Top 12 Best Exhaust GT86 #1 Will Surprise You

A cheap exhaust on a GT86 usually announces itself two weeks in, when a drone sets in around 3,000 rpm on the motorway and refuses to leave. Finding the best exhaust gt86 means avoiding that fate, because the stock system sounds flat, and plenty of aftermarket options trade comfort for a burble that wears thin fast.

The differences come down to three things. Pipe diameter matters most: 2.25 to 2.5 inches keeps low-end torque intact, while anything larger on a 2.0 litre boxer just adds drone and loses power.

304 stainless outlasts cheaper 409 by years, a real thing on salted winter roads. Fit matters too; a good cat-back bolts to the stock flanges without cutting, while a sloppy one needs custom work and rattles against the diffuser.

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Our Top Picks 1	Toyota GR86 Muffler Delete	Check Price
Our Top Picks 2	Subaru BRZ Cat-Back	Check Price
Our Top Picks 3	Tomei TB6090-SB05B Titanium	Check Price

Our Selected Top 12 Exhaust Gt86 Picks for Every Need

This list covers twelve exhaust systems for the GT86, from quiet daily setups to louder track-focused options. Each review explains how the exhaust sounds and performs, which driver it suits best, and where it falls short on sound, fitment, or long-term durability.

1. Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ Muffler Delete Axle-Back Exhaust

The Extreme Online Store muffler delete axle-back replaces the stock mufflers on any 2022 or newer GR86 or BRZ. It suits drivers who want a much louder exhaust without installing a full system.

Its biggest strength is fitment, since every pair is test fitted before shipping.

Installation means dropping the stock mufflers and bolting this pair in their place behind the rear axle. The kit includes the bolts and gaskets, so nothing extra is needed.

Day to day you get a much deeper note, hardest to ignore on cold starts and full throttle. The polished silver tips wipe clean with a microfiber after a wash. Quad tips with a double-wall design give both rear corners a fuller, more muscular look.

With the mufflers gone, exhaust gas moves with less backpressure, and the listing suggests that may bring slight horsepower and torque gains. The obvious change is sound, and it is much louder than stock.

The double-wall design gives the tips real depth at the openings. Feedback is limited but perfect, a 5.0 average across 5 reviews. The main drawback is compatibility, because this will not bolt to the GR Performance Dual Exhaust Package or an existing aftermarket system.

A muffler delete turns the GR86 or BRZ into a loud car, plain and simple. Cold starts bark, throttle lifts burble, and steady highway cruising brings a drone that some drivers grow tired of. The four polished tips show fingerprints and need regular wiping to stay bright. Nothing here is complicated, just metal you bolt up behind the rear axle.

Drivers who want their 2022 or newer BRZ to announce itself will love this setup, especially on canyon runs or track nights. Commuters who sit on the freeway daily should pick a quiet axle-back or valved system instead. Anyone running an aftermarket exhaust or the GR Performance dual package cannot use it, since it bolts to stock piping only.

For the price, Extreme Online Store covers the basics well: gaskets and bolts in the box, a one year warranty on manufacturing defects, and test fitting before shipping. Horsepower gains are minimal with this mod, so buy it for sound and looks. The double wall quad tips give the rear end a wide, finished stance that stock tips lack.

Pros

• Ships test fitted, with a guarantee to fit.
• Includes gaskets and bolts for the install.
• Quad double-wall tips transform the rear view.
• Limited one year warranty covers manufacturing defects.

Cons

• Does not fit the GR Performance Dual Exhaust Package.
• Will not bolt onto an existing aftermarket exhaust system.

2. Subaru BRZ / Toyota GR86 Cat-Back Exhaust with Black Tips

This AWE Tuning cat-back replaces the rear exhaust on the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 and wears diamond black tips. It suits 86 drivers who want a darker rear end without redesigning the factory layout.

Its biggest strength is stainless construction, the honest material choice for a car that sees rain, salt, and heat.

Fitting this system means a job on jack stands with basic hand tools, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The cat-back follows the factory-style mounting configuration, so nothing needs fabricating to get the rear section lined up.

A helper earns their keep, because the full 63-pound assembly is awkward to hold square while you start bolts. After installation, the diamond black tips frame the bumper, and washing them with the same soap as the paint keeps the dark finish even.

The stainless build is what the manufacturer leans on for durability claims, promising long-term service under routine operating conditions. The assembly covers maintenance, repair, and restoration work, dropping into a factory-style mounting setup rather than demanding custom brackets.

The single review posted scores it 5.0 out of 5 stars, the strongest feedback a listing can carry. No complaints appear in the review history yet, though the listing leaves a real gap: sound levels are never documented, so tone stays unknown until the bolts are torqued.

The listing shows one review, five stars, so long-term impressions are thin. In everyday use this is a drop-in replacement that mounts to stock hangers with a factory-style layout, and the 63-pound assembly goes up easier with a helper. Stainless steel shrugs off road salt, while the diamond black tips show fingerprints and want a soft cloth.

Drivers who want the best exhaust for a GT86 in a blacked-out style will be happy here: it targets BRZ and GR86 models, and the stainless build suits four-season driving with winter salt. Skip it if you want maximum volume, titanium-grade weight savings, or switchable valves, since this replacement keeps a factory-style mounting layout.

Check the part number before ordering: AWE Tuning lists this as 3015-33486, and fitment depends on model year, so match your car against the brand’s chart first. Plan on fresh gaskets and a torque wrench, and let the tips cool before wiping the finish. The five-star average rests on one review, so treat that score as a starting point.

Pros

• Stainless steel resists rust and road grime for years.
• Diamond black tips give the rear a darker, planted look.
• Matches the factory mounting configuration, so no custom fabrication.
• Holds a perfect 5.0 out of 5 rating so far.

Cons

• No sound level data published, so tone is a gamble.
• Only one review on record, so long-term results are unproven.

3. TOMEI Full Titanium Muffler Kit TB6090-SB05B

The TOMEI TB6090-SB05B is a full titanium exhaust system built for the GT86, GR86, BRZ and FR-S. It suits drivers who want real weight savings and a sharper exhaust note without cutting anything on the car. Its biggest strength is fitment, because it bolts to FA20 and FA24 powered cars where the stock system sits.

Setup is the easy part. TOMEI engineered the system to fit FA20 and FA24 cars with no modifications, so everything lines up with the factory mounting points on ZN6, ZN8, ZC6 and ZD8 chassis.

One thing to check is hardware, since the included components list only names the exhaust system and muffler, so keep your stock clamps and gaskets handy. The titanium sections resist corrosion far better than the stock steel setup, and cleaning the finish takes nothing beyond a basic wash. The reduced weight is something you notice from the first drive.

Its main job, moving exhaust gas with a sharper engine note, is handled by the Type-D dual outlet design, which balances the flow between two tips and gives the 86 platform its distinctive sporty tone. Build quality is where the brand earns its reputation, with precision welds and careful finishing on the titanium.

The bolt-on fitment draws the strongest praise, going on with no cutting or fabrication. The most common gripe concerns tip finish, as titanium can pick up heat discoloration from spirited driving.

This Tomei kit bolts straight onto a FA20 or FA24 car with no cutting, which turns the swap into a Saturday afternoon job. The Type-D dual outlets give the 86 a sportier tone than stock, and the full titanium build drops a noticeable amount of weight. Expect heat tint on the titanium after spirited drives.

Anyone hunting the best exhaust GT86 money can buy will be happy here, especially track or canyon drivers chasing weight savings and a louder, sportier note. Daily commuters who want near-stock silence, apartment dwellers with early starts, and tight budgets should choose a milder steel system instead, since titanium costs more and the sound stays lively at all speeds.

Fitment covers FA20 and FA24 engines across ZN6, ZN8, ZC6 and ZD8 chassis, plus the FR-S and GR86 badges, yet checking the TB6090-SB05B part number against your model stays smart before ordering. Tomei includes a one year manufacturer warranty. Clean the titanium with mild soap and water, skip chrome polish, and recheck clamp bolts after a few drives.

Pros

• Full titanium saves real weight over the stock system
• Bolts on with no modification to FA20 or FA24 cars
• Type-D dual outlets deliver balanced flow and a sporty tone
• 1 year manufacturer warranty backed by a trusted name

Cons

• Titanium tips can discolor from heat over time
• Only 1 year of warranty coverage included

4. AWE Track Edition Cat-Back Exhaust with Diamond Black Tips

The AWE Track Edition Cat-Back Exhaust with Diamond Black Tips is the loud, straight-through option in AWE’s GT86 line, aimed at drivers who want their flat-four heard. Its single biggest strength is the tone: a deep, aggressive boxer sound engineered in-house in the USA, backed by a guaranteed no check engine light install.

Installation is the easy part. AWE ships it as a direct bolt-on for factory-like simplicity, so the pipes land on the stock hanger points and you can handle the swap at home with a ramp or jack stands. The written no check engine light guarantee means your stock tune stays untouched.

Day to day, cold starts announce themselves and the tone settles at cruise. The diamond black tips pick up brake dust, so a soft cloth wipe between washes keeps them dark.

The clean straight-through layout moves spent gases out with minimal restriction, and the note it produces is a deep, aggressive boxer burble. Build quality backs that up: 3 and 2.5 CNC mandrel-bent pipework in .065 wall T304L stainless, cut and welded in-house in the USA, with a lifetime warranty behind it.

The whole system saves 12 lbs over stock. The tips line up evenly in the bumper openings, but the volume drones on long, steady highway pulls.

This is the louder of AWE’s two GT86 cat-backs, and the Track Edition name fits: cold starts are loud, full-throttle pulls sound genuinely angry, and the boxer rumble comes through clean. Around town it settles into a low burble. Steady highway cruising brings some drone, the usual trade at this volume level, though the cabin stays usable.

Drivers who want their GT86 to announce itself will be happy here, especially anyone who tracks the car or simply enjoys a loud, honest exhaust note. The diamond black tips also suit a blacked-out build. Anyone commuting daily on the highway, living in an apartment complex, or dealing with strict noise rules should pick AWE’s quieter Touring Edition instead.

Installation stays bolt-on, reusing the factory mounting points, so a garage job with basic hand tools is realistic. The T304L stainless tubing shrugs off rust, and the 5-inch diamond black tips need occasional wipe-downs to keep water spots off the dark finish. The lifetime warranty and no check engine light guarantee back the whole package.

Pros

• Direct bolt-on install with factory-style hangers and clamps
• Deep, aggressive boxer tone that suits the platform
• Lifetime warranty on US-made T304L stainless construction
• Guaranteed no check engine light after install

Cons

• Track Edition volume drones on long, steady highway drives
• Only 12 lbs lighter than the stock exhaust system

5. MBRP Dual Split Rear Exit Exhaust for 2022 BRZ / GR86

This axle-back from MBRP replaces the rear section of the exhaust on a 2022 BRZ or GR86, adding a dual split rear exit with 5 inch tips. It suits a daily driver who wants a louder, sportier note and a fresh rear look without touching the midpipe. The 304 stainless construction is its biggest strength.

Daily use starts with the install, which is the easy end of exhaust work. The assembly picks up behind the rear axle, so the factory midpipe and catalytic converters stay untouched and you handle fewer sections than a cat-back swap. The 2.5 inch tubing feeds the dual split rear exit, sending the note out past the diffuser on both sides.

The tips sit in full view, so a wipe after wet drives keeps them clean. At 17 pounds the kit is light enough to position on your own.

The main job here is tone and street presence, not horsepower. The plumbing starts behind the axle while the factory midpipe stays in place, so an axle-back changes the soundtrack far more than output. The 304 stainless steel build shrugs off the rust that eats mild steel systems after a few salty winters.

It sits at 4.4 out of 5 stars across 9 ratings, and the praise lands on the fit and finish while the 30 day warranty draws the most criticism.

This axle-back replaces just the rear muffler section on a 2022 BRZ or GR86, leaving the factory midpipe untouched. The 2.5 inch stainless piping feeds a pair of 5 inch tips set split on each side of the rear valance. Daily driving gets a louder, deeper note than stock, and the 304 stainless build stands up to road salt.

Drivers who want the dual split rear look and a bit more sound without swapping the midpipe will be happy here, and the full 304 stainless build suits a car driven year-round. Choose a different system if you want a complete cat-back with a larger midpipe, or if you prefer a nearly stock exhaust note.

The listed warranty runs just 30 days, short for an exhaust, so read the fine print before ordering. Ratings sit at 4.4 stars from nine reviews, still a small sample. The platform carried the GT86 name in past generations, while this version fits the 2022 BRZ and GR86, so match your model year before buying.

Pros

• 304 stainless fights rust through winter salt
• Dual split tips give the rear real presence
• Light 17 pound assembly, one person job
• Simple bolt-on design, no midpipe or cat changes

Cons

• Warranty runs just 30 days
• Only replaces the rear section, so power gains stay modest

6. AWE Exhaust Suite for Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86

The AWE Exhaust Suite covers both moods of the GT86 and BRZ: Touring Edition for a drone-free daily driver, Track Edition for full volume. It suits anyone who wants real boxer rumble without check engine light drama.

Its biggest strength is the patented 180 Technology that kills highway drone.

Installation is the easy part. The system bolts on in factory locations, and AWE guarantees the fit, so no cutting or hammering should be part of your weekend.

Once on, the Touring trim behaves like a stock exhaust at cruise and wakes up under throttle. Tips are 5 inch, double-walled and slash-cut, in chrome silver or diamond black, which gives you a real styling choice. Changing your mind later costs one Conversion Kit, not a whole new exhaust.

Piping runs 3 inch and 2.5 inch, CNC mandrel-bent from .065 inch wall T304L stainless steel sourced in the U.S. That material choice means rust should not be a concern years down the road. The Track Edition drops 12 lbs over stock; the Touring trim only saves 1 lb.

Praise for this exhaust centers on the clean, deep boxer sound and the factory-like fit. The common complaint is sound related: the Track Edition lacks 180 Technology, so steady highway speeds can get droney.

Install goes like a factory piece: hangers line up with stock mounts, gaskets and hardware ship in the box, and an afternoon with basic tools covers it. On the Touring Edition, 180 Technology holds back highway drone enough for daily commutes. The Track trim is noticeably louder and turns into a chatty co-pilot at speed.

Anyone hunting the best exhaust for a street-driven GT86 will be happy here: Touring Edition for commuting, Track Edition for weekend noise, and conversion kits to switch later. The chrome silver or diamond black tips suit most builds, and the no-check-engine-light promise matters on stock setups. People wanting raw volume on a tight budget should shop elsewhere.

The T304L stainless, .065-wall pipe bent in 3-inch and 2.5-inch runs resists corrosion in salt states, and the weight story depends on trim: twelve pounds saved with Track, one with Touring. AWE guarantees fitment, promises no check engine light, and covers it for life. The only annoyance is buying a conversion kit separately if you want the other sound later.

Pros

• 180 Technology cancels highway drone in Touring trim
• Swaps between Touring and Track with Conversion Kits
• No Check Engine Light promise plus lifetime coverage
• Drops 12 lbs in Track Edition form

Cons

• Track Edition omits drone-canceling, so highway cruise drones
• Touring Edition saves just 1 lb over stock

7. Tomei Full Titanium Muffler Kit Type-80 Ver.3 TB6090-SB05C

The Tomei Full Titanium Muffler Kit Type-80 Ver.3 is a single-exit exhaust for the GR86 and BRZ. It suits drivers with an FA24 car, or an older 86 or BRZ they plan to modify.

Its biggest strength is fitment: the redesign fixes the clearance problems of the Ver.1 and leaves zero bumper contact.

Installation is a straightforward bolt-on job since the whole kit comes in one box and the pipework was drawn up specifically around the new chassis. The single exit takes the shortest path for the gases, so the part count under the car stays low. At 15.2 lbs you feel the difference the moment you lift it.

Day to day it idles with a low rumble, then the 1.0mm titanium shell goes dry and sharp as the revs climb.

The 3.17-inch straight-through pipe moves a lot of air, and Tomei rates it for everything from intake upgrades to full turbo and supercharger builds. Titanium construction keeps the whole assembly at 6.9 kg, the lightest in the Type-80 range. The thin shell produces the crisp, resonant note the brand calls the Force of Titanium Note.

It clears the FA24 bumper with no contact. The trade-off shows on older FA20 cars, where the tip sits 10-20mm further out and the smaller silencer runs slightly louder than Ver.1.

Daily use starts with a bolt-on install: the Ver.3 was redesigned for the new GR86 and BRZ, so the pipe clears the bumper with no cutting or grinding. The kit weighs 15.2 pounds in 1.0mm titanium, and the 80.5mm straight path keeps response quick. The thin shell gives a dry, sharp note up high with a rumble low down.

FA24 GR86 and BRZ drivers chasing weight savings and headroom for intake, supercharger, or turbo mods will be happy here. The note is loud and dry, so shared garages and early mornings favor something quieter. GT86, FR-S, and BRZ builds on the older FA20 should stick with the Ver.1 unless a tip 10 to 20mm further out works.

Plan on a careful first fit-up, since the single exit needs even spacing inside the bumper cutout. Tomei ships the complete kit under part number TB6090-SB05C with a one year warranty. The price reflects full titanium construction, so the money buys the low weight and the tone, while real power gains depend on the rest of the build.

Pros

• Lightest muffler in the Type-80 lineup at 15.2 lbs
• Zero bumper contact on the FA24 GR86 and BRZ
• Dry, sharp titanium note at high RPMs, rumble down low
• Same pipe supports intake, supercharger and turbo builds

Cons

• Tip protrudes 10-20mm further on FA20 models than Ver.1
• Smaller silencer makes the FA20 install slightly louder

8. Autozensation Catback Exhaust System 2013-2016 Scion FR-S

The Autozensation catback exhaust is the affordable way to change how your FR-S sounds without chasing big-name labels. It targets BRZ and 86 drivers too, since they share the same platform.

Its biggest strength is the complete setup: piping, N1 style muffler, and a silencer, all in stainless steel for one straightforward swap.

You unbolt the stock system at the rear flanges and hang the new piping in its place, leaving slack to square the tip against the bumper before final tightening. That centering step saves you from a crooked tip later. Town speeds bring a louder, raspier note than stock.

N1 style mufflers stay loud at steady cruise, so the included silencer insert slips into the canister when you want the tone calmed for longer trips.

The freer flow earns a claimed gain of up to 15 hp, a figure that assumes the rest of your setup supports it. The chrome tip picks up road grime but wipes off with soap and water. The deep idle note and the simple bolt-up draw the most praise.

The weak spot is fitment, since flanges occasionally need a nudge before they seal without a leak.

Daily driving brings a deeper, raspier note than the stock system, loudest on cold starts, and the included silencer tones it down for the drive into work. The N1 style tip gives the rear end a proper race look. Autozensation claims up to 15 hp from improved flow. Stainless steel piping should outlast the factory mild steel setup.

Drivers modding a first GT86 on a budget will be happy, and people comparing options for the best exhaust gt86 build will like the aggressive N1 styling. The deep tone suits weekend runs and car meets. Anyone wanting near-stock quietness for a long highway commute, or a car outside the 2013-2020 lineup, should look elsewhere.

Fitment covers 2013-2016 FR-S models plus 2013-2020 BRZ and 86 variants, matching part number 262-FRS12. Installation takes basic garage tools and an afternoon, since the listing calls for little to no modification. A 30 day refund window and 90 day replacement policy back the purchase. For the money, it makes sense as a first exhaust upgrade.

Pros

• Ships complete as a catback with a silencer
• Covers FR-S, BRZ, and 86 across 2013-2020
• Claimed gain of up to 15 hp from better flow
• Minimal modification needed on the stock mounting points

Cons

• Fitment occasionally needs adjustment before the flanges seal
• N1 style volume can drone on the highway without the silencer

9. Invidia N2 Cat Back Exhaust with Titanium Tips

The Invidia N2 Cat Back Exhaust with Titanium Tips suits GT86 drivers who want a different sound and a cleaner rear end without touching the catalytic converter. Its strongest point is the titanium tip finish, which keeps its color where polished steel dulls with age.

Fitting happens once, on jack stands. The cat-back layout means everything behind the catalytic converter comes off and the new sections go up in its place, so you hang the piping, torque the clamps, run a few heat cycles and retighten. After that it asks for nothing beyond an occasional wipe of the titanium tips, because brake dust and tar land on them constantly near the rear bumper.

Any rattle later usually traces back to a clamp, so give them a check after a pothole-heavy week.

The stated score is 5.0 out of 5 stars across three ratings. No rating has dropped below five. That sample is small, though, and the listing omits pipe diameter, weight and the piping material, so detailed comparison against other systems means digging elsewhere.

The build story rests on the titanium tip finish and the cat-back layout behind the catalytic converter. The listed manufacturer part number HS12SST6N21GT doubles as the OEM equivalent, which keeps ordering simple.

Everyday use starts with a bolt-in swap behind the factory catalytic converter, done at home with hand tools and jack stands. The N2 runs louder and deeper than stock, and its titanium tips shake off rust. Long highway pulls can bring a hum from the straighter piping, and the tips may show a light heat tint.

This setup suits GT86 and BRZ drivers who want a louder, deeper note without touching headers or tune. Anyone needing a quiet commuter, early-morning neighbor relations, or valved adjustable volume should pick a different system. Only three ratings back this model, so cautious shoppers might prefer a cat-back with a wider pool of long-term feedback.

Expect fresh exhaust smells during the first few drives as coatings cure, then re-torque the clamps after a week of driving. Keep the factory hardware sorted in a box in case you sell the car or move apartments with strict parking rules. The 5.0 average across three ratings is encouraging, though small samples reward patience more than impulse.

Pros

• Titanium tips hold their finish better than polished steel
• Cat-back design leaves the catalytic converter untouched
• Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
• Manufacturer and OEM part numbers match for easy ordering

Cons

• Only three ratings support that perfect score
• Listing gives no pipe diameter or weight

10. HKS 32016-BT001 Muffler

The HKS 32016-BT001 is the Hi-Power SPEC-L exhaust kit built for the Scion FR-S, the GT86’s twin. It pairs a titanium tip with a one-piece mid pipe.

This suits a driver who wants a full HKS system rather than a generic axle-back, and its biggest strength is clean, purpose-shaped hardware from a long-established exhaust brand.

Because it is a complete kit rather than a bolt-on muffler, plan a proper afternoon on jack stands or a lift. The one-piece mid pipe makes routing simple: you feed a single length up from underneath instead of matching several sections, which leaves fewer clamp joints to fight and fewer spots that could seep later.

Once it is on, the titanium tip needs no polish, just a wipe after washes. Re-check the flange bolts after the first few drives, since fresh exhausts often settle as the gaskets compress.

The construction shows in the details: a Hi-Power SPEC-L muffler built by HKS and a titanium tip that shrugs off corrosion where cheaper chromed steel tips blister. The rating record backs it up, holding 5.0 out of 5 stars across 7 ratings.

The flip side is a thin sample. With only 7 ratings there is little long-term feedback to lean on, and no fitment outside the FR-S is listed.

The 5.0 average across 7 ratings tells you nobody regrets this choice. Day to day, the SPEC-L keeps cabin noise civilized at cruise and wakes up on throttle. The single-piece mid pipe means fewer joints to leak, and the titanium tip stays light and shrugs off rust through salty winters. Fitment on the FR-S and GT86 is straightforward bolt-up.

Anyone hunting the best exhaust for a GT86 that stays livable daily will be happy here: the Hi-Power look and a deeper note without constant drone. Titanium is a bonus for street parking year-round. Pick a different setup if you want maximum volume for track days, since HKS tuned SPEC-L for street manners over shouting.

Installation means a free afternoon with basic hand tools, thanks to the one-piece mid pipe cutting down alignment work. Wipe the tip with metal polish now and then to slow heat tint from spreading. Steady highway revving can bring light drone, the usual trade for a large canister on this chassis.

Pros

• Titanium tip resists rust and holds a clean finish
• One-piece mid pipe means fewer joints to leak
• Holds a perfect 5.0 rating across 7 ratings
• Straight HKS fitment designed around the FR-S

Cons

• Full kit install takes longer than an axle-back swap
• Fitment is listed only for the Scion FR-S

11. Spec-D Tuning N1 Burnt Tip Muffler

The Spec-D Tuning N1 Burnt Tip Muffler is a universal 2.5 inch inlet muffler with a 4 inch burnt tip, part number MF-RS310T. It suits GT86 drivers chasing a louder, deeper exhaust note on a budget, and its best trick is the removable silencer that lets you dial the volume back.

Since it is a universal can, fitting it to a GT86 means custom pipe work to match the 2.5 inch inlet, so either budget a shop visit or plan a weekend with a welder. Once it is on the car, daily use stays simple. The silencer pulls out with basic hand tools when you want a quieter commute or an easier pass through the neighborhood, then drops back in for weekend drives.

The burnt finish on the tip wipes down with metal polish to keep its color.

With the silencer out, this muffler is loud and raw, a proper track-day voice for a GT86. Reinstall it and the volume settles to a level that works on a work morning. Tone for the money draws the strongest praise, while highway drone is the most frequent complaint.

The setup itself is simple, one can, one 4 inch burnt tip, one silencer, so upkeep is mostly polishing the tip and keeping the joints sealed.

It holds a 4.4-star average across 269 ratings. In daily use, the 4-inch burnt tip shows a blue-to-purple gradient that stands out behind any car, and the tone stays deep without the rasp of cheaper cans. The slide-in silencer quiets things for early mornings, though removing it brings back the full N1 bark on highway cruises.

Anyone building a GT86 on a budget who wants the straight-cut burnt look and a louder exhaust will be happy here. It suits people comfortable with a welder, since the universal 2.5-inch inlet calls for cutting and fitting midpipe work. Anyone wanting a direct bolt-on replacement on a leased commuter should choose a vehicle-specific unit instead.

Most installs happen at a shop, with welding and some time spent aligning the tip so it sits centered in the rear bumper. Keep the silencer in a drawer between track days to protect its finish, and wipe the tip with a microfiber after rain. The listing backs it with a 30-day refund and 90-day defective-item replacement.

Pros

• Deep, loud tone at a budget price
• Removable silencer tames noise for daily driving
• Works with any custom 2.5 inch exhaust setup
• 30 day refund plus 90 day replacement coverage

Cons

• Needs cutting and welding to fit a GT86
• Drone at steady highway speeds with silencer out

12. MBRP S5256409 Cat Back Exhaust

The MBRP S5256409 is a cat-back exhaust with a single side exit made for the GT86. It suits drivers who want a deeper note and a different look without changing the headers. Its biggest strength is how easily the system fits for a DIY install at home.

Install goes at your own pace on jack stands or ramps with basic tools. At 52 pounds the system is manageable alone, though an extra pair of hands helps line up the pipe. Once it’s on, the deeper note greets you on every start and gets sharper under revs.

The styled side exit tip wipes clean after bad-weather drives and gives the car a distinct stance.

A cat-back frees the exhaust flow, and the change you notice is mostly sound and looks. The deeper, more aggressive note makes the engine feel rewarding every time you rev it. The styled tip draws compliments when the car is parked at meets.

Fitment is model specific, which helps the pipes land where they should. The main gripe is access during the job: some steps still end up at a shop despite the DIY focus.

Day to day, this is a straightforward bolt-on for a GT86: hangers line up with stock locations, the sections clamp together, and basic tools plus jack stands get it done in an afternoon. The single side exit tip sits behind the rear wheel and sharpens the stance. Expect a deeper note at idle and noticeably more volume on the highway.

Drivers chasing more sound and presence on a budget will be happy, especially wrench-turners comfortable with a weekend install. Pick a different system if you want near-stock quietness for long commutes, a quad-tip rear exit, or show-car polish. Anyone sensitive to cabin drone should hear a clip first, since straighter piping lets the boxer four carry into the cabin.

The gain here is mostly sound and attitude, not horsepower; a naturally aspirated 2.0 rarely picks up much from a cat-back alone, and any mileage improvement will be modest. Salted winter roads can dull the tip, so an occasional rinse through winter keeps it presentable. Installing it yourself on a Saturday removes the shop bill entirely.

Pros

• Basic DIY install cuts labor costs
• Deeper, more aggressive note on every drive
• Side exit tip gives a distinct, aggressive look
• Optimized flow may improve fuel efficiency

Cons

• Some installs still need professional assistance
• Fuel efficiency gains are potential, not guaranteed

Best GT86 Exhausts Compared Side by Side

How to Choose the Right Exhaust for Your GT86

Start with material, fitment and sound. Stainless steel holds up on salted winter roads, a proper bolt-on fit avoids cutting the stock pipes, and some setups drone badly at highway speed. Get these right and you skip returns, cutting work and inspection trouble.

Sound Character and Drone

One hour of motorway cruising at around 3,000 rpm in top gear is where a bad pick shows itself. The GT86’s flat-four already hums at steady revs, and once the mid-muffler goes, that low drone fills the cabin, drowns the stereo, and leaves your ears ringing.

Systems that keep a resonator or mid-muffler in place still wake the street on a cold start, then settle to a low burble at cruise. Judge sound clips at light throttle between 2,500 and 3,000 rpm, roughly where you sit in sixth on the way to work.

Full-throttle videos bury the boom under intake and wind noise.

Check local noise rules before you order. An unsilenced race system can fail inspection on drive-by limits, and a 6 a.m. cold start two feet from the neighbor’s window sours relations fast. A 2.5-inch stainless setup with a real silencing section and a removable baffle stays fun on a back road and tolerable on hour five of a road trip.

Material Grade and Welds

Salty winters kill budget systems first. Cheap 409 steel starts showing orange surface rust within a couple of seasons of road spray, and once it creeps into the flanges it never stops. 304 stainless or titanium costs more up front but survives years of slush and brine without bubbling, which matters most if you park outside all January.

Zoom in on the product photos before ordering. Good flanges carry neat TIG beads, and the tubing should be mandrel-bent, holding a constant diameter through every corner.

Crushed bends choke flow and cost power, while a porous weld at the collector is the first spot to crack or leak on a car that sees 8,000 rpm.

Warranty terms deserve a slow read too. The better brands cover cracked welds and heat discoloration for five years, not just defects you spot out of the box.

Heat cycling turns stainless straw-colored near the headers, and a company that calls that normal wear leaves you paying for a replacement catback in year three.

Fitment and Clearance

Catbacks for this car come in two camps: ones that bolt to the stock midpipe and ones that need a matching front pipe. The flange patterns do not cross over, so buying from the wrong camp means a welded adapter or a fabricator bill of £80 to £150 before the car moves a metre.

Tips need a tape measure before checkout, not after. A 102 to 115 mm tip generally clears the rear cutout; jump to a 127 mm slash-cut or a quad setup and the plastic can touch, melt on a long drive, or sit visibly crooked.

Compare tip diameter and exit angle against the bumper opening before you order.

Hardware is where cheap kits cut corners. Look for a full set of new gaskets, flange bolts and hanger rubbers, because stock rubbers on an older car have usually sagged and pass every knock straight through. Reusing them means rattles over speed bumps and a £15 to £30 parts-counter trip anyway.

Weight Savings

A stock GT86 catback weighs around 20 kg, and plenty of mild steel aftermarket units match that or come in heavier once the big rear silencer is fitted. All that mass hangs behind the rear axle of a car built around near 50:50 balance, so the tail feels lazier mid-corner than the spec sheet suggests.

A well-built titanium system usually lands between 6 and 10 kg, stripping 10 or more kilos off the back end. On this chassis that reads as a real handling change: less inertia over the rear wheels and quicker rotation on corner exit.

The trade is cost, often several times a stainless unit for the same silhouette.

Compare the claimed weight with wall thickness too. Some lightweight stainless systems hit their target with 1 mm tube, the part that dents on gravel and cracks at the welds after a couple of winters. Around 1.5 mm suits mild and stainless steel; thin titanium at 1 mm is fine because the material is stronger.

Pipe Diameter and Tuning

A friend bolted a 3-inch catback onto a completely stock GT86 and ended up with a car that felt flat below 4000 rpm and droned at a steady 70 mph on the highway. The 2.0 boxer leans on gas speed for its pull, so a 2.5-inch layout keeps velocity up where the engine actually lives.

Horsepower claims get shakier from there. Some brands promise 15 or 20 hp from a catback alone, but on a stock car most of that figure comes from the front pipe and a remap.

A 3-inch setup only pays off once headers and a remap enter the picture.

Check that the system works with the catalytic converter left in place. Catless test pipes push fuel smell into the cabin on long drives and fail emissions inspections in most places.

A good catback bolts to the stock overpipe or a catted front pipe, passes the annual test, and still gives you the flat-four crackle on downshifts.

How to Reduce Exhaust Drone on Long Highway Drives in Your GT86

How to Reduce Exhaust Drone on Long Highway Drives in Your GT86

Exhaust drone in the GT86 is mostly an rpm problem. The 2.0-liter boxer turns about 2,800 rpm at 70 mph in sixth gear, right where most aftermarket systems resonate through the cabin. The fix starts before you spend money.

• Pick a system with drone control built in. Helmholtz chambers and J-pipes cancel the resonance before it reaches the cabin.
• Stay sensible with pipe diameter. A 2.25-inch system keeps noise in check; jumping to 2.5 or 3 inches on this naturally aspirated four often adds drone and softens low-rpm response.
• Fab in a resonator. A straight-through bullet welded into the mid-pipe cuts drone for little money without flattening the tone.
• Add sound deadening. Butyl mats on the trunk floor and rear wheel covers take the edge off an exhaust you already own.

Drone only shows up at sustained cruise, so a cold-start video tells you nothing. Arrange a listen at highway rpm, windows up, or buy from a seller with a return window.

Winter Care Tips That Stop Your GT86 Exhaust from Rusting Out

Winter Care Tips That Stop Your GT86 Exhaust from Rusting Out

Road salt does most of its damage within two days of sticking to the muffler, so rinsing the undercarriage every 10 to 14 days during salt season matters more than any spray coating. Aim the hose at the rear section, where the factory mild steel exhaust on the GT86 sits lowest and stays wet the longest.

• Drive 20 minutes once a week. Short trips leave condensation trapped in the muffler, and these systems usually rot from the inside out first.
• Park nose-up on a slight incline when you can. Water pooling in the resonator drains toward the tips instead of sitting in the low point overnight.
• Take a short drive after every wash. Engine heat dries the film that salt spray leaves on the pipes and hangers.

Keep the pressure washer nozzle away from the joints and hanger welds, since those seams rust first on nearly every example I have seen underneath these cars. A replacement system in 304 stainless steel makes the whole winter problem mostly disappear.

Axle-Back vs Cat-Back vs Full System: Choosing the Right Layout for Your GT86

Axle-Back vs Cat-Back vs Full System: Choosing the Right Layout for Your GT86

The stock GT86 exhaust already flows well, so an axle-back costs the least and changes mostly sound. It bolts up behind the rear axle, keeps the mid-pipe resonator, and that keeps drone low on long motorway runs.

A cat-back system replaces the mid-pipe and rear muffler as one piece. Expect often 5 to 10 kg less weight and a sharper note above 3,000 rpm, with power gains that stay in the low single digits on this 2.0 boxer. Deleting the resonator is where drone risk creeps in at steady 70 mph cruising.

A full system adds headers and an overpipe. Removing the second catalytic converter can trigger a check engine light unless you fit a spacer or get a tune, and it takes the car off the road-legal list in many places.

• Axle-back: cheapest, sound only, easiest fit
• Cat-back: fuller tone, weight saved, minor gains
• Full system: loudest and most responsive, priciest, most work

People Also Asked

Will an Aftermarket Exhaust for a GT86 Pass Emissions Testing?

It depends on the type of exhaust. A cat-back system leaves the stock catalytic converter in place, so it usually passes a tailpipe test without issue. A catless downpipe is the problem: it throws a check-engine light and fails OBD-II checks in most states. California adds another wrinkle, since parts need a CARB executive order number. Keep the stock cat and you should be fine.

How Long Does a Stainless Steel Exhaust Last on a GT86?

A quality 304 stainless exhaust on a GT86 should outlast the car, commonly 10 to 15 years or more. Mild steel systems rust out in 5 to 8, so material matters more than brand. The weak points are the welds and joint gaskets, not the tubing. Check the flange gasket yearly; a leaking joint usually goes first, especially after a few salty winters.

Do I Need a Tune After Installing a Cat-Back Exhaust?

A cat-back exhaust on the GT86 doesn’t need a tune. It only swaps piping after the catalytic converter, so the ECU reads the same oxygen sensors and fuel trims stay stock. Headers are the part that can shift the air-fuel ratio. Most people add a tune later for the power bump, not because the cat-back requires it.

What Diameter Piping Should I Choose for a GT86 Exhaust?

Stick with 2.25 inch piping on a stock or lightly modified GT86, since that is close to the factory size and keeps low-end torque intact. Move to 2.5 inches only with forced induction or heavier engine work. Also insist on mandrel bends, because crushed bends choke flow, while an oversized straight system tends to drone at cruising speed.

Why Does My New Exhaust Drone on the Highway at Cruise?

Drone happens because steady cruise RPM puts the engine at one frequency, and a straight-through or resonator-deleted exhaust lets that tone bounce unchecked. In a GT86, sixth gear around 70 mph sits near 3,000 rpm, right where many aftermarket systems hum the loudest. Adding a mid-pipe resonator or a small Helmholtz can usually cuts it. Sound deadening under the carpet also quiets cabin boom.

Conclusion

Two things matter most for this car: sound at cruise and what the piping is made from. Drone between 2,500 and 3,500 rpm on the highway is the usual problem, so a decent resonator earns its keep.

Stainless lasts longer than mild steel if the car sits outside, since cheaper systems rust at the welds first.

Before you buy, decide how you use the car. A daily driver justifies stainless and a quiet note; a weekend toy can tolerate more noise for less money.

Check the comparison table above against your budget, then choose from the picks up top.