I used to follow the Impreza WRX forums 9-10 years ago. When they came out they got a bad rap for weak transmissions because kids were throwing on big turbos, running high boost and blowing transmissions. Does anyone see this being a problem on the Ecoboost? How much horsepower can the transmissions handle?

 

The transmissions in the SHO and MKZ are handling over 400 all wheel horse power just fine with 93 octane tunes from livernois performance. Subaru has been known for their weak transmissions for a long time.

 

I, personally, am concerned about the longevity of the flux capacitor. Because god knows that if one of those goes out, you could be stuck somewhere you dont want to be(like 1985).

 

Yeah like the alternate 1985 where biff is rich and powerful!!!

 

Let's compare a WRX to a F-150.

 

Let's compare dropping the clutch at 5.5k or 6k rpm on a weak transmission with an automatic transmission in a 6000 lbs truck

 

Do you really add a Q in automatic in K-Bec?

 

 

Wrote it in french. My bad.

 

ITT:

comparing power-hungry stupid kids with more money than brains modding a weak car to guys who know how to mod a perfect truck

 

Look how many Powerstroke 6.0's were blown "from guys who know how to mod a truck". Most were not kids.

Leave is stock or be prepared to pay. Ford learned from the 6.0. Big Blue is watching and if you take it in broken and have had a tune on it they will void you warranty (if the tuner caused the problem)

 

Direct injection engines have a design flaw, all of them. Ford claimed they had beat the problem but most apparently, by reports from the EcoBoost in the cars, they haven't. The issue is that in the camming profile, there is going to be valve overlap, there's no getting away from it with conventional mechanical means. This means as the exhaust stroke is coming up, the intake valve opens allowing exhaust gases to enter the intake. That's why on current design engine you see carbon in the intakes and the throttle bodies need cleaning. But with direct injection, there is no fuel misting to clean the valves and valve stems. This is an issue on the cars now that EcoBoost is in the real world and these engines will probably require some kind of servicing every 30,000 miles to clean up the mess or performance will suffer- dramatically. It's a semi-unknown as Ford claims to have solved the issue but the hard evidence says they haven't even touched the issue. I'd hate to be among the first to find out that the engine MIGHT have to come apart every 30,000 miles to clean the intake completely to the valve seats. That's why you haven't seen direct injection before on cars/trucks. It's not a new technology at all.

 

Interesting!

 

I've heard the tires and brakes are bound to wear out, also.

 

What you are talking about is a big problem in the Audi's and a select few other German auto manufactures. Ford has a new system with a 'catch can' for trapping the oil and allowing the overflow to re-enter the system via the back valve cover. There is also some sources saying there is a filter up higher in the intake system. Photos have proven that the intake system is staying very clean, some photos look more clean than a standard fuel injected intake system.

Many owners of the Flex and SHO are very aware of this and there are forums where owners are running scopes down to the valves to see how they are doing. Some photos do show carbon build up but, I haven't seen anyone yet have to go in for a cleaning due to ping or rough idle, but these engines have not been on the road for thousands of miles just yet.

It will be a big help to run good gas and a full synthetic oil with regular oil changes.

Also keep in mind that every internal combustion engine has valve overlap and all engines get carbon build up on the valves. Time will tell on this one.