what is the first to mod in a wrx

2015-2021 Subaru WRX cars under the VA chassis code are equipped with the FA20F engine. The FA20F, likewise commonly referred to as the FA20DIT, is a direct injected 2.0L flat-four twin-gyre turbo engine. Producing 268hp and 258lb-ft. of torque, the small engine outputs a decent amount of power for its size.

However, the WRX is often overshadowed by its bigger brother, the WRX STI. The STI is powered by the larger EJ257 engine, a 2.5L turbocharged flat-four with sequential multiport fuel injection. The STI and its EJ257 engine produce 300-310hp and 290-300lb-ft. of torque in the base models.

Fortunately, the WRX and the FA20DIT engine tin easily produce 300+whp with a few simple bolt-on modifications. This guide will cover the 6 best WRX mods and show you how these simple commodities-on upgrades can add together upwards to 100whp of power gains.

Looking for intermission mods? Checkout our WRX Coilover Upgrade Guide.

Subaru WRX FA20F Power Limits

Earlier we dive into the best mods, nosotros need to discuss power limits. I big downside of the WRX is that the FA20DIT has weak connecting rods. Too much low-stop torque tends to be the cause of connecting rod failure on the WRX. 325-350lb-ft. of torque is when connecting rod failure becomes a concern. With respect to horsepower levels, the rods commonly fail within the 320-350whp range.

Piston failure is also common along with connecting rod failure. Rod and piston failures besides usually take the whole engine out with them, requiring a new engine. These WRX internal engine bug put a damper into performance potential. If you are looking to make 350+whp then we recommend upgrading your internals. However, failure at levels even equally depression as 300whp aren't uncommon and then keep this in mind as you mod your WRX.

The cardinal to preventing FA20DIT rod failure is to keep boost low and run a conservative tune. Don't push the boost above 22psi and utilize a tune that limits low-finish torque.

With all this existence said, BrenTuni

ng did push button 452whp and 414wtq (mustang dyno) on a completely stock engine and turbo. They merits the engine was pushing over 380whp for over a yr with zero outcome. So, the FA20DIT does have a bit more power potential in it than we claim above. The key to hitting ability levels similar these while maintaining reliability is all in the tuning. And some luck.

Best WRX 2.0L Turbo Mods

Tune
Intake
J-Pipage / Downpipe (recommended new EBCS)
Intercooler
EGR & TGV Delete
E85 Fueling

Recommended Supporting Mods

Electronic Boost Control Solenoid (EBCS)
Chargepipe & BOV

All of the mods listed here will become you in the 340-350whp and 350-360wtq range. Without E85 fueling you will probably be around the 320whp and 330wtq marking. A stock WRX will dyno in the 220-230whp and 240-250wtq range. This means you have nigh 100whp of play before you starting time entering dangerous territory for the FA20DIT connecting rods.

1. FA20 WRX Wink Melody

The stock manufactory tune on the WRX isn't great. It's aggressive on boost, has a lot of rev hang, runs lean, and overall isn't very friendly to performance mods. While the tune is completely fine for the stock engine in our opinion, a lot of performance improvements can be had past adjusting it.

A wink tuning device is first on our list since information technology offers the best bang-for-the-buck and is the best place to outset. Exterior of fixing the manufactory tune'south imperfections, information technology offers the largest power gains out of any mod on this list. Tunes accommodate fueling, boost targets, engine timing, and numerous other variables to meliorate power and overall performance.

While the flash tuners we list beneath all offer off-the-shelf tunes, nosotros highly recommend custom tuning for anyone looking to button more than 300whp. As mentioned earlier these engines are a fleck more delicate and tin only handle so much low-end torque. Getting a custom tune from a tuner who understands the weaknesses of the FA20DIT is important for improved reliability.

Lastly, the benefits of all the other mods on our list are improved with a tune. When a tune is combined with an intake, j-piping, etc. the power gains from the intake and other mods increment.

WRX Flash Tune Benefits

xx-60whp gains and similar torque gains
Improved power curve
Reduced rev hang
Smoother performance

Best 2015+ Subaru WRX Tune

Cobb Accessport

Cobb is one of the most trusted names in tuning software. Additionally, it is one of the only providers for the WRX exterior of EcuTek which is a more avant-garde tuning software and not a plug-and-play system. The bulk of the custom tuners on the market, such as BrenTuning, custom melody off of the Cobb Accessport.

2. FA20DIT Upgraded Intake

A performance intake system is an important upgrade once yous add a tune to the WRX. Increasing heave levels and creating more ability requires more airflow. Once you add a melody and turn up the boost on the FA20, the stock intake system becomes restrictive. Without enough airflow, the turbocharger quickly becomes overworked trying to compress the air to higher boost levels.

An upgraded intake will increase air flow by 40%+ over the stock intake, assuasive the turbocharger to piece of work more efficiently. While an upgraded intake will merely add maybe 5whp on a completely stock engine, when you combine information technology with a melody the gains tin can increase to around 10whp.

Open Air & Closed Box Intakes

Cold air intakes usually come up in two designs: open air or closed box. Open air intakes accept the filter directly exposed to the engine bay. Most will utilize a heat shield to endeavor to cake some hot engine air from being sucked into the intake arrangement. Closed box intakes take the air filter completely enclosed within a box to forbid the intake from sucking in hot engine bay air.

Open air systems volition provide greater airflow increases since in that location isn't a box creating restriction. Closed box systems will flow less air just take very slightly lower intake air temps (IATs) since the filter isn't exposed to the engine bay air.

People will tell yous that you need a heat shield at the least and that enclosed systems are ameliorate because of lower IATs. While most intakes practise at least utilise heat shields, you honestly don't demand 1. Intake air temps really don't matter that much on intercooled engines like the FA20DIT. Air that enters the intake gets sent to the turbocharger. Turbochargers run very heat which causes the air temps to increase anyways. The air is then sent through an intercooler to exist cooled down earlier entering the engine. Initial IATs don't touch on the intercoolers power to adequately cool the charge air.

Nosotros recommend open systems since the increased air menses is more of import than the slightly colder IATs. However, unless you are upgrading your turbo a airtight box cold air intake will work just also as an open up intake.

J-Pipe EBCS Upgrade

We are going to cover this in more detail in our supporting mods section beneath. EBCS is the electronic boost command solenoid which controls the amount of boost that is sent to wastegate. The FA20DIT has a poorly designed EBCS from the manufactory which causes a lot of boost spikes.

Again, nosotros'll embrace this more below. But when you upgrade your J-pipe it is highly recommended to upgrade your heave control solenoid to a 3-port EBCS.

WRX Upgraded Intake Benefits

5-10whp gains and similar torque gains
twoscore%+ increases to airflow
Improved turbo efficiency
Absurd intake 'whoosh' sound

Best Upgraded WRX Intake Systems

Cobb Big SF Intake
Perrin Performance
Grimmspeed
MAPerformance
ETS Intake
K&N

3. WRX J-Pipe / Downpipe Upgrade

Behind a tune, the 2d larger power gainer is an upgraded J-Pipage. At present that we have a tune and are bringing extra air into the engine with the intake, we need to reduce the restriction inside the frazzle system. More air flowing in means more air to flow out. The stock J-pipage, also called a downpipe, bolts up direct to the turbo and houses the primary catalytic converter.

Since the j-pipe/downpipe holds the catalytic converter, information technology is restrictive. And since this brake is and then shut to the turbo it impacts performance. With a melody and intake, the j-pipage is going to create a lot of mail service-turbo pressure. Post-turbo pressure level impacts the turbos ability to spool chop-chop and therefore impacts power and performance. Less backpressure too creates lower exhaust gas temps while reducing stress on the turbo which overall creates a more reliable engine.

We aren't going to cover cat-back frazzle upgrades hither since the small power gains don't justify the toll in our listen. Unless you just want the louder exhaust audio. The downpipe is the most restrictive function of the exhaust system and therefore is the nigh important exhaust upgrade.

Catted vs. Catless J-Pipes / Downpipes

Since the J-pipage houses the true cat, you accept two options. Upgrade the cat to a high-flow cat or completely remove it with a catless downpipe. High-flow cats are legal and will laissez passer emissions in most states, but they are also more restrictive than catless options.

You won't pass emissions with a catless j-piping and it is technically illegal. But you become the biggest power gains and the least frazzle restriction. Catless downpipes will probably offer about 5whp more than than loftier-flow options.

With all that being said, unless you are aggressively tracking your car or shooting for 400whp+ levels and so a loftier menstruum catted J-pipe is going to exist completely adequate. While nosotros love the performance benefits of catless options, nosotros recommend sticking with a high-menstruation catted J-pipe for the sake of being above the law.

WRX FA20DIT J-Pipe Upgrade Benefits

v-15whp gains
10-20whp gains
Faster turbo spool (less turbo lag)
Slightly louder exhaust note
Less exhaust backpressure
Lower EGTs

Best WRX J-Pipes

TurboXS
Grimmspeed
Cobb
Perrin

four. FA20DIT WRX Intercooler Upgrades

A stock FA20DIT engine has a height mount intercooler (TMIC) instead of a more traditional front mount intercooler (FMIC). The benefit of a TMIC intercooler is that it is a lot closer to the engine meaning there is less piping for the air to travel through, reducing turbo lag. FMIC's are larger and therefore take more cooling capacity and also do a better job at reducing heat soak. Nonetheless, the long tubing required creates a lot more turbo lag.

When you upgrade the cooling organisation on a FA20DIT WRX you can either upgrade the TMIC or swap the TMIC out for an FMIC. Irresolute to an FMIC is normally simply recommended for heavily tracked cars or cars running very aggressive setups with an upgraded turbo pushing 400whp or more. Therefore, for the average mod enthusiast merely looking for some commodities-on power nosotros recommend sticking with an upgraded TMIC. Adding a front mountain also requires a lot of cut and modifications to the front bumper to get it to fit.

The OEM tiptop mount intercooler is notorious for rut soak. While an upgraded intercooler won't provide a ton of additional power gains it will provide more consistent power and forestall power loss caused by heat soak. Heat soak tin crusade pre-detonation and engine knock. Outside of an intercooler providing meliorate performance it is also a good reliability modernistic as it keeps engine temps cooler and more consistent.

WRX Summit Mount Intercooler Upgrade Benefits

30 ability gains
Lower intake air temps
Less heat soak
More consistent power

Best FA20DIT Upgraded TMIC

Grimmspeed
Cobb
MAPerformance
Mishimoto

5. WRX EGR & TGV Delete

Subaru's TGV system is the tumble generator valve. Information technology is substantially a butterfly valve that sits inside of the intake runners and controls airflow. At low RPMs the TGV restricts airflow to allow for cleaner emissions. The valve fully opens at high rpms, even so the flaps and springs inside of them take space and restrict airflow.

A TGV delete kit removes the valve plates (flaps), springs, etc. and instead uses a simple hollow design that has zero airflow restriction.

EGR is exhaust gas recirculation. EGR valves recirculate frazzle gas back into the intake system to burn whatsoever unburnt fuel after combustion. The problem with EGR systems is that they cause a ton of carbon buildup in WRX's which affects performance and also alters the density of air inbound the combustion chamber.

Deleting the EGR organization removes the recirculation valves and tubing and plugs the ports. Because it reduces carbon buildup it improves airflow and it also improves the density and cleanliness of air entering the combustion bedchamber, increase operation.

Deleting either or both of these items will require a custom tune.

A TGV delete is more of a performance mod whereas an EGR delete is more than of a reliability mod. Disclaimer: since both of these systems are emissions related deleting them is technically illegal.

WRX TGV & EGR Delete Benefits

About 10whp and similar torque gains
Eliminates carbon buildup
Improves air menstruation
Lower intake manifold temps

vi. WRX FA20 E85 Fueling

If you want to reach 350whp, yous probable aren't going to be able to do it without running ethanol, E85 fuel. E85 fuel has an octane rating of 108 and burns a lot cooler and cleaner than pump gas, This allows for more ambitious ignition timing and more than boost.

Nonetheless, E85 has a lower energy content compared to gasoline. It as well burns faster because it vaporizes more quickly. This matters because it requires more ethanol to be injected into the combustion chamber compared to gasoline. The stock WRX low-force per unit area fuel pump doesn't flow enough fuel to be able to run 100% E85. Therefore, to run 100% E85 you need to upgrade the LPFP. Additionally, running whatsoever amount of E85 will crave an E85 calibrated tune.

The stock LPFP can however handle near xxx% E85, also called a blend. Running E30 y'all can look to become near 10-15whp gains. If you lot plan on upgrading the LPFP and running college blends, or 100% E85 you can encounter power gains up to 30-40whp.

WRX Flex Fuel Kit

E85 requires custom tuning. If yous aren't running 100% E85 you lot will need a flex fuel kit (Cobb has a good i) that accurately measures E85 fuel content. Pump gas has some ethanol in it and the amount of ethanol in it varies. Without a flex fuel kit you won't be able to accurately mensurate what mix of E85 to gasoline you are running and would substantially have to retune the car every time you lot fill. The flex fuel kit allows you to seamlessly switch back and forth betwixt E85 and gasoline, and different blends of each without more tuning required.

Most people recommend running an E50 or E60 blend. Running full E85 is possible with an upgraded LPFP, merely practice to the lack of lubricity this will probable take out the HPFP at some point, requiring that to exist upgraded equally well.

One downside to E85 is decreased gas mileage since it requires more fuel to be burned. Nevertheless, the lower cost of ethanol fuel more often than not offsets this.

WRX E85 Operation Benefits

ten-40whp gains and similar torque gains
Reduces chances of knock or predetonation
Burns libation, benefiting engine temps

WRX 300whp+ Supporting Mods

There are ii mods in specific that nosotros highly recommend for anyone post-obit the mods on this guide. The outset is an upgraded EBCS which nosotros touched on briefly earlier. The second is an air/oil separator.

1. WRX Electronic Boost Control Solenoid Upgrade

An EBCS upgrade is recommended for anyone who is running an upgraded J-pipage or downpipe. The EBCS diverts boost pressure to the wastegate. The stock solenoid on the FA20DIT is a 2-port solenoid. This essentially splits boost between the wastegate and the turbo and is inaccurate and causes lots of boost fluctuations.

The mill EBCS is non compatible with upgraded J-pipes due to the decreased amount of backpressure. The decreased backpressure results in the turbine wheel spinning more than freely and with less restriction against it. Because the stock 2-port EBCS is inaccurate and slow at adjusting information technology causes fifty-fifty worse boost fluctuations.

Without getting into the details, a 3-port heave command solenoid solves all of the issues. It allows the engine to agree boost meliorate, eliminates boost fluctuations, and reduces stress on the turbo.

You can run the stock boost control solenoid with an upgraded j-pipage but we do not recommend it due to the crazy boost fluctuations you'll get which isn't safe for the turbo or engine. Cobb and Grimmspeed both offering great upgrade options.

two. FA20DIT Chargepipe & BOV Upgrades

A chargepipe routes the air from the intercooler to the intake manifold. Considering it is after the turbo information technology carries highly pressurized "charge air".

The FA20DIT chargepipe is made of plastic. Well, very high pressure level and plastic don't go too well together. While the chargepipe isn't an consequence on a stock FA20 WRX, once you tune it and increase the heave levels it becomes decumbent to breaking. The high force per unit area causes the chargepipe to scissure or completely pop-off of the intercooler. When the chargepipe goes information technology will exit y'all stranded on the side of the road.

The chargepipe is actually also restrictive. And so, upgrading it does accept some operation benefits, albeit aught extremely material. So upgrading your chargepipe is not only a great reliability mod simply too provides some performance benefits every bit well.

When you upgrade your chargepipe you also have the selection to supersede the stock blow-off valve. The stock BOV is known to leak heave a bit under high boost levels. It also adds a absurd "psh" sound whenever boost is released.

Overall, upgrading your chargepipe is highly recommended in one case you are over the 300whp marking.

Grimmspeed WRX Chargepipe Upgrade

Subaru WRX FA20DIT Functioning Mods Summary

Getting an extra 100whp out of your ii.0L Turbo WRX is possible with a scattering of rather inexpensive commodities-on modifications. However, the biggest downside to tuning the FA20 WRX is its weak connecting rods. While at that place are a handful of individuals who have pushed by these levels, 350whp and 350wtq seems to be about the accented maximum earlier the connecting rods fail. Reliability appears to deteriorate rather rapidly once you breach the ~300whp/wtq thresholds.

Anyways, a total-bolt on WRX with a tune, intake, j-pipe, and intercooler will state yous around 320whp. That's a gain of most 100whp over the stock FA20DIT for less than $3,000. With a bit of extra cash thrown into a flex fuel kit, upgraded LPFP, and custom tune you tin exceed 350whp.

Toss in some ambitious tuning, a full exhaust organisation including headers, a front mount intercooler, and upgraded clutch and the stock engine and stock turbo tin produce approx. 450whp. Granted the stock engine won't last very long at these levels, the stock turbo at least seems to be quite capable.

We recommend upgrading your internals above 350whp and upgrading your turbo for any power goals in backlog of 400whp. One time you lot eclipse 400whp you will besides want to swap the top mount intercooler for a forepart mount option.

What has your experience been with tuning and modifying the 2.0L Turbo WRX FA20DIT?

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Source: https://tuningpro.co/fa20-subaru-wrx-performance-mods/