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Turbo or No Turbo?

72 messages,  Last post on Oct 11, 2008 at 6:31 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Wagon

Messages Page 7 of 8

#53 of 72 Re: 2009 2.5X Premium Forester [ateixeira] by carmen8

Sep 13, 2008 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 12, 2008 9:41 am)
So I just test drove both a 2.5X Limited and a 2.5XT Limited. Sigh. Is it my imagination or is the 2.5X underpowered? I'm coming off of a Honda Odyssey and I really don't want a dog of a car. (I really want a car not an SUV, but we have so much &*#^%$* snow here in Rochester NY that I know I'll regret buying a regular car.)

#54 of 72 by robm2

Sep 13, 2008 (7:25 pm)

The XT Limited has the proper amount of power for that chassis, and that transmission. You're not imagining anything.

#55 of 72 Re: [robm2] by kurtamaxxxguy

Sep 15, 2008 (8:13 am)

Replying to: robm2 (Sep 13, 2008 7:25 pm)
You can get good mileage in the Turbo if you're "easy" with the throttle. Highway driving helps - On freeway, I've hit 27.5 mpg in my '09 XTL . But what is nice about the XT is: When you need to accelerate, it does.
   
Also, you can help minimize engine and turbo wear by simply letting the car idle 15 - 20 seconds after starting, before you drive off.
 
Finally, there's a reputable oil additive around, ASL Camguard (web search will find it). Although promoted for aircraft, its maker shows it helps prevent oil burning and deposits in any engine, especially ones with turbochargers. The maker is considering making a version specifically for autos - why not email or write them if that sounds interesting?

#56 of 72 Re: 2009 2.5X Premium Forester [carmen8] by ateixeira

Sep 15, 2008 (9:02 am)

Replying to: carmen8 (Sep 13, 2008 1:44 pm)
Try a PZEV model, which has 175hp.
 
I don't find ours underpowered.
 
Power to weight is 3360 lbs / 175 hp = 19.2 lbs per horse.
 
What Ody do you have? For the 08 it's 4385 lbs and 244hp, so 18.0 lbs per horse.
 
Fairly similar IMHO.
 
The XT's is 14.2 so it's in another league.
 
Your Ody should feel more like the Forester X, though.

#57 of 72 Re: [kurtamaxxxguy] by bears2

Sep 15, 2008 (10:49 am)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Sep 15, 2008 8:13 am)
My XT got 33 MPG on the highway today on a 30 mile stretch. When I got off the highway, it dropped to 27. I am learning the "art" of getting better gas mileage on this car. I've talked to many people who swear they can match the MPG of non-turbos. I'm not there yet, but definitely getting better. Easing on the accelerator at lights (and in general) helps MPG dramatically. I agree with the poster who said the 2.5X seemed underpowered. But hey, less power to anyone who finds that it works for them! I really like having the option of more power when I need it and for mountain driving. I am also convinced that the turbo runs smoother and quieter than the non-turbo. Thanks for the information regarding the oil additive. I'm going to do some reseach on it.

#58 of 72 Re: [bears2] by ateixeira

Sep 15, 2008 (11:13 am)

Replying to: bears2 (Sep 15, 2008 10:49 am)
It should mellow out the exhaust, that's true. Driven hard you'll hear the blow-off valve, though, so it really would depend.
 
The turbo is geared taller so I can see how it could potentially do better, but in practice the non-turbos are getting several MPG higher averages.
 
I looked it up - the final drive on the XT is 8.1% taller. The 4 ratios on the automatic are the same, so on the highway it should rev 8.1% lower at a given speed compared to the X Limited, which has the same size tires. Off boost, in theory it would use less fuel in steady, flat cruising.
 
In practice, unless you have cruise control on and are driving on a totally flat surface with zero traffic, I doubt that's the case.
 
The hood scoop alone increases aerodynamic drag at highway speeds, plus it's 100 lbs heavier. Though come to think of it, once up to speed I don't think the weight is a factor. It's the slowing down and then speeding up, the latter which the XT does at a higher rate, that would hurt your real-world MPG.

#59 of 72 Re: [ateixeira] by paisan

Sep 15, 2008 (4:18 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 15, 2008 11:13 am)
It should mellow out the exhaust, that's true. Driven hard you'll hear the blow-off valve, though, so it really would depend.
 
Unless there is something wrong with your stock BOV, you should never hear it. The Subarus use a recirculating BOV and the air isn't released it's fed back into the system, so there is no tell tale BOV sound.
 
-mike

#60 of 72 Re: [paisan] by ateixeira

Sep 16, 2008 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Sep 15, 2008 4:18 pm)
Is that right? Cool.
 
I guess I've heard so many aftermarket BOV applications that I thought they all made the noise!

#61 of 72 Re: [ateixeira] by paisan

Sep 16, 2008 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 16, 2008 12:46 pm)
Been hanging with the yungins again juice?
 
-mike

#62 of 72 Re: [paisan] by ateixeira

Sep 17, 2008 (11:00 am)

Replying to: paisan (Sep 16, 2008 7:06 pm)
My Miata is like street-racing-bait. I never race, of course (with a whopping 99 lb-ft of torque I couldn't take an Outback Sport), but they always seem to want to race me.
 
VroooOOOOOM - PSSST - VrooooOOOOOM....
 
Must be modded cars, I suppose.

Messages Page 7 of 8

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