What are the best exhaust systems for a Subaru WRX, BRZ, or Toyota GR86? If you want a freer-flowing exhaust with a race-bred tone that still bolts up to factory mounting points, MBRP's T304 stainless steel cat-back and axle-back systems are among the most popular bolt-on upgrades for these chassis. Their Race and Street profiles let you pick between an aggressive, wide-open note and a more restrained daily-driver sound — so check your year and model and match the system to how you actually drive.
A cat-back exhaust replaces everything behind the catalytic converter with larger-diameter tubing and performance mufflers, cutting backpressure and unlocking the boxer-engine rumble that stock exhausts leave muted. MBRP builds these systems in 3-inch tubing for WRX and WRX STI applications and 2.5-inch tubing for the BRZ/GR86 platform, finished with your choice of polished, carbon fiber, or burnt-end tips. The dual split rear exit layouts mirror the factory quad-tip look on the 22+ WRX while flowing significantly more exhaust gas.
MBRP is a performance exhaust specialist whose catalog is built around a simple idea: big sound and big flow at a working enthusiast's budget. In this collection that shows up as two distinct sound profiles — the Race version for maximum volume and aggression, and the Street version that keeps things civil under normal driving — plus the Armor Pro line for the 22-26 WRX with its own polished quad-tip styling. Every sampled system uses T304 stainless steel, which resists corrosion far better than aluminized mild steel and holds up through winters and track days alike. Fitments in this collection cover the 11-14 WRX/STI sedan, 15-21 WRX/STI, 22-26 WRX, and the 22-26 BRZ/GR86 2.4L, all with generation-specific piping and hanger placement.
If you are cross-shopping, Invidia and AWE Tuning also build full cat-back systems for the same WRX and BRZ/GR86 chassis — see the 22+ WRX collection for everything on the newest chassis, or start with the MBRP 22-26 WRX Race Profile cat-back, the 15-21 WRX/STI Street version with carbon fiber tips, or the BRZ/GR86 2.5-inch system. Our article on the Top 5 Cat-Back Exhausts for the 2022+ WRX compares the top options side by side.
Will an MBRP cat-back fit my WRX?
Fitment is generation-specific — the 11-14, 15-21, and 22-26 WRX each use different piping and hanger layouts, and sedan vs hatchback matters on the 11-14 cars. Check your year and model before ordering.
Do I need a tune after installing a cat-back?
A cat-back exhaust sits behind the catalytic converters and does not change the tune. Most owners install it with no tuning required, but if you pair it with a downpipe or intake, a tune is strongly recommended.
What is the difference between the Race and Street versions?
The Race version uses less muffling for maximum volume and an aggressive tone, while the Street version adds more sound control for daily driving. Both use the same T304 stainless construction.
Axle-back or cat-back — which should I choose?
An axle-back swaps only the rear muffler section for sound and looks, while a cat-back replaces everything from the catalytic converter back for the full flow and tone change. If sound is the goal, an axle-back like MBRP's 22-26 BRZ/GR86 unit does the job for less.