Best Fumoto Valve for Subaru WRX: VB, VA, STI, and Oil Drain Fitment

Changing oil on a WRX is easier than it used to be, especially on FA-series cars with the oil filter on top of the engine. The messy part is still the drain plug. A Fumoto valve replaces that plug with a lever-operated drain valve so you can drain oil without removing a bolt every time. Pair it with the right oil from our WRX motor oil guide and the routine gets much cleaner.

Quick answer: for most 2015-2026 FA-series WRX owners, the Fumoto F108S is the simple short-nipple pick because it supports hose draining without adding a long outlet. Choose F108SX if you want the valve body to rotate for better clearance and outlet orientation. Choose F-108 if you want the lowest-profile no-nipple valve. For 2002-2014 WRX and 2004-2021 STI EJ engines, shop F105-series fitment instead; the F108 does not fit EJ oil pans.

How We Picked These Fumoto Valves

Sources checked for this update include Fumoto USA product and support pages, Import Image Racing, New Provisions Racing, Subimods, MAPerformance, FTSpeed, AutoZone fitment listings, older Subaru/Fumoto fitment charts, and owner-discussion themes around safety clips, leaks, recessed oil pans, low-car clearance, and drain-hose convenience.

The most important detail is engine family:

• 2022+ VB WRX FA24DIT: shop M16-1.5 / F108-series fitment, with F108S as the simple pick and F108SX as the adjustable-clearance pick.
• 2015-2021 VA WRX FA20DIT: shop M16-1.5 / F108-series fitment.
• 2002-2014 WRX EJ20/EJ25 and 2004-2021 STI EJ257: shop F105-series EJ fitment.
• Aftermarket oil pans: verify separately. Retailer fitment is usually guaranteed only with the OEM oil pan.

Choose by engine and oil-pan fitment rather than chassis alone. A 2015-2021 WRX and 2015-2021 STI are both VA-body cars, but they use different engines and different Fumoto fitment paths. Start with the Subaru WRX engine guide to identify the application, then use the FA20 guide or EJ25 guide for engine-specific details.

Best Fumoto Valve for 2022+ VB WRX

The 2022+ WRX uses the FA24DIT, and current Subaru retailers commonly list F108SX for FA-series WRX fitment. The SX design matters because it can rotate after installation, which helps keep the valve body and short nipple positioned away from obstructions.

Pick	Thread	Nipple	Best for	Watch out for
F108S	M16-1.5	Short 5mm nipple	Most FA WRX DIY oil changes	Fixed orientation
F108SX	M16-1.5	Short 5mm nipple	VB/FA clearance and hose drainage	Costs more than older F-series valves
F-108	M16-1.5	None	Most compact profile	No hose attachment

The F108SX is the best current VB recommendation. Import Image Racing lists it for 2015-2026 Subaru WRX FA-series engines, and Fumoto’s SX page explains the advantage: the valve uses a through-bolt and rotating body so you can orient the oil outlet and lever after tightening.

That adjustability is useful on a WRX because clearance matters more than convenience. You want the valve tucked up, the lever protected, and the outlet aimed where a short drain hose can be useful.

Buy if: you own a 2022+ WRX and want the most adjustable Fumoto setup.

Skip if: your car is very low, sees rough gravel, or has an aftermarket skid plate/oil pan that leaves the valve exposed.

Review evidence: strong current retailer fitment signal and strong Fumoto product documentation; long-term VB-specific owner signal is thinner than VA.

The original F-108 is the compact choice because it does not have a nipple. Fumoto lists it as M16-1.5, with a forged brass body, stainless handle and spring, fiber gasket, 145 PSI pressure rating, and recommended torque of 221 in-lb / 18 ft-lb.

The tradeoff is that you cannot attach a hose. If your WRX’s drain stream already lands cleanly in the pan, that may be fine. If you want the main Fumoto benefit to be a directed no-mess drain, use F108SX or F108S instead.

Buy if: you want minimum added projection from the oil pan.

Skip if: you want to attach a drain hose.

Best Fumoto Valve for 2015-2021 VA WRX

The original article focused on a 2015+ FA20DIT WRX and recommended the short-nipple F108S/F108FS style valve. That is still useful, but the current article should distinguish it from the newer F108SX.

The F108S is the direct successor to the older short-nipple recommendation in this article. It gives the VA WRX the feature most DIY owners actually want: a hose nipple so the oil drains into a pan or jug without splashing on the undertray, crossmember, hands, or garage floor.

The original ThinkTuning install used a short-nipple 108-series valve on a VA WRX and found that it did not hang below the bottom of the car. That is still the key check after installation: look at the valve from below and from the front of the car before assuming it is protected.

If the car is tuned, tracked, or used for short-trip daily driving, oil service is only one part of the maintenance picture. Direct-injected FA engines also benefit from keeping the intake tract cleaner, which is why many owners pair regular oil changes with an air/oil separator or catch can.

Buy if: you own a 2015-2021 WRX and want a lower-cost hose-drain Fumoto.

Skip if: the valve cannot be fully tightened due to a recessed pan or obstruction; use SX or an adapter only if fitment supports it.

Review evidence: strong. Import Image Racing lists 2015-2021 WRX / FA-series fitment with substantial review volume.

Best Fumoto Valve for STI and Older WRX EJ Engines

This is the fitment correction the old article was missing. A VA WRX and VA STI are not the same Fumoto application. The VA WRX uses the FA20DIT and F108-series fitment. The VA STI uses the EJ257 and belongs with the older EJ WRX/STI F105-series path.

Engine/chassis	Likely Fumoto path	Notes
2002-2014 WRX EJ20/EJ25	F105-series	Confirm exact oil pan and year
2004-2021 STI EJ257	F105-series	Does not use FA20/F108 fitment
2015-2021 WRX FA20DIT	F108-series	Do not copy STI/EJ fitment
2022+ WRX FA24DIT	F108-series	F108SX is the cleanest current pick

Use F105-series fitment for EJ-powered WRX/STI applications. Subaru-specific retailer listings are explicit: EJ20/EJ25 WRX/STI models use the M20-1.5 / 105-series path, and this does not fit FA20 Subaru engines. The F105S-style short-nipple kit is the most useful version if you want hose drainage; the no-nipple F-105 is the lower-profile EJ alternative.

The caution is oil-pan variation. Retailer notes usually assume an OEM oil pan. If your older WRX or STI has an aftermarket pan, skid plate, aftermarket header clearance changes, or a recessed drain area, verify before installing.

Buy if: you have a 2002-2014 WRX or 2004-2021 STI with an OEM-style EJ oil pan.

Skip if: you have a 2015-2021 WRX FA20DIT or 2022+ WRX FA24DIT.

Fumoto Valve Install, Clearance, and Safety Guide

Standard F-series vs SX-series

Type	Main advantage	Best use
F108 / F105 original	Most compact, no nipple	Clearance-first installs
F108S / F105S short nipple	Hose drain without much extra projection	Most DIY oil-change setups
F108SX	Rotating body, short nipple, clip included	Recessed pans and better outlet orientation
ValvoMax	Capped valve with separate drain tube	Buyers worried about exposed lever designs

The SX-series exists because standard valves can be awkward on recessed oil pans. Fumoto says some recessed ports prevent the valve from rotating or tightening properly, while SX valves can often avoid the adapter because the through-bolt tightens separately from the valve body.

Installation notes

Install the valve during a normal oil change:

1. Drain the old oil with the factory plug.
2. Clean the oil-pan sealing surface.
3. Install the supplied gasket or sealing washer for the valve type.
4. Thread the valve in by hand to avoid cross-threading.
5. Tighten on the valve body, not the nipple.
6. Close the lever, install the lever clip, refill oil, and inspect for leaks.

Fumoto’s standard F-108 page specifies tightening 1/8 to 1/4 turn past hand tight or to the torque chart value for the valve. For F-108, Fumoto lists 221 in-lb / 18 ft-lb. Do not over-tighten the valve; stripping an oil pan is worse than dealing with a normal drain plug.

Is a Fumoto valve safe on a WRX?

For normal street use, the risk is low if the valve is correctly installed, closed, clipped, and protected by the oil pan/undertray. Fumoto explains that the lever must be lifted and turned, and that lever clips add protection against road debris or extreme use.

The real caution is exposure. If the valve sits low, points forward, hangs below a skid plate, or is likely to be hit by snow/ice chunks, rethink the orientation or use the compact non-nipple valve. Owners who drive off-road, rallycross, deep snow, or very low cars should be more conservative.

Does a Fumoto drain slower?

Usually yes. The passage through the valve is smaller than removing the drain plug completely. For most DIY oil changes, that tradeoff is worth it because the oil drains cleanly while you inspect the car, change the filter, or prepare the new oil.

What about ValvoMax or EZ Oil Drain Valve?

ValvoMax and EZ Oil Drain Valve are alternatives, but this article focuses on Fumoto because it has broad Subaru retailer support and long-running owner familiarity. If accidental-opening risk is your biggest concern, a cap-style design may appeal to you more than a lever valve. If hose-drain convenience and Subaru-specific retailer fitment are the priorities, Fumoto remains the easiest recommendation.

ValvoMax is the alternative to consider if you like the idea of a quick-drain valve but dislike exposed levers. It uses a safety cap and a separate drain tube/actuator rather than a permanent lever you flip open. The tradeoff is that you need to keep track of the drain tube and buy the correct thread size for your engine.

Buy if: your main concern is an exposed lever or low-clearance use.

Skip if: you want the broadest Subaru-specific Fumoto retailer fitment and simplest lever operation.

What To Avoid

Avoid installing any drain valve if it cannot fully seat against the oil pan. Avoid stacking the Fumoto gasket on top of an old Subaru crush washer. Avoid pointing the outlet or lever toward obvious road-debris exposure. Avoid using an adapter just to force fitment unless Fumoto or a trusted retailer confirms the combination. ADP-108 can help some standard 108-series installs, but it is not for F108SX. Avoid forgetting the lever clip after service, especially if a shop changes your oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Fumoto valve fits a 2015-2021 Subaru WRX?

Most 2015-2021 WRX FA20DIT applications use the M16-1.5 F108-series valve. F108S is the simple short-nipple choice, while F108SX is better when outlet orientation or clearance is tight.

What Fumoto valve fits a 2022+ WRX?

Current Subaru retailers commonly list F108S/F108SX-style M16-1.5 fitment for 2022+ WRX FA24DIT applications. Verify your exact year, oil pan, and undertray/skid-plate clearance before installation.

What Fumoto valve fits a WRX STI?

Most 2004-2021 STI EJ257 applications use F105-series fitment, not F108. Do not use the VA WRX FA20 fitment for a VA STI.

Does the Fumoto valve come with a gasket?

Fumoto valves include the appropriate sealing washer/gasket for the valve type. Fumoto also sells replacement gaskets such as the G-16 for M16 F108 valves.

What torque should I use for a Fumoto valve?

Use Fumoto’s torque guidance for the valve, not the factory drain-plug torque by default. For common F108/F105 applications, Fumoto lists 221 in-lb / 18 ft-lb.

Does a Fumoto valve drain all the oil?

Fumoto says its valves generally do not protrude meaningfully into the oil pan and are designed with thread lengths similar to normal plugs. In practice, any quick-drain valve can leave a tiny amount of residual oil compared with a wide-open drain hole, but the difference is not usually meaningful for a normal street oil change.

Can a Fumoto valve open by accident?

It is unlikely when installed correctly because the lever has to be lifted and turned, and current valves use lever clips for extra security. The higher-risk scenario is road debris or snow/ice contacting an exposed valve, so clearance and orientation matter.

Will a Fumoto valve void my warranty?

A drain valve by itself should not automatically void a vehicle warranty, but a leak, incorrect installation, damaged oil pan, or oil-loss event can create a warranty problem. Install it correctly and inspect it at every oil change.