A Quest for 35mpg (Subaru Outback Limited Sedan 2.5L auto)

[Zerohour]

Brucey how did you drive w/o power steering? Did you pull the belt? I've been reading around and it looks like there are different methods depending on the steering rack you have. Some do a close loop, others drain the unit, and others loop it with a breather.

[Zerohour]

Also, I would like to note that I looked at the PS setup for the Subaru, it would be fairly easy to cut the pipe in the straight as it comes overtop the cylinder head. Then, unclip the host going into the PS pump, loop the factory hose onto the line and seal the rack with all the fluid inside, keep the original power steering reservoir in the loop and maintaining extra fluid with room for expansion in the reservoir.

[dennyt]

On mine (different model, I know) I pulled the pump, but left the rack lines in place. I drained the rack by throwing the wheel left & right with the front wheels off the ground, faster is better, then I capped the lines. I needed a shorter belt (which really frustrated the guy at O'Reilly's - he was looking at me all kinds of sideways), and the alternator is the tensioner on my car, so it all worked out.

[Zerohour]

I did some searching, and the belt that fits the crank to the alt should be the 28" alt belt from a tempo. I found it some an impreza forum for the 2.5RS (same motor as the outback)

[brucey]

I only removed the belt. So I still had to fight the pump.

[Zerohour]

So news update...I hate winter. I need to keep my mirror folded in. And I now own a MIG welder. I have the belt to do a power steering bypass, but there has been a rash of snow and I don't need to be screwing around with something that may cause issues during bad commutes and cold winter months. :-(

Working on projects, but life has been havoc. Between weather, work, friends, and women...well hell I need some god damn time for me to get my **** done!

Hoping for warmer temps sooner than they will arrive.

-Z

[MpgSuv]

I have a 2003 Subaru Legacy L with a 2.5l auto, completely stock except a k&n air filter. I m currenyly trying to eek out ever mpg out of it, I barely get 20mpg around town right now. I baby the thing. What is this air intake resonator delete? I live in a very hilly area so I m intrigued by this mod. Any other suggestions for my car I just did a fresh tune up, I still need to do pvc vavle and a fuel filter.

[Zerohour]

PVC Valve is a good place to start. Make sure you clean the tubing while changing the PVC valve.

The air intake resonator causes restriction on the air intake, but it is designed to keep the angry bees from escaping the over-bored subaru boxer engine. It helps alot to get up to speed (I have personally found mine does better mpg when getting up to speed faster than taking it slow).

20MPG in-town with hills is actually good. thats probably the best your going to do. The 2.5l with the slush box is just over burdened and consumes fuel getting the car up to speed. I'm pretty sure doing around town only I would manage in the 18-20 range, especially in winter.

[Zerohour]

Current Air intake setup:


Air resonator delete:

[MpgSuv]

where is the pvc vavle? lol and the resonator tube what does it look like? is it the tube that hangs down on the elbow?