I've borrowed a S-reg standard Impreza Turbo from Subaru to test for two days, it has 15000 miles on it. I am surprised at how much turbo lag there is below 3500 rpm. Is this normal for a car of this many miles, or is it because it's a demonstrator and therefore has been thrashed? Do well-cared for Turbos exhibit no lag?
Other than that it is a big grin machine! I want one!

 

All high performance turbos have some lag. I have a S reg turbo (MY 98) and I do not think turbo lag is a significant problem. Its possible that the one you test drove has a problem.

My previous MY 95 turbo was much worse for lag. Subaru reduced the size of the turbo and raised compression ratios in revised turbos (I think MY 97 onwards) and this does seem to have been almost completely rectified the problem.

I would suggest that you test a different one.

D.

 

Well i've gat a "laggy" 97 car and have cured the problem.


Don't let the revs fall below 4000

 

As if! It's a demonstrator - I thought they artificially limit them so that the revs CAN'T fall below 4000...

Perhaps I need to find a just run-in example to play with.

Thanks for the info.
Rich

 

Turbo lag - it depends on what you are used to driving. If this is your first turbo car, then you may well find the amount of lag astonishing.

If for example you are tootling about at 30mph in 3rd or even 4th and put your foot down, it will take a long time before anything happens! You really do need to keep the revs above 3,000 rpm if you want anything to happen.

Its funny how new owner comments that they can't hear the turbo whistling up after q few months of ownership. Its simply that they have adapted their driving style to suit the car, such that they no longer accelerate at low revs/off-boost where the turbo takes time to spool up. You adapt your driving in such a way that you don't encounter the turbo lag (ie change down, and have the appropriate revs etc before accelerating).

 

Yes, good point. I currently drive an NSX which puts its' power down totally differently, due to the V6 VTEC engine, which pulls stongly from about 4000 revs and then goes completely mental above 5500... But obviously with no lag. Interestingly, though, they feel about the same in terms of overall 'quickness'; however there's more body roll on the Impreza, but that's balanced by the fact it feels more neutral on fast corners.