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Performance Upgrades: Are They Worth It?

25 messages,  Last post on Dec 06, 2008 at 7:40 AM

You are in the Scion xB Forum.

What is this discussion about? Scion xB, Performance Mods, Wagon

Messages Page 3 of 3

#15 of 25 Re: IIRC the 2006 Scion has factory-installed [iluvmysephia1] by aatherton

Aug 18, 2006 (9:39 am)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Aug 10, 2006 9:08 pm)
There are basically two kinds of bars.
1. Front and rear strut bars that rigidly lock the tops of the strut towers together.
2. Front and rear sway bars that flexibly connect right and left wheels to resist leaning.
 
Most people buy the front strut bar and the rear sway bar. They install easily, do not interfere with the interior of the car, and provide almost all the benefit. The front strut bar, however, does interfere with installation of cruise control, and servicing the brake fluid, air filter and power steering fluid.
 
The only time you feel the effect of these bars is immediately after installation or removal. After a day or so, you get used to any difference and don't notice it.
 
I felt the better cornering and neutral steering of the sway bar on the first hard fast corner. I felt nothing from the strut bar. After 5000 miles I removed the strut bar for better cruise control and service access, and again felt no difference.
 
The front strut bar assumes that the tops of the strut towers will move or flap, thereby changing the castor setting of the alignment with each flap. And it is also assumed that you will be able to feel the fluctuations in castor. Strut bars were often added to racing sedans on the old days, whose bodies were not computer designed for stiffness, but I don't know if these assumptions are valid for the xB.
 
If you like to take corners fast, you will appreciate a rear sway bar.
If you drive hard and fast over twisty roads full of bumps, perhaps the front strut bar will make a difference you can feel. I never did.

#16 of 25 aatherton... by iluvmysephia1

Aug 18, 2006 (10:07 pm)

thanks for that explanation on struts and sway bars.
 
It sounds like I won't need a front strut bar or a rear sway bar as I don't take twisties hard and fast nor do I feel the need to power slide around corners. I think you're right, get them if you feel you need them from the start but don't bother starting out without them and then getting them because one can just adjust to what they have. Adjust and not need a handling "feel" that's any different from what Scion engineers install from day one at the factory.
 
That is what I was thinking but now I know for sure that I'm getting my xA with no added options whatsoever. The only thing I'd like would be the EP-10's and Scion would have to discount them to about $300 for me to take them over some Pep Boys cheapies that I can find in nearby Sierra Vista, AZ. Sierra Vista is the town nearest to me that has all of the big chains located in it. The little town I live in has a Goodyear store but I shudder to think what they'd charge for low-end rims. Humm...maybe I should check just to be sure. Pep Boys has some for around $200 that would work for the 2006 Scion xA.
 
aatherton-do you have a Scion xB? Ya happy with it so far?

#17 of 25 Re: aatherton... [iluvmysephia1] by aatherton

Aug 19, 2006 (4:45 pm)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Aug 18, 2006 10:07 pm)
I forgot to mention, the single most important and popular improvement you can make to an xA or xB is to change the rear shocks to softer SensaTracs by Monroe or NAPA. Use the ones listed for the Echo. Only $75 for the pair, they install with the car sitting on all four wheels in the driveway, with ordinary tools, and it takes 30 minutes.
 
"... do you have a Scion xB? Ya happy with it so far?"
 
I have 5000 very happy miles since March. In almost 50 years of owning many kinds of vehicles, I have never owned a car that combined so much driving fun, practicality and economy:
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/Scion%20xB/
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/xB%20Sunroof%20and%20Dash- /
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/xB%20Leather%20Seats/
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/Scion%20Exposed%2006/
http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/xB%20Trans%20Oil%20Change- /

#18 of 25 Great advice on the softer by iluvmysephia1

Aug 19, 2006 (10:49 pm)

SensaTracs by Monroe or NAPA. 30 minutes to swap out? Are you sure?
 
No, good advice to soften the bumpy ride a tad. Probably the thing I hear the most on the negative side about the xA is the hardness/harshness over larger bumps. Those larger bumps are on our roads to stay so taking steps to soften them seems pretty smart. Enjoy your xB, xA or tC, whoever has one or wants one!

#19 of 25 Re: Great advice on the softer [iluvmysephia1] by aatherton

Aug 20, 2006 (6:59 am)

Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Aug 19, 2006 10:49 pm)
I guess the question is whether I meant it when I said 30 minutes. Yes, 30 minutes is being generous. There are only a total of 4 nuts to remove and replace.
Each shock has a nut at the top and bottom that holds it to the car. Just undo the top nut, then the bottom nut, pull bolt out of the bottom of the shock, and pull the shock down out of the fender.
Push the new shock up through the hole in the top of the fender, attach the bolt and nut to its bottom, then attach the nut to its top.
The procedure is illustrated here with the claim that it takes 15-20 minutes:
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=76186

#20 of 25 K&N Typhoon CAI by xbscionxb

Sep 30, 2006 (6:27 am)

I put the typhoon on last weekend (9/23/2006). Seems a tad peppier, but also a bit of drop off in MPG. I am removing it today and going back to the stock airbox. It'll never be fast so you may as well maximize economy!

#21 of 25 K&N Typhoon CAI by xbscionxb by aatherton

Oct 01, 2006 (8:23 am)

"... Seems a tad peppier, but also a bit of drop off in MPG..."
 
Low-restriction intake allows the engine to draw in more air than before, which must be mixed with more fuel than before, on those occasions when more power is wanted by the right foot.
 
Perhaps if everyone drove the way they did before installing a CAI, the mpg would be the same. But most people enjoy the sound, and like to sample the power, and so end up driving with more throttle and rpms then they used to, which reduces the mpg.

#22 of 25 Horsepower change for 2006 by dwynne

Nov 20, 2006 (9:04 am)

Replying to: aatherton (Aug 10, 2006 8:02 pm)
The xB makes 5 more HP on premium. The 2005 was rated at 108 hp on premium, and the 2006 was rated at 103 hp on regular. The difference is due to the knock sensor retarding the ignition at high load on regular gas.
 
This is not true, the engine is the same but the 2006 specifications follow the SAE testing procedure where the prior model years did not.
 
See the Edmunds page here: here for this statement:
 
In other news, the xB's horsepower rating drops from 108 to 103 due to new SAE testing procedures.
 
The 4 banger Scions are not the only ones to take a hit, as is discussed in this online story.
 
With non SAE testing the engineers could remove all the drive belts (alternator, etc) and test just the motor. SAE calls for the motor to be configured as it is in the car - and the drag of the belts and other testing changes make the SAE net less then Scion claimed previously.
 
Most cars receive no benefit from running higher than designed octane in them - in fact they will normally return worse MPGs than if run on the proper fuel. There could be a few cars on the road that can advance the timing and get more power from premium fuel but I would say these are the exception rather than the rule.
 
Dennis

#23 of 25 Re: Horsepower change for 2006 [dwynne] by aatherton

Nov 20, 2006 (3:10 pm)

Replying to: dwynne (Nov 20, 2006 9:04 am)
The xB makes 5 more HP on premium. The 2005 was rated at 108 hp on premium, and the 2006 was rated at 103 hp on regular. The difference is due to the knock sensor retarding the ignition at high load on regular gas.
This is not true, the engine is the same but the 2006 specifications follow the SAE testing procedure where the prior model years did not.
Yes, soon after that Aug. 10 post I asked Scion Customer Experience and received these answers by email:
---------------------
Response (Vernon) 09/01/2006 03:04 PM
We appreciate your inquiry. The difference in the xB's horsepower rating from 2005 to 2006 is reflective of revised testing standards for horsepower set forth by the SAE. The engine design, engineering, and fuel used remains unchanged. The difference is due to the fact that previous testing for horsepower from engines did not include the parasitic drag associated with the operation of a power steering pump. The SAE revised their testing standards to test with a power steering pump operating with the engine.
-------------------
Response (Vernon) 09/06/2006 04:09 PM
… The vehicle is engineered and tested using 87 octane fuel. We recommend that fuel for optimum performance, reliability, and fuel economy on the vehicle. The vehicle does make the same power at maximum throttle position on 87 octane as it would on higher octane fuel.
--------------------

#24 of 25 Re: Horsepower change for 2006 [dwynne] by aatherton

Nov 20, 2006 (3:18 pm)

Replying to: dwynne (Nov 20, 2006 9:04 am)
There could be a few cars on the road that can advance the timing and get more power from premium fuel but I would say these are the exception rather than the rule.
There are quite a few vehicles designed with advance curves that make more power on premium fuel and not all of them are "performance cars". One of them is the Toyota Tacoma V6. From the 2006 Tacoma Owners Manual where 2TR-FE is the 2.7L I-4 and 1GR-FE is the 4.0L V-6:
 
OCTANE RATING
2TR- FE engine - Select Octane Rating 87 or higher.
1GR- FE engine - Select Octane Rating 87 or higher. For improved vehicle performance, use premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 or higher.

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