Harvey’s Subaru journey began in 2018 after he and his wife purchased their first home in Seattle. Needing a practical four-door sedan, he naturally started looking for another turbocharged performance car. Having previously owned both an Evo VIII and Evo IX MR, his first instinct was to find an Evo X. Unfortunately, clean examples were either well outside his budget or had accumulated high mileage.
While searching, Harvey discovered the newly redesigned 2015+ Subaru WRX. After test driving several examples, he found one with low miles, a fair price, and everything he was looking for. From that moment on, the rest was history.
Like many enthusiast builds, the modifications started small before evolving into something much more serious. The factory engine handled its 93 octane tune, then E50 and E60 flex fuel tunes, until the inevitable happened: low compression in cylinder four. Instead of simply repairing the engine, Harvey saw it as the perfect opportunity to build the car the way he had always envisioned.
The heart of the build became an IAG 600 Stage 2 Short Block, surrounded by carefully selected components designed to improve reliability, increase performance, and withstand countless hard miles. Five years later, after meticulous maintenance and numerous track days, the WRX continues to prove why Harvey still loves the VA platform.
Top 5 Favorite Mods:
🔹 IAG 600 Stage 2 Short Block
🔹 SoCal Porting V4 Turbo
🔹 Mishimoto Oil Cooler Kit
🔹 Koyo Performance Radiator
🔹 2017 STI Brembo Brake Conversion
Current Setup Highlights:
Engine: IAG 600 Stage 2 Short Block, SoCal Porting V4 Turbo, Killer B 321 Stainless Header, GrimmSpeed V2 Turbo Inlet, Perrin Turbo Sump Restrictor, Church Automotive Protune
Fuel & Intake: COBB Big SF Intake, COBB Flex Fuel Kit, AEM 340LPH Fuel Pump, Nostrum High Pressure Fuel Pump, IAG TGV Deletes, GrimmSpeed 3-Port Boost Controller, IAG Air Oil Separator
Cooling: Mishimoto Oil Cooler Kit and Koyo Performance Radiator to keep temperatures under control during spirited driving and track use.
Exhaust: Invidia Catless J-Pipe paired with a Tomei Titanium Exhaust for improved flow and an unmistakable Subaru rumble.
Future Plans:
Harvey’s focus for 2027 is simple: more seat time and more track days. The next evolution of the build will shift even further toward track performance with additional power, suspension refinement, and aerodynamic upgrades to maximize the car’s potential on the road course.
Harvey’s WRX is a perfect example of building with purpose. Every modification has been chosen to improve reliability, cooling, and performance while creating a car that’s equally capable carving through canyon roads or spending an entire weekend at the race track. Rather than chasing horsepower alone, this build reflects years of thoughtful planning, quality parts, and a genuine passion for driving.
📸 Photography by: @yragvisual
