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February 17, 2026
The VB Subaru WRX (2022+) is Subaru’s latest evolution (pun intended) of the turbocharged AWD icon. Powered by the turbocharged 2.4-liter FA24F engine and available with a 6-speed manual transmission, this all-wheel-drive platform responds extremely well to modifications. From daily driver bolt-ons to serious street and track builds, the VB offers a strong foundation for those looking to modify a car of their own.
Its balance of tuning potential, aftermarket support, and year-round usability makes it one of the most versatile enthusiast platforms on the market today. So how do you modify one of these bad boys? Well, let’s get into it.
A sensible build starts with mods that improve drivability and performance. Of course you’re free to start anywhere you like on this list, but this is the order we would typically take.
Suspension upgrades – Dialing in fitment while improving handling at the same time. Lowering and tightening up the chassis completely transforms how the VB feels.
Wheels and Tires – A very important step that sounds off the overall look of your build.
Bolt On Performance – Unlocking more power and unlocking that iconic boxer rumble.
Tuning – Making the most of your bolt-ons. The FA24 responds very well to a proper tune.
Aesthetic upgrades – Rounding out the build with your own personal style.
It’s hard to name a car that doesn’t benefit from a drop in ride height and improved suspension components. The VB is no exception.
If there is one thing that the VB WRX needs, it’s a drop in ride height. Unless of course you’re really going after the whole rally heritage thing. Here is what we recommend for coilovers for the VB WRX.
BC Racing BR Series – A strong bang-for-your-buck coilover option that offers adjustable ride height and damping. A great entry point into a proper suspension setup.
Fortune Auto 500 Series – If you’re looking for something more track-focused, the 500 Series delivers digressive valving and custom spring rates. Higher price point, but worth it for serious performance.
If you’re on a budget or don’t need full adjustability, lowering springs are a solid choice over coilovers for a nice drop in ride height.
Eibach Pro-Kit – A subtle drop in ride height. About 1.0” in the front and 1.1” in the rear.
Word on the street is that the OEM swaybar for the VB WRX is leagues better than the previous generation. That benign said, we always agree that there is some room for improvement. If you want to tighten up the feel of this car in the corners and help prevent understeer, an upgraded rear sway bar is what we would recommend. That being said, if you’re looking to upgrade both front and rear, here is our recommendation.
Whiteline 24mm Adjustable Front Sway Bar – helps reduce body roll and fine-tune handling balance.
Whiteline 24mm Adjustable Rear Sway Bar – Helps reduce body roll and prevents understeer.
That’s a great question, and we’re glad you asked. The VB WRX is open to a wide variety of wheels to choose from thanks to the sizes that fit, as well as the 5×114.3 bolt pattern. First things first, here are the recommended wheel specs you should be looking for.
Diameter: 18”
Width: 8.5” – 9.5”
Offset: +38 – +45
Width: 245 – 265
Aspect Ratio: 35 – 40
The best wheels for the VB WRX keep things functional yet aggressive. The flared fenders and sharp body lines pair well with purposeful motorsport styling.
Enkei T6R – A lightweight flow form wheel from Enkei that changes things up from the classic RPF1 with a solid 6 spoke design.
Gram Lights 57CR – A 5 spoke design from Rays that comes in some killer finishes and gives a decent amount of concavity to the spokes.
Work Emotion ZR10 – An evenly spaced 10 spoke wheel that just works so well on the VB WRX platform, giving a combination of a lip and some concavity. It’s hard to go wrong with the ZR10.
Continental ExtremeContact DWS06+ – A strong all-season option for year-round daily use.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S – Excellent warm-weather grip with impressive wet performance.
Falken Azenis RT615K+ – Budget-friendly and sticky. A great option for aggressive street driving or light track use.
The VB WRX and its FA24F engine responds very well to airflow upgrades and tuning. Even basic bolt-ons can wake this car up significantly. That being said, sticking to things like an intake, exhaust, and a tune can go a long way.
When it comes to turbocharged cars, intakes are one of the biggest improvements you can make to your car early on that will deliver a noticeable bump in power. The VB WRX is no different. Here are some of the most popular intake options when it comes to this car.
COBB Redline Intake Scoop – A simple addition that utilizes your stock air box to help feed it more air.
ETS Cold Air Intake – A full intake kit that is designed to replace the stock air box and increase air flow into the turbo.
Perrin Intake – A full intake kit that is available in a variety of different colors.
An aftermarket exhaust improves flow and of course unlocks that signature boxer rumble. Here are some of our top exhaust picks for the VB WRX.
COBB 3” Catback Exhaust – Available in either a stainless steel or Titanium option, this is easily one of the most popular systems for the VB WRX.
Perrin Single Exit Exhaust – Looking for a aggressive sounding single exit option? Look no further than the Perrin single exit exhaust.
AWE Tuning Touring Edition Exhaust – Tame and professional. The AWE Tuning Touring edition gives you the sound and tone you’re looking for without being obnoxious.
Upgrading the top-mount or switching to a front-mount intercooler helps reduce heat soak and maintain consistent power, especially in warmer climates or during repeated pulls.
It’s a Subaru so you already know there is a COBB tune for it. And honestly, it really is your best bet for an off the shelf tune for these cars.
COBB Accessport V3 – The most popular plug-and-play tuning solution for the WRX platform.
Custom tuning or dyno tuning is highly recommended once you begin stacking modifications and trying to push some serious power.
The VB WRX is a strong platform, but like any turbocharged Subaru, it needs to be modified intelligently.
First: don’t rush into aggressive tunes without supporting mods
Heat management matters. Supporting mods like an intercooler and proper maintenance go a long way toward reliability.
Second: don’t ignore maintenance
Fresh spark plugs, quality oil, and proper service intervals are critical on a boosted AWD platform.
Third: don’t cheap out on AWD tires
All four tires must match in size and overall rolling diameter. Mismatched tires can cause drivetrain issues in an AWD system. We highly recommend sticking to a squared wheel and tire setup.
Finally, don’t chase power numbers without a plan
The VB makes great power with relatively simple mods. Focus on balance. Power, suspension, brakes, and cooling should all work together.
Build smart, and the VB WRX won’t hurt you.
The VB Subaru WRX is a versatile, modern turbocharged AWD platform with huge aftermarket potential. Whether you’re building a clean daily, a canyon carver, or a capable track machine, the VB responds extremely well to thoughtful upgrades.
MartiniWorks has a full catalogue of WRX parts to support every stage of your build. From performance to suspension to wheels and tires.
Mod your car with your friends at MartiniWorks.
Alex Gelina "Also Known as Gels"