The Sound of the Subaru WRX (2011, sedan, tires, buy)
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No, it's not a 6 cylinder, it's a flat-4 (or Boxer, if you will), 2.0L or 2.5L, I believe most, if not all the WRX models sold in the US had the 2.5L, and yes, they are turbocharged.
The sound most people think of however (Subaru "burble"), does not comes from it being a boxer engine, not the turbo, but because it came equipped with unequal length headers, creating the unique sound. They briefly stopped using UEL's for some model years (incl. my 06, NA model, and for reference, earlier non turboed models did indeed have the same "burble"), but if memory serves me right, it was such an unpopular decision that they went back to UEL's, despite the equal lenght headers providing superior performance.
No, it's not a 6 cylinder, it's a flat-4 (or Boxer, if you will), 2.0L or 2.5L, I believe most, if not all the WRX models sold in the US had the 2.5L, and yes, they are turbocharged.
The sound most people think of however (Subaru "burble"), does not comes from it being a boxer engine, not the turbo, but because it came equipped with unequal length headers, creating the unique sound. They briefly stopped using UEL's for some model years (incl. my 06, NA model, and for reference, earlier non turboed models did indeed have the same "burble"), but if memory serves me right, it was such an unpopular decision that they went back to UEL's, despite the equal lenght headers providing superior performance.
When the WRX was first brought here in 02 and through 05, they had the 2.0. They went to the 2.5 in 06(except for the USDM sti which has always had a 2.5).
And you are right about what makes them sound good...the engine design is part of it but the uel headers is the main reason.
And yes the na's with exhaust have the same type sound. I've owned both(currently own 03 WRX wagon), both with aftermarket exhaust and the na sounded just as mean.
I have noticed this myself, especially when I've heard a modded WRX. Could it be because it is a horizontally opposed, or "flat" 4 cylinder, rather than a "V" or "I" configuration?
A heavily modded STi pulled up next to me while leaving a cruise-in a couple weeks ago and the exhaust rumble made me feel like I was being kicked in the leg.
Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner. Listen close and you'll hear an old VW in there somewheres. All the Subaru opposing 4s have sounded like that. A lot of times they will even sound like they have dropped a cylinder. It's just more apparent with the WRX, probably due to increased compression, performance exhaust, and valve timing or overlap.
Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner. Listen close and you'll hear an old VW in there somewheres. All the Subaru opposing 4s have sounded like that. A lot of times they will even sound like they have dropped a cylinder. It's just more apparent with the WRX, probably due to increased compression, performance exhaust, and valve timing or overlap.
That's actually not true, my 2.5i, naturally aspirated Subaru does not have the distinctive "Subaru Burble", because it has equal length headers, the Subarus with Unequal length headers has the distinctive sound.
That's not to say that the Boxer engine has a different sound than straight-4's or V6 for that matter, but the main reason for the distinct sound Subarus are known for comes from the Unequal length headers, which causes funny things to happen with the exhaust pulse.
That's actually not true, my 2.5i, naturally aspirated Subaru does not have the distinctive "Subaru Burble", because it has equal length headers, the Subarus with Unequal length headers has the distinctive sound.
That's not to say that the Boxer engine has a different sound than straight-4's or V6 for that matter, but the main reason for the distinct sound Subarus are known for comes from the Unequal length headers, which causes funny things to happen with the exhaust pulse.
To clarify, I'm not talking the note as much As the cadence of the exhaust. Even the old Ones with the spare on top of the engine had a hint of a VW.
Listen close and you'll hear it. Especially on acceleration.
These cars will never be classified as "hot rods"......
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