Are you looking to take your Subaru driving experience to the next level? Whether you own a WRX, Subaru STI, Forester, Impreza, Outback, Liberty, BRZ, or any other model, adding premium Subaru parts and accessories can significantly enhance your vehicle’s power, handling, and overall capability.
Why Modify Your Subaru?
Subaru vehicles are renowned for their World Rally DNA, all-weather capability, and the unique characteristics of their Subaru engine. However, even these well-engineered machines have room for improvement. The right aftermarket additions can:
- Increase power output and torque
- Create better throttle response and acceleration
- Improve cornering abilities
- Reduce weight for improved performance
- Create a more engaging ride
- Personalize your vehicle’s exterior with body kits and other accessory options
- Potentially better gas economy with certain changes
Essential Subaru Performance Upgrades
Subaru Tuning and Computer Optimization
Optimizing your Subaru’s engine control unit is often considered the foundation of any build. Professional Subaru tuning can:
- Increase power output by 10-30% depending on your vehicle
- Create a more responsive feel when accelerating
- Better gas consumption by optimizing air/fuel ratios
- Remove factory restrictions that limit capability
- Customize engine parameters to match other additions
Certified Subaru specialists use high quality equipment to safely unlock your engine’s hidden potential without sacrificing reliability. Whether you drive a forced induction WRX or a naturally aspirated Subaru Forester, professional tuning offers substantial benefits.
Certified Subaru specialists use high-quality equipment to safely unlock your engine’s hidden potential without sacrificing reliability. Whether you drive a turbocharged WRX STI or a naturally aspirated Forester, a professional tune offers substantial benefits.
Subaru Exhaust for Better Flow
Adding a high-flow performance exhaust reduces back pressure and improves gas flow. Options include:
- Catback: Replaces everything from the catalytic converter back and offers modest gains with that signature Subaru rumble.
- Turboback: For forced induction versions, these replace everything from the turbo outlet to the pipe tip, offering significantly improved performance.
- Header-back: Complete overhauls that maximize flow and power.
- Equal Length Headers: Reduce the distinctive rumble but improve power delivery.
- Unequal Length Headers: Preserve the iconic Subaru rumble while still offering benefits.
The right Subaru exhaust can add 5-15 hp while giving your vehicle a distinctive sound profile that turns heads.
Subaru Cold Air Intake
A Subaru cold air intake allows your boxer engine to breathe easier by:
- Drawing in cooler, denser air for better combustion
- Reducing restriction compared to factory airboxes
- Providing audible turbo or intake sounds that improve your ride
- Offering simple fitment with noticeable power gains
Popular options include panel filters, short ram intakes, and complete air intake systems with heat shields to minimize engine bay heat soak.
Turbo Improvements for WRX and STI
For forced induction models like the WRX and STI, changing the stock turbo can provide significant power boosts:
- Stock turbo replacements offer better reliability with modest power gains
- Larger turbos can support 350+ hp builds with proper supporting parts
- Twin-scroll turbos improve spool characteristics and low-end torque
- Ball bearing turbos offer better response and longevity
Remember that turbo changes often require supporting parts, such as fuel system revisions and professional Subaru tuning, to be effective and reliable.
Intercooler Changes for Forced Induction Models
Top-mount and front-mount intercooler additions help maintain consistent power by:
- Reducing intake temperatures for denser air and more output
- Minimizing power loss during extended sessions
- Improving the overall thermal efficiency of the turbo setup
- Supporting higher boost pressures for increased capability
The Subaru WRX and STI particularly benefit from intercooler revisions due to their top-mount intercooler location, which is susceptible to heat soak.
Suspension Improvements
To complement your engine enhancements, consider these suspension changes:
Coilovers and Lowering Springs
Better your Subaru’s road manners and reduce body roll with:
- Adjustable Coilovers: Offer customizable ride height and damping for street or race use
- Lowering Springs: Provide a lower center of gravity and improved aesthetics
- Air Suspension: Offers adjustable ride height on-the-fly for maximum versatility
The right suspension setup can transform how your Subaru takes corners, making it more responsive and planted while potentially improving straight-line traction for AWD vehicles.
Sway Bars and End Links
Reduce understeer and improve cornering stability with:
- Front and rear anti-roll bar upgrades
- Adjustable sway bars for fine-tuning handling balance
- Heavy-duty end links to eliminate play in the suspension
- Strut tower braces to reduce chassis flex
These modifications work together to reduce body roll and improve steering response, making your vehicle feel more nimble and controlled during aggressive driving.
Bushings and Control Arms
Replacing stock rubber bushings with polyurethane or aluminum alternatives provides:
- More precise handling and driver feedback
- Reduced suspension deflection under load
- Improved camber control during cornering
- Better overall suspension geometry
Popular upgrades include control arm bushings, differential bushings, and steering rack bushings.
Braking System Upgrades
With more power comes the need for better stopping capability and the need for high performance brakes:
Performance Brake Pads and Rotors
Upgrade to high-performance brake components for:
- Improved stopping power for high-speed driving
- Reduced brake fade during repeated hard stops
- Better pedal feel and modulation
- Improved heat dissipation for consistent performance
Options range from street-performance pads and slotted rotors to track-focused components for serious enthusiasts.
Brake Lines and Fluid Upgrades
Stainless steel brake lines offer better pedal feel and more consistently perform by:
- Eliminating the expansion of rubber lines under pressure
- Providing more direct feedback to the driver
- Improving brake response and modulation
Pairing upgraded lines with high-temperature brake fluid ensures your braking system performs efficiently, even under extreme conditions.
Drivetrain Improvements for Subaru AWD Systems
Enhance your wheel drive system with these drivetrain modifications:
- Subaru Clutch Upgrades: Higher-capacity clutches for turbocharged models handle increased torque
- Lightweight Flywheels: Improve response and engine revving
- Limited-Slip Differentials: Enhance traction and cornering power delivery
- Short Throw Shifters: Provide quicker, more precise gear changes
- Transmission Mounts: Reduce drivetrain movement for better power transfer
These upgrades are particularly beneficial for high-horsepower builds and enthusiasts who enjoy spirited driving or motorsport activities.
Most Popular Performance Upgrades for Subaru Vehicles
When it comes to enhancing the performance of your Subaru, certain upgrades are universally popular among enthusiasts due to their effectiveness and reliability:
1. ECU Tuning
- Benefits: Increases horsepower and torque, improves throttle response, and can enhance fuel efficiency.
- Why It’s Popular: Often the first modification owners make because it optimizes the engine’s performance without needing additional hardware.
2. Cold Air Intake
- Benefits: Allows the engine to breathe easier by drawing in cooler, denser air, which improves combustion and power output.
- Why It’s Popular: Easy to install and provides noticeable performance gains, often accompanied by an enhanced intake sound.
3. Exhaust System Upgrade
- Benefits: Reduces back pressure, improves exhaust gas flow, and can add a distinctive exhaust note.
- Why It’s Popular: Catback exhaust systems are particularly popular for their balance of performance and sound enhancement.
4. Suspension Upgrades
- Benefits: Improves handling, reduces body roll, and can lower the vehicle’s center of gravity.
- Why It’s Popular: Coilovers and lowering springs offer immediate impact on driving dynamics and adjustability.
5. Brake Upgrades
- Benefits: Enhances stopping power, reduces brake fade, and improves pedal feel.
- Why It’s Popular: Essential for safety, especially when increasing engine performance.
6. Intercooler Upgrades (for Turbocharged Models)
- Benefits: Reduces intake temperatures, supports higher boost pressures, and maintains consistent power output.
- Why It’s Popular: Crucial for turbocharged models like the WRX and STI to manage heat soak and improve overall performance.
7. Turbocharger Upgrades
- Benefits: Significantly increases horsepower and torque with the right supporting modifications.
- Why It’s Popular: Upgrading the turbo is a popular choice for those seeking substantial power gains, though it requires careful tuning and additional upgrades.
8. Clutch and Flywheel Upgrades
- Benefits: Handles increased torque output, improves throttle response, and enhances engine revving.
- Why It’s Popular: Necessary for high-horsepower builds to ensure reliable power transfer.
9. Limited-Slip Differentials
- Benefits: Enhances traction and cornering power delivery, making the vehicle more responsive.
- Why It’s Popular: Improves handling and benefits AWD models.
10. Wheels and Tires
- Benefits: Reduces unsprung weight, improves grip, and can enhance the vehicle’s aesthetics.
- Why It’s Popular: Lighter, performance-oriented wheels and tires can significantly improve handling and acceleration.
These upgrades are popular because they offer a tangible improvement in performance, handling, and overall driving experience. Whether you’re looking to enhance your daily driver or build a track-ready machine, these modifications are a great starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions About Subaru Performance Parts
Will performance modifications void my warranty?
In Australia, according to consumer protection laws, aftermarket modifications don’t automatically void your entire vehicle warranty. However, if a specific modification directly causes an issue, that particular component may not be covered. Consult with a Subaru mechanic or specialist about warranty-friendly modifications.
What’s the best first modification for my Subaru Impreza WRX?
For most turbocharged Subaru owners, an ECU tune offers the best performance gain for your investment. It optimizes your vehicle’s existing hardware and can be tailored to your specific driving needs. Pairing a tune with a catback exhaust and intake system creates an excellent foundation for future modifications.
What about naturally aspirated models like the BRZ or Subaru Outback?
For naturally aspirated models, focus on breathing improvements first. Header and exhaust upgrades, along with intake modifications and ECU tuning, will provide the most noticeable improvements. These Subaru models also benefit significantly from weight reduction and suspension upgrades.
How much power can I gain from basic changes?
With a combination of tuning, intake, and exhaust additions, you can typically expect gains of:
- 30-50+ hp for forced induction models like the WRX and STI
- 10-20 hp for naturally aspirated vehicles like the Impreza or Forester
These figures vary depending on your specific car, its condition, and the quality of parts used.
Can I improve gas mileage while adding power?
Yes! Professional Subaru tuning can improve economy while also boosting capability by optimizing your engine’s air/fuel ratio and timing. Many owners report slight improvements in mileage after changing restrictive factory systems and adding better air filters.
Are parts difficult to fit?
The complexity varies by part. While some additions, like cold air intakes, are relatively straightforward for the DIY enthusiast, others, like computer adjustments and suspension parts, might require professional help.
How do I maintain my modified Subaru?
Modified Subarus often benefit from more frequent maintenance than stock vehicles:
- More frequent oil changes using high-quality synthetic oils and logbook services.
- Regular inspection of parts for wear
- Periodic ECU tune refinements as modifications evolve
- Attention to specific requirements of aftermarket parts
Following proper maintenance schedules is crucial for the reliability and longevity of your modified vehicle.
Unleash Your Subaru Potential With Garage Full Throttle
Ready to transform your Subaru? Whether you’re looking for Subaru STI performance parts, improvements for your Subaru forester, our team can help you achieve your goals.
As premier Subaru specialists, we specialise in enhancing these unique boxer-powered vehicles. Our extensive inventory includes everything from engine tuning services to suspension overhauls. We can produce remarkable results for your current vehicle or help prepare your new vehicle for an ideal build.
From world rally inspired changes to daily driver additions, we supply and fit the best quality Subaru aftermarket parts with precision. Contact us today to discuss your needs and take your Subaru to new heights.