Best WRX VB Upgrades for Under $1500

Budget Doesn’t Mean Basic for Your WRX VB

We know what you’re thinking. You desperately want to upgrade your WRX VB, but the budget is feeling a little too tight to make that happen. Luckily, you don’t need to drop $5,000 to make your VB feel like your one-of-a-kind machine. After all, this is a car that’s begging to be pushed harder, sound meaner, and look sharper than anything else on the road, and you can start making that dream a reality for far less than you might think. With just $1,500 in your pocket, you’ve got enough room to snag some serious performance gains, killer styling upgrades, and driving feel improvements that’ll leave stock WRXs weeping in your dust.

This is more than some throwaway budget guide full of gimmicks and cheap parts. Every upgrade here is handpicked for the single purpose of making your VB hit harder, handle cleaner, and drive like never before. Let’s dive into the mods that matter most, while managing to keep your wallet intact at the same time. 

Stretching Every Dollar for Maximum Performance

You might be asking, what’s the key to a solid budget build? It’s knowing when to skip the filler and go straight for upgrades that punch above their weight class in terms of performance. If you’re just starting your modding journey or looking to fine-tune the setup you’ve been running for a while now, the parts we’ve got below should help give you the biggest bang for your buck. Proven to fit, built to last, and ready to wake your WRX VB the hell up.

WRX VB vs Civic Si

Cobb Redline Intake

The stock intake on your WRX VB is just fine. That is, if you’re into sluggish throttle response and an engine note that sounds like a vacuum cleaner. But if you bolt on a Cobb Redline Carbon Intake, you’ll feel the difference almost instantly. Not only does this open up the airflow and give your turbo more room to breathe, but it looks absolutely filthy beneath the hood. You get better response, a more aggressive sound, and a clean carbon finish. Sounds like a win-win to me. 

Coming in at less than $300, this intake is one of the smartest mods you can throw on your VB right away. It’s powerful, pairs well with other upgrades, and gives you noticeable improvement right off the bat. Think of it like removing the kink from a hose. Once the restriction’s gone, airflow improves and the power comes on quicker and stronger.

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BC Racing Coilovers

You might think that your VB handles pretty well with just the factory setup. And while that may be true, pretty well shouldn’t be the goal. A set of BC Racing Coilovers solves that problem, while also improving your stance at the same time. You get full ride height adjustability, customizable damping, and a lower center of gravity that will make carving backroads and spirited driving sessions feel way more rewarding.

For right around $1,200, this is a complete suspension solution that won’t beat you up during your daily commute and still delivers when it counts. It tightens up the chassis, flattens out corners, and can instantly make your car feel more dialed-in. Not to mention that your new ride height adjustability lets you go from a subtle drop to a breathtaking slammed stance without needing new hardware. 

Remark Axle-Back Exhaust

One thing you don’t want for your WRX VB is to let the factory exhaust choke the personality out of your ride. Switching to a Remark Axle-Back is a simple, no-nonsense bolt-on that gives a deeper, cleaner tone without turning your car into a rolling noise complaint. It’s well-built, made from stainless steel, and will give your VB the kind of sound you’d want to hear from a turbocharged boxer engine. 

Coming in at under $600, this is one of the easiest and most impactful upgrades on this list. You’ll be getting more than just great sound from your exhaust, you’re also trimming weight of your ride, improving the exhaust flow, and adding a more aggressive rear-end look with incredibly clean tip designs. There’s no tune required, just immaculate vibes every time you roll into a boost.

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Boomba Short Throw Shifter

There’s two words that can be used to describe the stock shifter on the VB, and they aren’t good ones; vague and soft. While this might not be an issue for the average daily commuter, that just isn’t going to cut it for our purposes. A good solution to this problem is equipping a Boomba Short Throw Shifter (and maybe some front and rear bushings while you’re at it) to completely revitalize your whole experience. Your throw length shrinks, while the action firms up, and every gear change is going to feel perfectly mechanical and deliberate. 

This whole setup will run you somewhere around $300 total, and it’s an upgrade that’s worth every penny. While you might not feel any power gains, the added control, sharper feedback, and better connection to the car will more than make up for it. This is one of those mods that you’ll be able to feel every time you drive, and once you have, you’ll never want to settle for anything less.

Build Smarter, Not Just Bigger with MAPerformance

You won’t need a massive budget to start building a WRX VB that feels fresh and improves your experience at the same time. With the right parts for the right price, you’ll completely change the look and feel of your car while still leaving enough of your paycheck left over for groceries. Every mod we’ve covered today adds real value, performance, and personality to your build. And when you’re ready to upgrade your VB, MAPerformance will be here to help with all the parts, knowledge, and support to fuel every stage of your journey. With the largest inventory of VB parts, fast shipping, and world-class customer service, you’ll always have the tools you need to keep moving forward.