Subaru OEM IHI VF48 Turbocharger 2002-2007 WRX / 2004-2021 STI

Subaru OEM IHI VF Series turbochargers offer a true bolt-on upgrade for 2002–2007 WRX and STI models, utilizing all factory mounting points and connecting directly to the OEM oil and coolant lines. For 2.0L WRX owners, these turbos deliver a substantial increase in power while maintaining OEM-level reliability, fitment, and drivability. Many common engine management base maps support VF-series turbos as well, which can reduce or even eliminate the need for custom tuning in certain setups.

Owners of 2006–2007 2.5L WRX models can also benefit from a VF-series upgrade; however, gains are typically less dramatic compared to the 2.0L platform. The larger-displacement 2.5L engine may experience power tapering at higher RPMs due to the turbo’s flow limitations.

For STI owners, VF-series turbochargers are best viewed as OEM-equivalent replacements rather than performance-oriented upgrades. The IHI VF48, which comes factory-equipped on 2008–2021 STI models, has shown promising performance potential. Although still relatively new to the enthusiast community, it has demonstrated the ability to produce approximately 300–315 whp when tuned aggressively.