Aftermarket parts for some things work and fit good on the cars. TRQ is a good product as far as I've seen, so things like axles and suspension that carry a longer warranty than you'll get from OEM suppliers carry a lot of weight, especially for the price.

The parts that should be specific to a brand are spark plugs, sensors and other electronics. NGK plugs can withstand the ignition rate, where Bosch cannot. Denso oxygen sensors react faster than Bosch and Walker. Other sensors from aftermarket or store branded cannot be produced to operate and provide accurate feedback to the computer without a production license from Subaru, so there are slight differences that make aftermarket sensors useless.

Brands to avoid since they won't fit properly are MOOG and Anchor. Do Not use a Gates timing kit on a belted engine. (Gen 4 is either belted or chain with a split between 2012 and 2013.)

Here's a list of some of the manufacturers that have parts that fit perfect and function as needed. Some are OEM suppliers.

Diamond
Beck Arnley
MAHLE
Victor Reinz
NGK
Denso
Mitsubishi Electric
Six Star - mostly reboxed Subaru parts
Import Direct - O'Reilly's
TRQ
OEF
AISIN
Mitsuboshi
Bando
Continental Belting
GMB
NTN
Sachs
KYB
Bilstein
Timkin
SKF
Standard Motor
KOYO & KOYORAD
Nippon
AC Delco - not the spark plugs
1800radiator for AC and coolant parts

There are a few eBay sellers that have cats that fit and work. What you want to look for is the feedback scores and the gaskets the seller is providing. The gaskets should have compression rings. Do not buy Davidco. Most cats are manufactured in Canada, so the prices may go up.

eBay is also good for looking for OEM parts. As an example, a $350 IACV was found on eBay for $80.00. A new Subaru part in its box. Either the seller didn't know what they had, or wanted to sell it quick. Found a TPS sensor for $35. Spending a bit of time looking for parts that you have the OEM part number can save you a bundle.

 

A new Subaru part in its box. Either the seller didn't know what they had, or wanted to sell it quick.

Ummm.... Gray market / black market / stolen?

 

Another vote for Denso O2 A/F sensors.

Any other brand is a waste of money and time in a Subaru and only results in frustration.

Seagrass

 

Denso sensors for the front and rear O2. Anything else and you may get faults or crappy fuel mileage.

 

 

CSF is a good product. I don't think about them much because I always go with KOYO unless it's a sealed aluminum. KOYO is readily available here.

 

Thanks Cardoc. I went with the CSF. A lot of the KOYO I found are for turbos or WRX/STIs. I'm guessing the beefed up Subie owners like them.

I'll let you know how the install goes as far as compatibility.

 

No, KOYO has radiators for "normal" cars. It may be listed under KOYORAD.

 

I have used TRQ parts (lower / upper control arms, shocks, end links) on my daughter's car and they were pretty much identical to the original Honda parts they replaced. So far so good after many, many thousands of miles on them.
I agree on MOOG, their quality has gone downhill