2014 - Oil Temps, Boost Creep?

Note that the unofficial word from Subaru is that best acceleration is achieved in S mode with D selected.

I've noticed that measured boost begins to build almost immediately -- much faster than my old WRX with 16G turbo, which did almost nothing until 3,000 RPM. Peak torque starts at 2,000 RPM. That's when things get interesting.

But it's not a "kick in the pants" feeling. It's easy to get fooled by the CVT. Whereas my previous vehicle would hit like a bat to the face once boost arrived, the new XT has a very linear, casual thrust. No bouncing it off the limiter. The CVT decoupling the RPMs from the acceleration messes with my butt dyno, although you mentioned that you are testing in S#, which is more normal.

The launch from a standstill isn't stellar -- this seems to be a trait of a CVT, or maybe an engine computer protecting the CVT. Roll-on performance should be good though.

My technique is to double-tap the downshift paddle before rolling on the throttle to make sure the engine is in the power band, and to leave no doubt to the computers on board that I intend maximum acceleration.

A few of us have observed that stabbing the gas to WOT is less effective than rolling it on. Give it a try.

It's a very "managed" drive train that takes some getting used to versus other vehicles I've driven.

Subaru has been designing for higher temps to increase efficiency, which means that things can get very hot when ambient temperatures and load are high. I’ve seen temps up to 245 under fairly normal conditions driving in the mountains during a heat wave. Once I managed to boil over when the temps were 110+F and I was pushing the engine hard in S# on a twisty mountain pass. Just be careful or upgrade the radiator and/or fans (Mishamoto

The boost variation you are describing is very likely due to pressure leaks in the intake path. Subaru used cheap hose clamps that don’t deal well with heat expansion and contraction. The stock clamps have slots that allow for deformation of the hose and small pressure leaks. Once you are leaking boost pressure you will get peaks and dips and the computer gets confused. Look up the “Danoz Fix” on these forums, named after the forum user who discovered that Breeze brand hose clamps will correct this issue.

I replaced my intake hose clamps with Breeze clamps, and that problem cleared up. They have a smooth liner and can be safely tightened more than the stock clamps. Now my boost pressures are very stable at 14-15 with about a 17-17.5 peak. There is some variation with temp and altitude, but not the wild variations I was seeing before.

I feel like this is a defect that deserves a recall, but unfortunately there are few enough XTs on the road that Subaru can ignore this known issue.