so i live in OC and thought the scion would be great for my long commutes into LA, but during the winter i also work part time at the local mountains.

i was really wondering since the xb has such a tiny 103hp engine, would this actually be able to take the trek up the mountain?
if i added enough mods (cold air intakes, mufflers, etc) would it make my 80 mile drive up the hill more feasible?
if so, what other kind of mods would you suggest?

thanks guys

(if you can't tell, i don't know much about cars)

 

it will make it, i go up to mammoth all the time...

 

I drive my XB- I think it is 108 HP - in in hills of VT- and I would tell you it depends on the speed. Driving on smaller roads under 50 or 55 ok.
On I89 in VT - long winding highway - long gradual ups, long downs - my auto XB is not my favorite vehicle traveling at 62-75mph. At this speed to maintain up hill without slowing down XB has to drop out of overdrive and sometimes even drop a gear.
I have cruise installed and have to turn off - otherwise it drops gear rather abruptly- rpms rise - gas mileage goes down. Just does not have the torque to maintain one speed - Kind of annoying if traveling with other cars around on the highway.
I try to gain a little extra speed going down- to give momentum going up - but risk getting tagged for speeding, and still don't have enough momentum to maint the 70+ going up hill without dropping out of overdrive etc.
Also I use a replacement K&N air filter. Most of the filter mods only gain a little horsepower - most at above 4000 rpm which ruins your MPG.

 

my sentiments also.

 

Yeah, driving at relitivly low speed (below 50) up a moountain is a blast!

 

The engine was rated at 108 HP until 2006 when it became 103 HP due to testing with the normal accessories attached to the engine. I made a trip last summer in my 5-speed xB through the mountains of PA, NH and VT, both on and off Interstates, just me and luggage. On Interstates the xB was OK. But on long grades off the Interstate, the car bogged down. On some hills it could not hold 60 in 4th, so had to be wound out for long periods in 3rd. The first time this happened was in pre-dawn fog, so I could not see the reason why the car had lost so much power. Many two-lane roads in those states have uphill center passing lanes, which are out of the question for the xB because it often cannot maintain speed even in the slow lane. However, the 5-speed was a lot of fun in the mountains because of its gearbox, the smooth-revving engine and the good handling.
The mods you mention add a few HP at high RPM, but do not do much for torque which is what you need to cruise up hills. And they will make the car rather noisy inside.

 

any suggestions on how to boost the torque a bit to make the trek up the mountains easier?

 

S/C or T/C

 

Yeah it makes you wish you had holes in the floorboards to pedal with your feet like the Flinstones

I am making a trip to Gatlinburg, TN in June and I am thinking about taking my xB.

 

I think this is one reason new XB has bigger engine to go with the fugly looks!

 

you think continually going to the mountains, 150-200mph 4 or 5 times a month will just kill this engine, or as long as i take it nice and slow i'll be fine rolling uphill?

 

I don't think its that bad. I have only been over a mountain pass on main interstate, (snoqualmie), which is not super steep, but enough. In my 5 speed, on a dry day, I did not have to downshift even once. I thought it cruised right up and over without a problem. These are reliable motors, so even if you have to downshift to make your pass, it should'nt shorten the life of your car. I can't speak for the automatics.

 

I'm in Big Bear and Idyllwild 2 - 3 days a week with my box.j Hwy 30 out of San Bernardino and 74 out of Hemet don't even slow it down!

 

Install an intake. Short ram is good enough, don't need a cold air. Gives a little extra ft-lbs and hp. Between 1 and 6 at the wheels. Doesn't sound like much but it's noticeable above 3,000 RPM. Best if you have a manual.

Power modes aren't necessary though- stock does fine in the mountains. Don't be afraid to rev it! Max torque is ~4,000 RPM. Max HP is ~6,000 RPM.

 

rhino, are you talking about like arrowhead area? I'm from the mtn's and i'd bet your box does great with all the driving. you might have to pull over once or twice to let some mtn goats pass you. I'm headed do to the SB mtns this summer-- you'll have to let me know how it does on the hills

 

i am talking about the arrowhead area, as well as bear mtn and wrightwood areas. i haven't gotten the xB yet, but i soooo want to. i just gotta make sure it can survive in the wilderness. when i do get it i'll let youu know.

 

Hwy 18 up to Arrowhead is very easy. I haven't been up to Wrightwood in a real long time and have forgotten the road. I'll be up in Big Bear and Arrowhead with my box Monday morning. I carry tools and parts for my job so I don't exactly travel light.

 

My manual xB doesn't have any problems in the Rockies. Climbing west out of Denver, it keeps up with the traffic, at 70+ mph- in 4th rather than 5th gear. The short gearing helps, and it's just an issue of keeping the motor revs up in the power band...

I wouldn't want an automatic for that duty.

If you're contemplating rims/tires, be careful to keep the tire diameter very near stock- too tall tires will kill your power.

Don't expect any miracles form "power mods"- there's just not much there, given the rather highly tuned nature of the little motor. It wants to be a fast car, it's just displacement challenged...

Might want to hold out for the new xB, if it appeals to you- it has the tC motor, and ~80% more power...

 

Haha, i used to live in wrightwood too.... ahh, the good ol' days. we took our boxes up a mtn today. no problemo. slower than i like to drive, but saves me on speeding tickets ;)

good luck getting a box. better grab one while their still available -- unless you don't care about 1st gen. vs. 2nd gen. bigger engine will be nice on those suckers.

 

I've taken the automatic box up to a few canyons down here & it goes up the hill without a problem. I've seen a few boxes running canyons at night as well.