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Just bought an '07 Legacy GT ltd. I am a noob when it comes to technical stuff with cars.

I want to get some performance upgrades for my car but don't know where to start really.

The car already has a SPT intake and heat shield, but other then that everything is stock.

I was thinking about getting a Cobb tuner first but don't know if thats the best route to go or not...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

1. Cut a hole in the box.
2. Put your junk in the box.
3. open the box.


But seriously, the AP is a good way to go. OS seems cheaper at first, but with little knowledge and a wide variety of resources, the AP can be absolutely excellent. Personal recommendations, start with an AP, then go with a turboback exhaust. It won't be cheap, but the sound and the performance gains will be worth it.

There are a lot of things that you could do, but this would be my recommended order and the reasoning for it:

1. AP/tuning - you want to start using the potential your car has for performance.
2. Exhaust - freeing up your airflow will not only make it sound and perform better, you will also notice little bonuses like better fuel economy.
3. New tires/wheels - wheels can be helpful, but are mostly for appearance. Tires, however are far more important than people ever give them credit for...for all the things you can do to your car, remember, the tires are the only thing that actually connects your car to the road. It is important to have good ones.
4. Springs - again, an inch or two drop always helps the car look better, but the car will also handle better with higher spring rates, and considering that most Subarus aren't exactly made as drag cars, you can see why to consider this.
5. Brake pads - some Hawk HPS/HP+, Maxxis PBR, or EBC greenstuff/redstuff pads will definitely make the car feel better when braking, and next to gripping the road, that is quite possibly the most important thing to consider about your car.

After a few simple mods like that, THEN I recommend that you go nuts! But, those are generally the first few things you will want to make sure are kosher. There are a lot of free/cheap and easy things that you can do to change aesthetics and such, but performance wise, this is the path that I think you will find the most pleasing.

^^^^ I did it in that EXACT order....... good info

I did 1 and 2 at the same time

Then I did 3 and 4 at the same time.

Knowing what I know now though...... I would have started with wheels/tires/suspension though..... not power mods.

can't go wrong either way though.

Great info thanks a ton!

With the AP/Tuning is that something I can figure out on my own and better off ordering it off ebay? Or should I take my car into Cobb?

Also, with tires.. I have been looking into that first simply because the tires on my car now are summer performance tires and with winter around the corner I was considering getting some all season tires. I have been strongly considering Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires. Anyone know if these would be good or have thoughts on that?

Heres a link to the tires:
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightlin ... --dws.html

Honestly, I think that the most recommended tire around here would be the Falken Ziex 512 for all around use. You might want to shoot a PM to smokingtires, though. He works at Les Schwab and can set you straight on some good ones. Maybe even for a good price, too.


As for the AP, it's really easy to work with. AND, if you DO take your car in to Cobb and take the AP, I would bet that they can do the tuning with the AP, or even build you some maps that you can download FOR your AP based on your mods and vehicle. I would call Cobb and ask them about it and see what they would recommend.

I went 3,4,5, catback, intake, tmic and am now saving up for a catless up/dp and AP... and then bigger turbo, yadda yadda yadda....

Cool, thanks. I will check out those tires and maybe hit up Smokingtires. Thanks for all the advice.

I think most people who go through the process feel this way. Let's be honest, the LGT has PLENTY of power.


1) TIRES!!! Are the first thing you need to do to Subies. Get some lower profile, and wider tires. OE is garbage, and you will be amazed at the difference.
2) Then, get some good sway bars for the front and the rear.
3) Springs. Lots of solid options, but don't go too low or you'll be riding the bumpstops and kill your handling.
4) Then dive into the brakes. The LGT has a great platform, just get some new pads, new fluid, and lines. Good to go.
5) Power should start with the AP, which is pretty idiot proof. On the LGT there is a great improvement in driveability right off the bat.
6) Next order is the DP, which will really get the car moving. One problem with the LGT is the dual exhaust. While pretty, it is heavier and costs a bunch more due to the second muffler. I would look around for a single-exit solution.

That's my take.

OE?

OE=Original Equipment

after driving my legacy around semi-violently i say im pretty happy with the power output it has. the first thing i plan on doing after i get money is sway bars since the rear end of the vehicle likes to slide around corners which is really something i have a love/hate relationship with. its fun being able to get it sliding but only when i do it on purpose. the next thing after that will be a catback exhaust system so i can hear the suby rumble. once i get to there ill decide what else i need. those are my suggestions for now.

k, thats what I was assuming but wasn't to sure.

I am definitily pleased with the power of my car so far. So considering those other options may be a good idea. As of right now I am leaning toward wheels first.

+1 on the AccessPort. I had one on my old bugeye. I don't have one on my new car and I wish I did. There are people who will argue that it costs too much but I think it's worth the ease of use and flexiblity and reliability. ^^^all the other guys have given you great advice, you just need to figure out what's most important to you and do that first then move on to the next most important thing etc etc etc.

That being said, I suggest getting the parts you REALLY want and doing things the way you REALLY want in the first place. Then you won't have to go back and redo things you wish you'd done differently. Bottom line, it's your car, make it the way you want it. Plus, its a Subaru so it is just great any which way.

Feel free to hit me up on tires. I can give you a pretty good idea of what would be good for you. Could probably hook you up with a deal if you're willing to come up to Ogden for tires. Just remember, tires are NOT the place to skimp. Feel free to PM me.

Enjoy the new ride!!! (and come out to the meets...we're BBQing Saturday!!!)