Which Performance Parts Can Improve Your Subaru's Power?

When you drive a Subaru, there's a good chance you're not just looking for a way to get from point A to point B. You’re probably aiming to enjoy the experience too. Feeling your car respond quicker, accelerate smoother, or handle corners tighter isn’t just fun. It’s part of why so many people get into modifying their cars. Performance parts help you squeeze more out of what your Subaru can already do. But with so many options out there, how do you know what's worth it?

Not every modification makes a real difference. Some upgrades are just for sound or looks, while others can actually increase horsepower, improve throttle response, and sharpen handling. If you’re considering aftermarket performance parts, it helps to know which ones boost power in real-world conditions. Whether you're prepping a daily driver or building something track-ready, picking the right gear matters.

When you're trying to improve power, the engine is the first place to focus. There are several parts that can wake up your Subaru’s engine and give it that extra kick. The key is choosing upgrades that work well together and support clean air intake, combustion, and exhaust flow.

Here are a few engine performance upgrades that make a noticeable difference in power:

1. High-Performance Air Filters: 

These allow more air into your engine. 

More air means a stronger combustion process, and that leads to better acceleration. 

They’re easy to install and offer consistent results without breaking the bank.

2. Aftermarket Exhaust Systems: 

Stock exhaust pipes are often built to keep things quiet and cheap. 

Aftermarket systems reduce backpressure, letting exhaust gases escape faster.

That helps the engine breathe better on the other end, making it easier to gain horsepower and torque.

3. Turbochargers and Superchargers: 

If you're ready to go bigger, forced induction systems can bring major gains. 

A turbo uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine and force more air into the engine. 

A supercharger works similarly but runs off a belt connected to the engine. 

Both options can significantly increase power, but they also require supporting mods and tuning to stay reliable.

One driver we spoke with said swapping to a better exhaust system and an upgraded intake gave his WRX noticeably stronger mid-range pull with no sacrifice in drivability. It shows how even a couple solid changes can go a long way.

Once you're putting more power down, you need the right parts to handle it. The drivetrain connects the engine to the wheels. If you upgrade the engine without addressing this area, you're likely to hit a wall.

Here are a few drivetrain upgrades that help turn extra horsepower into actual performance:

1. Performance Clutches and Flywheels: 

A high-performance clutch grabs more effectively under pressure, reducing slippage. 

Combine it with a lightweight flywheel, and the engine can rev up and down faster, giving you quicker shifts and better throttle response.

2. Limited-Slip Differentials (LSD): 

Stock differentials can’t always send power evenly to both wheels, especially during aggressive cornering. 

An LSD helps improve grip by distributing power where it’s most needed. You’ll notice it the most during sharp turns or in low-traction conditions.

3. Upgraded Driveshafts and Axles: 

Once you've increased power and torque, the stock components might start showing their limits. 

Performance-grade driveshafts and axles are built stronger and can handle hard launches, track use, and heavier loads without breaking.

These upgrades may not always show up as bigger horsepower numbers, but they make your power more usable. They also protect your car from wearing out parts that were never meant for that level of output. When all the pieces work together, you get sharper response, more control, and a smoother delivery of power.

Power means nothing if you can’t control it. That’s where suspension upgrades step in. These parts don’t directly add horsepower, but they help your Subaru handle better at higher speeds, during sharp turns, or when the road gets uneven. A firmer, tighter suspension setup gives you the confidence to actually use the performance upgrades on your car without feeling like it’s floating or swaying.

Start with performance shocks and struts. These are built to reduce body roll and improve how your tires stay in contact with the road. Paired with lowering springs or matched to a performance setup, they give better feedback through the wheel and make cornering feel much sharper.

Then you've got sway bars and bushings. Stock sway bars are generally thin and meant for comfort. Thicker aftermarket sway bars reduce body lean during cornering, which can especially help with AWD Subaru models. Upgrading bushings, like the ones in your control arms or end links, tightens up the whole feel of the car because they flex less than rubber factory parts.

Finally, coilover kits are one of the most popular upgrades for a reason. They replace your shocks, struts, and springs in an all-in-one package. What sets them apart is adjustability. You can fine-tune ride height, damping, and sometimes even preload, depending on how advanced the kit is. Want a stiffer ride for weekend track sessions and something looser for daily commuting? That’s where adjustable coilovers come into play.

One STI owner we worked with ditched the stock suspension for a set of coilovers and heavier sway bars. The result? He said the car went from bouncing around on rough roads to feeling like it was glued in sharp turns, even without wider tires or extra horsepower under the hood.

If you're pushing more air into the engine, you're going to need more fuel to match. That’s where upgraded fuel system parts kick in. Together, they help make sure your Subaru has the right air-fuel mix to make more power without running lean or detonating.

These are the upgrades worth looking at:

1. High-Flow Fuel Injectors: 

When your stock injectors max out, the engine simply can’t take in enough fuel. 

Aftermarket injectors deliver more fuel per cycle, keeping up with increased demand from added boost or stronger cams.

2. Performance Fuel Pumps: 

A stronger fuel pump ensures that fuel gets delivered fast and evenly across all cylinders, especially under high-load driving or long pulls. 

It's the backbone of any tuned performance setup.

3. Tuned ECU (Engine Control Unit): 

This is what ties everything together. 

Your ECU controls timing, fuel delivery, and boost levels. 

A properly tuned ECU adjusts spark and fuel mapping so that everything runs safely and efficiently based on the parts you've installed. 

It's one of the most important tools when bringing together multiple mods.

These parts don’t do much on their own but become powerful when installed as part of a system. If you’ve gone through the work of adding turbochargers, changing out the exhaust, or upgrading the intake, your car is likely asking for more fuel. Making sure it’s there prevents problems and gives you clean, usable added power.

The best way to get more power out of your Subaru isn’t about installing everything at once. 

It’s about pairing the right combination of parts that work well together and support what you want from your car. Some folks are after better throttle response. Others want serious track-day upgrades. No matter the goal, taking the time to upgrade the engine, drivetrain, and suspension in a balanced way makes sure the power you're adding shows up where it counts.

Upgrading performance parts always comes down to what makes sense for how you drive. Whether it's a few bolt-ons for a quicker highway merge or building around a turbocharger setup, knowing which upgrades actually give you results helps you make smart decisions. When your build runs smoother, handles better, and feels quicker, that’s when you know you’ve made the right upgrades.

For those looking to enhance their Subaru’s performance with precision and quality parts, Subimods provides a wide range of options. 

To explore a variety of aftermarket performance parts that can optimize your vehicle’s potential, check out a sample of our selection below and search to discover what's right for your project.

Please reach out to our team with your interest or to ask specific questions about the information covered in this article. We would be very interested in your thoughts and would be glad to help as much as possible.

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