By In the late 2000s, Toyota decided it wanted back into the sports car game. What better way to re-insert yourself to a market than to buy controlling interest in the parent company of one of the greatest rally car builders on earth? Subaru, maker of great boxer engines and world beating all-wheel-drive sedans and hatchbacks, was instructed to build Toyota a new rear wheel drive, two door coupe.
2012 rolled around, and Subaru delivered: the ZN6/ZC6 chassis was born, and on it rode the Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, and Toyota GT86. Were they all exactly the same car? Yes. Did Toyota claim ownership of it? Absolutely. Are they going to do the same thing with the BMW-collaborated Supra? They seem to be so far. The good word is that the FR-S, BRZ, and GT86 are excellent small sports cars, with great balance on the track and fun driving dynamics on the road. The ZN6/ZC6 chassis cars were an overnight success, and have become almost as universally loved as tuning platforms like the Nissan 240SX and 350Z. Production has continued, and breathed life back into the sports car market. Unfortunately, there’s a glaring issue with the Toyobaru coupes: they are wheezy and slow.
Like other small sports cars, the aftermarket surged with anticipation, providing tons of go-fast options for the FR-S and BRZ alike. One of the easiest ways to make an improvement in the feel and sound of your car is an aftermarket exhaust. Some simply offer better flow and a different sound while a few can actually increase horsepower and torque. Exhaust upgrades include axle-back upgrades that just replace you stock muffler, cat-back setups that replace (yup, you guessed it) everything from the catalytic converter back to the exhaust tip, and full headers-and-back systems that replace your entire exhaust system. We’ve got a mild and wild recommendation for each!
Axle Back
To start, we recommend Borla’s Touring axle-back exhaust. This simple upgrade replaces the stock muffler, giving you a louder and deeper sound without adding any drone or surprising pops and bangs. It’s smooth sailing the whole way through the rev range with this one. For a more eccentric approach, FT-86 Speedactory makes a bespoke center-exit exhaust system that slots into the stock rear valence in place of that little triangular cluster of reflectors. Not only is it a super unique looking center-exit exhaust system, but it’s also more direct and provides a very different sound from stock. As an optional extra, you can also get plates to cover up the holes for the stock exhaust tips on either side of the bumper.
Cat Back
Perrin makes a resonated cat back that basically looks like a smaller, lighter, stainless steel version of the stock exhaust. It offers fewer bends and less restriction than the standard midpipe and muffler. It also includes a resonator, meaning you get better flow and a louder sound that actually sounds refined and designed rather than obnoxious. It sounds very similar to an axle-back exhaust while still letting your car breathe easier. One of the most popular cat backs for the FR-S and BRZ, the Invidia N1 splits into two large burnt titanium exhaust tips, giving you the classic JDM-tuner-bro look and plenty of characteristic Subie-boxer noises. If you want a cat back that gives you similar flow to the Invidia N1 but isn’t quite as showy, consider the Tanabe Medallion Concept G cat back. It’s louder and flows better than the Perrin, but only sports a single large exhaust pipe instead of splitting into a dual system, so it’s both lighter and cheaper than the Invidia N1.
Headers and All
The most noticeable changes to exhaust sound and performance on a ZN6/ZC6 chassis come from new headers. The “boxer rumble” everyone is so familiar with thanks to the Impreza WRX and STi comes from uneven length headers. Even length headers mean each pipe leading away from the cylinder head is the same length before a collector; these are what come on your ZN6/ZC6, and are traditionally more efficient for naturally aspirated engines. Uneven length headers are better performing for turbocharged vehicles, as they have much shorter exhaust runners. Shorter runners mean exhaust gases can spool a turbocharger faster, meaning you’ll have a bit less turbo lag off the line. The characteristic “Subaru rumble” comes from that shorter set of intake runners on one side, as they alternate between short loud exhaust pulses on one side and long quiet pulses on the other. In short: if you’re running naturally aspirated or supercharged, even-length headers are going to be more efficient and give you better power in the long run. However, if you are upgrading from stock, nearly anything will provide better sound and flow, as aftermarket headers don’t have built in catalytic converters. Keep in mind, these systems are the most complicated exhaust upgrade for your FR-S or BRZ short of a turbocharger manifold, and may not be legal if you’re in a place like California that doesn’t allow fun.
Speaking of fun, Borla and Tomei both make unequal length headers for the FA20 engine. The Borla header sounds very deep and smooth, while the Tomei is sharp and burbly. At higher RPM, both headers sound very similar, so pick whichever one fits your budget and your style.
Meanwhile in even-length header land, the Skunk2 Alpha Series Race Header is a great way to actually eke some power out of your FA20. The even-length runners of this exhaust are longer than stock, and combined with a good cat-back system they can make your car sound like the high-strung 4-cylinder Japanese championship touring cars of yesteryear. Skunk2 (wisely) doesn’t claim exactly how much power you’re gaining with the installation of their header, but with a proper tune and supporting mods we’d easily expect it to contribute around 10-15 horsepower.
There are so many modification options available for your ToyoBaru FRZT86. Think of the possibilities– an all-out track car, an ear-piercingly loud canyon carver, or a stanced out vloggermobile are all within easy reach with a little bit of planning and research. For a new exhaust as well as tons of other parts for your Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, or Toyota 86, check out the Motoroso Marketplace!
