Car Seems Underpowered Please Help
 

Is there a problem with me scooby, I have a 95/96 WRX STI jap import spose to be running at about 300bhp but does not seem like... i have been in a car with 300bhp and seems quicker than mine, Boost gauge reads 0.8 bar (? psi)maximum wont go any higer is this good or not its all new to me, jus got blown away by a rover 75 :confused: .... also in a previous thread i was concerned about oil which seems to be appearing on a small ledge on the side of the engine just above part of the exhaust system. if you stand infront of the car and look down in between the airfilter box and the engine you can see it.. smells when burning off and i am concerned that it may catch fire :( .

Soz for all the questions but jus hoping i have not been done when buying car.

Thanks in Advance
A.N

Sorry chap, we can't tell you whether or not your car is working right, or indeed whether it has the power it was advertised as having.

You need to be very careful when buying a Japanese spec car over here, especially one that claims to be running a non-standard power output. Is this supposed to be 300 horsepower on Japanese fuel, or 300 horsepower on regular UK fuel? Have you been running Optimax plus booster if it hasn't been mapped properly for our petrol?

If it's leaking oil, even if only from a camcover seal, you shouldn't be driving it any further than your nearest Subaru specialist for a checkover, especially if it's losing enough to make you worry about a fire. They should be able to tell you more about the engine, what fuel it's mapped for, and what the correct boost pressure and power outputs should be.

Bugger it feels as if i have been done, only had car 2 weeks :( man i have no luck with cars.. oh well it was nice while it lasted..

Cheers for your reply

dont be too down hearted mate might be something very simple requiring a minor cash injection

it sounds a lot like leaking rocker gaskets (VERY common on subarus that age). cheap to buy (£30ish each?) but take a while to fit (couple of hours?).

that doesnt solve your underpower problem of course.

0.8 bar isnt far off.. should be around 0.9 iirc for your car in standard form. there is no way in hell you're going to get a geniune 300bhp on 0.8-0.9 bar however... well, unlikely anyway. what mods does it have?

are u definitely running optimax fuel? are u sure u arent just getting used to the power?

try an ecu reset (it may well be that a crap batch of fuel has caused the ecu to protect against knock).. and check for error codes just in case.

Cheers for your help lads, jus one question how do i do an ECU reset is there any precautions i have to take before doing this and what about after it is done any speacial requirements needed. Also code checking

It is only run on optimax well since i have had it anyway.. The only mod that i think has been done to it is a aftermarket exhaust not sure wot make centre cat has been replaced on it with a straight through pipe... Thinking maybe of replacing it with a nice shiny new Afterburner Vortex Cat back system but not if it is unwell....

I hope there is not much wrong with after having my Veccy GSI written off for me a few months ago, getting a bit down in the dumps with having bad luck.

Anywayz thanks in advance :)