2009 Subaru Impreza WRX STI SPT First Test

Tuning parts run aplenty in the high-speed world of the Subaru WRX STI. Even if you have never dabbled in modifying your ride, tinkering with any car -- especially those still under OEM warranty -- can be risky business in terms of reliability and quality.

Therein lays a niche quick to be filled by Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru America Inc., with a new lineup of factory warrantied go-fast components. SPT deals with the distribution of certain STI- (Subaru Technica International, a.k.a Subaru's Japanese-based in-house performance division) branded goodies specifically geared toward owners seeking a less dicey, but equally satisfying, enhancement route. The division also hawks a few of its own SPT-badged parts with a full warranty.

We recently got our hands on one of Subaru's decked-out STI's featuring nearly the whole SPT catalog. It's recently been revised to include the current 'GR' code chassis. Visually, much of its buffed-out exterior hasn't been changed. A simple STI front lip spoiler ($369.55) was bolted under the car's chin, giving the hatchback a cleaner JDM-flair. Complementing this motif is the car's stance, which has been cut 10mm via a stiffer STI Pink Spring set ($500/set of four).

The single part said to remotely increase the 2.5L's potential was the stainless steel SPT exhaust ($999.99). Its unique mandrel bends and smooth welds aid in relieving horsepower-restricting back pressure and bellow an attractively deeper, baritone growl. Get it above 4000 rpm and the polished quad pipes roar.

After a few miles behind the thick leather wheel, it was clear to us that this "tuned" STI wasn't any faster than the already capable standard car. Our diligent team put it to the test, and, as expected, substantiated our perceptions. The STI SPT shot to 60 mph in the same time (4.7 sec.) and posted a nearly identical -- but teeny bit slower -- quarter-mile sprint of 13.4 sec @ 100.1 mph versus a bone stock car (13.4 sec @ 100.4 mph). Its figure-eight lap time was a mirror image, too (25.3 sec @ 0.73 g). But don't be too quick to kick it to the curb.

The STI SPT did successfully put even bigger grins on our mugs when entering all-wheel-drive-loving, high-speed corners. Its track-bred suspension setup, bolstered by a chunkier SPT front strut ($229.95) and underbelly chassis braces ($199.95), roused confidence when entering twisties and exiting their apexes. All four wheels felt surprisingly better connected and stuck to every tarmac type we could put in their way. Gratefully, the suspension didn't have the creaks, moans, or knocks usually found in lowered rides.