4th Gen Legacy - GT or 3.0R

[1randomkiwi]

Just looking for people's opinions/experiences with 4th Gen 2L Turbo and 3L NA Legacy/Outback models.

Any major downsides to either? Specifically looking at Automatics in this comparison.

[Andy_Mac]

The auto GT’s seem to have some chronic knock issues when getting tuned even with super basic mods unless on e85

[willisnz]

Hmm, that's interesting given I'm considering getting an auto GT! When you say super basic mods what are you referring too? Weird that it can't be tuned out and that it differs between AT and MT.

[Andy_Mac]

@gotasuby

@snowflake009

@killervq30de

@Tony

Know of a few in the last few months that have had issues, think killervq30de just had a downpipe/exhaust on his from memory

Have yet to hear of any manuals that have had these issues at such low power levels. 

 

 

[gotasuby]

The S-gt and auto bp are very knock prone. Need a lot of timing pulled on the factory maps

[willisnz]

@gotasuby so the AT has a different (more aggressive?) map to the MT?  There is a generic issue with running JDM cars on NZ fuel right? Are you saying it's worse with MT?

 

Or is there just a sample bias here in that most JDM imports are AT?

 

Apologies for the 20 questions, haha, considering buying an AT GT so this is very relevant:)

[1randomkiwi]

Interesting. Talking to @Zenki and he recommended 3L mechanically also.

[willisnz]

@1randomkiwi  I really like my 3L, If I get a GT I would be swapping my wife's 2.0i for a GT and giving her my 3L. Partly because 3L chugs gas in my stop-start commute and partly because I like boost:)  3L is super smooth on the open road.

[1randomkiwi]

Yeah, having had my 3rd Gen Legacy with the EZ30, I was quite happy as the balance of performance, handling, comfort and ability to cruise.
Was just a good all rounder.

[Not_Sean]

Novice here, but yeah few guys recommended the 3.0 when i was looking for a outback mainly cause apparently its super reliable and really smooth. 

[TNHSTI]

16 minutes ago, Not_Sean said:

Novice here, but yeah few guys recommended the 3.0 when i was looking for a outback mainly cause apparently its super reliable and really smooth. 

 

Ive had 6 different Legacys now from twin turbo BH5 to the facelift turbo BP5 and now i have a 6spd 3.0R and absolutely love it, sure you dont get the turbo experience but its got low down power and torque when you need it - the EZ30 is definitely no slouch especially if you do a re-flash and maybe exhaust which I am going to do at some stage..

[Not_Sean]

1 hour ago, TNHSTI said:

 

Ive had 6 different Legacys now from twin turbo BH5 to the facelift turbo BP5 and now i have a 6spd 3.0R and absolutely love it, sure you dont get the turbo experience but its got low down power and torque when you need it - the EZ30 is definitely no slouch especially if you do a re-flash and maybe exhaust which I am going to do at some stage..

with 3.0L of displacement I can totally believe it. by american standards it a medium, but hey for me 2.0T is a brilliant balancing point but thats also coming from me who's got a 5 cylinder 2.5T so I'm also bigger can be better

[sobanoodle]

10 minutes ago, Not_Sean said:

5 cylinder 2.5T

A Volvo?.. o_0

[Not_Sean]

1 hour ago, sobanoodle said:

A Volvo?.. o_0

close, its the volvo T5 engine  

 

[GorGasmSpecB]

Never had an issue with my Auto BP5 and knocking.  It did prefer 98 fuel but no issues whatsoever.

 

Sold my 3.0R because it was too slow - other than that it was an excellent car. 2.0T has more power and torque.  3.0 is smoother.

Edited October 16, 2017 by GorGasmSpecB

[boostin]

1 hour ago, GorGasmSpecB said:

Never had an issue with my Auto BP5 and knocking.  It did prefer 98 fuel but no issues whatsoever.

 

Sold my 3.0R because it was too slow - other than that it was an excellent car. 2.0T has more power and torque.  3.0 is smoother.

I bought his 3.0R because.... um..... I was looking for a 3L auto Outback and bought a lowered manual sedan. Go figure. But the 3.0 is great for towing with heaps of low down torque. I drive it everywhere in 6th, and downshift to 5th for intersections. It pulls away smoothly and easily from idle. The turbo engines are a bit too stressed for my liking. The 6 is as happy at idle as it is at 7000rpm.

[Andy_Mac]

9 hours ago, GorGasmSpecB said:

Never had an issue with my Auto BP5 and knocking.  It did prefer 98 fuel but no issues whatsoever.

 

Sold my 3.0R because it was too slow - other than that it was an excellent car. 2.0T has more power and torque.  3.0 is smoother.

 

The auto knocking problem only rears its head when trying to push past the factory tune