Tips on installing a custom intake in my 98 Legacy

Hey, I'm looking to install a performance intake in my 1998 Legacy. Problem is, no one makes a kit, so this is gonna be a custom job. What kind of intake would I most benefit from? Short Ram or Cold Air Intake? How do I accomodate the mass air meter? Does anyone have any advice?

Thanks

[shazapple]

I removed the snorkus (all the stuff in the fender) blocked off the holes into the fender to keep hot engine air from getting in there. Eventually I plan on replacing the filter with a high performance one, and replacing that bendy part between the air meter and plenum with a larger diameter straight pipe.

Thats how I got around messing with the air meter. heres a writeup on scoobymods
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showth ... readid=167 (http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=167)
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showth ... ht=snorkus (http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113&highlight=snorkus)

[Tokio]

if you do anything to the OEM intake system on the 98 series, sooner or later youll be sorry...it cant be improved upon.

take it from some of us who have been around the subaru block and tried this route. the MAF sensor just wont be happy...causing more trouble than you think... and more trouble than its worth.

about the only thing you CAN do with positive results is invest in a high quality panel filter like one from green.

[Wiscon_Mark]

I'm still up in the air about custom piping and a cone filter, or keeping my box and going with a K&N panel....

K&N panel would be a little cheaper and keep my low end torque.

Cone breathes better at higher RPMs.

I guess it all comes down to gas mileage.

Which would be better?

[ooberdoob]

as mentioned, take out the big ol black thingy in the fender.

tis called a snorkus.

tis your intake silencer. (Along with the female pleasure toy looking objects elsewhere)

take it out.

No need to cut, just unbolt.

(yes take off the wheel and fender liner)

Take out the white thing in the air box.

Cram a 90* 3" PVC elbow in there into the fender. (airbox must be in place to cram unfortunately.)

get cap from subie dealer for the front hole.

get high flow filter of choice (panel or cone for fender)

get drivin.

all in all, its called a snorkusectomy.

results range from "its great" to "it costs torque in the low end"...

i LOVE the noise it makes and didn't lose a thing. YMMV

~David

[badbasser98]

If you don't have fogs, you can get to the snorkus by going behind the bumper and lowering the splash guard. Tis how I did it before installing my fogs... Bit less work IMO. But little harder to get at, did have to play with it alittle to get it out. Nothing alittle frustration didn't fix though... YANK!! :twisted:

-BB98

Oh yes... It does sound amazing! 8)

[Wiscon_Mark]

Actually, you lose a lot more low end using a cone filter than a snorkusectomy, although you will gain more high end because the cone filter has more surface area, so its kind of a tradeoff.

Well worth the sound, and I can climb in 4th gear at 20mph without lugging :twisted: (with my EJ22, no less :))

[Perdue]

I got a GPMoto Short Ram from Ralltek a while back and I've had problems with the car running rich since it was installed. It can be corrected with some sort of Air/Fuel Manager (SAFC-II) or engine management (Rallitek's Perfect Power). An intake from the imprezas that is for an MAF car, and has a pipe that goes all the way to the throttle body (some subarus had the airbox at the throttle body rather than down towards the ABS Module near the fender).

They'll work, but looking back, I wish I had done things differently. I would've taken out the snorkus, added a pipe that would pull air from behind the fog light opening, changed to a K&N Panel Filter, and probably replaced the tubing from the box to the throttle body with some aluminum piping.


if you do anything to the OEM intake system on the 98 series, sooner or later youll be sorry...it cant be improved upon.

take it from some of us who have been around the subaru block and tried this route. the MAF sensor just wont be happy...causing more trouble than you think... and more trouble than its worth.
Tokio, I can't agree with you here. There are things that can be done to improve on the stock intake, and with the proper support, an aftermarket intake can yeild some nice results. The only problem I've had with my intake, as I stated, is the car running slightly rich, which can be corrected.

[Tokio]

Tokio, I can't agree with you here. There are things that can be done to improve on the stock intake, and with the proper support, an aftermarket intake can yeild some nice results. The only problem I've had with my intake, as I stated, is the car running slightly rich, which can be corrected.

*clears throat* ...k...prove it.

***keep in mind, i am talking about the 98 series only, and also, i was assuming it was a 2.5***

please show me how you can improve the intake system outside of a panel filter upgrade. either youll lose on low end...lose on everything...or gain nothing...not even the snorkusectomy adds up to anything outside of a little more sound.

anyway, the MAF on the 98 WILL go if tampered with... and cause other problems before it does.

[Wiscon_Mark]

nope, Perdue has an EJ22 ;)

I read some info on LCO, and someone mentioned that the heads were actually the limiting factor in the intake. The valves on the EJ22 (probably the EJ25 too) are the most restrictive part, and maybe putting turbo heads on them would change this??? Just an idea....

[Perdue]

Jesse: Or maybe gain some high end with an actual intake?? It depends on what you're looking for I guess. However, I've been running my GPMoto intake for almost 2 years now (It was my first mod, done in October of '03), and I've had no problems from the MAF. It has not broken, and it has not caused any other problems that I've been able to notice. Maybe you just messed with one in the wrong way?? Or are you actually speaking from experience??

Mark: I've heard from some people that EJ22 heads are ok as far as flow, and from others that they are crap and restrictive. Putting on EJ22t heads would lower compression, which is bad for NA performance. There's also the possibility of wiring issues with the new heads.

[Perdue]

Furthermore, this needs moved to the Engine/Drivetrain subforum.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Furthermore, this needs moved to the Engine/Drivetrain subforum.

I was going to say something about that....

The EJ22t heads was just a suggestion that I thought of. Obviously not a good idea to lose compression.

What about other heads? EJ25 heads? EG33? EZ30? What would be options with those? Wiring can be worth it, but what are the other benefits/consequences with that?

[Tokio]

yes, its happened to me...

P, i would venture to think your engine is a rarity. ive known lots of RS's who had the same problem as me... i spent the money on an injen thinking the company did the R&D... nothing but problems.

maybe its not the same for the 2.2?

[Disturbed_beast]

I had a Injen Cold Air Intake and it fit into my 98 Legacy GT kinda like these http://www.speedyperformanceparts.com/i ... acy_c.html (http://www.speedyperformanceparts.com/injen_su_legacy_c.html) or http://store.yahoo.com/mauromotorsports/incoairin.html

[Wiscon_Mark]

maybe its not the same for the 2.2?

Probably not, the EJ22 is better ;)

[Perdue]

Jesse, I realize that some people have had problems with MAF cars and intakes, but the problems usually arise from overoiling the filter. Not nessessary that you've done it, but it may have come this way from the factory. This is easily cleared up by cleaning the filter (a K&N kit does fine) and using less oil, as well as cleaning the MAF sensor with a q-tip and rubbing alcohol (be very careful). Allowing this problem to go unchecked can cause the MAF sensor to fail, needing replacement.

Sorry to argue, but I think you've been shooting the wrong info on what can be a worthwhile modification to your vehicle.

Also, I believe the MAF sensor for the EJ22 and EJ25 are the same from that era. I could be wrong, but every MAF Sensor from a 98RS and 2.5GT has looked the same to me.

[Tokio]

although i totally agree with the oiling issue, thats not what i was talking about.

do what you want with your cars, its a side-effect of freedom...

[scottzg]

Tokio is right. The maf is sensitive to the vibration. 88$ in a junk yard, almost 300$ new. Not to mention that in my experience, sticking it close to the atmosphere prevents it from reading correctly.

If i'm not mistaken, the later intake is the same as the early intake, with the addition of a plastic 'growth' on the main tube. If that's the case, the early intake flows marginally better than the newer style.

EZ and EG heads won't work for what should be obvious reasons. Turbo heads are always more restrictive than eqivalent na ones, to the best of my knowlege.

[hunterac17]

i put a 95 legacy intake hose on my 98 2.5 legacy and i keep getting error code p0106 anyone know why?

[decke48]

There a little 1/8" vacuum line that runs from the intake manifold to the map sensor right in from of the strut tower. Possible it got disconnected?

[hunterac17]

decke48 ill check it i hope thats all it is.

[hunterac17]

There a little 1/8" vacuum line that runs from the intake manifold to the map sensor right in from of the strut tower. Possible it got disconnected?


Fixed it!!! it was exactly what you said! Thanks!!