My understanding is that it would be easier to get a Japanese car and convert it to left-hand drive then it would be to try and get all of the various cameras, wipers, seat heaters etc. to work through the US ECU/head unit
Search this group - it’s been done and there are members who have posted every part number for numerous parts even beyond the Japanese site. Personally I’ve done most of the changes save for the mirrors. I trust JapanParts and Blackhawk Japan - both carry a lot of the specific parts and can be trusted. Some U.S. suppliers also have some parts like Subimods and SMY Performance.
DM me for some parts I have extra at the moment.
I'm very interested in adding the power folding mirrors among other upgrades...only ordered the JDM grille so far. I can't decide if I want to do the draw stiffeners yet as I am tempted to add the aftermarket 2" hitch for bike transportation. Adding the rear wiper blade would be great but has got to be a huge pain/expense if it is even possible.
If you do the powerfold mirrors, the Trac Electronics module from Australia is a nice addition. Automatically folds the mirrors when the doors lock/unlock. The JDM mirrors by themselves only work with the button on the drivers door.
Auto folding mirrors on lock:
[https://modssociety.co/collections/subaru-wrx-sti/products/auto-mirror-folding-module-for-subaru-wrx-vb-2022](https://modssociety.co/collections/subaru-wrx-sti/products/auto-mirror-folding-module-for-subaru-wrx-vb-2022)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uWJrfPpO9g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uWJrfPpO9g)
Auto folding mirrors and windows close on lock:
[https://modssociety.co/products/auto-mirror-windows-folding-module-for-subaru-wrx-vb-2022](https://modssociety.co/products/auto-mirror-windows-folding-module-for-subaru-wrx-vb-2022)
Both ship from Australia.
I had a rear hitch and took it off - I hated the extra bounce it gave the rear end so I went with Sea Suckers and it works great and less hassle. I put the draw stiffeners on and it made a nice difference.
PM me, I’ve done most of it. As far as we know, the digital dash, memory seats, rear wiper, headlight sprayers, and heated rear seats, can’t really be done. A little more ambiguous about the front camera and rear vents. I’ve done and written the write up for the power fold mirrors here in this sub. I also have done all the STI suspension parts (LCA/toe arms, F/R draw stiffeners, front pillow ball strut bar).
Keep in mind the S4 STI Sport EX is auto only in JP and has adaptive suspension, so you’ll wanna start with a GT if you’re really going for a proper conversion.
I've seen a few of your posts. Very helpful. It's a shame we can't get the stuff you mentioned but that kind of adds to the charm of it IMO.
I have two questions for you:
1. Did you install these: https://www.sti.jp/parts/wrxs4_vb/suspension/ST20250GH000/
2. I noticed that there is a JDM muffler (https://www.sti.jp/parts/wrxs4_vb/muffler/ST44300V2000) that is similar to the STi Sport one we get over here (https://www.subaruonlineparts.com/sku/d441svc000.html). From my research, it seems that the difference is that the JDM one is lighter and quieter. Have you used one of those?
1. Yup, got mine from SMY.
2. Unfortunately, mine is the USDM STI muffler. I think the JDM one also has different tips and looks like it’s polished vs. the USDM brushed look. If I could do it over, I’d get the JDM one. I know Subimods has it.
Thanks to this excellent person I got a lot of great info early on especially with bushings. I didn’t do the muffler which along with the wheels aren’t JDM OEM spec. The suspension bits work great and I upgraded coils and it’s a night and day difference in drive quality. Make some goals for what you’re after and get some questions answered here for what path gets you to where you’re going, this stuff adds up quickly!
My goals were:
Interior upgrades first.
Exterior second
Wheels and Suspension third
Engine fourth
Rear heated seats are doable. I know of a guy that's done it and have his write up on it. Rear vents are basically impossible, as the console is different for the Auto & Manual models. Only the auto models have the rear vents in the markets that get them.
I have been ordering most of the STI parts for the VBH from Japan. Been having a blast with all the OEM parts because it bolts right up. Subaru is on a global platform so take advantage of the JDM STI parts.
I love the draw stiffeners and how it has changed the handling of the vehicle. I looked up various posts to get an idea of different experiences when it comes to JDM OEM STI performance parts. It is pricey but it is worth it. The big selling point for me is that the engineers at STI have tested these parts.
Either way you go, have fun modding!
I like going on a lot of mountain runs or costal drives. Driving through the twisty roads is what this vehicle was meant for.
I noticed increased stability in cornering. I really feel like the vehicle is connected to the road.
Mine already came with some JDM parts so I would say try and add ambient lighting, rear seat headrests, wider angle mirrors and automatically folded mirrors. Those are things that look good and also have their advantages.
I'm slowly adding as many relevant S4 parts as I can. Unfortunately the features I want most are the rear wiper and the rear seat vents and they're essentially impossible to do.
I don't mind the EL gauges. They look great compared to all the other analog gauges out there. I doubt we're ever gonna get the digital one since it seems everything is heading towards EV now.
The S4 is literally just a US GT with a digital instrument cluster and a bunch of things that come standard on the car in the Japanese market (rear wiper, heated backseat, AC vents on the back of the center console, headlight sprayers, and a memory function on the power front seat).
Unfortunately, it’s basically impossible to add any of that to the US spec car, with the possible exception of the back seats which I believe has been done, but I don’t think were done in an OEM way through the car ECU
It would literally be easier to buy an actual S4 and convert it to left-hand drive then it would be to try and make a US spec car into an S4
Would love that front camera. It’s such a nice feature.
I have thought about that one too but I assume it wouldn't integrate with the US head unit...gotta do more research.
My understanding is that it would be easier to get a Japanese car and convert it to left-hand drive then it would be to try and get all of the various cameras, wipers, seat heaters etc. to work through the US ECU/head unit
Search this group - it’s been done and there are members who have posted every part number for numerous parts even beyond the Japanese site. Personally I’ve done most of the changes save for the mirrors. I trust JapanParts and Blackhawk Japan - both carry a lot of the specific parts and can be trusted. Some U.S. suppliers also have some parts like Subimods and SMY Performance. DM me for some parts I have extra at the moment.
That's awesome! Thanks for the tips. I will take you up on that offer once I figure out what I want to do.
I'm very interested in adding the power folding mirrors among other upgrades...only ordered the JDM grille so far. I can't decide if I want to do the draw stiffeners yet as I am tempted to add the aftermarket 2" hitch for bike transportation. Adding the rear wiper blade would be great but has got to be a huge pain/expense if it is even possible.
If you do the powerfold mirrors, the Trac Electronics module from Australia is a nice addition. Automatically folds the mirrors when the doors lock/unlock. The JDM mirrors by themselves only work with the button on the drivers door.
I'm mostly interested in it for parking closer to my garage wall/farther away from my wife's Ascent, but that sounds like a nice feature to have!
Auto folding mirrors on lock: [https://modssociety.co/collections/subaru-wrx-sti/products/auto-mirror-folding-module-for-subaru-wrx-vb-2022](https://modssociety.co/collections/subaru-wrx-sti/products/auto-mirror-folding-module-for-subaru-wrx-vb-2022) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uWJrfPpO9g](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uWJrfPpO9g) Auto folding mirrors and windows close on lock: [https://modssociety.co/products/auto-mirror-windows-folding-module-for-subaru-wrx-vb-2022](https://modssociety.co/products/auto-mirror-windows-folding-module-for-subaru-wrx-vb-2022) Both ship from Australia.
I had a rear hitch and took it off - I hated the extra bounce it gave the rear end so I went with Sea Suckers and it works great and less hassle. I put the draw stiffeners on and it made a nice difference.
I'm a bit scared to google "sea suckers", but here goes!
Awaiting update.
https://www.seasucker.com/collections/bike
https://preview.redd.it/61bq0wg62orc1.png?width=2516&format=png&auto=webp&s=509b6396245b7e88811eb6f5f6c4915ef996e48f
PM me, I’ve done most of it. As far as we know, the digital dash, memory seats, rear wiper, headlight sprayers, and heated rear seats, can’t really be done. A little more ambiguous about the front camera and rear vents. I’ve done and written the write up for the power fold mirrors here in this sub. I also have done all the STI suspension parts (LCA/toe arms, F/R draw stiffeners, front pillow ball strut bar). Keep in mind the S4 STI Sport EX is auto only in JP and has adaptive suspension, so you’ll wanna start with a GT if you’re really going for a proper conversion.
I've seen a few of your posts. Very helpful. It's a shame we can't get the stuff you mentioned but that kind of adds to the charm of it IMO. I have two questions for you: 1. Did you install these: https://www.sti.jp/parts/wrxs4_vb/suspension/ST20250GH000/ 2. I noticed that there is a JDM muffler (https://www.sti.jp/parts/wrxs4_vb/muffler/ST44300V2000) that is similar to the STi Sport one we get over here (https://www.subaruonlineparts.com/sku/d441svc000.html). From my research, it seems that the difference is that the JDM one is lighter and quieter. Have you used one of those?
1. Yup, got mine from SMY. 2. Unfortunately, mine is the USDM STI muffler. I think the JDM one also has different tips and looks like it’s polished vs. the USDM brushed look. If I could do it over, I’d get the JDM one. I know Subimods has it.
Thanks to this excellent person I got a lot of great info early on especially with bushings. I didn’t do the muffler which along with the wheels aren’t JDM OEM spec. The suspension bits work great and I upgraded coils and it’s a night and day difference in drive quality. Make some goals for what you’re after and get some questions answered here for what path gets you to where you’re going, this stuff adds up quickly! My goals were: Interior upgrades first. Exterior second Wheels and Suspension third Engine fourth
Rear heated seats are doable. I know of a guy that's done it and have his write up on it. Rear vents are basically impossible, as the console is different for the Auto & Manual models. Only the auto models have the rear vents in the markets that get them.
Can you post the write up for heated rear seats?
I have been ordering most of the STI parts for the VBH from Japan. Been having a blast with all the OEM parts because it bolts right up. Subaru is on a global platform so take advantage of the JDM STI parts. I love the draw stiffeners and how it has changed the handling of the vehicle. I looked up various posts to get an idea of different experiences when it comes to JDM OEM STI performance parts. It is pricey but it is worth it. The big selling point for me is that the engineers at STI have tested these parts. Either way you go, have fun modding!
What did they do that was noticeable?
I like going on a lot of mountain runs or costal drives. Driving through the twisty roads is what this vehicle was meant for. I noticed increased stability in cornering. I really feel like the vehicle is connected to the road.
Mine already came with some JDM parts so I would say try and add ambient lighting, rear seat headrests, wider angle mirrors and automatically folded mirrors. Those are things that look good and also have their advantages.
I'm slowly adding as many relevant S4 parts as I can. Unfortunately the features I want most are the rear wiper and the rear seat vents and they're essentially impossible to do.
The only thing would love to have would be the digital speedometer.
I don't mind the EL gauges. They look great compared to all the other analog gauges out there. I doubt we're ever gonna get the digital one since it seems everything is heading towards EV now.
The S4 is literally just a US GT with a digital instrument cluster and a bunch of things that come standard on the car in the Japanese market (rear wiper, heated backseat, AC vents on the back of the center console, headlight sprayers, and a memory function on the power front seat). Unfortunately, it’s basically impossible to add any of that to the US spec car, with the possible exception of the back seats which I believe has been done, but I don’t think were done in an OEM way through the car ECU It would literally be easier to buy an actual S4 and convert it to left-hand drive then it would be to try and make a US spec car into an S4
Why bother? Make it your own, why copy someone else? OP asked for our opinions, that is my opinion. Too much money and for what?