by Colin Hogue
Basic WRX Performance Tricks
Here are a few WRX performance tricks that I have come across that may give you that extra punch next time you pull up next to a Corvette at a stoplight. Please keep in mind that oftentimes increasing horsepower comes down to some common sense.
Oil Changes
Let's start off with an easy one. How about changing your oil? I can still hear my dad saying, "Make sure to change that oil every 3000 miles!" Nowadays, most cars don't require that oil be changed quite that often, but if you drive hard, it never hurts to put some fresh synthetic oil in there to help things run a little smoother. The Subaru WRX manual says to change the oil every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions or every 3,750 if you drive hard. I suggest the latter.
Fresh, Properly Gapped Spark Plugs
Keeping your spark plugs inspected, cleaned, and gapped properly are also easy ways to keep your WRX running at its best. The proper spacing for a 2002 or 2003 WRX is 0.028"-0.031" (0.7-0.8 mm).
Fresh Air Filter
Some of these things are so basic that I hesitate to mention them, but a lot of the time, the things that we forget to do are the simple things. So, when was the last time you checked your air filter? Imagine trying to breath through a dirty pillow. Sounds difficult, right? That is what your car is doing every day unless you make sure to clean your air filter. Better yet, upgrade your intake system to some type of Ram Air kit to allow your WRX to inhale as much air as possible.
Premium Gasoline
With gas prices at an all-time high, this is one tip that is hard to swallow. Saving those extra pennies at the pump seems a good way to pinch pennies, but don't do it. Save money elsewhere. Pump the premium. Why? The higher the octane, the more power for the engine of your Subaru WRX. There is a reason that race cars run on high octane fuel. MORE POWER!
Basic WRX Performance Tricks
Here are a few WRX performance tricks that I have come across that may give you that extra punch next time you pull up next to a Corvette at a stoplight. Please keep in mind that oftentimes increasing horsepower comes down to some common sense.
Oil Changes
Let's start off with an easy one. How about changing your oil? I can still hear my dad saying, "Make sure to change that oil every 3000 miles!" Nowadays, most cars don't require that oil be changed quite that often, but if you drive hard, it never hurts to put some fresh synthetic oil in there to help things run a little smoother. The Subaru WRX manual says to change the oil every 7,500 miles under normal driving conditions or every 3,750 if you drive hard. I suggest the latter.
Fresh, Properly Gapped Spark Plugs
Keeping your spark plugs inspected, cleaned, and gapped properly are also easy ways to keep your WRX running at its best. The proper spacing for a 2002 or 2003 WRX is 0.028"-0.031" (0.7-0.8 mm).
Fresh Air Filter
Some of these things are so basic that I hesitate to mention them, but a lot of the time, the things that we forget to do are the simple things. So, when was the last time you checked your air filter? Imagine trying to breath through a dirty pillow. Sounds difficult, right? That is what your car is doing every day unless you make sure to clean your air filter. Better yet, upgrade your intake system to some type of Ram Air kit to allow your WRX to inhale as much air as possible.
Premium Gasoline
With gas prices at an all-time high, this is one tip that is hard to swallow. Saving those extra pennies at the pump seems a good way to pinch pennies, but don't do it. Save money elsewhere. Pump the premium. Why? The higher the octane, the more power for the engine of your Subaru WRX. There is a reason that race cars run on high octane fuel. MORE POWER!
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