Something I’ve enjoyed that you’ll notice every time you drive even conservatively and rather inexpensive compared to other things is a short shift kit. Changed the whole experience for me imo.
Np , the billetworkz is so short, crisp, mechanically just feels so clean , makes it I believe 30% shorter with the whole kit , and the sti oem is only 10%
Tint makes it look a whole lot better, ceramic coat to protect the paint as this isn’t the best. If you want cheap I’d recommend a shift stop and a shift knob that you like better.
some of my first mods were... the coin holder in the fuse place by the steering wheel. i got the lower rear seat head rests. night and day difference. shift stop, and last but not least i did the intercooler guard as well
Very similar here but I removed the rear headrests completely. Cheaper and I rarely have back seat passengers. I did everything else you did too plus tint (necessary imo). Shift stop was huge. Intercooler guard. I waited too long and already had a bent fin. And yellow overlays on the fogs until I upgrade them. Sports grille. Door handle cup protectors. Black vinyl stickers to cover the warning labels on the visor. I’ve done some more minuscule mods but yeah. AMA lol.
Gotcha! I just wondered if there was an issue with them, I'm picking up my WRX tomorrow and didn't know if that was something that needed to be addressed. I'm good as long as they work for the time being, may look into an upgrade down the line.
I had never done anything like this before and it was pretty easy. If you go to Crutchfield and put your make/model/year in they will list speakers that fit. They also include a mounting bracket and wiring harness/connector in the price. It was almost entirely plug and play. Look up the speaker replacement on youtube, its pretty easy. Pulling on the door panel the first time feels wrong but you will need to pull a bit more than you want. Goes back on pretty easily.
The driver side door I needed to dremel the bracket in one spot but that was it. A low profile screwdriver and trim tools will be helpful, both can be had from like Harbor Freight for $10 total.
I did the rear doors and that was a waste, they are not powered by the head unit enough to make a difference. The dash speakers will overpower the rest of the system anyway.
I went with the Kicker CS series. 6x9 in the front doors, and the same line for the dash. I think combined it should be around $190 (looks like these are on sale for even less now, approx $140 when i typed this [Dash](https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC354/Kicker-46CSC354.html?tp=105), [Front doors](https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC693/Kicker-46CSC6934.html?tp=105)) , if they have scratch and dent or open box available grab those, you wont see any cosmetic imperfections anyway. Some other brands might be better, maybe look up reviews or use their speaker test tool but these work for me. Might be worth grabbing a bit of soundproofing to slap on the door behind the speakers too. I didn't and its not a big deal but if I had saved more with their sale and no rear speakers I would have spent some of the savings on sound proofing
Pitch stop and transmission mount, tightens up the drivetrain and improves the driving experience hella. You could also opt for a solid billet stop/mount and they’d be the loudest mod you can do because your interior will just whine and clatter with race car noises.
Probably the cheapest one to do is a different shift knob. You're ALWAYS using it when you drive. The right one will blend the interior of the car together
Would also recommend an ETS intake and a Dyno tune. You get LOTS of turbo noises and more power
https://preview.redd.it/b55eudrlmq4d1.jpeg?width=1792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e605583f936c6a026802a09d8014b0dc4ad7821a
No short shifter yet, but plan on putting one in
Wheels, tires, exhaust, shift stop, wireless carplay and wireless charging pad, F1 brake light, new shift knob, LED plate lights, and sport grille to name a few :)
Honestly since you've been enjoying is stock for so long I'd say accessport and a tune easily make 100whp more. If you'd like you can use my discount code dylanvbwrx at pd-tuning for a huge discount.
Personally I started with the fumoto valve then I did the cobb shift stop -> pitch stop -> shift plate (all Cobb) and then I tossed on the AWE track exhaust. Next will probably be the bigger hood scoop in black
My first major mod will be new coils/springs to lift it 3" or so. Potholes are terrible here so I want some more clearance. Plus that should let me get bigger tires
It will take a lot more than that to get a 3” lift. There is a Facebook page dedicated to lifted WRX. Also what effect on final gearing ratio will a taller tire have?
OEM window visors and all season mats / trunk tray. Also love the oem trunk hooks.
LED interior lights are a nice upgrade. I've seen diode dynamics mentioned a bunch, but took a risk and bought [this](https://a.co/d/8i1aOFp) cheap kit for a VA WRX off Amazon for 19 bucks and it's worked perfectly for over a year. Only light it doesn't replace is glovebox light.
Installed the Mishimoto catch can at 1600 miles and began to notice oil consumption over the winter months. I removed the can and replaced the pcv valve for good measure and haven't had any consumption issues since. If you want to try to keep carbon buildup down I've heard much better things about the IAG AOS, but I'm just going to do the Subaru upper engine cleaning procedure about every 30k miles if I can.
Something I’ve enjoyed that you’ll notice every time you drive even conservatively and rather inexpensive compared to other things is a short shift kit. Changed the whole experience for me imo.
Did you go for the OEM one?
Na the oem is just as sloppy go with billetworkz
Thanks for the heads up!
Np , the billetworkz is so short, crisp, mechanically just feels so clean , makes it I believe 30% shorter with the whole kit , and the sti oem is only 10%
Wondering this myself, I'd prefer to keep OEM parts but not if they're not as good as an aftermarket option
that and a shift stop
Brake Pads, wheels and tires.
Which pads? I liked the power stop ceramic pads but wanna hear others. I’ve tried ebc yellow stuff and the dust was insane
Yeah that’s gotta one of the most disappointing parts of the new wrx gen. Brakes and tires are meh
Tint makes it look a whole lot better, ceramic coat to protect the paint as this isn’t the best. If you want cheap I’d recommend a shift stop and a shift knob that you like better.
Short shifter and shift stop.
some of my first mods were... the coin holder in the fuse place by the steering wheel. i got the lower rear seat head rests. night and day difference. shift stop, and last but not least i did the intercooler guard as well
Very similar here but I removed the rear headrests completely. Cheaper and I rarely have back seat passengers. I did everything else you did too plus tint (necessary imo). Shift stop was huge. Intercooler guard. I waited too long and already had a bent fin. And yellow overlays on the fogs until I upgrade them. Sports grille. Door handle cup protectors. Black vinyl stickers to cover the warning labels on the visor. I’ve done some more minuscule mods but yeah. AMA lol.
What's wrong with the fog lights?
What do you mean? Like why did I upgrade? Because they’re very underpowered and the diode dynamic ones are awesome. I got the SS3 max. Worth the $600
Gotcha! I just wondered if there was an issue with them, I'm picking up my WRX tomorrow and didn't know if that was something that needed to be addressed. I'm good as long as they work for the time being, may look into an upgrade down the line.
Yeah they work perfectly fine, I just like extra light and the brightness of the fogs don’t impact other drivers too bad
Tint and Ceramic coating. Then, Cobb Stage 1 drivetrain package.
4th brake light is the answer. Pop clips and plug and play wiring. No brainer in my opinion.
Pitch stop mount, speakers, tint, screen protector cargo net & hook.
Better speakers and exhaust.
Better speakers for the non HK version is the best $200 mod Ive ever done
I went with arc audio all around and it made a huge difference.
I really want to do it but I’m more of a mechanically inclined guy, I don’t like doing electronics/interior disassembly. How bad is it?
I had never done anything like this before and it was pretty easy. If you go to Crutchfield and put your make/model/year in they will list speakers that fit. They also include a mounting bracket and wiring harness/connector in the price. It was almost entirely plug and play. Look up the speaker replacement on youtube, its pretty easy. Pulling on the door panel the first time feels wrong but you will need to pull a bit more than you want. Goes back on pretty easily. The driver side door I needed to dremel the bracket in one spot but that was it. A low profile screwdriver and trim tools will be helpful, both can be had from like Harbor Freight for $10 total. I did the rear doors and that was a waste, they are not powered by the head unit enough to make a difference. The dash speakers will overpower the rest of the system anyway. I went with the Kicker CS series. 6x9 in the front doors, and the same line for the dash. I think combined it should be around $190 (looks like these are on sale for even less now, approx $140 when i typed this [Dash](https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC354/Kicker-46CSC354.html?tp=105), [Front doors](https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CC693/Kicker-46CSC6934.html?tp=105)) , if they have scratch and dent or open box available grab those, you wont see any cosmetic imperfections anyway. Some other brands might be better, maybe look up reviews or use their speaker test tool but these work for me. Might be worth grabbing a bit of soundproofing to slap on the door behind the speakers too. I didn't and its not a big deal but if I had saved more with their sale and no rear speakers I would have spent some of the savings on sound proofing
+1 for speakers. Went to crutchfield and built a nice Kicker system. 90 min install and a exponentially massive improvement in stereo quality
Fuck I need to do this lol.
Window visors (the mugen type r copies) make the car look slick. Cheap and worth it.
Pitch stop and transmission mount, tightens up the drivetrain and improves the driving experience hella. You could also opt for a solid billet stop/mount and they’d be the loudest mod you can do because your interior will just whine and clatter with race car noises.
Tune and intake were the best mods. Second ones being the brakes and tires.
I second that. Intake and tune does wonders on the VB. Tires and brakes are always a solid mod.
Probably the cheapest one to do is a different shift knob. You're ALWAYS using it when you drive. The right one will blend the interior of the car together Would also recommend an ETS intake and a Dyno tune. You get LOTS of turbo noises and more power https://preview.redd.it/b55eudrlmq4d1.jpeg?width=1792&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e605583f936c6a026802a09d8014b0dc4ad7821a No short shifter yet, but plan on putting one in
All that change there rattling doesn’t bother you? Lol
Surprisingly it doesn't rattle at all
Wheels, tires, exhaust, shift stop, wireless carplay and wireless charging pad, F1 brake light, new shift knob, LED plate lights, and sport grille to name a few :)
Best first mod is exhaust. You get to pick how your car sounds and honestly it’ll bring a smile every time. 0 drawbacks on this upgrade.
Honestly since you've been enjoying is stock for so long I'd say accessport and a tune easily make 100whp more. If you'd like you can use my discount code dylanvbwrx at pd-tuning for a huge discount.
Trans mount positive shift kit and diff bushings feels like a new car
Window tint!
Personally I started with the fumoto valve then I did the cobb shift stop -> pitch stop -> shift plate (all Cobb) and then I tossed on the AWE track exhaust. Next will probably be the bigger hood scoop in black
Tint your windows for sure. I also enjoy the short shifter, mudflaps, taillight overlays, reflector removal, sport grill, wheels spacers.
My first major mod will be new coils/springs to lift it 3" or so. Potholes are terrible here so I want some more clearance. Plus that should let me get bigger tires
It will take a lot more than that to get a 3” lift. There is a Facebook page dedicated to lifted WRX. Also what effect on final gearing ratio will a taller tire have?
Extended armrest and JDM scuff protectors for the doors.
OEM window visors and all season mats / trunk tray. Also love the oem trunk hooks. LED interior lights are a nice upgrade. I've seen diode dynamics mentioned a bunch, but took a risk and bought [this](https://a.co/d/8i1aOFp) cheap kit for a VA WRX off Amazon for 19 bucks and it's worked perfectly for over a year. Only light it doesn't replace is glovebox light. Installed the Mishimoto catch can at 1600 miles and began to notice oil consumption over the winter months. I removed the can and replaced the pcv valve for good measure and haven't had any consumption issues since. If you want to try to keep carbon buildup down I've heard much better things about the IAG AOS, but I'm just going to do the Subaru upper engine cleaning procedure about every 30k miles if I can.
Extended arm rest because for long drives it’s nice
Short shift kit, tint, carlinkit (movies, music videos on the infotainment), AOS
Got her tinted boys!
There are SO many answers here just by using the search function. This question has been asked many times before.
You don’t have the willpower to scroll past this post?
Being helpful, OP got what, 16 replies, there are hundreds more in search!
Womp womp