AWE Exhausts for Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR86 & 86

One Catback, Both Generations — How AWE Pulled It Off

The Subaru/Toyota sports car platform spans more than a decade and two distinct engine generations, and most aftermarket exhaust manufacturers produce separate fitments for each:

Gen 1 — ZN6 / ZC6 (2013–2021): The FA20 naturally aspirated 2.0L flat-four producing 147kW. Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ, and US-market Scion FR-S share the chassis.

Gen 2 — ZN8 / ZD8 (2022+): The FA24 naturally aspirated 2.4L flat-four producing 174kW. Toyota GR86 (ZN8) and Subaru BRZ Gen 2 (ZD8). The FA24 has substantially different exhaust manifold geometry, mid-pipe routing, and a different mid-range character to the FA20.

AWE engineered a single catback fitment that bolts directly to both generations. The system uses 3" mid-pipe with 2.5" rear sections and a bullet-style centre resonator that's specifically tuned for the FA24's mid-range character — but the geometry and mounting points carry across to the older FA20 cars without modification. The result is one SKU per configuration covering 2013–2016 FR-S, 2013–2024 BRZ, 2017–2020 Toyota 86, and 2022+ Toyota GR86.

This matters for two reasons. First, it means used-car buyers picking up a Gen 1 or Gen 2 BRZ/86 in Australia have access to AWE's current product without worrying about discontinued fitments. Second, it means an owner who upgrades from a ZN6 to a ZN8 GR86 a few years later can take their AWE catback with them — the same system fits the new car.

Touring Edition vs Track Edition — Which Is Right?

Touring Edition — Deep BOXER Rumble Without Drone

The AWE Touring Edition uses both a bullet-style resonator in the mid-pipe and a set of patented 180 Technology® resonators in the rear sections. The result is a deep, hearty BOXER tone with the characteristic flat-four crackle on overrun — but with all drone-prone frequencies eliminated by 180 Technology before they reach the cabin. AWE describes this configuration as "the best ratio of interior refinement to exterior rumble on the market" and that's a fair claim.

Importantly, 180 Technology is not packed material — it's a tuned reflection-chamber design. The internals don't break down, don't degrade with heat cycles, and don't change tone over time. Whatever the exhaust sounds like the day you fit it is what it'll sound like five years later. Right pick if you commute in the car, do regular highway runs, or want maximum sound character without highway-drone fatigue.

Track Edition — FA24 (or FA20) Rumble With Minimal Filter

The Track Edition keeps the bullet-style mid-pipe resonator but deletes the 180 Technology rear resonators entirely. The result is an unfiltered BOXER tone at all speeds — substantially louder, more aggressive, with maximum FA24 character on display. AWE itself warns that "this version is known to get rowdy and may be too much for many" and notes that Track Edition systems cannot be returned due to sound preference. Take that warning seriously.

Right pick if your car is a weekend toy, a track-day weapon, or you want the loudest sanctioned AWE option on the platform. If you're not 100% sure, buy the Touring Edition first and add the Touring-to-Track Conversion Kit later — it's reversible (well, you'd have to buy the original mufflers back) but at least you start from a position you can live with.

Want a deeper breakdown? Read our full AWE Touring vs Track vs SwitchPath buyer's guide and our 180 Technology explainer.

The AWE Touring-to-Track Conversion Kit

If you start with a Touring Edition and decide later that you want a louder system, the AWE Touring-to-Track Conversion Kit swaps your Touring rear sections for Track Edition rear sections — converting the system without buying a complete new catback. Direct bolt-on replacement for the existing rear sections, same precision fitment, same 5" tips. Most of the cost of a Track system saved.

This is one of AWE's smartest catalogue features. Most aftermarket brands force you to commit upfront — choose Touring or Track, and if you change your mind you're buying a whole new exhaust. AWE's Conversion Kit means owners can change their car's character based on life circumstances. Read our Conversion Kits guide for full fitment details.

Tip Choice — Diamond Black or Chrome Silver

Both Touring and Track configurations ship with 5" double-walled slash-cut tips in your choice of finish:

Diamond Black: More aggressive aesthetic, hides road grime exceptionally well — particularly noticeable on white, World Rally Blue, and Crystal Black BRZ/86 colours. Catches less attention from authorities than chrome on a louder car, depending on your view of that.

Chrome Silver: Traditional polished look, matches factory tip aesthetic on most BRZ/86 trims. The standard choice if your car has chrome or silver factory tips and you want to maintain that visual continuity.

Both finishes are double-walled to prevent bluing from heat. AWE's tips are also individually adjustable for depth into the bumper — meaning you can dial in exactly how far the tips protrude (or recess) to match your aesthetic preference. Most aftermarket exhausts force you to live with whatever depth the manufacturer chose.

AWE vs Tomei Titanium — Which BRZ/86/GR86 Exhaust Is Right for You?

The other major exhaust choice for serious BRZ/86/GR86 owners is Japanese titanium — specifically the Tomei EXPREME Ti TYPE-80 (for Gen 1 ZN6/ZC6) and Tomei Ti SPORTS (for Gen 2 ZN8/ZD8). The two brands target slightly different buyers:

Choose AWE if you want: maximum drone cancellation, dual-tip aesthetic, North American engineering and lifetime warranty, the flexibility of Conversion Kits, and a system that fits both generations. AWE is the right choice for daily-driven BRZs and 86s where drone matters and where you want a more European-style dual-tip rear.

Choose Tomei if you want: titanium weight savings (5–7kg lighter than stock vs AWE's roughly 1lb lighter than stock), Japanese-made motorsport heritage, a traditional JDM single-exit aesthetic, and the specific sound character of the EXPREME Ti or Ti SPORTS lines. Tomei's TYPE-80 has a unique sub-muffler layout designed specifically to smooth the FA20 mid-range flat spot — that's a chassis-specific engineering choice you don't get with AWE.

Both are excellent. We stock both. Read our deep-dive Tomei Japan Titanium Exhaust Buyer's Guide for the full Tomei range comparison, including Ti SPORTS for daily-driven Gen 2 builds and Ti RACING for track-focused builds.

FA20 vs FA24 — What's Different in the Driving Experience

Although AWE's catback fits both engines, it's worth understanding what each delivers:

FA20 (ZN6/ZC6, 147kW): The original 2.0L FA20 has a well-known mid-range flat spot — peaky power that arrives high in the rev range. With the AWE Touring Edition, the BOXER rumble is more present at idle and under throttle, the cabin stays comfortable on the highway, and the exhaust delivers the "deep, hearty rumble" the FA20 should have had from the factory.

FA24 (ZN8/ZD8, 174kW): The 2.4L FA24 fixed the mid-range issue with a more linear torque curve and substantially better real-world acceleration. The AWE Touring Edition brings out the deeper, more authoritative tone of the FA24 — broader exhaust note, more low-end presence, more crackles on lift-off. AWE specifically tunes the bullet-style mid-pipe resonator for the FA24's character, which is one reason the system suits both engines well.

If you have a Gen 1 ZN6/ZC6 with the FA20, the AWE Touring Edition genuinely transforms the car's character. If you have a Gen 2 ZN8/ZD8 with the FA24, it amplifies what the factory got right rather than fixing what was wrong.

Tuning & Drivetrain Considerations

No tune required. Both Touring and Track Edition AWE systems are catback designs — they fit from the catalytic converter rearward and are fully compatible with the factory ECU on both FA20 and FA24 cars. No tune is required.

Modest power gains. AWE is honest about this — the BRZ/86/GR86 platform isn't significantly exhaust-limited, especially on naturally aspirated FA20/FA24 engines. The catback delivers small, consistent flow improvements but the headline value is sound character and drone cancellation, not horsepower numbers. If you want serious power on this platform, the upgrade path is forced induction (turbo or supercharger) — not the catback.

Manual vs auto transmission. Both 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic versions of all four model years are covered by the same AWE fitment. Transmission choice doesn't affect exhaust mounting on this platform.

Australian noise compliance. Track Edition is significantly louder than factory and may exceed some state noise regulations under enthusiastic driving. NSW and VIC EPA have been particularly active on aftermarket exhaust enforcement in recent years. Touring Edition is generally well within ADR noise limits when driven normally — but if you're concerned about state EPA scrutiny, Touring is the safer choice. Track is unapologetically loud, by design.

Supporting Modifications for the BRZ / GR86 / 86

The BRZ/GR86/86 is one of the most thoroughly supported platforms at Chicane:

Brakes: The full DIXCEL range for ZN6/ZC6/ZN8/ZD8 covers M Type (low dust street), Z Type (street/track), S Type (lightweight street/sport), and Specom B (motorsport-only) compounds. DIXCEL specifically lists the S Type as ideal for "lightweight 86/BRZ builds" — read our DIXCEL compound guide for the full breakdown.

Tomei titanium exhausts: If you're considering titanium instead of stainless, the Tomei range covers EXPREME Ti TYPE-80 (Gen 1), Ti SPORTS (Gen 2), and Ti RACING (track builds across both generations). See our Tomei Japan Titanium Exhaust Buyer's Guide.

KORSH catback: An Australian-engineered alternative — the KORSH Cat Back Exhaust is purpose-built for ZC6/ZD8 BRZ, ZN6 86, and ZN8 GR86. Different sound character to the AWE — more aggressive, slightly less drone control.

Browse the full range: See our complete Toyota 86 / GR86 / Subaru BRZ collection for everything we stock for the platform.

Construction, Warranty & Authenticity

Every AWE catback for the BRZ/GR86/86 is built from CNC mandrel-bent T304L stainless steel with .065" wall thickness, TIG-welded joints, and double-walled 5" tips that won't blue from heat. AWE backs every system with their lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, and Australian customers receive full warranty support through Chicane.

All AWE product sold at Chicane Australia is supplied through AWE's authorised distribution channel — every system carries verifiable AWE serial identification. Buying from an authorised stockist is the only way to guarantee both genuine product and warranty coverage in Australia.

Buying Notes for the BRZ / GR86 / 86 in Australia

One fitment for four model years. The same AWE catback fits 2013–2024 BRZ (Gen 1 ZC6 + Gen 2 ZD8), 2017–2020 Toyota 86 (ZN6), and 2022+ Toyota GR86 (ZN8). Always confirm your model year when ordering, but the SKU is the same across the range.

Tip choice — Diamond Black or Chrome Silver. Both available on both Touring and Track configurations. Tips are individually adjustable for bumper depth.

Catback is street-legal. Both Touring and Track Editions are catback systems that retain the factory catalytic converter. Touring is generally well within ADR noise limits. Track is significantly louder and may attract attention from state EPA in some circumstances.

Track Edition no-returns policy. AWE's policy globally is that Track Edition systems cannot be returned due to sound preference — the company knows the volume is polarising and protects buyers and itself by being upfront about that. We honour this policy at Chicane. If you have any uncertainty, buy Touring first and use the Conversion Kit later.

Lead times. AWE BRZ/GR86/86 systems typically ship in 7–9 days from order. Contact us if you need it faster — we'll see what we can do.

Need Help Choosing?

The BRZ/GR86/86 is one of those platforms where the exhaust choice really shapes the character of the car — more so than most platforms because the engine itself is so vocal. Trying to decide between AWE Touring, AWE Track, the Conversion Kit path, or jumping over to a Tomei titanium system? Contact our team or email sales@chicaneaustralia.com.au — we ride and drive these cars and we're happy to talk it through.

Browse the full AWE Tuning collection, our complete Toyota 86 / GR86 / Subaru BRZ parts range, or read our deeper guides:

• AWE Touring vs Track vs SwitchPath: Full Comparison Guide
• AWE's 180 Technology Explained: How It Actually Works
• AWE Conversion Kits: Why They Matter
• Tomei Japan Titanium Exhaust Buyer's Guide
• DIXCEL Brake Pad Compound Guide