AWE Exhausts for Subaru WRX & STI (VA, GV)

Important Fitment Note — Which WRX or STI Does the AWE Fit?

Subaru's WRX/STI lineage has run across multiple chassis codes and engine generations, and AWE's catback is specific to a defined window. Get this right before ordering:

VA chassis STI (2015–2021): The 2.5L EJ257 turbo. Australian-market VA was STI-only — the WRX VA in Australia was rebadged onto the older platform. AWE's catback fits the VA STI.

GV chassis WRX / STI Sedan (2008–2014): Earlier generation EJ-engined Sedan. AWE's catback fits the GV WRX and GV STI Sedan.

VB chassis WRX (2022+) — NOT covered by this AWE fitment. The current-generation VB WRX uses the FA24-DIT 2.4L direct-injected turbo with substantially different exhaust mounting, mid-pipe routing, and rear bumper architecture. AWE does not currently produce a VB WRX catback. For the VB WRX, see our KORSH range (stainless and titanium VB-specific catbacks) or our REMARK range (Sports Touring series for VB WRX).

If you have a VA STI or GV WRX/STI Sedan, the AWE catback is engineered for your car. If you have a VB WRX, this isn't the right fitment — but we have several excellent alternatives.

Touring Edition vs Track Edition — Which Is Right for Your STI?

Touring Edition — The Daily Driver's Choice

The AWE Touring Edition retains the rear mufflers and uses AWE's drone-cancelling 180 Technology® midpipe to deliver a deeper, more characterful EJ tone without highway drone. The boxer character comes through cleanly — better throttle response, more presence at idle and under acceleration, more presence on overrun — but the cabin stays comfortable on long drives. Right pick if you commute in your STI, do regular highway runs, or want a meaningful upgrade without your STI becoming the loudest car on the street.

Track Edition — Maximum EJ Sound

The Track Edition deletes the rear mufflers entirely for a louder, rawer note. The EJ257's full character is on display — bigger turbo whoosh, more bark on overrun, noticeably more presence at idle and under load. AWE's 180 Technology midpipe still controls drone, so the Track Edition is more livable than a typical muffler-delete setup, but it's the louder of the two by a clear margin. Right pick if your STI is a weekend toy, a track-day weapon, or you want maximum sound character and don't have neighbours to worry about.

Both systems are available with 4" Diamond Black (more aggressive aesthetic, hides road grime well) or 4" Chrome Silver (traditional polished look, matches factory tip aesthetic on most STIs) tips.

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

The AWE Track-to-Touring Conversion Kit

If you started with a Track Edition and want a quieter daily-driver experience later — long commute starts, family car, neighbours have noticed — the AWE Track-to-Touring Conversion Kit swaps your Track rear sections for Touring rear sections. Direct bolt-on replacement, same precision fitment, no new full system required.

This is rare in the WRX/STI aftermarket. Most brands force you to buy a complete new exhaust if your needs change. AWE's Conversion Kit means you can buy Track first when you want maximum sound, then step down to Touring later when life circumstances change. Read our Conversion Kits guide for full fitment details.

Note: AWE produces the Conversion Kit in one direction only on this platform — Track-to-Touring. There is currently no Touring-to-Track Conversion Kit for the WRX/STI VA/GV.

AWE vs KORSH vs Tomei vs Fujitsubo vs REMARK — How AWE Fits in the Field

The VA STI / GV WRX-STI catback market is unusually crowded with quality options. AWE is one of several premium choices, and choosing between them depends on what you actually want from the exhaust:

Choose AWE for: The most thorough drone cancellation on the market (180 Technology), dual-tip aesthetic, lifetime warranty, the flexibility of the Track-to-Touring Conversion Kit, and US engineering with an established global reputation. Best for daily-driven VA STIs where drone matters and you want a system that you can step down later.

Choose KORSH for: Australian engineering, lower price point on equivalent stainless construction, or titanium construction at a competitive price. The KORSH stainless catback for VA/GV and KORSH titanium catback are both on the shelf in Sydney rather than special-order from the US. Slightly more aggressive tone than AWE Touring; weight savings story on the titanium.

Choose Tomei (EXPREME Ti) for: Japanese motorsport heritage, full titanium construction with significant weight savings, single-exit JDM aesthetic, and the specific Tomei sound character. Read our Tomei Japan Titanium Exhaust Buyer's Guide for the full Tomei range — EXPREME Ti is the WRX/STI option.

Choose Fujitsubo (Legalis R) for: The deep, bassy tone associated with old-school WRX builds, JASMA noise certification, and Japanese sound-tuning expertise. Fujitsubo's R&D facility includes one of the world's most advanced sound chambers — they tune the "voice" of every exhaust to the chassis. Browse our Fujitsubo range.

All five brands are stocked at Chicane. We don't push one over another — the right choice depends on whether you prioritise drone cancellation (AWE), Australian shelf availability (KORSH), titanium weight savings (Tomei or KORSH Titanium), or JDM sound heritage (Fujitsubo). Talk to us if you're unsure.

Tuning & Drivetrain Considerations

No tune required for the catback alone. 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 the VA STI and GV WRX/STI. No tune is required for the catback by itself.

For serious EJ257 power, the upgrade path is downpipe + uppipe + tune. The factory STI downpipe and uppipe are the most restrictive components in the EJ257 exhaust system. A high-flow downpipe combined with quality tuning typically takes a VA STI from ~221kW (factory crank) to 280kW+ at the wheels reliably, with bigger numbers possible on E85 and supporting mods. The catback contributes to this picture but isn't the primary power-maker. Contact us for downpipe and tuning recommendations.

Drone with Track Edition. Even with 180 Technology, the Track Edition is louder than Touring. If your VA STI is a daily commuter, Touring is usually the smarter pick — or buy Track and add the Track-to-Touring Conversion Kit later if needed.

Australian noise compliance — be honest with yourself. Track Edition is significantly louder than factory and may exceed state EPA noise limits under enthusiastic driving. NSW and VIC EPA have been particularly active on aftermarket exhaust enforcement. Touring Edition is generally well within ADR limits when driven normally. If state EPA scrutiny is a concern, Touring is the safer choice — or look at JASMA-certified Fujitsubo systems which are specifically designed around strict Japanese noise regulations.

Supporting Modifications for the VA STI & GV WRX/STI

The WRX/STI platform is one of the most supported at Chicane. Here's what we typically pair with an AWE catback:

Brakes: The VA STI's Brembo 4-pot front and 2-pot rear brakes share fitment with several other Brembo-equipped Subaru and Mitsubishi platforms. We stock the full DIXCEL range for VA STI across street and track compounds — M Type for low-dust street, Z Type for street/track crossover, RE/Specom B for circuit work. Paragon titanium brake pad shims are a low-cost upgrade for reducing pad-to-piston heat transfer on track days.

Downpipe + uppipe: The KORSH range includes a full turbo-back system for older GH/GR generations if you want a complete exhaust replacement rather than just catback. For VA STI downpipes specifically, contact us for current options.

Cooling, tuning & supporting: Browse the full WRX/STI parts collection for intercoolers, intakes, ECU tuning hardware, suspension, and chassis components.

Titanium alternatives: If weight matters more than drone cancellation, KORSH titanium catback for VA/GV and the Tomei EXPREME Ti range (covered in our Tomei buyer's guide) are both worth considering.

Construction, Warranty & Authenticity

Every AWE catback for the VA/GV WRX/STI is built from CNC mandrel-bent T304L stainless steel with TIG-welded joints and double-walled 4" (102mm) 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 VA / GV WRX / STI in Australia

Confirm chassis code before ordering. AWE's WRX/STI catback fits VA chassis STI (2015–2021) and GV chassis WRX/STI Sedan (2008–2014). VB WRX (2022+) is NOT covered — see our KORSH or REMARK ranges for VB-specific options. Check the chassis code on your build plate inside the driver's door jamb if you're unsure.

Sedan only. AWE's catback is engineered around the STI sedan rear bumper. If you have a hatchback (VA didn't have a hatch in Australia, but earlier GR/GE hatches existed), this fitment doesn't apply — contact us to discuss alternatives.

Tip choice — Diamond Black or Chrome Silver. Both 4" double-walled, heat-resistant. Diamond Black is more aggressive and hides road grime; Chrome Silver matches factory satin tip aesthetic on most STIs.

Catback is street-legal. Both Touring and Track Editions are catback systems that retain the factory catalytic converter and are street-legal in all Australian states. Touring is generally well within ADR noise limits; Track is louder by design.

Lead times. AWE WRX/STI 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 VA STI is one of the most modified cars in Australia, and the catback choice really shapes the character of the build. Trying to decide between AWE Touring, AWE Track, KORSH stainless or titanium, Tomei EXPREME Ti, Fujitsubo Legalis R, or something else? 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 Subaru WRX/STI 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