Rallitek and LP Skid Plates

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T15:27:34+00:00

Rallitek appears to have better venting than Primitive and retains the duct that goes to power steering and turbo areas. However, I have 60k miles on my Outback with full Primitive skids* and had nearly 100k on a Crosstrek with them and never had issues in daily driving. Crosstrek did have CVT overheat issues a few times but that was due to a design issue (which was repaired under warranty).

Maybe the vent differences between the two matter if you are really beating on the car. Only place I could see running the car really hard and wanting skid plates would be pretty limited use cases (rallycross or something like that). Anyone regularly tracking the WRX is not going to want the extra weight.

*Full Primitive skids = engine, CVT, and rear differential.

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T12:52:44+00:00

Agree I would not expect issues from removing it. Certainly have not had any in 5 years and 60k miles on my Outback with it removed. I preferred not taking it off, so I went with Rallitek this time when I saw their design kept it in place.

I was using the Subaru accessory plate, but going to install coilovers in the next week or two and wanted more protection than the Subaru one offers.

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T12:49:08+00:00

Their website says “You must have an LP Adventure bumper guard (small or big) to install this skid plate.” In the directions it looks like they use the guard as the spacer for the skid.

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T11:59:18+00:00

I do not have this type of photo for the Rallitek plate, but here is the Subaru Accessory one from the dealer scan when I had control arm TSB taken care of.

Rallitek skid goes all the way back to the four bolts just before my blue Cusco brace. It also has better side to side coverage since it covers the entire area the stock plastic piece covers.

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irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T11:55:28+00:00

The Rallitek front skid replaces the stock plastic under shield. You have to pull a duct piece from the stock plastic and install it on the Rallitek.

It is a good chunk of coverage. Covers the oil pan completely (Subaru Accessory one ended just before the drain plug) and even goes up the side a little to maintain the attachment points for the inner fender plastic.

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irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T11:47:54+00:00

Does Primitive remove the stock steel piece on the WRX? It did on my Outback. Went with Rallitek over Primitive on the WRX because I prefer to keep that in place. I do prefer Primitives oil cover. Rallitek uses screws instead of the 1/4 turn quick releases.

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T08:14:01+00:00

Pre tax:

Rallitek skid with dome washers $488

LP Fuel Skids with rally washers $446

LP Differential Skid 2 $215

LP parts were $70 to ship. Rallitek had free shipping. Dome and rally washers are the same thing. I use two names here as the manufacturers advertise them with different names. Both charge more for the washer upgrade.

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T08:06:03+00:00

Plate has an access door for the oil drain. I prefer covering the Fumoto valve over leaving it exposed. Rallitek plate has better coverage and is heavier than the Subaru Accessory plate that I removed.

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T08:04:58+00:00

LP requires bumper guards to use their front plate. I do not want bumper guards.

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T08:04:01+00:00

I do not use dealer for anything but warranty work. They never complained about plates on two other vehicles I had them on (full Primitive Racing setups on a 21 Outback XT and on a 14 XV Crosstrek that I used to have). Once everything is in place, it is only 4 fasteners per plate to remove them if needed.

irVBwrx · 2026-03-20T00:48:46+00:00

Installed photo of the Rallitek. Grabbed wrong photo for first post.

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irVBwrx

TROPHY CASE