Subaru WRX EJ vs FA: The Ultimate Engine Showdown

EJ vs FA WRX: The Subaru Engine Battle You Should Know About

There’s a good chance that if you’re a Subaru fan, you’ve probably heard about this heated debate: EJ or FA engine, which one comes out on top? But don’t go thinking this is just limited to car forums and track day chatter, this is a real clash between the past and future of WRX builds. The EJ is the gritty veteran option that first got the WRX on the map with its raw power and rally energy. On the other hand, the FA is the new kid on the block, a modern twist that boasts quicker spool, direct injection, and engineering that excelled at smoothing out some of the rough edges found in the EJ.

But if you’re looking for a simple “this engine is best” answer, you’re in the wrong place. That question is answered differently depending on if you’re looking for the analog, old-school feel of the EJ or the refined and efficient performance balance of the FA. We’re going to dig into both engine options, looking at their power delivery, reliability, and tuning potential so you can figure out which one is the best fit for your style. It doesn’t matter if you’re building your first WRX or weighing the next big mod, this debate isn’t going anywhere soon.

MAPerformance Daily Deals

How This Debate Still Fuels WRX Culture

Before we get right into the nitty gritty of this debate, we should ask ourselves why this engine clash continues to mean so much after so long. The truth of the matter is that the EJ and FA are more than just hunks of metal, they actually represent major milestones of WRX eras and philosophy. The first one is raw, mechanical and totally old-school, while the other is efficient, sleek, and takes advantage of modern performance tech. When you understand these contrasting points of view, that sets the stage for everything that comes after: how they drive, hold up, and how they transform when enthusiasts start working on them.

Performance Face-Off: Raw Punch vs Refined Power

The EJ’s angle has always been about the thrill. Drop the clutch, the turbo starts to spool, and without warning you’re pinned back by that powerful woosh that feels like your car is challenging you to keep your foot in it. It may not be the smoothest ride out there, the powerband feels jagged at times while the lag before boost is more noticeable than most. But that level of unpredictability is precisely what keeps the EJ such a thrill. Every pull is a singular event, while shifts keep you on the edge of your seat, and for a large number of WRX drivers, that mechanical character is synonymous with the WRX experience. 

Meanwhile, the FA swapped that chaos out for a degree of composure that can’t be matched. A twin-scroll turbo setup and direct injection spools faster than a strike of lightning, delivering torque that’s somehow refined but still powerful. You won’t have time to wait with this one, that pull is immediate and stretches lacrosse the rev range. It might not be rowdy like the EJ, but that balance more than makes up for it. From hammering canyon roads to navigating weekly traffic, the FA excels at keeping the power on tap without issue. Think of it as Subaru’s natural evolution from “rally rebel” to "everyday powerhouse”, and you’ll find there are those who love that, while others think it takes away what makes a WRX feel like a WRX.

Choosing the Right Turbo for Your WRX VA

Reliability Check: Quirks vs Fixes

The EJ can be considered a legend in the Subaru community, but it can also be known as somewhat of a headache at the same time. It can run forever with the right care, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll never experience problems. Worst case scenario is something along the lines of blown head gaskets, oil leak or bearing issues that spring up without warning. By no means should you consider the EJ unreliable, it just makes you earn its loyalty. To put a positive spin on this, some owners don’t mind the challenge of this level of maintenance, it keeps the mind and the tools sharp. And if you consistently keep up with oil changes, cooling upgrades and other preventative care, then the EJ won’t give you much to worry about..

The funniest part of this whole comparison is that the FA was originally created as answer to years of EJ complaints. Its improved cooling pathways, stronger internals and direct injection technology were meant to provide a path to Subaru drivers to a clean slate and avoiding catastrophic failures. It wins to a certain degree just by not requiring the same level of maintenance as its more seasoned counterpart. But that doesn’t mean that the FA is perfect, or that it doesn’t have its own quirks as well. The direct injection is prone to carbon buildup and has a much more complex fueling system than the EJ. But overall, the FA is a more peace-of-mind option than the EJ, which was the whole point.

Tuning Throwdown: Old-School vs New-School Mods

Just like how the FA had the edge for reliability/maintenance, the EJ holds a slight edge over its younger sibling when it comes to upgrades. Decades of trial and error means that there’s a playbook for pretty much every kind of upgrade you can think of. You can start simple like a cold air intake and cat-back exhaust upgrade and rise all the way to aggressive builds with big turbo kits and forged internals. The EJ’s path has been paved by thousands of enthusiasts looking for new ways to transform their build, giving you mountains of wisdom to aid you in your journey.

While it doesn’t have the storied history of upgrades that the EJ has, the FA is by no means a slouch in this department. It’s already established great potential with state-of-the-art mods, and tuning alone can do wonders. Pair that with a few mods like front-mount intercoolers, a new downpipe, or even fueling system upgrades, and your FA will come alive in ways that feel effortless. You don’t have the decades of experience that the EJ has established, but that responsiveness to tuning makes it an exciting project in its own right. With a growing level of aftermarket support year after year, it’s making the case that the FA is more than the WRX’s present, it’s the future too.

WRX Parts and Upgrades

Which Engine Wins? That Depends

In the end, we don’t really think one engine stands above the other as the “superior choice”. Both options have their pros and cons, the FA is less maintenance but a less robust aftermarket community, while the EJ excels in its upgrade potential but is a more complex option to maintain over time. But both are great options that will give your WRX a great driving experience, you just have to decide which one is right for you. And when you know which option is best and you need mods to make it even better, that’s when MAPerformance steps in to help out! We have the largest selection of WRX upgrades you’ll find, so whatever you need, we’ll have you covered. We offer free shipping and quick delivery on all purchases, and we also have some great financing options to keep your purchases easier and more affordable. And if you have questions or are in search of recommendations, our world-class customer service team is always available to help with whatever you need! No matter which WRX engine you think is best, we’re here to help make it even better!