COBB is known for the Accessport, exhausts, and turbo hardware, but the brand also makes a set of small, inexpensive parts that finish the details those bigger purchases skip entirely. A silicone radiator hose kit, a weighted shift knob, a plate relocation mount, and two pieces of small hardware round out this list, none over one hundred five dollars, all things that make a modified WRX or STI feel finished rather than just modified. Fitment varies more than usual across this list, so each part below states exactly what it fits before anything else.
Most build lists focus on power, and for good reason. But the difference between a car that looks like a pile of individually good mods and a car that looks like a deliberate build usually comes down to details this small, the kind of parts that cost under a hundred dollars each but get noticed by anyone who actually knows what they are looking at. A modified engine bay with cracked exhaust hangers and a stock shift knob still reads as unfinished no matter how much power the turbo makes, and that gap is exactly what this list closes.
Silicone Exhaust Hangers: A Small Fix for a Common Factory Failure
Factory rubber exhaust hangers dry out and crack over time, particularly on cars that see hot summers or a lot of highway miles, and a cracked hanger means a sagging exhaust section that rattles or clunks over bumps. This is one of the more common small failures on an aging WRX or STI, and it is rarely the first thing an owner thinks to check.
The COBB Silicone Exhaust Hanger replaces that factory rubber piece with a more durable silicone insert that resists the cracking and sagging that comes with age. This fits WRX, STI, and Legacy GT, making it the broadest fitting part on this entire list.
At fifteen dollars, this is an easy addition any time the exhaust is already off for other work, and a smart preventative buy for anyone whose car is old enough that the factory rubber hangers have never been replaced.
CAN Gateway Reverse Mount Bracket: WRX Specific, and a Real Convenience Fix
This part carries the first fitment restriction on this list. The COBB CAN Gateway Reverse Mount Bracket fits the 2015 to 2021 WRX only, not the STI. Owners running COBB’s CAN Gateway device on this WRX generation know the awkward factory mounting position it defaults to, tucked in a spot that makes it hard to actually see or reach.
This bracket repositions the gateway to a more accessible mounting point, a small fifteen dollar fix for anyone who has fought with the factory location while trying to check a connection or troubleshoot a code.
License Plate Relocation Mount: 2008 to 2014 Only
The second fitment restriction on this list applies to the COBB License Plate Relocation Mount, which fits WRX and STI, but only for the 2008 to 2014 model years and their specific front bumper design. Owners outside that range should confirm fitment before ordering.
Within that year range, this mount solves the same problem plate relocation kits solve on other Subaru generations, opening up front bumper airflow and giving the car a cleaner look for anyone who does not want a plate drilled straight into the factory bumper. It is also a common first step for owners planning a front mount intercooler down the line, since a relocated plate keeps the front bumper opening clear for future cooling upgrades.
6-Speed Weighted Shift Knob: A Straightforward Feel Upgrade, With One Catch
The COBB 6-Speed Weighted Shift Knob fits WRX and STI, but specifically the 6-speed manual cars. Owners running a 5-speed WRX need a different knob entirely, since the thread pitch and shifter design differ between the two transmissions.
The added weight changes how the shifter feels moving between gears, a small but noticeable difference that pairs well with the kind of shifter bushing and linkage upgrades covered in the shift feel upgrade guide. A heavier knob alone will not fix shifter slop, but combined with the parts in that guide it rounds out a genuinely tighter feeling shifter from top to bottom.
Silicone Radiator Hose Kit: WRX and Forester XT, Not STI
This is the most important fitment note on this entire list. The COBB Silicone Radiator Hose Kit fits the WRX and Forester XT specifically. It does not fit the STI. COBB makes a separate radiator hose kit for the STI platform, but it is a different SKU and is not the part featured here, so STI owners should not assume this specific kit applies to their car.
For WRX and Forester XT owners, this kit replaces aging factory rubber radiator hoses with reinforced silicone construction rated for a higher operating temperature range, a genuinely useful upgrade for any car that sees extended track time or hot climate driving, not just a cosmetic engine bay upgrade.
Why Fitment Matters More on This List Than Most
Three of these five parts carry a real fitment restriction, which is unusual for a single roundup post and worth calling out directly rather than glossing over. Owners cross shopping this list against their specific WRX or STI should check the year, transmission, and platform notes above before ordering rather than assuming broad compatibility just because a part appears on a WRX and STI focused list. This is a case where the small print genuinely matters more than usual, since three separate parts here would be the wrong purchase for someone who skimmed the title and assumed universal fitment.
This kind of detail work pairs naturally with a broader cosmetic pass on the car, similar to what is covered in the best exterior upgrades guide and the best OLM upgrades roundup. None of these five parts require the mechanical commitment of a turbo upgrade or a clutch job, which makes this a reasonable list for owners newer to modifying who want a build that reads as deliberate rather than random.
Builds already deep into a broader plan, including the perfect street STI build plan or a bolt on power upgrade path, often come back to small detail parts like these once the bigger, more expensive items are already checked off. A build with a well sorted engine bay and a properly weighted shifter reads as more finished than one with a bigger turbo and a factory shift knob, even if the second car makes more power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the radiator hose kit fit my STI?
No. This specific kit fits WRX and Forester XT only. COBB makes a separate hose kit designed for the STI platform, but it is a different part number, not the one featured in this list.
Can I use the CAN Gateway bracket on my STI?
No. This bracket is designed specifically for the 2015 to 2021 WRX and does not fit the STI’s different mounting layout.
Will the 6-speed shift knob fit my 5-speed WRX?
No. The thread pitch and shifter design differ between 5-speed and 6-speed Subaru manual transmissions, so a 5-speed specific knob is required for those cars.
Are any of these five parts purely functional rather than cosmetic?
The exhaust hanger and radiator hose kit are the most functional of the five, addressing real factory weak points rather than just appearance. A CAN Gateway bracket, plate relocation mount, and shift knob lean more toward convenience and cosmetic improvement, though the mounting bracket does solve a genuine access problem for anyone who has actually tried to work around the factory gateway position.
Can I install all five of these myself?
Yes. All five are straightforward bolt on or clamp on installs that most owners can complete with basic hand tools, none requiring specialized equipment or professional installation.
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