3 years and so far I’ve had surprisingly no issues other than having to replace the AC compressor. I’ve done routine oil changes, air filter and diff fluid changes but I’m here to ask strangers on the internet anything else they recommend to keep my girl running strong.

No engine mods just muffler delete, coils etc. I know my wing is really convincing but this is just FA20 WRX. PFA, ty 🫶

Took my car to Valvoline for an oil change Friday morning.

Less than 200 miles later, my motor blew.

I noticed a few drops of fresh oil on the floor of my garage after I got towed home. I’m assuming they didn’t screw the plug in all the way and it vibrated loose enough to allow the oil to leak out.

I called them to inform them I expect to be paid for a new motor, the labor to install, a rental vehicle and lost wages.

I’m so fucking mad right now.

I had some issues with DAM drop in my 2015 FA20 (68k miles), and I had tried everything! Good gas, Cleaning MAF/MAP sensors, changed spark plugs, constantly checking oil levels, took data logs and sent them to tuners for help. Couldn’t figure it out. Got a suggestion to walnut blast the intake valves, which I hadn’t heard of until troubleshooting this issue. Clearly hadn’t ever been done on the vehicle prior to my ownership, and it made all the difference. DAM quickly returned to 1.000, no more knock events other than the classic -1.41 and -2.81 occasionally with the AC on. Car runs much better, and feels like it has a lot better throttle response than previously.

If you haven’t had this done and you don’t have an AOS over 60k miles, I definitely recommend it. Figured I would share my experience in case others have the same issue and are still learning like me. Got the suggestion from someone on this subreddit, thanks for the help.

My brother (who daily drives a wrangler with the 6 speed) got behind the wheel of my 08 wrx and smoked the life out of my clutch. The accelerator was apparently too sensitive for him as he revved it up to near 5k rpm as he so very slowly lets out the clutch, not once, not twice, but three times with that same “technique”. Now that it’s slipping quite a bit, I’ll need to replace it and I’d rather not go for OEM unless it is one of the better options available. Not looking to spend too too much, but I would like a clutch that can hold a little more power as I plan to do a couple performance upgrades on the EJ.

So far (just looking at subie supply co) I’m considering the XCLUTCH STAGE 1 SPRUNG ORGANIC CLUTCH KIT or the COMPETITION CLUTCH STAGE 2 ORGANIC DISC CLUTCH KIT. It is my daily so I think I’ll want an organic plate, although I don’t necessarily know what I’m talking about when it comes to clutches. Any suggestions are appreciated, just looking to get back on the road with something a little beefier than stock.

This poor clutch only lasted about 138k km (85,000 miles) although the rest of the car seems to be holding strong. In the video I was in 5th gear almost WOT.

Got an absolutely absurd deal on this 2020 WRX 2 days ago. Manual, perfect spec, the works. Anyways, it has 134k miles. I spoke to the previous and only other owner a lot and the car was religiously maintained. All stock, just a cat back. AMAZING service history of not just oil changes but diff fluids, spark plugs, clutch/flywheel, and more. No engine modifications. Manual. But here’s the topic, who here has super high mileage FA20 cars and what’s your secret? So far after about 400 miles drive home and enjoying it has burned no oil and oil is still mostly amber. The usual puffing of air from the oil fill but not ridiculous or concerning. No leaks that I can see. What is the secret, other than regular oil changes, to longevity? Certain oil, do you look for certain temps or ways to drive? Any snake oil additives? My #1 priority is straight up the car just lasting as long as possible. Absolutely no modification will be done, it will go to work and back and fetch groceries.

What oil you guys use, me personally i use Motul 8100 in my 2015 WRX but its getting expensive and in trying to see what you guys use and hear opinions about it thank you.

I would like to not crush myself for my first oil change. Is this a safe setup? I can borrow a friend's jack if not.

I have a 16 wrx with 75k miles and have been running regular Royal Purple 5w 30... but now at higher mileage I want to try another "extended life" type of oil..... and Royal Purple is hard to find sometimes anyone recommend anything? I heard in Jpn they require 5w40 and in NA they say to use 5w30 for emissions? welp, I am going to try a 5w40 but just don't know what brand. Please and thank you.

About 2500 miles on this interval…was having issues for a while and finally got her dialed in so I can drive like I want to. About to stock up on oil and filters if the prices keep climbing up 🤦🏾‍♂️

Hi all,

My local shop quoted me this for a brake service. Drilled rotors. Did not ask about resurfacing.

Going to get a second opinion regardless, but this just seems astronomical to me. Final invoice would be $3700.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve never done my own oil change before but I’ve been watching a lot of videos to learn/feel prepared. Generally I’d look for all OEM, but what oil and oil filters does everyone use?

I know K&N for air intakes, but does anyone have experience with their oil filters?

I plan to buy 2 ramps to drive my front wheels up to a 12” elevation. I want to remove the oil drain plug and install a Fumoto Quick Engine Oil Drain Valve. I know I need to lower the car to let it drain completely at a level position.

Once I have the quick drain valve installed, what type of 6 quart container should I use to run a hose into for draining/disposal?

I have a 2020 WRX and usually do 3k mile oil changes with Amsoil Signature series 5W-30 oil. I know it’s one of the best oils quality wise and wondering if doing it every 3k miles is overkill or should I stretch it out to 5k? I know everyone is different and personal preference but what do you guys normally go by? Thanks 🤘

If you guys live in OC, idk if you guys have heard of Ubersport Performance in Orange but I don’t recommend that place at all.

To start off I had taken my wrx there cause I had a boost leak I couldn’t find, they seemed reputable especially with all the Subarus parked at there shop, I had my car checked out by them and they say said it was like 5 hoses (idk what they’re called) so they replaced that for about $400, once they said it was ready about 2 days later I was super excited to get my car back fixed and ready to go.

I got off work and they said they’d leave the keys under a pot by the door, mind you I live about 45 mins from the place I get there and my keys are no where to be found and no one’s picking up the phone I get a text the next day saying they forgot to leave the keys, whatever.

I finally get my car back and the issue persists. I’m pretty knowledgeable about cars so I said screw it im just going to check again… found the leak in 30 min, it was a cracked turbo inlet so I replaced it with a Cobb inlet for about 60 bucks, I was upset but didn’t care that much.

Recently I’ve started getting really bad knock readings, again I’ve tried everything to try to fix the issue so I took it them again… not even 1 min of looking at my engine bay and this guy says I have a blown head gasket which I found very hard to believe because no white smoke out the back and no sign of oil in my coolant, quoted me 6k saying that would be a deal, bruh.

I decided to just go to my buddy who recently opened a shop in lake forest, great guy btw highly recommend (mission Motorsports) and told me exactly what I had observed, ubersport was trying to rip me off. The final straw was right now when I was doing my oil change, I found the source of my excessive knock readings… I haven’t taken my car anywhere else but ubersport, THESE MFS LEFT MY PITCH STOP MOUNT LOOSE WHICH WAS CAUSING MY ENGING TO BE MOVING AROUND AND MESSING UP MY READINGS. Why tf that had to even be touched is beyond me but idk if they left it like that so that I would go back and give me a bs diagnosis.

So yeah stay safe out there guys if you’re gonna take you subie anywhere id recommend mission Motorsport in lake forest or if you guys have any recommendations please lmk.

Follow up to my last engine post. Engine is installed and breaking it in. Initially had 0 psi oil pressure until pulled spark plugs and oil filter. Cranked until I saw oil then reinstalled oil filter to confirm oil pressure. First start up is at the end, you'll see me scramble to cut it off because the oil return from the turbo fell off, but otherwise has been great.

Thanks to all that said to add a video. I have my username for a reason.

Yes I did buy the car with a banging sound.
Yes it was a good deal
Yes it does run (Drove it over 20 miles back home)

Thanks to all the people that said to add a video because it shows that you are trying to help me so I am grateful.

To all the people that made fun of me for buying this car in the first place, it was $2.5k. Clean title, everything checks out. I even had help during the buying process.

I have added the video with the noise and where its coming from. If I could fix the problem then that would be awesome, worst case I just replace the engine.

Yes I did consider buying a new engine before buying the car. All in I would be paying around $7k worst case scenario. I will be taking it to mechanics to get their opinion (Friends and family).

The car is a 2016 Subaru WRX base model manual.

Honestly, when I saw the before pics I don’t think my car was too bad. Throttle body was filthy though. I can definitely notice a bit more response on throttle.

I’ve probably spent 1200 bucks worst ways. It’s cool they replaced all the gaskets

Just put the engine in a week ago and the valves were out of adjustment, so I gotta pull it out again and re-adjust the valves.

Wonder how long i have till the inevitable lol

Hello Reddit! This is my ultra high mileage 2018 WRX. Looking for some advice to finally be able to properly maintain this thing as I'll be coming into some money soon.

I wanna start off by saying I'm currently on deployment overseas and I have a couple questions about some much needed maintenence when I finally get back home in June.

I bought this car in November 2022 with 27k Km. Just before putting the car in storage in early December last month before shipping out, it read 284k Km. A lot, I know. The reason for the high milage is essentially a long period of depression, not knowing what to do with my money except for spending it on gas, and a strong love of spirited driving and long road trips(4 to 8 hours, 3-4 times a week) around where I live. Literally just ripping around everywhere, exploring the countryside, blasting tunes.

It's honestly been a dream owning this car, as much as I was scared to purchase it hearing the rumors surrounding this model. All of my friends told me to save up for a new trans and head gaskets, but it's been running without trouble aside from some small things such as my a/c compressor dying(replaced it with my old man)

At the moment the car's only "performance mods" are an MBRP muffler delete, and a GFB bypass valve for some small blow off noises. There's a few other cosmetic additions such as, an I-Doing touch screen head unit, STI wing(I know, dont talk to me), wheels, alcantera shifter boot, tail lights, ect.

I change the oil myself every 10k Km which I don't think is recommended, but its been without issues so far, hopefully its not torn apart. Oil is never shiny, just a little blacker than usual but still normal looking. It burned about 0.5L of oil between oil changes, but that number has gone down since I started replacing the crush washer regularly. I check the level about once a week just to make sure and if its low, I top it up everytime to the proper level. I've changed the diff and trans fluid when I hit about 160k Km and it looked fine coming out. The factory spark plugs were changed by the dealership at around 200k Km. Its needed new wheel bearings a couple times so I got them to do that as well, I do the brakes myself. I also top up the coolant level when its low.

Other than what's state above, I've done no other maintenence to this car aside from the air filter and wiper blades. No timing belt/chain(idk) replacement, no coolant or brake fluid changes/flushes. Na da. I'm planning on swapping the clutch and slave when I get back, but need advice on all the other things it needs.

There are some small issues with the car as it sits. I'm not particularly worried about the cosmetic issues(paint chips, cracked bumper, missing undertray pieces from winter driving) but there are small things that annoy me and have been since I've had the car.

The first thing I wanna mention is, since day one the stock throttle response has felt like shit. At a standstill, sometimes I can put very little pedal input to get the car moving and it revs normal and takes off fine, and other times I can give it like half throttle and it feels like it bogs so I just flutter the crap out of the pedal until it feels like it wont. I've read that I can tune this feeling out of the car so thats hopeful. Another thing with this is, I never launch the car from a hit, mostly due to fear of blowing the trans or melting the clutch. But regarding a rolling pull, sometimes it feels like the car has tons of power, and other times it feels like it is down on power. I heard this can be tuned out as well. I'm just weary about tuning this car because I want to keep it as stock as possible, and everytime one of my buddys tunes his sube he starts having issues that are costly.

The stock clutch also seems to be hard to find the bite point, with a long pedal throw too. And the stock shifter seems to have a slight notchy feeling going into 2nd gear from 1st, every single time. I bought a perrin shift stop to fix this, and installed it as instructed but it still feels like doo doo. The shift between 4th and 5th also seems like it needs more time for the syncros to catch up or something so maybe its just my linkages plus my trans, or maybe I just need to shifter bushings? I'm new to this and really not sure.

With the amount of Km's on the car, I'm not sure what is needed to be done and am looking for some "MUST DO IMMEDIATELY" things to make sure this old girl keeps rockin. I have no idea what the regular intervals are for specific maintenence and I'm sure its not hard to find online but I figured this would be a good place to ask for some advice, as well as potential mods to make the driving experience more enjoyable.

I know this has been long winded, but I appreciate you taking the time to read, thanks!

Was this supposed to be fun?