in your life? Or at least insurance for that matter? With an off-roader? With messed up and most often illegal GVM? Please, I understand you don't value your personality and are ok with driving in a stock unvoided warranty vehicle of the same basic color like millions of others do, but don't tell other people to sit in the same boat, when other options exist.
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True as far as I know - I meant the other additional options, like ground clearance, x modes options, design elements etc. - to understand whether it is worth the price or just go with the normal 2.5L versions.
A couple of years ago, somebody leaked an internal Subaru of America Powerpoint that included the company's planned product lineup for the next few years, and the Crosstrek Wilderness was included. SOA sent out a takedown notice for that, and since then there's been official radio silence about the Wilderness Crosstrek ... but everybody knows it's still coming. No specs have been leaked AFAIK.
Car companies like to space out their product announcements for PR purposes, so it's my guess that the Wilderness trim will be announced sometime this summer, after the 2.5L 2024 models have made it to dealers. That would likely put the first deliveries in the fall ...
Car companies like to space out their product announcements for PR purposes, so it's my guess that the Wilderness trim will be announced sometime this summer, after the 2.5L 2024 models have made it to dealers. That would likely put the first deliveries in the fall ...
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