The Best Exhaust for Subaru WRX is used to convert waste energy into useful low-velocity energy. It involves the conversion of high-pressure gas inside the combustion chamber to low-pressure gases which are then removed from the cylinder through exhaust valves.
A WRX Exhaust allows gases to escape from a controlled environment, which is normally the cylinder head.
The most important function of an exhaust system is to reduce noise pollution and increase fuel economy by allowing the engine to work at optimal conditions.
WRX Exhaust system is employed whenever there is an accumulation of harmful pollutants in the exhaust pipe such as Carbon monoxide (CO), which can cause serious health problems.
Good Exhaust systems are easy to install and should not cause any damage to other engine components such as manifolds, catalytic converters, or oxygen sensors.
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Best Exhaust for Subaru WRX – Our Top Picks
Last update on 2024-12-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When selecting WRX Exhaust, it is important to consider factors such as service life and engine performance.
Based upon our comprehensive research work we have opted for our top 8 picks whose detailed description is as follows:
1. BORLA 140595 Exhaust System
Key Features
- Mandrel Bending Technology
- Superior Exhaust Tone
- Deep Resonance Under Acceleration
BORLA’s S-Type Catback Exhaust System is a beautiful, high-quality product that will make your vehicle sound better than ever before.
It features mandrel bending technology for superior exhaust tone and deep resonance under acceleration while not obnoxiously booming or raspy like other systems on the market today.
This exhaust system is designed to increase horsepower and torque without sacrificing drivability. It is no different, allowing for a more unrestricted sound that will make your ride feel like it has all the dynamism in town.
Your Subaru WRX is ready for anything with this picture-perfect exhaust system. It comes complete with 2 stainless steel mufflers and 4 polished tips made of patented straight-through technology that will release hidden throttle response time as well produce higher flow from your engine.
It not only adds energy to your car but also enhances its fuel wealth and driving thrill. Whether you’re a professional driver or an enthusiast looking for that one-of-a-kind sound; there are no excuses not to have with this Exhaust system.
You won’t find a more reliable system than this one. It’s built from the best T-304 stainless steel and has been flawlessly crafted with accuracy in mind to provide optimal performance for your car or truck, every time.
It is made of durable materials and has an easy installation process, which means you can get back on the road in no time at all.
This product comes complete with everything needed including mounting brackets so that there aren’t any holes or other issues after installation; making this exhaust system loved by most clients.
Pros
- Increase Horsepower and Torque
- Easy Installation Process
- Enhances Fuel Consumption
Cons
- A bit of buzzing when traveling
SRS is now offering its Axleback Exhaust Kit for SUBARU WRX. This new exhaust system will give your car a sporty sound and keep it running cooler by removing heat from inside the engine bay with this no-hassle design.
Meet the most advanced exhaust kit for your vehicle. It has a direct bolt-on design with full T-304 Stainless Steel and an industry-leading muffler that is lighter than competitors’ products, so you can experience increased power output as well.
Designed to offer an easy and affordable way of upgrading your vehicle, this exhaust system has been made from high-quality materials.
The mandrel-bent tube design will give you the performance and sound that has been missing previously. This product lineup includes catalytic converters so it’s compatible not only across vehicles but also throughout current model years which means there are no compatibility issues when upgrading or replacing parts later down the road thanks to its universal fitment – meaning it will look good on any SUBARU WRX STI.
This exhaust is made up of CNC machined flanges and mandrel bent for the greatest look possible, with a deep tone. It is intended to deliver an optimum balance between performance and sound.
It is finished with a perfect look, and it does not require welding. It comes equipped with an excellent factory-fitted straight bolt-on design for simple installation.
However, inconsistent with the SPT exhaust, this plug-and-play design is not consistent and operates only on models of Subaru WRX making its operation limited to restricted vehicles.
Pros
- Dissipation of Extra Heat from Engine Bay
- Optimum Balance between Performance and Sound
- Simple Installation Process
Cons
- SPT exhaust non-friendly
3. SRS Axleback QUAD TIP Exhaust
Key Features
- Deep Tone and Powerful Rumble
- Decreases Unwanted Noise
- Increases Power and Torque
The SRS Axleback QUAD TIP Exhaust for Subaru WRX will make your car sound even more awesome. This exhaust tip has a 3-inch diameter and fits securely with two clamping flanges that secure the muffler against resonances within the engine bay or outside of the vehicle body at where it meets the airflow path from the front grill exit vent to the rear diffuser area.
This Reliable Exhaust for Subaru WRX is a must for any car owner. Perfectly designed to fit your vehicle, this free-flowing muffler will not only increase performance but also sound quality with its deep tone and powerful rumble.
However, one of the major downsides of this exhaust is that it fits the 2011-2014 Subaru WRX STI 4DR SEDAN only. It is only compatible with these models limiting its amazing features to these year models only.
It is great for those looking to improve the performance of their Subaru WRX STI. This system decreases unwanted noise and increases power and torque with increasing inefficiency.
This exhaust kit is the perfect way to get that luxurious sound you always wanted. It’s made of Full T-304 Stainless Steel and has Mandrel-bent tubing, which makes it stronger than other competitors on the market and is also cost-effective.
This exhaust system from SRS sounds deep, smooth, and throaty. The stainless-steel body guarantees durability while the polished finishing sounds excellent in a sleek design that is simple for anyone to install without any welding needed.
It has a sleek and sporty look that will turn heads wherever you go, but this product is not designed for hatchbacks.
Pros
- Free-Flowing Muffler
- Polished Durable Finishing
- Easy Installation
Cons
- Not compatible with hatchback models
Finally, the sound of a powerful engine is at your fingertips. The CNT V3 Axleback Exhaust with muffler for the 2015-2019 Subaru WRX and WRX STI lets you unleash that booming horsepower without worrying about unwanted feedback.
With its 4-inch blue tips, it will look sleek on any blacked-out wheels and is a great way to give your favorite vehicle some added power.
It is the perfect system for those who want to get more noise and performance out of their WRX or WRX STI. Its easy installation process means that you can have this done in no time at all.
The exhaust system on your car is what makes it go. The more CFMs (cubic feet per minute) that escape from an engine, the better but some people want to make sure no sounds are coming out of their tailpipes so they can sneak up on unsuspecting passersby without anyone knowing how fast they’re traveling.
Therefore, this simple kit changes everything for those looking into increasing performance or just sounding cool as hell while doing so since both will be increased; thanks to this free-flowing muffler allows much louder and throatier tunes because spent air doesn’t stay in a cleaner combustion chamber anymore.
This means not only do you get higher gains during acceleration but also greater power throughout all RPM ranges.
This four-inch exhaust is made of steel and features blue tips that give it an awesome look for those who like to stand out in their vehicles or be subtle about it.
As it doesn’t produce too much noise and can be installed easily without fear of hassle – what more could one ask?
Pros
- Booming Horsepower
- Easy Installation Process
- Keeps Combustion Chamber Clean
Cons
- Not suitable with SPT mid-pipes
DNA’s new Catalytic Converter Exhaust Y-Pipe for Escalade is a high-quality replacement that will fit your 02-05 Avalanche 1500 4.3L, 4cyl motor, and 5.3L 8 Cyl engine as well.
It has been designed to look just like factory stock exhaust so you can drive away with peace of mind knowing everything goes back into place when the installation finishes.
Also, it is made from high-quality stainless steel which means it provides outstanding performance while being environmentally friendly at the same time. It will make your ride louder and more powerful with each passing mile.
With computerized mandrel bends it has the strength and durability needed when running a powerful vehicle on today’s gas-powered vehicles making it an Efficient Exhaust for Subaru WRX.
It will last up to four times longer than its non-stainless counterparts. This exhaust system is precision-engineered with an oil catch can, which means it will provide long-lasting performance for your engine and reduce emissions in the process, while also increasing gas mileage.
You’ll be surprised at the difference this exhaust system can make to your car’s performance. You will have more power and smoother shifting and better sound effects with this amazing gadget.
It can be difficult to install some exhaust systems, but with a package including both gaskets and hardware it becomes much easier, and this item comes with these helpful materials.
One additional benefit from using this brand over another would be greater horsepower or fuel efficiency – depending on your needs as well as how you want to have an aggressive sound.
Pros
- Smoother Shifting Automobile
- Greater Horsepower
- Easy Installation Process
Cons
- Packing-free muffler
6. Invidia Q300 Exhaust System for Subaru WRX
Key Features
- Fits 2015-Up Subaru WRX/STI
- 76mm (3″) pipe size and 110mm (4.3″) tip size
- Constructed with high-quality SUS304 stainless steel
- Robotic TIG welding and CNC-machined flanges
If you’re looking for an affordable, quality exhaust system for your Subaru WRX or WRX STI, then look no further than the all-new Invidia Q300 Exhaust System.
With the performance offered by this system, you’ll be able to feel the difference as you accelerate down the highway. The muffler offers a lot of performance and comes in three distinct finishes – black, blue, and red.
Each finish has its own unique look, which we find helpful with the styling of the car. As a bonus, it also included an easy-to-use installation tool for a seamless fit.
This is a flat-bottom design, which is a fairly common configuration in today’s automotive market. It offers an aggressive sound but could be quite louder and noisier sometimes.
Moreover, it also looks pretty slick with its brushed aluminum body and matte black finish. The quad tips are also rolled titanium, giving you an even better look.
The final component of this system is a set of custom-tuned, tuned titanium exhaust pipes. We were extremely impressed with the way these pipes sounded on our test vehicle.
The combination of the rolled tips and the custom-tuned exhaust system produced an incredibly rich and deep tone that was reminiscent of a high-performance engine. In fact, we would say that it was the best-sounding Subaru WRX STi system we have ever heard of.
This exhaust system can be used with your factory turbo setup, or you can add a set of cat-back exhausts to upgrade your existing system. Either way, this offers a quality exhaust system for any Subaru WRX owner.
Overall, it has everything you need to install it, and the performance is amazing. If you’re looking for something that looks good and sounds great, deeper, richer, and more aggressive then look no further than this one.
Pros
- Rolled titanium quad tips
- Improved high-speed aerodynamic performance
- Provides greater horsepower and torque gains
- Rich, deep, sporty sound
Cons
- Could be quite louder and noisier
7. Resonator Pipe Muffler Exhaust System
Key Features
- Fits 2009-13 Forester and 2008-11 Impreza 2.5L
- Free clamp and gaskets
- One resonator pipe/center muffler
- Two rear mufflers (left and right)
For those of you who want a louder and cleaner sounding exhaust on your Subaru WRX, WRX STi, Forester, or Impreza there is a new amazing product available in the market named Resonator Pipe Muffler Exhaust System.
With a few modifications, we were able to fit this exhaust system into our 2008 Forester. We made the necessary changes to the muffler that were required to ensure a quality fit.
The pipe clamp is nice and snug, so no worries about that. It is quite easy to install and took us less than 15 minutes to install the system. This is by far one of the easiest muffler installations we’ve ever done.
The exhaust itself sounds great and performs exactly as desired. It really adds a lot of volume and punches to your vehicle.
The sound is surprisingly clean and is not that muddy at all. In fact, it actually sounds a little more open than the stock exhaust.
We don’t know if it’s because the car is quieter with the muffler installed, or if this exhaust system has just a more open sound. Either way, we think it’s an impressive product.
However, the included donut seal gasket is too small to fit over the factory pipe coming out of the catalytic converter which can be problematic at times.
But despite this drawback, this system is made from heavy-duty steel and comes with a variety of features. The company offers a 5-year warranty against defects which is an added advantage for all buyers.
Overall, it is a good choice for those who need to keep their vehicle’s exhaust system quiet. The design of the muffler ensures that it will not cause any damage to your vehicle, and it’s built to last.
So, if you’re looking for a quiet and smooth ride, this is definitely one product that will help you achieve that goal.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Provides 2x horsepower
- Constructed with high-quality rust-free material
- Comes with a 5-year warranty against defects
Cons
- Included donut seal gasket is too small to fit over the factory pipe
8. Northeastern Exhaust System Kit
Key Features
- Compatible with 2002-2005 Subaru Impreza 2.5L
- Made of 409 stainless steel
- One resonator pipe and rear muffler tailpipe
- Free gaskets included
We have always loved Subaru vehicles for their sleek styling and sporty handling, and this is no exception. Our personal Subie has been in great shape, but it needed a complete tune-up to get rid of some of its unwanted exhaust noises.
After hearing about this Northeastern Exhaust System Kit, we were excited to take the time to install it. As soon as we heard the sounds that this system made, we knew that we were in for a treat. It’s definitely worth the time and money.
This kit includes one resonator pipe and one rear muffler tailpipe, along with all the necessary gaskets to fit the car. We opted to go with the original muffler tailpipe since it’s much easier to locate.
In addition to making the car much quieter, this system also makes it look better. Our Subie has always been a little bit of a gas guzzler, but this exhaust system gives it a new, sleek appearance.
After using this system for several months now, we have been amazed at the results it has produced. In our opinion, this is a system that any true hot rod enthusiast would be proud to add to his or her car.
Now, you can now sit back, relax, and drive at a much safer speed with this amazing exhaust system. It also gives your car a much more aggressive look. We highly recommend it to all the Subaru owners out there.
This exhaust kit is definitely worth a look, but it is hard to install sometimes (needs to cut it to fit properly). It’s the perfect solution for those who want to improve the looks of their car without having to shell out hundreds of dollars. While the price may seem high at first, in our opinion it is worth the investment.
Pros
- Horsepower gains with non-wrinkled pipes
- Non-restrictive exhaust flow
- Longer durability than regular aluminized steel exhausts
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty against defects
Cons
- Hard to install in some cases (needs to cut it to fit properly)
Choosing Exhaust System for Subaru WRX – Complete Buying Guide
There are a lot of exhaust systems in the market when it comes to the Subaru WRX and WRX STi. With so many brands, models, and variations you might get confused when looking for one.
It is not always a necessity to go for the most expensive one. You can find some great options under $500.
Here we will discuss some features and benefits you should look at before buying an exhaust system for Subaru WRX:
Muffler
Mufflers are always considered as one of the most important parts of the exhaust system. A good muffler will not only reduce the noise and give you a great sound but also add increased horsepower and mileage too. So, it is very important to go for a muffler whose diameter is at least 2.5 inches.
Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is required by law to be installed in all modern exhaust systems. The main function of the catalytic converter is to reduce the emissions which are harmful to the environment.
So, it becomes extremely important that you pick up an exhaust system that has a good quality catalytic converter. What is the use of spending money on an exhaust system if it does not fulfill your requirements?
Muffler Configuration
When we talk about mufflers, there are two types of them: 2-chamber and 4-chamber mufflers. The 4-chamber muffler has a better noise-canceling capacity.
It will give you a nice sound and reduces the noise according to the amount of fuel your engine is burning. In short, these mufflers are more expensive but have a better performance too.
Pipes
The pipe configuration is the next thing you should look for while buying an exhaust system. There are three types of pipes, merge, cross, and straight.
Merge type exhaust system is the best if you are looking for noise cancellation. Cross-type has a better performance than the other two, but it may give you a loud sound which can annoy some people.
Muffler Shape
The shape of the muffler is also an important thing that you should consider while buying an exhaust system.
For example, a muffler with a round shape will give you a nice look but it will not be able to cancel out the noise as much as a muffler with a square or rectangular shape can.
Exhaust Tip
The most common and simplest tip comes with every exhaust system. It looks simple and it does not affect the performance of your car exhaust system.
There are some other options available as well such as colorful exhaust tips which you can consider if you want to stand out from the crowd or if this is allowed by law where you live.
Quality
The last thing but not least is the quality of the exhaust system. You should not spend your hard-earned money on a cheap product that does not have any standard quality.
Always check the brand reputation before buying one. Some very famous brands are Magnaflow, Borla, Corsa, Flowmaster, etc.
Cost
The cost of the exhaust system is another factor that you should consider. As all the parts and components are not required the same for different cars so the price will also differ accordingly.
If you want to buy an exhaust system for Subaru WRX, expect to spend around $400-$500 on it if your car is a 4-Cylinder and if you have a 6-Cylinder engine in your car then it will cost you around $500-$600.
Warranty
It is always advised to buy an exhaust system with a warranty. This way you can get your money back in case it does not work properly.
So, when buying an exhaust system make sure that the company provides at least 12 months or more warranty on the exhaust system.
Type of Vehicle Supported
The next important thing you should consider is whether the exhaust system is compatible with your car or not. If it is not, you will not be able to install it on your own and you will have to pay someone who can do it for you. So before buying an exhaust system make sure that it fits your vehicle type.
Budget
Last but not the least, you should always consider your budget before buying an exhaust system. If you look properly, you can buy a great upgraded exhaust for Subaru WRX for under $500.
Just make sure that the company provides good customer service and offers a warranty on their products.
Installation Time
Exhaust systems are not so hard to install. They usually take around 2 hours depending on the type of exhaust system you have purchased.
So, if you want to save some money, it is better to install it on your own rather than paying someone else for doing it.
Sound Quality
The main purpose of buying an exhaust system is to get rid of the annoying noise your car engine creates. So, you should always check out whether it cancels noise or not before buying it.
Some brands claim that their product has the lowest sound quality, but they just lie about it. So, if you want your money’s worth then you should do your research on the exhaust note.
Related Article – Best Coilovers for Subaru WRX
FAQs
Conclusion
There are abundant exceptional possibilities when it comes to the exhaust systems, and all the above-stated exhausts are the Best Exhaust for Subaru WRX but if you had to pick one, I would very well recommend the BORLA 140595 Exhaust System.
Enjoy a higher horsepower without sacrificing tone with this best exhaust for your vehicle. This mandrel-bending technology will transform any WRX Sti with deep resonances under acceleration, helping you get more power when needed most while also increasing fuel consumption in true STI style.
As a second choice, I would recommend the readers think about the SRS Axleback QUAD TIP Exhaust.
The enthusiasts who want to make their car louder and more powerful will find the perfect solution in this Exhaust for Subaru WRX STi. Made with deep tones, it decreases unwanted noise while increasing power by much like what you would expect from any other type or brand of the muffler.
Plus, it also includes polished durable finishing that gets rid of all scuff marks so there’s no need to worry about maintaining its appearance over time either. Installation couldn’t be easier either, thanks to its free-flowing system.
My name is Tom Harris, founder of this blog. I’m a mechanical engineer with 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. I’m here to help you with your vehicle’s problems, easy fixes and share my insights and experience so that you can enjoy your rides more.