Best Cat-Back Exhausts for the Chevy Camaro SS (2016-2023)
The 6th-gen Camaro SS is one of the better-engineered American muscle cars of the last decade — tight alpha platform, genuine LT1 grunt, and a chassis that actually rewards good suspension work. But the factory exhaust is a liability. GM neutered the outgoing sound to satisfy noise regulations, and the result is a car that makes 455 horsepower and sounds like a rental. A cat-back is the fastest way to fix that without touching the drivetrain, and on this platform it's genuinely transformative — not just louder, but more characterful. The right system here means 304 stainless construction, mandrel-bent tubing in the 3-inch range, and a tip configuration that fills the stock bumper cutouts correctly. Whether you're daily-driving or building a track car, every option below fits the 2016–2023 SS and ships from ThreePiece.us.
Quick links
- 1. AWE Tuning Touring Edition — Quad Chrome Silver Tips
- 2. AWE Tuning Touring Edition — Quad Diamond Black Tips
- 3. AWE Tuning Track Edition — Quad Chrome Silver Tips
- 4. AWE Tuning Track Edition — Quad Diamond Black Tips
- 5. AWE Tuning Resonated Touring Edition — Quad Diamond Black Tips
- 6. Borla S-Type Ceramic Black (w/ Dual Mode Valves)
- 7. Kooks 3-Inch Connection-Back Exhaust
- How to Choose a Cat-Back for the Camaro SS
1. AWE Tuning 16-19 Camaro SS Non-Res Cat-Back — Touring Edition (Quad Chrome Silver Tips)
AWE's Touring Edition is the benchmark for Camaro SS daily drivers who want a dramatic improvement in sound without crossing into exhausting drone territory. The non-resonated design still filters enough frequency to make this livable on long highway pulls, while the LT1's V8 character comes through loud and clear at partial throttle. Four chrome silver tips fill the stock bumper cutouts perfectly — no trimming, no adapter plates. This is the system builders keep coming back to when they want refinement without compromise.
2. AWE Tuning 16-19 Camaro SS Non-Res Cat-Back — Touring Edition (Quad Diamond Black Tips)
Identical internals to the chrome Touring Edition above — same non-res sound profile, same fitment, same 304 stainless construction — but wearing diamond black tips instead. If your SS is running a dark or blacked-out exterior theme, or you're pairing this with a black wheel setup, the contrast is far more cohesive than polished silver. The price lands at the same point, so this decision is purely aesthetic. Buy the tip color that matches your build direction and don't look back.
3. AWE Tuning 16-19 Camaro SS Non-Res Cat-Back — Track Edition (Quad Chrome Silver Tips)
AWE Tuning 16-19 Chevy Camaro SS Non-Res Cat-Back Exhaust – Track Edition (Quad Chrome Silver Tips) — $1635
The Track Edition is louder, more aggressive, and noticeably less refined at idle and cruise — intentionally so. AWE removes the resonator for a rawer, more open exhaust note that suits a car spending time on track days or autocross events. At $650 less than the Touring Edition, it's genuinely better value if you're not commuting daily. Forum builds running this system consistently describe the sound as authoritative without being obnoxious at wide-open throttle — a line AWE understands better than most. Chrome silver tips are clean against any factory color.
4. AWE Tuning 16-19 Camaro SS Non-Res Cat-Back — Track Edition (Quad Diamond Black Tips)
AWE Tuning 16-19 Chevy Camaro SS Non-Res Cat-Back Exhaust – Track Edition (Quad Diamond Black Tips) — $1635
Same Track Edition performance and sound as above, black tips instead of chrome. This is the most popular combination for Camaro SS owners running darker builds or blackout trim packages — it reads as intentional rather than an afterthought. If you're already planning a wheel upgrade alongside the exhaust, diamond black tips pair naturally with darker finishes. The Track Edition price point also leaves budget for supporting mods. Check our wheels catalog if you're building the full package.
5. AWE Tuning 16-19 Camaro SS Resonated Cat-Back — Touring Edition (Quad Diamond Black Tips)
AWE Tuning 16-19 Chevy Camaro SS Res Cat-Back Exhaust – Touring Edition (Quad Diamond Black Tips) — $2367
The resonated Touring Edition is the most refined system AWE builds for this application. It adds a resonator to the Touring architecture, reducing interior drone to near-stock levels while still producing a meaningfully improved exhaust note over the factory system — deeper, more linear, no harshness. This is the one to buy if you're in a state with strict noise ordinances, or if your SS genuinely serves as a daily that also gets used hard on weekends. The premium over the non-res Touring is modest and justified if cabin comfort is non-negotiable.
6. Borla 2016-2018 Camaro SS Ceramic Black S-Type (w/ Dual Mode Valves)
Borla 2016-2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS Ceramic Black S-Type Exhaust (w/ Dual Mode Valves) — $2537
Borla's S-Type is their mid-range performance tune — louder than stock, more aggressive than touring, but not the full ATAK assault. This specific variant adds dual mode valves, which is the differentiator: you get two distinct sound characters from one system. Quiet mode is genuinely livable; open the valves and the LT1 sounds like it should. The ceramic black finish on the tips and muffler housing holds up to heat cycles far better than painted alternatives and looks factory-premium. For 2016–2018 SS owners who want the flexibility of valve control without going full ZL1 hardware, this is the call.
7. Kooks 16+ Camaro SS 6.2L 3-Inch Connection-Back Exhaust (Use w/ OEM Muffler/Tips)
Kooks 16+ Chevy Camaro SS 6.2L 3in Conn Back Exhaust (Use w/ OEM Muffler/Tips, Use w/ Kooks Headers) — $1024
This is the builder's piece, not the bolt-on. Kooks' 3-inch connection-back is designed to pair with their long-tube header system, bridging the gap between the header collector and your OEM muffler with properly sized mandrel-bent tubing. If you're building a Camaro SS that's going headers first — which is the correct order for maximum return on the LT1 — this is the mid-pipe that makes it all work without compromise. At $1024 it's the most affordable option here by a significant margin, but it's only correct for builds that already have or are planning Kooks headers. Running it standalone defeats the purpose.
How to Choose a Cat-Back Exhaust for the Camaro SS
Non-Res vs. Resonated: The non-resonated AWE systems are louder and more aggressive at all RPM ranges, including cruise. The resonated Touring Edition pulls back the harshness while keeping the character. If you drive the car more than 10k miles a year on highways, resonated is worth the premium. If the car is mostly weekend or event use, go non-res.
Track Edition vs. Touring Edition: It's not just a volume dial. The internal muffler design differs — Track Edition uses a more open, straight-through-adjacent construction that produces more top-end scream and a harder cold-start. Touring is a proper dual-chamber design that smooths the frequency range. Both are non-resonated in the standard AWE lineup unless you're buying the resonated Touring specifically.
Tip Finish: Chrome silver holds its appearance longer with minimal maintenance. Diamond black looks better on dark builds but shows heat discoloration over time — especially if the car gets driven hard repeatedly. Both are cosmetic decisions with no performance impact.
2016–2019 vs. 2020–2023 fitment: Most of the AWE systems in this guide are spec'd for 2016–2019. Verify your year before ordering — later model years may have minor exhaust hanger or bumper cutout differences. Contact ThreePiece.us if you need confirmation on your specific build year.
Building beyond exhaust: If you're already modding the SS, exhaust pairs well with a cold air intake for a complete intake-to-exhaust flow upgrade. See our guide on best cold air intakes for the Chevy Camaro for the right intake to run alongside your new exhaust. You might also want to sort out suspension before or alongside these mods — our Camaro coilover guide covers the platform thoroughly. And don't sleep on wheels — the SS looks genuinely different on the right set. Browse our full wheel catalog or explore Work Wheels for fitment-focused options that work on the Camaro's 5x120 bolt pattern.
For context on how other American muscle builds approach the exhaust-first mod order, see our Dodge Challenger cat-back guide — the decision logic overlaps significantly with the Camaro SS.
FAQ
- Do these cat-backs fit both automatic and manual Camaro SS transmissions?
- Yes. The cat-back exhaust system sits downstream of the transmission entirely, so AT/MT designation doesn't affect fitment on any of the systems listed here. The Borla S-Type is explicitly listed as AT/MT compatible in its part description.
- Will an AWE cat-back trigger a check engine light on a 2016-2019 Camaro SS?
- A cat-back alone does not touch the oxygen sensor locations or catalytic converters, so it will not trigger a CEL under normal circumstances. If you're also running a tune or have modified the front section of the exhaust, that's a separate conversation.
- Can I run the Kooks connection-back with the factory headers?
- No — and Kooks is explicit about this. The 3-inch connection-back is engineered specifically for use with Kooks long-tube headers. Running it with the OEM manifolds will result in a diameter mismatch at the collector. It's a purpose-built mid-pipe for a headers-first build strategy.
- What's the installation difficulty level on these systems?
- All cat-back systems here are designed for direct OEM replacement with standard hand tools and a lift or jack stands. AWE systems use factory hanger locations. Budget 2–3 hours for a first-time install. The dual mode valve systems from Borla add a wiring step for the actuators, which adds time but is still DIY-friendly with a wiring diagram.