How to Make "X" Horsepower in a 2015+ Subaru WRX

Just to toss it out there, you mention colder plugs and the NGK 2309's. I made this mistake today and picked those up, when the FA doesnt use those plugs and the plug my tuner said to use are actually the BRZ plugs, part # 22401AA801.

Is it possible to get 330-350 whp on pump gas?

Do you need to do an STI trans swap once you get to a certain horsepower?

I have a 2020 WRX BASE with the FA20 and I’m running N1 invida single exit exhaust. LPFP which is the AEM 340 w/ the DW kit and running an E50 tune. Everything else is stock n im tuned by Daniel Florez. Floreztuning. Makin around 400. Prolly closer to 370-380ish but that’s in 95+ degrees

I wonder if the stock ECU can run dual fuel injectors (x4 ports/one rail)?


Do you know, by chance?

Need this for the 22+ WRXs.

I’m in the process of putting aftermarket parts and right now I’m looking into getting a turbo but I’m not too sure which one to get because I always see the Cobb 20g on sale but I hear good things about FP. Would getting the cobb be a good choice still for the price or should I spend a little more on the FP.

Just now finding this video, I recently bought a used 2019 wrx with 40k miles and it already had to COBB access port ( Stage 2 Tune Tuned to 91) and the grimspeed top cooler with a AEM Intake and looks to be the air and oil separator and a catch can. Sounds like it has a cat back exhaust especially on cold starts its loud. As of now I'm trying to figure out what numbers am I around ? and if I wanted to go up to 400 -450 whp what should I do to it next?

If anyone is looking at this "now".....I have an AP, IAG stage 2 block, COBB CAI, Process West Verticooler, IAG AOS, dw300c fuel pump, COBB Flex Fuel Kit (before they switched to NexGen) COBB J-Pipe, STI performance exhaust. He said the hi-flow fuel pump caps out around E60. This is not true and with an e70-75 blend I'm at 404whp and 91 I'm at 328. Tuner said I could get 15-20% more hp if I lose the performance exhaust. Its my daily and I attended track days. No problems. Bigger turbo coming SoCal v4 should land me right around the 460whp mark.

Between the 300 WHP and 350 WHP, does the spark plug, fuel pump, flywheel, and exhaust manifold actually do anything with regards to WHP or are these just for reliability? Looks like the Tune and change to E85 will affect the WHP?

Good on you for recommending catted parts! I went full catless on my previous car, chasing that extra 10HP... and as time went on, I had spent 10 years of my life driving around an obnoxiously smelly (and polluting) car. Oh, and I almost wasn't able to trade it in! Thankfully, I kept the stock header & exhaust.

Do you know how to or if you can eliminate that loud flutter you get from ewg on fa20 motors? The sound is not really for me

For those of you who still want to move ahead with TGV and EGR deletes - Cobb no longer allows tuning for that, so I went to an ECUTek tune on my 2020 WRX. Cobb Big SF intake, Cobb catted resonated j-pipe, Invidia R400, TGV & EGR deletes and GrimmSpeed 3-port boost control solenoid. Car is making 325 whp and 335 lb-ft after the tune. Very satisfied with the result. AOS is getting installed very soon, TMIC next.

So you can run a catted J pipe and an upgraded tmic without doing any fuel pump upgrade?

Curious if you think its possible to reliably get 400-450 wheel w/o running methanol or E85 flex fuel. Currently have intake, turbo inlet, bypass valve, TGV EGR delete, equal length headers, FMIC, full catless exhaust, gs ebcs. So all the supporting mods are there minus any of the fueling issues. Doing the in-tank pump, putting rods, pistons, bearings, headstuds into the stock block and putting some aftermarket turbo (undecided brand) but of similar size twinscroll. I haven’t gotten consistent answers from tuners but I am trying to look for weak spots in my logic. properly wrapping everything to ensure minimum heat soak would be just logical but I understand there might be a few other things I could do to slightly improve the power efficiency of the motor.

Did you try to boost FA24 engine?

What do you think about the perrin catted j pipe

Really good video. Can we still take these same pathways make more power with our FA20's now that Cobb changed there tuning platform due to EPA standards? I'm asking in reference to keeping my 2017 WRX street legal.

you need all that for 300 wheel? mine made that with nothing but cobb AP and turbo back lol stock intake no boost controller no top mount

We need an updated version for green speed 😌

I have the mods you said should put you at 300 Hp, except the j-pipe. I’m making about 240 Hp. My tuner said my cat is probably old and dirty. Do you think a dirty cat could really restrict that much? Would swapping to the GS gesi j-pipe boost me close to 300? I know it’s hard to tell just from that info but I’m curious if you’d have any input

Hey tanner just got my car pro tuned today. Grimmspeed intake jpipe cat back ebcs bpv turbo inlet and fmic. Asked for 300 hp safely. And we hit out target 100% I'm so excited!

Does the grimmspeed tune with the accessport?

could i just buy the catback and the catted j pipe and have them not be cobs brand, for example a ets catback with a grimspeed catted downpipe and get cobbs ots tune and get pro tuned after? because i’ve heard from ppl that they have to be compatible but not sure if they are.

trying to prevent tranny blowout at 330WHP on my 2015 CVT like you mentioned. I’ve got all the 300/350WHP mods you listed except for the j-pipe, fuel pump, headers, and I have an aos instead of the catch can. I dont plan to get those three parts either. Do you think I’ll go over that 330WHP mark with what I’ve got when it’s tuned? do you think I’ll run into issues not having the fuel pump? Under 330 is where I intend to keep the car at engine wise. I’m at 96k miles too so until the engine blows up I won’t be upgrading blocks

if im installing a built block and there is nothing wrong with the current block, is the timing chain and tensioners ok or should i replace them? (fa20dit)

Just bought my first WRX today! It’s a 2015 cvt, wish i got manual but my girlfriend doesn’t know stick:( would i be safe getting everything in the 350hp build you suggested? And at what points of the built should i be tuning and if so should i eTune or look to proTune? I have read a lot of negatives about the catted j pipes but i would loveeee to install one because i think they sound amazing with the r400! Hope to hear from you and going to continue to watch your videos for this journey!😊

Cant wait until my warranty runs out 😅 I'm going to use this video and phatbottituning's recommendations to hit the 350hp mark. Compiling parts as I wait. What do you think about the invidia catted downpipe paired with the invidia r400 catback? Will that be as good as the cobb or grimmspeed?

I’m getting IAG stage 2 will this all apply?

Hey Tanner! I need help making around 350 hp. What would you specifically look up as your recommended parts to reach that power for a 2020 wrx because im having a really hard time trying to find the parts you listed out for some reason. Please help

I know this video is older now but I have all the same mods for a 300hp build except for the TMIC. I also have a koyorad and a boomba bpv (not that they help) however I am only making 271hp. Does the aftermarket TMIC really provide that extra 29hp or did my tuner hold back a little bit for my build? This is a California car and I am looking to track it soon, it's been my first car to build so I'm still pretty new to all this tuning and so on, looking to build for something north of 400hp for track eventually.

Probably a dumb question but here it is, if I do the parts for the 300whp setup, which includes a Cobb accessport, do I need to get the car Dyno tuned or another kind of tune to make the 300whp? Or does the accessport do that for me?

Hey Smeedia, love your content and hoping you will see this. I just wanted to know if pushing 300whp would be okay on a WRX with 94k miles and no mechanical issues? Thanks man

Now that we are about 30k In with parts are there any other platforms that's alot cheaper to build when looking for decent power that you may have came across? that's not American muscle lol?

So I just bought a 2017 WRX. What do you recommend we change to keep it running smooth?

You said NGK 2309 spark plugs , but they do NOT fit FA2.0 ( EJ uses 2309's ) The plugs I'm running in my 2021 WRX FADIT2.0 are actually stock for a 2020 BRZ , and they are 22401AA801's/one step cooler then 2015-2021 WRX oem's . I'm Pro-Tuned with 360WHP , and I am happy right where I am at . Can you elaborate more on the best clutch for my setup ( 6MT of course ) . Also , is it a waste of money to buy an sti 6MT for $~7K and install that or is the stock transmission stout enough to handle what I'm throwing at it long term ? Thanks

I have a '14 Levorg 1.6 (very similar platform to CVT WRX), thinking of sticking with the Stage 1 mods listed. Hoping they'll work well with a good tune. If I had to choose between intake and J-Pipe, which one would I forgo?

I’m map performance stage 2 currently, probably going to etune at some point. So I’ll around 3-320 hp most likely. I want a new intercooler though, I’m still on stock. I hear fmic is ALWAYS the way to go, but that’s from EJ owners. What’s your take for a fa20? (I don’t plan on adding much power, I still feel pretty reliable where I’m at and I’d like to stay that way) lol

Have to replace my spark plugs on my 2020 Subaru WRX base what spark plugs do you recommended im stage 1 with 60,000 miles first time changing them

WTF WHY NOT JUST BUY JEEP CHEROKEE SRT8 500 WHP WHY GO TROUGH ALL THIS REALLY?????

Hey Tanner, question for you. If I was to get the SoCal Porting turbo upgrade with the turbo smart wastegate would I still need to get the PLM external wastegate manifold if I'm shooting for 450whp? Also should I get the 7psi or the 14psi spring?

Would these recommendations work on a 2022?

Going for 850 in mine and hopefully I don't get stranded.

Great video 🤌🏼 just traded in my MK7 GTI for a 18 WRX this week on a Monday on a impulse buy 😅 excited to get just 300 hrspurrss soon. Just a clean simple build.

Tanner I love you and hope you see this since this vid is kinda old by now. In your opinion, do you think a twin disc clutch would be worth it in a WRX making just under 400whp? I'm worried about drivability being negatively impacted with the ACT HDSS but of course the party would overall be cheaper going that route. Trying to make a decision so all input is appreciated!

For 300-400 hp would a aftermarket radiator be good ? Obviously it would help but would it be worth the price vs preformance in your opinion

"Get the catted version"
t. EPA shill

2019 wrx I'd like to shoot for 325hp gain what would be your recommendation getting there?

So u said if I want the rumble to get basically stock ej headers?