Best Exhaust for BRZ / Toyota 86 (2013-2020) Cat-Back Guide

The FA20 is a high-revving flat-four that sounds genuinely good at redline — and genuinely flat below 4,000 rpm. A proper cat-back exhaust is one of the first mods that actually changes how the car feels to drive, not just how it sounds at idle. On the BRZ and 86 platform, the exhaust note is intrinsically tied to engagement: the right system opens up the top-end bark, reduces backpressure on an already-restricted stock system, and gives the car a character that matches its chassis. What to look for: mandrel-bent piping of 60mm or larger, quality SS or titanium construction that won't drone on the highway, and tips that fit flush in the rear bumper cutout without modification. These aren't interchangeable decisions — tone, droneability, and build quality vary significantly across the options below.

Quick Links

• 1. MXP Comp RS — Best Value
• 2. Invidia N2 SS Tips — Best All-Around Street Build
• 3. Invidia N2 Titanium Burnt Tips — Best Tip Aesthetics
• 4. Invidia Q300 SS Tips — Best OEM+ Tone
• 5. Invidia Q300 Titanium Blue Edge — Best Show Build
• 6. AWE Track Edition — Best Track-Focused System
• 7. MXP Quad SP — Best Quad-Tip Setup
• 8. Cobb Titanium — Best Full Titanium Construction
• How to Choose a Cat-Back for the BRZ/86
• FAQ

1. MXP 2013+ Subaru BRZ / 2017+ Toyota 86 SUS401 Comp RS Exhaust System w/ Polished Tips

MXP Comp RS — $996. MXP builds in SUS401 stainless, which resists corrosion exceptionally well in climates where road salt is a factor. At under $1,000, this is the sharpest entry point in the lineup without sacrificing build quality — the Comp RS uses a straight-through muffler design that keeps the FA20 sounding aggressive through the rev range without introducing the cabin drone that plagues cheaper systems. If budget is the constraint but you don't want to compromise on materials or tone, this is where to start.

2. Invidia 12+ Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 N2 60mm Single Layer SS Tips Cat-Back Exhaust

Invidia N2 SS Tips — $1133. The N2 runs a true 60mm main pipe — one of the larger diameters in this class — and has been a go-to on BRZ/FRS forums since the platform launched. The single-layer design keeps weight down while the stainless tips give a clean, no-fuss look that works on everything from a daily driver to a circuit build. Invidia's fitment on the BRZ/86 chassis is dialed in after a decade of production; this is not a system where you're fighting hangers or trimming heat shielding.

3. Invidia 12+ Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 N2 60mm Single Layer Titanium Burnt Tips Cat-Back Exhaust

Invidia N2 Titanium Burnt Tips — $1207. Same N2 platform as above, with titanium burnt-finish tips that develop a heat-cycled rainbow patina over time — the kind of detail that reads well in any wheel well gap shot. The $74 premium over the SS-tip variant is purely aesthetic, but on a car where visual cohesion matters (especially next to a set of Work Wheels or Weds Kranze), the burnt titanium finish is the right call.

4. Invidia Subaru BRZ / Scion FRS Q300 w/ Rolled SS Tips Cat-Back Exhaust

Invidia Q300 SS Tips — $1215. The Q300 sits above the N2 in Invidia's lineup, featuring a higher-grade muffler construction that's tuned for a more refined tone — louder than stock, but without the rasp that makes some BRZ exhausts fatiguing on a 2-hour drive. The rolled SS tips are a distinct visual signature: wider and more flared than the N2's straight cuts. This is the system for someone who daily drives the car hard but wants to stay sane on the commute.

5. Invidia Subaru BRZ / Scion FRS Q300 w/ Rolled Titanium Tips Cat-Back Exhaust (Blue Edge)

Invidia Q300 Titanium Blue Edge — $1321. The Q300's top-tier finish option: rolled titanium tips with a factory-applied blue-edge treatment that doesn't fade or wash out. If you're building a show-quality or feature-worthy BRZ, the blue titanium tips are among the most visually striking exit treatments in the segment. The Q300 muffler internals are unchanged — same refined tone — so you're paying for presentation, not just parts.

6. AWE Subaru BRZ / Toyota GR86 / Toyota 86 Track Edition Cat-Back Exhaust — Chrome Silver Tips

AWE Track Edition — Chrome Silver Tips — $1183. AWE's Track Edition is built for people who actually run their BRZ at open lapping events — the tone is louder and more aggressive than any Invidia option, tuned to be heard over tire noise at speed. T304 stainless construction, a straight-through design, and chrome silver 102mm tips that fill the bumper exit properly. AWE also offers the Track-to-Touring Conversion Kit ($643) if you eventually want to swap muffler configurations without buying a whole new system — an underrated buying consideration if your use case changes. Cross-reference AWE's approach to modular builds in our Mustang GT exhaust guide for more context on the Track vs Touring decision.

7. MXP 2017+ Toyota 86 TRD / 2013+ Subaru BRZ 69.3mm T304 Quad SP Exhaust System

MXP Quad SP — $1323. The only quad-tip option in this lineup and the largest main pipe diameter at 69.3mm — if maximum flow is the objective and you're running supporting mods (tune, intake, headers), this is the system where the extra pipe diameter actually moves the needle. T304 stainless throughout, quad outlets that completely transform the rear bumper's visual weight. Specific fitment note: confirmed for the TRD variant of the 86, which has slightly different rear bumper geometry than the base model.

8. Cobb 2012+ Subaru BRZ / 2017+ Toyota GT86/GR86 / 12-16 Scion FRS Titanium Catback Exhaust

Cobb Titanium Catback — $1668. The premium pick and the only full titanium construction in this group — not just titanium tips, but titanium throughout the entire system. That translates to a significant weight reduction over stainless alternatives and a tone that's distinct from anything SUS or T304-based: tighter, higher-pitched, more exotic at high rpm. Cobb's ecosystem integration also means this pairs cleanly if you're running an Accessport tune, which is the most common ECU solution on this platform. If you're building a performance-first BRZ and weight is part of the conversation, this is the only system that earns the price delta. Check our track-ready GR86 build guide for how the exhaust fits into a prioritized mod order.

How to Choose a Cat-Back Exhaust for the BRZ / Toyota 86 (2013-2020)

Pipe diameter matters more than brand loyalty. The FA20's stock exhaust is undersized — 60mm+ piping is the threshold where you actually see meaningful flow improvement. Every system here meets or exceeds that. Below 60mm and you're paying for sound, not performance.

Tone vs. droneability. The BRZ/86 cabin is notorious for resonance. Track-oriented systems (AWE Track, MXP Quad SP) are louder and will drone at highway cruise. Q300-series and the Cobb titanium are tuned for a broader use case. If you're covering interstate miles, weight the muffler design accordingly — and read actual owner feedback on drone at 70–75 mph, not just startup/rev clips on YouTube.

Tip finish and bumper fitment. The stock BRZ/86 rear bumper has a specific cutout width. Quad-exit systems like the MXP SP require a bumper that accommodates the wider exit — stock bumper fitment is confirmed, but quad tips read differently under the valance. Single-exit rolled tips (Q300) and straight cuts (N2, AWE) sit flush without modification.

Material weight. SUS401 and T304 stainless are the norms. Full titanium (Cobb) is meaningfully lighter — relevant if you're also running suspension upgrades and tracking the car, where unsprung and total vehicle weight compound. For a street build, stainless is completely adequate.

Conversion flexibility. If you're on the fence between track and street tone, AWE's Track Edition paired with the Track-to-Touring Conversion Kit gives you both configurations without a full system swap — the most versatile buy in the lineup. See our track vs street guide for how these use-case decisions align across your build.

For wheel pairing on the BRZ/86, the platform's 5x100 bolt pattern opens up a wide range of options — browse the full ThreePiece wheel catalog or look specifically at Work Wheels and Weds Kranze, both of which have strong representation on this platform. Also reference our Subaru coilover guide for suspension context that's relevant to the BRZ chassis as well.

FAQ

Do these exhausts fit both the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86/Scion FRS?

Yes — the BRZ, Toyota 86 (GT86), and Scion FRS share the same FA20 engine and chassis architecture. All products listed here are cross-compatible across those nameplates for the 2013–2020 model years. The MXP Quad SP has specific confirmed fitment for the TRD variant of the 86 — verify before ordering if you have the TRD package.

Will a cat-back exhaust require a tune on the FA20?

A cat-back alone does not require a tune — it operates downstream of the O2 sensors and doesn't affect fuel trims. If you're adding a cat-back alongside headers and/or an intake, a tune becomes important. The Cobb Titanium pairs naturally with a Cobb Accessport if you're stacking mods.

How much drone should I expect on highway drives?

The FA20 platform is prone to exhaust resonance in the 2,000–3,000 rpm range that corresponds with 65–75 mph cruise. Track-spec systems (AWE Track Edition, MXP Quad SP) are louder and more likely to drone. The Invidia Q300 series and Cobb titanium are generally reported as more livable for daily use. Single-layer muffler designs tend to drone more than double-wall or baffled designs.

Are these exhausts direct bolt-on with no cutting or welding?

Yes — every system listed is a direct cat-back replacement using the factory O2 sensor bung, factory hangers, and stock mid-pipe connection point. No cutting, welding, or modification required. Install time on a lift is typically 45–90 minutes with basic hand tools.