Ask ten WRX owners what you should do first and you will get ten answers. Still, when you look at what people actually buy for each generation, the same handful of parts shows up again and again. This guide walks through the usual first mods for the GD, GR/GV, VA and VB WRX, and more importantly, why people start there. Every car and budget is different, so treat this as a starting point, not a rulebook.
One rule applies to every generation: decide early whether you plan to tune the car. A lot of parts work fine on the factory calibration, and a lot of others really need a tune to run right. Knowing which camp you are in saves money and headaches.
2002–2007 WRX and STI (GD)
The bugeye, blobeye and hawkeye cars are getting old now, so the first "mods" on a GD are often maintenance in disguise. Worn shifter bushings, tired end links and old rubber all make a good car feel sloppy. Fixing those first gives you a clean baseline before you add power.
- Shifter feel. A short shifter and fresh bushings are a classic first step. They are cheap, they go in with hand tools, and you notice them every time you drive.
- Rear sway bar and end links. A stiffer rear bar is one of the most recommended handling mods for the GD. It helps the car rotate instead of pushing wide in corners. Add stronger end links while you are in there.
- Intake, exhaust and a tune. On the turbo EJ cars, bolt-ons and a tune go together. An intake or downpipe on its own can upset the factory fueling, so most people plan the parts and the tune as one project.
Browse everything we carry for these cars in 2002–2007 WRX and STI parts, or jump to WRX suspension for sway bars and links.
2008–2014 WRX and STI (GR/GV)
The GR hatch and GV sedan kept EJ engines, the manual WRX still used a rod-style shifter, and aftermarket support is deep. So the first mods follow a pattern similar to the GD.
- Short shifter and bushings. The factory shifter on these cars has a long throw and soft bushings. The Kartboy short shifter and bushing combo handles both at once, and it is one of the most common first purchases for a GR/GV WRX.
- Intake. If you live somewhere with emissions testing, a CARB-approved part saves a lot of trouble. The PERRIN CARB-approved cold air intake is one example. Check each listing for its legal status before you buy.
- Brakes. These cars get driven hard. Better pads are a sensible early step, and STI owners who track the car often go further with something like the Brembo GT-R rear kit.
Everything for this generation lives in 2008–2014 WRX and STI parts. For pads and big brake kits, see WRX brakes.
2015–2021 WRX (VA)
The VA WRX moved to the direct-injected FA20DIT engine, while the VA STI kept the EJ257. That split matters, because engine parts for the WRX and STI are not the same in this generation. Always check whether a part is listed for the WRX, the STI, or both.
- Accessport or tune first. On the VA WRX, most people start with a tuning device such as the COBB Accessport (see WRX tuning), because nearly every power part after that assumes a tune.
- 3-port boost control solenoid. It is cheap, and tuners widely consider it a must before a proper tune on this car. Browse options in WRX turbo and boost control. Do not drive on boost until the map is set up for it.
- Turbo inlet and bypass valve. The factory plastic turbo inlet is known to crack with age. A cast part like the GrimmSpeed V2 aluminum turbo inlet is a popular early replacement, often done at the same time as an upgraded bypass valve.
- Intake and intercooler. An intake is usually the next step, then a larger top-mount intercooler once boost goes up. See WRX intakes and WRX intercoolers.
- Shifter and suspension. On the 6-speed, a short shifter plus a sealed bearing in place of the soft factory bushing makes a big difference. For handling, a stiffer rear sway bar and a caster/anti-lift kit are common first picks.
Shop the full list in 2015–2021 WRX parts. STI owners should use 2015–2021 STI parts instead.
2022+ WRX (VB)
The VB brought the larger FA24DIT engine. Aftermarket support has grown quickly, and the first-mod list looks a lot like the VA's, with a few differences.
- Exhaust. A cat-back or axle-back is the easy first mod, because it changes the sound without needing a tune. Look in WRX exhaust and filter to 2022+.
- Intake side. Cold air intakes, turbo inlet hoses and heat shields are popular early VB parts. Some need a tune and some don't, so read each listing.
- Chassis. Strut braces, sway bars and end links are a straightforward way to tighten up the car. Parts like the PERRIN rear sway bar are specific to the VB.
- Shifter. On manual cars, some shifter parts carry over from the VA. Our VA vs VB carryover guide lists the ones we can confirm.
Everything we carry for the VB is in 2022+ WRX parts.
A few things that apply to every WRX
Buy parts in an order that makes sense together. A downpipe without a tune, or a big intercooler with the stock boost solenoid, leaves value on the table. Map out a stage before you start, even if you buy it over a few months.
Keep emissions in mind. Many J-pipes, downpipes and some intakes are not legal for street use in California and other states with strict rules. Our listings show the manufacturer's emissions status when they give one. If a listing does not say, ask before you buy.
Finally, check fitment every time. Years, body styles, transmissions and even brake packages change which part you need. Every product page lists what it fits, and you can always start from the WRX performance parts page and narrow down from there.