What is a WRX?
The Subaru WRX, short for “World Rally eXperimental,” first introduced in 1992 as a homologation model for rally racing. Built on Subaru’s proven all-wheel drive platform, and powered by a turbocharged flat-four “boxer” engine. This allowed the WRX to quickly earn a reputation for combining everyday practicality with motorsport-level performance. Its rally pedigree was cemented in the 1990s and early 2000s, when Subaru dominated the World Rally Championship. Over time, the WRX evolved into its own standalone model in 2014. Today, it remains one of the most iconic affordable performance cars, known by its tuning potential, motorsport roots, and unmistakable Subaru character.
Why a Boxer Engine?
Almost every auto maker in today’s market uses anything but a boxer layout for their motors. The main auto makers today that utilize boxer’s are Porsche as well as of course Subaru. Why do they? Well to start, its flat layout allows the engine to sit lower in the chassis, giving the car a lower center of gravity that improves handling as well as reducing body roll. Another reason is that the wide design helps distribute weight more evenly across the engine bay, creating a more balanced and predictable driving experience. Because the pistons move in opposing directions, their forces cancel out much of the vibration, allowing for smoother higher revving acceleration. Additionally, the compact height of the engine enables lower hood lines, improving aerodynamics and driver visibility, while the design offers good cooling efficiency by exposing more cylinder surface area to airflow. Altogether, these traits make the boxer engine especially appealing for performance applications.
Jonathan’s FA20
Now, let’s get into the under the hood goodies in Jonathan’s WRX. At the heart of the setup is a COBB Accessport V3 paired with a custom tune from PSI Proformance (Dmann Tuning), working alongside an ETS stock turbo cold air intake. Supporting reliability and turbo efficiency are Perrin components, including a turbo sump restrictor and a two-piece turbo bracket. Exhaust flow and boost control are maximized with a Big Mouth Intake by VelossaTech, KillerB Holy Headers (Dual 40mm EWG), a Nameless muffler delete axleback, a Nameless 3” mid pipe, and a Mishimoto catted downpipe, complemented by an IBR TGV delete kit, a Torque Solution EGR solution, and a Boomba BPV/BOV valve.
Internally, strength and fueling have been addressed with an IAG FA20 DIT short block featuring fully forged internals (86.1mm pistons, H-beam rods, upgraded bearings, and machined OEM case), an APR FA20 head stud kit, a COBB Front Mount Intercooler Kit for low intake temps on E85, a Socal Porting V4 FA20 WRX turbo upgrade, an AEM 340LPH paired with a Deatschwerks kit, Nostrum HPFP & upgraded direct injectors, OTL Performance ignition coils, NGK iridium spark plugs, and a COBB flex-fuel ethanol sensor kit allowing to run strictly E85.
To hold this powertrain in place, Jonathan has upgraded to Torque Solution engine and transmission mounts, a billet rear differential brace, rear differential inserts, and a billet clutch fork pivot. This laundry list of engine modifications not only delivers great power, but also ensures reliability and precision.
Exterior Modifications and Aero
Now, for what we see, the exterior. The most obvious parts of this carinclude Jonathan’s VinylFrog wrap, Candy Metallic Gray Purple, as well as his very low stance from his Airlift 3p air suspension setup. Also featuring a JDMuscle Tanso Carbon Fiber Hood V3 (scoopless for FMIC), Subaru WRX CS V2 carbon fiber side skirts, APR Carbon Canard set, OLM S-Line door trim, full mirror covers, and an upper front bumper cover, which is complemented by a D-Style trunk spoiler wing, APR GTC-200 rear wing spoiler with Gurney flap, carbon rear bumper vents, rear roof spoiler, custom Invictus Aero rear diffuser, and exterior trunk lid cover.
The Revel GT dry carbon air intake cover and inner front fender air outlet duct not only look good but also improve airflow and cooling under boost. Lighting upgrades Subispeed V2 Redline sequential LED headlights, OLM sequential mirror turn signals, Diode Dynamics SS3 fogs, and blacked-out sequential corner signals. Suspension and chassis mods include a Tanabe front strut tower bar, Whiteline front and rear sway bars, roll center and bump steer correction kit, and BLOX lower control arms. The WRX sits on some SSR GTX03 18×9.5 +38 wheels alongside a Brembo brake swap.
Together, these exterior and aero modifications help to give a face to all the work done under the hood.
Inside this WRX
Jonathan’s WRX interior upgrades complement the car’s performance focus while adding some nice carbon fiber touches. The cabin features a carbon fiber flat-bottom steering wheel wrapped in leather, enhanced with OLM S-Line carbon fiber steering wheel covers for style and grip. Shifting precision is improved with a Shift Solutions black carbon fiber 6-speed shift knob, a Boomba Racing billet short-throw shifter lever, and a Boomba short shift transmission plate. These interior modifications really help bring the whole car together as well as improve driving experience.
Special Appearance!
This year at SlammedEnuff Destin 25′, Jonathan’s car was presented as a booth car for VinylFrog (the company who made his wrap), the main sponser of the event.
