Top 5 Mods for Your Subaru WRX

From an enthusiast viewpoint the Subaru WRX had become synonymous with the late legends such as Colin McRae, Ken Block, and with current athletes such as Travis Pastrana and Lia Block. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s when all of aa sudden we went from having 30 cable channels to 500 cable channels (us old folks remember), we had many options, including SpeedVision that showed the World Rally Championships where the Subaru WRX/STI would battle other competitors with the equally ferocious Mitsubishi Evolutions, and other campaigned rally car models such as the Peugeot and Audi. From arduous dirt trails with rocks, tree stumps, and snow, we witnessed the Subaru WRX fly, jump, and eat their way to the podium with damage that only increased as drivers and their co-pilots survived each stage. Even before the likes of the Fast and The Furious, Enthusiasts who became more curious about the sport compact scene gathered their information and interest through literature you could get at the local gas station that included Turbo Magazine and Sport Compact Car while the internet was still in the early stages where dial up was a thing.  

This was a fascinating era especially when the Subaru WRX hit the US markets in 2002, and the sport compact scene flooded the streets with new and exciting modifications. In fact, just a year later in 2003, RallySport Direct was created.

20 years later we have a much different world. Better or worse depending on who you ask. Many of us are grown up now with families, circumstances, careers, and life in general. But thankfully, Subaru is still manufacturing the WRX with plans for a rumored electric STI. For those of us who have upgraded to newer WRX models, or if you are a new enthusiast. Welcome. Here are the top 5 mods that you can perform to your WRX.

 

 

 

COBB Accessport:

The infamous COBB ACCESSPORT. Aka Accessport, aka AP, aka COBB Tuner. If you own a Subaru, chances are, you have heard of said terms. The COBB Tuning Accessport is one of the most popular and utilized piggyback handheld tuning devices that every modified Subaru should have. When you modify your vehicle, it is very rare that you can just bolt on the component and be on your way. There are several factors to consider including elevation, available octane levels in your local gas stations, and what other modifications you may or may not have. Furthermore, the overall welfare of your vehicle needs to be 100% before performing modifications such as having fresh fluids and having the correct spark plug range plug gap. And making sure you don’t have any boost leaks. Let’s say you just purchased a cold air intake and you install it over the weekend. You’re expecting power gains but instead your Subaru is misfiring and bucking. What in the world is going on? What’s happening is that the mass air flow sensor (MAF) is seeing a larger volume of air outside the parameters of what your ECU is recognizing. The same can be experienced with installing a downpipe or certain cat-back exhaust systems. An aftermarket downpipe mainly will free up a lot of exhaust flow that naturally you will reach more boost levels than the factory limit so you will feel boost cut. The COBB Accessport has available off-the-shelf maps that accommodate upgraded boost levels with aftermarket solenoids, the right maps to accommodate intake and exhaust upgrades, as well as fuel injector upgrades. You also have several other key features that the Accessport can perform such as checking and clearing engine codes, and it also has launch control depending on what you drive. It’s the ultimate Swiss army knife of tuning in the Subaru world with a ton of support offered by COBB for your current and future Subaru modifications.

 

Exhaust System:

Like most turbocharged vehicles, the Subaru WRX responds very well to exhaust modifications. From the exhaust manifold, the up-pipe, downpipe, and cat-back, the aftermarket has an option to reduce the number of inherent restrictions found in the OEM exhaust system. Now the most popular and/or coveted exhaust modification is the cat-back exhaust system. This should be your first exhaust modification because it is never a good idea to start with a downpipe and somehow find a way to mate it to your factory cat-back. Now it can be done, but you want to start reducing the pressure from the rear of the exhaust first, then modify up so you don’t run into a bottleneck situation as an aftermarket downpipe would try to force feed the exhaust pressure out of smaller factory cat-back piping. With a proper cat-back exhaust system this will allow the rest of your exhaust components to breathe easier, the overall flow will be better, and you will have noticeable gains in both sound and performance. Then you can start moving upward and upgrading to a downpipe as you enter the stages of basic performance upgrades.

There are exceptions, such as the up pipe. The up pipe connects the turbocharger to the exhaust manifold. With older WRX models, the insides of the factory up-pipe can break apart and clog the flow path with debris. You would notice a dramatic reduction in performance as the debris is blocking flow straight from the turbocharger. We carry options that have slightly larger piping diameter, but this would also be one of the most labor-intensive exhaust upgrades to perform. However, completely worth it, and almost a form or preventative maintenance as these are known to fail eventually.

As far as sound, one way you could really enhance that flagship Subaru rumble is by upgrading to an unequal-length header specifically. Now equal-length headers are known to flow more power and are ideal for those who want to make horsepower numbers that test the limits of the EJ. Meaning built motor, all the fuel, and a larger rotated turbo setup as the equal-length will allow you to reach those big horsepower numbers. Now this doesn’t not mean the unequal-length does not flow well, in fact, it almost flows just as well as the equal-length. In real-world situations where you’re not doing 100 mph on your way to the grocery store, or the fact that your daily driver might not in the unlimited class in time attack on the weekends, or if you’re not at the drag strip, an unequal-length setup will suit you well.

So rule of thumb, start with the cat-back, then downpipe, and then do your exhaust manifold. Your up-pipe should be upgraded at any time. And by the way if you just want the sound, you will be happy to replace the factory muffler(s) with a quality axle-back system.  

 

Cold Air Intake - A cold air intake replaces the factory air intake system with a new one designed to allow a greater volume of air into the engine. With more oxygen available, the engine can burn more fuel, resulting in increased horsepower and torque. In addition, a cold air intake can improve throttle response and engine sound.

 

Wheels and Tires - Upgrading to aftermarket wheels and tires can transform the look and performance of your Subaru WRX. A set of lightweight, high-quality wheels can reduce unsprung weight and improve acceleration and handling. Paired with performance tires, you'll notice a significant improvement in traction and cornering ability. And, with a wide selection of brands, styles and colors, wheels are a perfect modification for truly personalizing your vehicle. 

 

Suspension Upgrades - Subaru WRXs are known for their impressive handling, but there's always room for improvement. Upgrading your suspension with stiffer springs, sway bars, and strut braces can reduce body roll and improve overall handling and stability. Additionally, a lowered stance can provide a more aggressive look and improve aerodynamics. Shop brands like FactionFab, Whiteline and more for quality suspension parts you can count on. 

 

In conclusion, selecting the right mods for your Subaru WRX can greatly enhance its performance and appearance. By investing in these top 5 mods, you can create a truly unique and impressive vehicle that will stand out on the road. Remember to always research and consult with professionals (call us, we are here to help!) before making any modifications to your car, and never compromise safety for performance.