Budget-Friendly Mods

BUDGET FRIENDLY BUILDS/PRODUCTS

 

The car hobby is arguably one of the most expensive hobbies known to humans. Yes, there are those who collect helicopters, watches that cost more than real estate, and those who travel the world. But we all can’t be CEOs. However, we are CEOs of our own happiness. And for many of us, buying a Subaru is a hurdle in it of itself whether if you have worked and saved for long periods of time, or for most of us, we have taken out conventional auto loans.

And truth be told, many of us take comfort in knowing that we have an awesome automobile as it is. However, many of us on our free time like to window shop and dream about all the cool parts we’d like to put on our cars if life permitted. Kids, homes, school, bills, and priorities can only allow so much fun. And when we go to our local meets, we get to see some of these awesome parts in action such as what cat-back exhaust system sounds like, how those Volks fit, and how awesome all of those exterior mods look.

But listen, you need to remember that you do not need to do everything all at once. Do things where your budget allows and do things in increments. And most importantly if your Subaru is your daily driver, keep those mods sensible and not over the top. The goal is to keep your Subaru on the road more than the shop. And if you can only spend so much, here are some great ideas that won’t break the bank and will add a little more customization to all areas of your Subaru.

 

Note that if you are interested in any of the examples, make sure you choose the right year and model of your vehicle to see if there is an option made specifically for your car.

 

 

 

EXTERIOR

This is where some of the mods are the most rewarding just because it’s a visual customization that sets your WRX, STI, or BRZ apart from the rest of the masses. But remember, all the exterior enhancements that we carry offer aerodynamic benefits whether it be more downforce, less drag, and better chassis stability. And although exterior mods are typically one of the more expensive options with examples such as an APR rear wing, or a carbon fiber hood, there are some ideas that are attainable, and will provide the exterior with a sleeker look.

 

OLM V-Style Gloss Black Rear Trunk Spoiler 2015-2021 WRX/STI

 

STI JDM BLACK STI R205 ORNAMENTS 2008-2014 STI/ 2011-2014 WRX

 

Rally Armor UR Mud Flaps Black w/Silver Logo 2015-2021 Subaru WRX/STI

 

PERRIN Front Tow Hook Neon Yellow 2018-2021 WRX/STI 

 

GCS CS Style Rear F1 Fog Brake Light Red Lens w/OLM PNP Harness Kit 2022-2024 WRX

 

 

INTERIOR

Upgrading the look and feel of your interior is a fun way to make your overall driving experience a little more exciting. These are a few affordable options that you can perform to make your interior feel more racecar like, and these are just a few examples you can sample to see whether they make for a good fit.

 

PERRIN Barrell Shift Knob 2015-2021 Subaru WRX

 

Subaru OEM STI Leather Shift Knob 2004-2021 STI

 

AutoStyled Bleack Leather Shift Boot w/Red Stitching 2015-2021 STI

 

PERRIN Reverse Lockout Lever 2015-2021 STI

 

Weathertech Front and Rear All-Weather Floor Liners 2002-2007 Subaru WRX/STI

 

OLM LED Interior Accessory Kit 2008-2014 WRX/STI Sedan

 

 

DRIVETRAIN

We will mention one particular drivetrain mod here because it’s the best bang for your buck. And that is the short shifter. We have an abundant of choices for most Subaru models to shorten the shifter length between throws. This promotes faster shifts during high performance driving conditions, while providing the driver with better shifting feedback with crisper shifts. Additionally, many kits will include new bushings to replace the OEM units that will become worn over time.

 

COBB Tuning Adjustable Short Throw Shifter 2004-2021 STI

 

Boomba Racing Short Throw Shifter Lever 2015-2021 WRX

 

Torque Solution Short Throw Shifter 2008-2014 Subaru WRX

 

 

EXHAUST

This is where the majority of us enthusiasts want to invest our hard-earned money especially when it comes to doing their first mods on our Subarus. Yet purchasing a cat-back exhaust system for your Subaru is not always the easiest of investments since many examples can enter 4-digit territory. Aside from the performance spectrum with more horsepower and more torque, aftermarket cat-back exhaust systems are highly desired in the Subaru community because they amplify those unique Subaru flat-four engine noises. But if you can’t quite make the commitment, there are options.

An axle-back exhaust system are direct replacements for your OEM muffler(s). Now you don’t get the performance benefits when compared to a cat-back system, however you get weight savings because the OEM mufflers are heavy, and most importantly you get the sound. No tune is necessary when running an axle-back exhaust.

 

 Faction Fab has a few examples:

 

Faction Fab Axle Back Exhaust System w/Black Tips 2015-2021 WRX / 2015-2018 STI

 

Faction Fab Axle Back Exhaust System Polished Tips 2019-2021 STI

 

 

SUSPENSION

Subaru models such as the WRX and STI are some of the most coveted rally-inspired vehicles due to the relationship between the AWD system, and the design of the suspension. However, like most AWD systems, they can cause a little understeer due to the engine being in the front with the transmission and center differential setup sitting just behind. Even still in stock form these cars handle appropriately without suspension mods. But with just a slight upgrade, your driving confidence will start to increase. Here are our budget-friendly suspension mods:

 

Cusco Front Strut Bar Type OS 2008-2014 WRX/STI

 

Blox Racing Front and Rear Sway Bar Set 2015-2021 WRX/STI

 

TEIN H. Tech Spring Kit 2015-2021 STI

 

 

Now there are other mods we can discuss. We can talk about intakes; however, these are budget-friendly mods, and with most intake systems they will require a tune. To be fair, the COBB Accessport should be one of the first mods you get your turbocharged Subaru because COBB has off-the-shelf MAPS for current and future upgrades. These were chosen to provide you with a little more fun by improving the driving experience, and how you feel about your Subaru. Let’s close this out with some honorable mentions.

 

Goodridge Stainless Steel Front and Rear Brake Lines 2002-2007 WRX/STI

 

Faction Fab 20mm 5x114.3 Wheel Spacers 2015-2021 STI / 2015-2024 WRX

 

KICS Project Heptagon Caliber 24 Blue Titanium Close Ended Lig Nuts 12x1.25