0:00 / 0:00
S&YE220 - That One 3.0R Guy

S&YE220 - That One 3.0R Guy

Subie & YOU! Jan 19, 2026 126 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Zach shares his unique Subaru journey, detailing how his interest in the brand began with Ken Block's Jim Kana series. He discusses the significance of the number 22 in his life, which he considers his lucky number, and how it serendipitously aligns with being featured in Episode 220. The conversation also touches on the playful banter he receives from his dad, a Mopar enthusiast, and his boss, a Chevy guy, about his Subaru ownership. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes and insights into the Subaru community.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Company

Eccentric Designs

"The Subi and you podcast is brought to you by eccentric designs. For those of you who don't know, eccentric designs is a small, community-driven business that offers custom fit vinyl overlays for most Subaru models."

Eccentric Designs is a business that makes special vinyl stickers and overlays that can be fitted to Subaru cars to make them look unique or to protect the paint.

Term

vinyl overlays

"...that offers custom fit vinyl overlays for most Subaru models."

Vinyl overlays are like stickers made of a special material that you can put on your car to change its look or protect the paint. They can be removed later if you want.

Part

ignition knock sensor

"...because he needs to replace one of his ignition knock sensors. He's had that code come up a few times before."

An ignition knock sensor is a part of the engine that listens for unusual sounds when the engine is running. If it hears something wrong, it helps the car adjust to run better and avoid damage.

Company

Subimods

"And of course, our other sponsor is Subimods. They have a lot of great products for Subarus."

Subimods is a company that sells parts and accessories for Subaru cars, helping owners customize and improve their vehicles.

Car

Nissan 370Z

"although one time you did try squeezing into a 370Z. That was hilarious. But no, so my first introduction to Subarus was actually the Jim Kana series with Ken Block."

The Nissan 370Z is a sporty car that is designed for performance driving. It has a strong engine and is built for speed and agility, making it fun to drive.

Car

Chevrolet Chevelle

"...Chevy guy. He has, I want to say it's a Nova or a Chevelle or something like that. Oh man, Chevelle's a hous..."

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a cool old car that was built to be fast and look good. People love it because it's a classic muscle car that brings back memories.

Car

Chevrolet Nova

"He's a Chevy guy. He has, I want to say it's a Nova or a Chevelle or something like that. Oh man, Che..."

The Chevrolet Nova is an older car that many people liked because it was affordable and fun to drive. It's now a classic that some collectors really enjoy.

Car

Volkswagen GTI

"A long time ago, this girl had Volkswagen GTI and she was driving back from lunch one day"

The Volkswagen GTI is a sporty version of a regular car called the Golf. It's known for being fun to drive and has a powerful engine, making it popular with car lovers.

Part

brake rotor

"that there was potentially a small rock or pebble in between her brake and the rotor."

The brake rotor is a round metal part that helps the car stop when you press the brake pedal. If something gets stuck between it and the brake pad, it can make a loud noise and affect how well the brakes work.

Part

head gasket

"but mine's got the flat six, which isn't known to have head gasket failure, but the amount of times I get jokes about head gasket failure, I'm like, I don't own that kind of Subaru."

The head gasket is a part in the engine that keeps oil and coolant from mixing together. If it fails, it can cause serious engine problems, which is a known issue in some Subaru models.

Term

flat-six

"but mine's got the flat six, which isn't known to have head gasket failure..."

A flat-six engine is a type of engine where the cylinders are laid out flat on either side. This design makes the car more stable and can help it handle better on the road.

Car

Subaru 3.6 R

"Yeah, my son has a 2010 3.6 R. Yeah, he was having some issues with it."

The Subaru 3.6 R is a model of Subaru that has a 3.6-liter engine. It's known for being reliable and good for families because it has all-wheel drive, which helps with traction in bad weather.

Part

spark plugs

"And so he started looking up stuff online and found out that if the spark plugs are bad, or going bad, that they can simulate what feels like transmission slippage. So we changed out all six spark plugs."

Spark plugs are small parts in a car's engine that help start the engine by creating a spark. If they are worn out, the car might not run well, and it can feel like there's a problem with the transmission instead.

Car

Subaru Outback

"...aru? So my first Subaru was a 1998 Subaru Impreza Outback nicknamed Nancy. Okay."

The Subaru Outback is a car that can handle both city streets and rough trails. It's popular with people who like to go camping or hiking because it has a lot of space and can drive on different types of roads.

Car

Subaru Impreza

"But what was your first Subaru? So my first Subaru was a 1998 Subaru Impreza Outback nicknamed Nancy."

The Subaru Impreza Outback is a type of car that is good for driving in different weather and road conditions. It's known for being tough and reliable.

Part

DC Sports exhaust

"from a DC sports exhaust to all the little vinyl stickers and emblems and all that."

A DC Sports exhaust is a special part you can add to a car to make it louder and help the engine work better.

Car

Ford Bronco

"So I was looking around because prior to that I had had my grandfather's 1993 Bronco XLT..."

The Ford Bronco XLT is a large SUV that was made in the 1990s. It was known for being tough and good for off-road driving, and the XLT version had more comfort features.

Part

5.8 liter Windsor

"...I had had my grandfather's 1993 Bronco XLT with the 5.8 liter Windsor."

The 5.8 liter Windsor is a type of V8 engine made by Ford. It's known for being strong and reliable, and it was used in many Ford cars and trucks during the 1980s and 1990s.

Car

Saturn SC2

"My other car was a 2002 Saturn SC2 coupe, manual transmission, which was also a blast."

The Saturn SC2 is a small, sporty car that people enjoyed driving. It has a stick shift, which means you have to change gears yourself, making it more fun for some drivers.

Car

Hyundai Accent

"And she had a, I think it was a 2018 Hyundai Accent or Elantra GT hatchback with zero space in the back."

The Hyundai Accent is a small, budget-friendly car that is good on gas. The 2018 version is a hatchback, which means it has a rear door that opens upwards, but it might not have much room for carrying things.

Car

Hyundai Elantra

"And she had a, I think it was a 2018 Hyundai Accent or Elantra GT hatchback with zero space in the back."

The Hyundai Elantra GT is a small hatchback car that has more room in the back for carrying stuff than a regular sedan. The 2018 model is designed to be comfortable and practical for everyday use.

Car

Subaru 3.0R

"...explain what the 3.0R is. So the 3.0R H6 EZ30, whichever you want to call it from that era, is a 3.0L 6-cylinder, flat 6-cylinder Subaru boxer motor."

The Subaru 3.0R is a car that has a special type of engine called a flat 6-cylinder engine. This engine is different from the more common engines found in most cars, making it unique for Subaru.

Part

Subaru boxer motor

"...is a 3.0L 6-cylinder, flat 6-cylinder Subaru boxer motor. So it's a flat 6, kind of similar to your Porsche's hence why I have a sticker that I made for my car."

A Subaru boxer motor is a special kind of engine where the cylinders lie flat instead of standing up. This helps the car handle better and makes it more stable.

Term

H6

"...the 3.0R H6 EZ30, whichever you want to call it from that era, is a 3.0L 6-cylinder, flat 6-cylinder Subaru boxer motor."

H6 means a six-cylinder engine that is laid out flat. This design helps the engine run smoothly and keeps the car stable.

Term

flat 6-cylinder engine

"...is a 3.0L 6-cylinder, flat 6-cylinder Subaru boxer motor. So it's a flat 6, kind of similar to your Porsche's hence why I have a sticker that I made for my car."

A flat 6-cylinder engine is an engine with six cylinders that are laid out flat, rather than standing up. This design helps the car be more stable and balanced.

Term

poor man's Porsche

"...that's Porsche with an extra O. It's the poor man's Porsche. So I was like, I've never seen a flat 6 and a Subaru."

'Poor man's Porsche' is a way to describe cars that look or perform like a Porsche but are much cheaper. It's for people who want a sporty car without spending a lot of money.

Car

Porsche Mans Porsche

"So it's a flat 6, kind of similar to your Porsche's hence why I have a sticker that I made for my car. That's Porsche with an extra O. It's the poor man's Porsche. So I was like, I've never seen a flat 6 and a Subaru."

The Porsche Macan is a fancy small SUV that drives really well and looks great. It's popular with people who want a stylish car that feels good to drive.

Car

Subaru Legacy

"...based off of the fourth gen legacy platform. So the frame and chassis itself is a fourth gen legacy outback..."

The Subaru Legacy is a car that is similar to the Outback but is more of a traditional sedan. The fourth generation refers to the model made between 2003 and 2009.

Car

Subaru Legacy Outback

"...like me and my kids will see like a legacy outback something and we're like, how is it a legacy and an outback at the same time?"

The Subaru Legacy Outback is a type of car that is both a sedan and an SUV. It's great for families and people who like to go on adventures because it can handle rough roads and has a lot of space inside.

Term

all-wheel drive

"Obviously, I'm sure something with all wheel drive just for safety and everything. But what was your intention when you bought it?"

All-wheel drive means that power goes to all four wheels of the car, which helps it grip the road better, especially in bad weather like snow or rain.

Car

Subaru Crosstrek

"...for 2015 Cross Trek wheels and tires, all four of them. It was like 250, 300 bucks."

The Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV that can handle rough roads and is great for outdoor activities. It's popular for its ability to drive in different conditions.

Term

base model

"And I'm like, I really like the wheels on the base model trim. And I'm like, I'm kind of glad I got the base model just for the wheels sake..."

The base model is the simplest version of a car, with just the basic features. It doesn't have any extra upgrades or fancy options that more expensive versions might have.

Term

track build

"You could keep it as a track build. You could do rally. You can do, you know, so many different ways and they'll still look good."

A track build is when you change a car to make it better for racing. This usually means making it lighter and faster, and improving how it handles on the track.

Car

Acura Tl

"...u. You got Lucky with the Slam VIP, frame banging Acura TL, you got Brendan with, he's got two Mustangs, he'..."

The Acura TL is a fancy car that feels nice to drive and has lots of cool features. It's a good choice for people who want a comfortable and stylish ride.

Car

Ford Mustang

"you got Brendan with, he's got two Mustangs, he's got an EcoBoost Widebody..."

The Ford Mustang is a famous American sports car known for being fast and having a cool design.

Car

Chrysler PT Cruiser

"...d truck, you can have a low rider, you can have a PT cruiser, shout out my buddy Brandon in St. Louis, Missour..."

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a small car that looks a bit old-fashioned but is fun to drive. It's popular because it has a lot of space inside and can be used for many different things.

Car

Subaru WRX

"...ool. He had a Subaru at one point. It was a lower WRX. It was red. Beautiful. Loved it. Obviously, a Su..."

The Subaru WRX is a fast and sporty car that can handle tough roads and weather. It's loved by many people who like to drive quickly and enjoy the thrill of racing.

Car

Jeep Wrangler

"...r the exact reason. He sold it. Now he has a Jeep Wrangler. I'm not going to stop being friends with you bec..."

The Jeep Wrangler is a tough, boxy car that can go off-road, meaning it can drive on rough paths and trails. People love it for its adventurous spirit and ability to handle all kinds of outdoor fun.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"... slammed forester. Right down the road, you had a Camaro. And then you had a motorcycle. Then you had a li..."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty car that looks really cool and goes fast. It's popular because it's fun to drive and has a strong engine, making it a favorite for people who love cars.

Car

Volkswagen Jetta

"...nk there might have even been like a a Volkswagen Jetta. Like, we had a little bit of everything there. T..."

The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that is easy to drive and good on gas. It's a popular choice for people who need a reliable car for getting around town.

Car

Ford F350

"... Ford's, you know, there's that guy's lifted Ford F350 that he had at the show. Sure. I might not like F..."

The Ford F-350 is a big truck that can carry heavy things and tow trailers. It's popular with people who need a strong vehicle for work or outdoor activities.

Car

Ford Explorer

"...t a lot of people are comparing it to like a Ford Explorer. Yeah. I can't unsee it now that someone has said..."

The Ford Explorer is a big family car that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's good for road trips and can handle some rougher roads if you want to go on adventures.

Car

Ford Model Ford

"...e's someone out there that currently has an older model Ford Explorer, but they want a new vehicle just so hap..."

The Ford Model T is one of the first cars that many people could afford, and it changed how cars were made. It helped a lot of families get their own cars and travel more easily.

Car

Subaru BRZ

"...ly like that, you know, with the exception of the BRZ and the new, one of the new electric models, they..."

The Subaru BRZ is a small, sporty car that is fun to drive and can go around corners quickly. It's loved by people who enjoy racing or just want a car that feels exciting on the road.

Car

Dodge Ram

"...tuff, you know, I can, I can always, my dad has a Dodge Ram. I'll just borrow my dad's truck for the few and ..."

The Dodge Ram is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is great for work or fun activities. Many people like it because it's strong and has a lot of space inside.

Car

Toyota Prius

"...There's like one truck and I think there's like a Prius up front. So we're like, screw it, let's just go...."

The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both gas and electricity to drive, which helps it save fuel and be better for the environment. It's popular with people who want to be eco-friendly and save money on gas.

27 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars