http://saab92x.com/viewtopic.php?id=37020

From what I've found (because I have JUST gone from my '05 to my new '06), the motor makes 3hp more (230 vs 227), but 18 more lb-ft of torque (235 vs 217).  It feels as though it relies on the turbo less and the motor a bit more.  I don't have a boost gauge in the car, but by feel alone I would assume that the 2006 runs slightly less boost and timing to keep it around the same power output.  The motor (with the additional torque sans turbo) is nicer to drive around in the day-to-day, as there's more torque lower in the revs for you to get moving and keep it smooth.  With that, when you do goose it, the sound is fantastic (it's throatier than 2.0L).  Mine has an AP Stg I on it, and that is truly a big change.  Throttle response is on a hair-trigger, and the car smoothly scoots.  You don't get that turbo surge that I've come to love in my 1.8T or the 2.0L, but that's because the motor can do more without the turbo, so there isn't the noticeable dependence on the snail.  The turbo enhances the motor, as opposed to making it.

That being said, the Stg I has already almost sold me on going Stg II, because I can tell that this engine has more and wants to go.  Make it breathe better and crank the power up even more, and this thing will be a blast and a half.


L8

tinman wrote:

From what I've found (because I have JUST gone from my '05 to my new '06), the motor makes 3hp more (230 vs 227), but 18 more lb-ft of torque (235 vs 217).  It feels as though it relies on the turbo less and the motor a bit more.  I don't have a boost gauge in the car, but by feel alone I would assume that the 2006 runs slightly less boost and timing to keep it around the same power output.  The motor (with the additional torque sans turbo) is nicer to drive around in the day-to-day, as there's more torque lower in the revs for you to get moving and keep it smooth.  With that, when you do goose it, the sound is fantastic (it's throatier than 2.0L).  Mine has an AP Stg I on it, and that is truly a big change.  Throttle response is on a hair-trigger, and the car smoothly scoots.  You don't get that turbo surge that I've come to love in my 1.8T or the 2.0L, but that's because the motor can do more without the turbo, so there isn't the noticeable dependence on the snail.  The turbo enhances the motor, as opposed to making it.

That being said, the Stg I has already almost sold me on going Stg II, because I can tell that this engine has more and wants to go.  Make it breathe better and crank the power up even more, and this thing will be a blast and a half.


L8

Read up on the stage 2 tune, you have to pr3vent boost spike. Resistor pill fix or no catless DP I think.

DallasEJ25 wrote:

@Tinman (either an Wiz reference or Star Trek name) Ben, A VERY cool elaborate response.  I was hoping to get a member on here to stand out like that!  Are you staying with the 5mt or slightly tempted by the 6mt trans from the WRX/STI?  I'm liking my 2.5L boxer motor only the old EJ25D is like riding a bicycle next to the 06' version in the 92x.  I'm really looking to move on...this is why I'm here.

I'm tempted, but that's my modder at heart trying to come out.  I've spent the past years and almost doubled the car's cost with my modifications on it.  I can't DD a car running 28lb of boost in DC traffic.  And my 33yr old Vette isn't an everyday car either.  So I bought the 2005 9-2x as a DD.  Something that I could drive, enjoy, get some utility out of it, and it wouldn't be a dog.  The problem is that I fell in love with the car.  So 8 months into owning it, the 2006 appeared on the market, and I was able to sell my '05 for this '06.  I know that if I start modding, I won't be able to stop.  So we'll see how long my self-control holds off.

Honestly, if you want to know more specifics, lemme know.  I'll gladly help.  I just got the '06 off of the truck Tuesday, so I've only had it for about 48hr.  I've already put over 100mi on it and scared one of my friends, so I'm on a good path already.  I've also already purchased a bunch of things to put on it (horns, hood shocks, ssk, homelink dimming mirror, roof rails, etc), so I feel that I've already lost self-control, I'm just too stubborn to admit it yet.


L8

I would also say there is more to "go wrong" with the 06. There is really no evidence to back up anything I'm going to say, simply my own perception.

The 06 has a more complex engine being as it has air injection (in place of a cat in the uppipe) and AVCS. Technically both should get you better spool and the AVCS should also help low end power and emissions. But, I just see it as more stuff I have to take off or worry about breaking 

Obviously YMMV 

@KKG:  NOW that's what I'm talking about.  Thanks for your .02 cents. It can give me more
of a idea of what to expect between the 05-06.  It does take smarts to be sarcastic most
Of the time. Humor mixed in if much appreciated.  Unicorn, huh?  Wow, I had no
Idea that it was that rare.  I've seen a couple at the CoPart and IAA salvages totaled and that's when I started to take a closer look at them....

@ Anti-Tor:  The AVCS sound very cool. I like the idea of the help on the low-end torque.  Thanks for your opinion it is valuable.

Tinman fell in  with beater. 

saabturbo wrote:

anti-torsion wrote:

The 06 has a more complex engine being as it has air injection (in place of a cat in the uppipe)

What !!!  . what's air injection ?

Smog air pump to prime/warm the cat.  It doesn't replace the cat.

tinman wrote:

tlow98 wrote:

Tinman fell in  with beater.

can't classify it as a beater anymore.  This one is in way too nice a condition.  I'm even more inclined to care for it.  but, yep, it did me in.

L8

^^^ I've got that same "Mod syndrome". My first and most important auto is my "vintage" 98' Lexus SC300 with 76k on the clock.  I buy my 99' Legacy in Denver and all the sudden I'm trying to mod the poor "beater".  Haha!!
Meanwhile, the Lex doesn't get any love (or miles).  I'm lucky that the battery didn't die in the Lex, just sitting there.

krazykarguy wrote:

I'm fairly certain that the cars you've seen at the scrappers were '05s.

^Oye LocoCar,  I've sent the last 5 years walking the CoPart and IAA auctions and YES without a doubt I have see about two 06' 92x's.
But, FWIW I've seen about 20 or more 05's.  It's VERY rare indeed.  I'm always on the lookout because of it's 2.5L powerplant vs. The 2.0L heart in the 05.  I sharp on looking at the years on the Saaburu Unicorn.  It's one bad-A car.  Love the sound of the boxer and I an even bigger fan of the AWD system and the STI steering rack inside that little Scandinavian Beaut!
  in the rough to say the least...

anti-torsion wrote:

thymighty wrote:

saabturbo wrote:

What !!!  . what's air injection ?

Smog air pump to prime/warm the cat.  It doesn't replace the cat.

That's incorrect. In 06 they removed the cat from the uppipe and added the air injection system for cold starts.

http://www.wrxtuners.com/forums/f51/06- … ipe-15408/

Without a cat in uppipe I know, but where's the air injection system.

EJ205 - USDM 2.0L turbo
EJ255 - USDM 2.5L turbo non-STi