I own a 2004 WRX with after-market up-pipe, down-pipe, catback, and engine management, with suspension and break upgrades. I'm not looking to spend the same amount of money or go through the same amount of modding on my new xB (which I love!), so I'm just looking for some simple mods that may add pep. In other words, I obviously didn't buy an xB for speed (and I'm sure most of you didn't either), but what kind of simple mods do most people get and what kind of performance increase (if any) can I expect from those simple mods? Any quantitative answers are appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Most everyone does the usual, intake, exhaust, headers, springs...You can do a search and find some critiques. My favorite addition was a CAI. I could really tell a difference. Not so much that it kicked me back in my seat but enough to be satisfied. Also the CF hood is pretty common...just do a search though and you should be able to find anything you are looking for as far as opinions on the parts.

You might get better info over on the Power Hungry forum.

From most of what I've read and the dyno reports I've seen you are better off spending your money on creature comfort items. For what some of these guys are spending for performance and suspension upgrades, you could buy an older sportbike for your thrills. I don't see the 10+/- hp worth the expense. Heck, take off the hubcaps and you will almost get that much!! :shock: :D

dynoed

+5hp cai
+1hp exhaust
+1hp headers

headers and exhaust were put one after the other so 7hp gain with all 3

SEE!! and showpaojoe know his stuff!!

Just agreeing with you bro...it's not worth it

ONLY get CAI...it's all you need

stick w/ teh scooby dont downgrade i woulda got a scooby if i could afford it =( but on the brighter note this box gets mad gas mileage =) CAI is bout all u need..

No, I really meant it showpaojoe ! you do know your stuff. I have read a lot of your posts and you are the man!!! :D

Thanks for all your replies. I figured as much about the performance gains. As I noted in my original message, I didn't buy the car for speed (already have this in my modded WRX), but what I was looking for was a little more pep over the stock form -- just something to merge onto a freeway with confidence. I was thinking about the AEM air intake (not cold air intake, but the short air intake), axle-back exhaust from MagnaFlow, Quick Shifter, and suspension and wheel upgrade. Again, I'm not trying to spend relatively too much money on the xB because I purchased it for its wonderfully odd design, its fuel efficiency, and its over-all cool looks.

I still have the WRX but I'm thinking about selling it to save up for an Evo MR, or for something else with insane performance that will be released in the next two years or so (like maybe the Audi RS3, for example). Meanwhile, I'm having a lot of fun with such a reliable car, the xB.

Thanks again for the answers.

Buzzkill,

Wow, your post sounded a lot like my first few posts...

I have a highly modded WRX as well, and my wife and I got the xB for pretty much the same reason as you...

She told me I could mod the xB slightly, but of course, if you're anything like most modded WRX guys, "slightly" will hardly do, he he he.

I didn't want to go overboard either, so we're just doing the basics (wheels/tires/springs/strut bar/intake/exhaust). I think that's quite enough to satisfy me. As for the power, sure, it's no WRX, but you have to keep in perspective - we didn't really get it for that ya know?

Good luck with your modding and let us know how it turns out...

Thanks Pauly!

Modding is an addiction, whether it's for performance gain or for aesthetic. In fact, in addition to all the mods you mentioned, I am now thinking about upgrading the sound system inside the xB. Sh!t.

Let me know if what you're getting (intake and exhaust) gives you a little more pep.

Thanks.

suspension- goldline 2" lowering springs or tanabe df210 2.2f"/2r" lowering springs are undoubtedly the most popular. Even though 2" sounds a lot, it is fine for everyday driving with passengers and what ever wheel setup you choose to go with (upto 19").

wheels- wheels will easily hurt whatever you do for engine upgrades. For example...auto supercharged xB (had exhaust) with 18s got took by manual xB with AEM cai and 15" rims. Rims are truly your choice.

engine- INTAKE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND IN A SCION. The best setup is the Injen short ram intake hands down. The magnaflow exhaust is decent but it sounds like a kid with serious asthma...it's weak and it's loud inside the car. Don't get the TRD quickshifter...it buckles up after a few thousand miles. Get the www.twmperformance.com shortshifter, it's shorter and has better shifts than the TRD.

If you're interested in rather having a shop build your exhaust cuz you'll save a buttload more money than paying for the magnaflow or any other exhaust for a matter of fact...then just ask cuz I've gone through 5 different exhaust and I know what works with what engine mods you have already put on.