Hi,
Last week i went and bought a 98 impreza Terzo.
Mods include, some sort of cone filter
Front mount intercooler
Full exhaust system incl de-cat

It had a new engine in 4000 miles ago, the engine has done 30k. The chap who i bought it off was a mechanic and seems to have looked after it well.

Now, when i bought the car there was very little petrol in, so as soon as i bought it i put £40 of vpower in.

Since buying it i have done about 350 miles in it, when i first got it it seemed a bit sluggish and a bit spluttery when boosting.
It does seem to be getting better the more i drive it, 1st 2nd and 3rd seem to pull well, but in 5th its really sluggish. Any suggestions?

Also, the lights where the fuel gauge and temp gauge(and all the other warning lights are) are off. I need to take the clocks out and replace the bulbs i guess, but i'm just worried if there is a warning light on and i dont know about it, am i risking it by driving it? I've checked the oil/water etc and they are all fine and are at the correct level.

I will be taking it to a mechanic who does a lot of work on subarus within the week to get him to check it over.

Any help would be appreciated, Thanks

 

Taking bulbs out to mask fault lights is a classic trick. Hopefully they'll just be needing replaced.

 

Yeah, that's what i'm worried about

 

I hope your mechanic finds out if the car has been mapped for them mods. Because if not, your asking for trouble and an empty wallet.

 

Your very first job is to replace the warning/indication bulbs, the oil and CEL are critical. Once you have the CEL fitted you can then use the OBD to check for any problems.

 

hi mate in my personal opinion i would definately not drive the car until you have sorted the warning lights. Check all fuses make sure none have been removed any to turn lights out and make sure none have blown. It MUST be mapped if your running any mods (especially front mount) the standard ecu on the terzo cant be mapped so it should have an aftermarket ecu. If your running with a front mount without a remap you will be running dangourously lean which would make cylinder temperatures higher and like musso says you would be asking for trouble. I also have a terzo and before I owned it the kid put a few mods on it (turbo, tubular headers etc) and the head gasket blew.

 

It wont have been remapped as the ecu on your year is unmappable I am afraid. It will need an aftermarket ecu such as a Simtek.

 

Bugger thanks for the advice. I'll check tonight to see if it has an aftermarket ecu. How will I know if it's standard?
I've sent the guy I bought it off a message and he said the chap he bought it off said it was a prodrive ecu, but when he took it out it just said "Subaru" on it.
I can see this costing me a fair old wack!

I'll check fuses aswell.

 

ill check the number on my ecu and ill get back to you. if they match yours you will need an aftermarket 1 of remove the mods. the aftermarket ecu must be for v3-v4. i like the apexi power fc its the cheapest and it does the job

 

Ah nice one. Thanks matey appreciate that.

 

I've had a look and on the ecu it says 8S

Dose that mean anything?

 

unfortunately mate your ecu is standard where abouts are you from? if your anywhere near me ill come up and have look at your car and have a chat with you about it

 

it may be worth lifting the lid on the ecu to see whats inside, some ecu's use the original ecu box.

 

Hi, I'm from west Yorkshire. Near ilkley, if your anywhere near that would be great!

Ah ok I'll pop the Lid off and see what's inside.
The only lights that are out on the dash are the fuel and temp. The "key" sign flashes when engine is off etc. But the oil/and other warning lights are on the right side and all light up when I turn the key so that's ok.

Thanks for the replys!

 

no probs mate im from south yorkshire it will be a nice run for my car iv just finished the rebuild today couple of little things need doing and provided all is ok ill have a run over but ill be in coventry from tomorrow (mon) til friday so if you want i can come over next weekend.

 

DO open the ecu box, but don't touch the ecu inside with bare fingers.
Mine uses a link which is inside the original box.

It's a ten minute job to get the clocks off and replace any warning light/instrument light bulbs. Would have been my first job.

 

Ok thanks. Will have a look this weekend. Not gunna drive it until mechanic checks it out. Thanks.
Sounds good sonic