Deciding on a 2016 wrx cold air intake is basically a rite of passage for anyone who just picked up a VA-chassis Subaru. It's usually the very first "real" mod people look into after they get tired of the quiet, subdued nature of the stock engine bay. Let's be real for a second—Subaru did a decent job with the FA20DIT, but they definitely choked it down to meet noise regulations and keep things safe for the average commuter. If you're reading this, you probably aren't the "average commuter," and you want to hear that turbo actually doing its job.
The stock airbox on the 2016 WRX is bulky, plastic, and designed to be as silent as possible. It does its job fine, but it's not exactly inspiring. When you swap it out for a dedicated intake system, you're basically letting the car breathe a little easier while giving yourself a much better soundtrack every time you step on the gas.
Why the 2016 WRX Needs Better Breathing
When you start pushing the car a bit harder, the limitations of the factory setup start to show. The 2016 model year was right in the middle of the transition where people were still figuring out just how sensitive the FA20 engine is compared to the older EJs. A 2016 wrx cold air intake isn't just about moving a filter; it's about optimizing the path that air takes to get into the turbocharger.
Most aftermarket options replace the corrugated rubber hose with a smooth silicone or aluminum pipe. This reduces turbulence, which helps the turbo spool up just a tiny bit faster. It's not going to turn your car into a 500-horsepower monster overnight, but you'll notice that the car feels a bit "peppier" in the mid-range. Plus, getting rid of that heavy stock box cleans up the engine bay significantly, making it way easier to work on other things later down the road.
The Sound: Let's Talk About That Turbo Spool
If we're being completely honest, about 80% of the reason people buy a cold air intake for this car is the sound. The stock 2016 WRX is surprisingly quiet from the factory. You get a little bit of engine rumble, but the turbo noises are almost entirely filtered out.
Once you install a 2016 wrx cold air intake, that all changes. You'll hear the high-pitched whistle of the turbo spooling up as soon as you hit positive boost. But the best part? The "psshhh" sound when you let off the throttle. Because the WRX uses a bypass valve that recirculates air back into the intake tract, an open-filter intake lets you hear that air rushing back in. It's addictive. You'll find yourself downshifting and accelerating just to hear the car breathe. It adds a level of mechanical soul to the car that's missing when it's bone stock.
The Elephant in the Room: You Need a Tune
This is the part where I have to be the bearer of some slightly annoying news. You cannot—and I mean cannot—just slap a cold air intake on a 2016 WRX and call it a day without a tune. I know, some manufacturers claim "no tune required," but the FA20 engine is incredibly sensitive to changes in the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor readings.
The MAF sensor sits inside the intake pipe and tells the ECU exactly how much air is coming in. If the diameter of the new intake pipe is even a millimeter off from the factory spec, or if the air is flowing over the sensor in a slightly different pattern, the car's fueling will be all wrong. This leads to "learned knock," weird idling, and potentially a blown engine if you're pushing it hard.
If you're getting a 2016 wrx cold air intake, you should also budget for a Cobb Accessport or a custom dyno tune. Most of the big intake brands (Cobb, Mishimoto, Grimmspeed) have "Off The Shelf" (OTS) maps that are specifically calibrated for their hardware. It's a bit of an extra expense, but it's way cheaper than a new short block.
Short Ram vs. Boxed-In Intakes
When you're shopping around, you'll see two main styles. One is a "short ram" intake, which is basically just a pipe and a filter sitting in the engine bay. The other is a "cold air intake" that usually includes a heat shield or a fully enclosed box.
For a 2016 WRX, I'd almost always recommend the boxed-in version. The engine bay gets incredibly hot, especially if you're sitting in traffic or doing some spirited driving. A short ram intake will just suck in that hot air, which is less dense and can actually cause the car to pull timing and lose power. A good 2016 wrx cold air intake will have a box that seals against the hood or connects to the factory air scoop at the front of the grill. This ensures the engine is getting the coolest air possible from outside the car, which is exactly what you want for consistent performance.
Which Brands Are Actually Worth the Money?
There are a lot of players in this game, but a few stand out for the 2016 model year.
- Cobb Tuning: Probably the most popular choice. Their Big SF intake is well-built, and because they make the Accessport, their tuning support is top-notch. It's a very "safe" choice.
- Grimmspeed: These guys are nerds about airflow in the best way possible. Their intake design focuses heavily on keeping the MAF sensor readings stable, which makes the car easier to tune and smoother to drive.
- Mishimoto: If you want loud, this is often the go-to. They offer a nice heat shield, and the induction noise is very prominent.
- Perrin: Another staple in the Subaru world. Their intakes are simple, effective, and look great with their signature red or black crinkle finish.
Honestly, you can't go wrong with any of these as long as you have the proper map loaded on your ECU.
Installation Tips from the Trenches
Installing a 2016 wrx cold air intake is a perfect Saturday afternoon project. You don't need a lift or a massive toolbox—just a basic socket set, some screwdrivers, and maybe a pair of pliers for those annoying factory spring clamps.
The hardest part is usually getting the stock airbox out. There are a few hidden bolts and the plastic snorkel can be a bit stubborn. When you're installing the new one, make sure the MAF sensor is oriented correctly (it usually only goes in one way, but double-check) and that all your silicone couplers are tight. A boost leak is the last thing you want to deal with after you've just spent money on a shiny new part.
Also, be careful with "oiled" filters. Some intakes come with filters that require a light coating of oil to catch dust. If you over-oil it, that oil can spray onto the MAF sensor and gunk it up, causing the car to run like crap. Most modern kits use dry filters now, which are way easier to maintain.
Real-World Performance Gains
Don't expect your 2016 WRX to suddenly feel like an STI just from an intake. On a stock car with an OTS tune, you might see a gain of 10 to 15 horsepower. That's not huge, but the 2016 wrx cold air intake really shines when you start adding other mods, like a downpipe or a front-mount intercooler. It removes a bottleneck that would otherwise hold back those bigger upgrades.
The real gain is in the experience. The car feels more alive, the throttle response is crisper, and the sound alone makes every drive feel more special. It's one of those mods that reminds you why you bought a turbocharged car in the first place.
Final Thoughts
Is a 2016 wrx cold air intake a "must-have" mod? If you care about the driving experience and want to hear your car breathe, then yes, absolutely. It's the gateway drug to Subaru tuning. Just remember the golden rule: tune the car. As long as you respect the engine and give it the data it needs to handle the extra air, you'll be smiling every time you hear that turbo whistle. It's a simple upgrade that makes a world of difference in how the car feels on a daily basis.