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Time to read 12 min
It would be odd to walk into a Subaru event and not hear the roar of an exhaust from the track bouncing off the vendor tents or listening to the amazing rumble and tone from a modified 2000 Impreza RS, a old Bugeye, or a cherished WRX STI while scanning the massive crowd. A modified exhaust system has always been one of the most popular discussion subjects between enthusiasts and is most often the first major investment a driver will make when wanting to bring their car to the next level. Who doesn't want to turn heads or raise eyebrows with an impressive voice coming loudly from your car? The brand is known for developing amazing platforms that are both revered and coveted in the motorsports community primarily due to their openness for extreme creative flexibility and the amount of options to make your car unique and impactful to both your neighborhood and the whole tribe.
Talking about the exhaust system spawns goosebumps on any enthusiast's arm, but learning about the options, the sound profile, and the potential numbers behind the actual performance boost for your car can be the best experience on your journey. All true enthusiasts know that a well-informed investment in this area can obviously amplify the driving experience, but also transform the car's personality, enhance the performance, and improve the efficiency of the vehicle's functionality and use of fuel without squelching its prowess. The first steps in the right direction should always be made with accurate understanding, so breaking down the exhaust system and getting familiar with the components is always best before busting out your cash and picking components off the shelf.
A performance exhaust system contains a few primary components that every new enthusiast should study before starting a discussion about purchases or deciding what could be the best option for your 2022 Subaru WRX. You will quickly notice while searching through the Subimods online catalog that there is a varied and wide bandwidth of exhaust systems for the WRX platform - so, a novice making a choice within minutes without research or consultation is literally impossible unless disappointment, disaster, and wasting money is the goal. There are a few simple facts that need to be established first to help get the driver comfortable with this system and its functionality. The Exhaust Manifold , the Catalytic Converter , the Muffler , and the Exhaust Tip are all components that when assembled and installed are defined as the exhaust system. Within this system, the Exhaust Manifold is the component which is attached directly to the engine’s cylinders.
Exhaust gasses produced from the combustion process are collected and funneled via the manifold's channels into a single pipe. This process increases the engine's efficiency by eliminating back pressure. The combustion engine also produces harmful emissions through the exhaust system which include carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The Catalytic Converter is the important component in this system that converts those harmful elements into less hazardous gasses. The exhaust system then relies on the Muffler to perform a degree of noise reduction and provide an appropriate tone as the vehicle expels combustion gasses. There are many performance mufflers that give the driver a choice and appropriate balance to achieve their desired tone while improving performance. Finally, the Exhaust Tip can give the system a stylish, visual flare and provide added redirection of gasses away from the car. With all these components to consider, the enthusiast now needs to examine why they should invest in this type of upgrade.
Obviously, many car enthusiasts make choices based on something they have researched, experienced in person, heard positive reviews about in a conversation with someone with a shared interest, or they just want the hottest most cherished item that comes along in the marketplace. It is important to choose to upgrade your exhaust system based on some important factors. First, your primary goal must consider your need for overall engine performance, an improvement of exhaust tone, a decrease in fuel consumption, or, most overlooked, a reduction in vehicle weight. Also, it is important to note, that just because the exhaust system and its individual components are available, it does not guarantee that they will fit or are the appropriate addition to your specific vehicle platform. The entire system you choose must be compatible with the year and model of your Subaru.
You must also consider any future plans as you continue to modify since this choice may affect what you have on the drawing board for the road ahead. The next logical step forward towards your exhaust system upgrade must be inspired by the way the car is driven and how it will serve your performance needs in the future. Before selecting a system, determine if the car will function only as a daily driver with a little added growl in its vocal chords, or if the car will hop off the road after a long work week and run around the track or turn some heads at a Subaru event on a Saturday. Will the upgrade be for a car that sees minimal road time but functions only as the recreational or competitive fun driver in the family? Maybe this upgrade is to gain some advantage in an off-road rally, an autocross, or other track event. Whatever the primary goal is for the driver, it is best to research the best solution for this upgrade by consulting with an experienced expert to align the current and future performance needs with the available budget to accurately compile a list of options to move forward properly.
Making an important investment in any modification or upgrade related to vehicle performance, efficiency, amplification of sound level, and fuel consumption must be dictated by the driver's expectations on the vehicle's capabilities and level of service to its owner. Sustaining performance requires an understanding of what needs to happen after the system has been installed and while the vehicle is being tested under what could be considered as the driver’s extreme expectations. This upgrade is an investment in performance, but should also be an investment in quality and longevity, which depends on the driver’s attention to detail and clear vision towards maintenance. The first consideration after purchasing the appropriate components for the exhaust system upgrade should be the installation project and who will be tasked with this responsibility. The driver can install the system if they have the appropriate tools and skills or they can retain assistance from someone who is an experienced expert.
Obviously, a new exhaust system can also be installed by a certified mechanic or Subaru service center. Whatever the choice may be, it is important that this installation is done correctly and secured to the vehicle properly to avoid costly damage and interruptions in performance and efficiency. The exhaust system should also be regularly inspected to ensure that any damage, defects, or alterations have not developed during a stressful driving scenario or questionable situation. Periodic inspections during normal usage are also highly recommended since signs of corrosion, rust, or minimal road damage could lead to dramatic and costly issues if not addressed immediately. Checking the system for leaks, cracks, fractures, or bulges could explain a decline in performance or change in the vehicle's overall sound profile. Subimods is happy to help if questions arise before or after an installation. Most importantly, if you are at the beginning of the upgrade process and need answers about specific manufacturers and the products they offer, we have the information you need.
During their research, any enthusiast will see that there is an overwhelming list of performance exhaust manufacturers in today's Subaru aftermarket. The Subimods catalog contains a number of premiere companies that engineer, design, and build these systems for all levels of motoring - from daily driving to professional motorsports. Within this sea of choices, our customers help us understand what is most popular by their purchasing practices and their product reviews. This is a very valuable tool when our team members are consulting with those enthusiasts who are on a new journey towards an exhaust upgrade. A few of the companies that appear within the Subimods product listings have provided solutions for some of our most wanted products this month offered under this category. Texas-based COBB Tuning is a familiar, iconic brand known to anyone who has looked seriously into modifying a Subaru - because they are staffed by true enthusiasts, drivers, and creators seriously dedicated to the vast community of modifiers for over 25 years. Tomei Motor Inc., originally founded in Japan by Nissan driver Seiichi Suzuki in 1968, has transformed into a company often listed as an organization specializing in the manufacturing of titanium exhaust systems for multiple car brands which includes Subaru.
Tomei delivers a product with a signature motorsports sound and an overall amplification of performance. Extreme Turbo Systems (ETS) based in Vancouver, Washington, has been providing high performance solutions to the enthusiast community of Subaru lovers and other brands for over 15 years. California's Remark Exhaust has been providing quality, hand-crafted exhaust systems for almost 20 years while weaving genuine enthusiast spirit into every product that leaves their door. Pennsylvania-based manufacturer AWE is a familiar brand to many Subaru enthusiasts because of their attention to innovation, engineering, and development since 1991 proving their quality products through the drivers and cars experiencing victory each day. MBRP brought their aftermarket exhaust systems from a one car garage to the public almost 30 years ago. Since 1996 they have grown into a premiere supplier who offers over 1000 products related to performance exhaust upgrades.
After our previous breakdown and explanation of parts and components, we still should not assume that all of us are completely familiar with every term that may be contained within the exhaust system upgrade. Categorizing a Catback exhaust speaks to only what exists from the back of the catalytic converter, or "cat". Basically, this product consists of components from the catalytic converter's rear outlet through to the exhaust's tip. Enthusiasts who are counting the costs related to Catback Exhaust System upgrade for their 2022 Subaru WRX - that fits within the $300 to $800 price range - can easily discover a few most wanted options in the Subimods catalog from both MBRP and Remark . To deliver an affordable option, MBRP offers a few Catback products within the Armor Lite and Pro Series . First, they provide the Armor Lite Single Exit Aluminized Steel Catback with a Polished Tip for around $400. More choices appear when you step up to their professional series which include the Armor Pro Series Single Exit Catback w/ Carbon Fiber Tip at $430.00 , the Burnt Tip version for about $600 , and the Carbon Fiber Tip option for around $630.00 . The engineering innovators at Remark come to the table with a solution for far under the $700 price point with their R1-Spec Single-Exit Catback Exhaust w/ Stainless Tip which more than adequately keeps the level of visuals high in the interest of quality and style. Take a look at the options provided by MBRP , Remark , and other manufacturers on the Subimods website to gain a better understanding of what products are available for your upgrade. We are also always available to answer your questions concerning the exhaust system you want for your 2022 Subaru WRX.
Moving into a high price range will definitely challenge the success of any project, but depending on the specific need, the agreement between available components and performance expectations, and the final determination of compatibility, an enthusiast may need to make certain concessions, adjust their thinking, and consider the more expensive alternatives. Again, when we review the current most wanted products in the exhaust system category, we find a few manufacturers that offer the highest quality and proven performance to our customers. MBRP enters strong again with options in their Armor Pro Series , under $1300 , including the Race Tone Dual Exit Catback with Polished Stainless Steel Quad Tips for around $800.00 , the Race Tone Dual Exit Catback with Carbon Fiber Quad Tips for under $950 , and for those wanting a less aggressive voice from your 2022 WRX, the Quiet Tone Dual Exit Catback with Carbon Fiber Quad Tips is available for far under $1100 . Remark establishes its place with offerings like the Sports Touring Non Resonated Cat Back w/ Polished Stainless Tips for just under $1100 , and models with Burnt Stainless Tips for under $1200 . AWE comes into the ring with two options under their Track Edition series including their Catback Exhaust w/ Chrome Silver Tips for under $1200 , and their Diamond Black Tip model for around $1300 . ETS brings some upgrade solutions up front with a S ingle Exit Catback , either Resonated or Non Resonated , with a Polished Stainless Steel Tip for under $1200 , while also listing a couple of options from their Extreme series including their Extreme Catback Non-Resonated model with Burnt or Polished Tips for under $1300 . Finally, among the list of innovative manufacturers of performance comes Tomei who delivers a solution for under $1300 with their Expreme Ti Titanium Type-R Single Exit Catback Exhaust. Truly, there is a Catback exhaust solution for any 2022 Subaru WRX owner who seeks an amazing boost in tone, performance, and efficiency. The Subimods website takes a more specific dive into the offerings from MBRP , Remark , AWE , ETS , and Tomei , but our team is always happy to answer any exhaust system questions related to products compatible with the 2022 WRX.
Breaking down the highest price range, which tops out at the $2200 mark, includes some additional items built by manufacturers featured in this article and that currently appear in the most wanted category within the Subimods online catalog. As previously mentioned, ETS has a wide range of offerings that span all amounts considered within the enthusiast's performance expectations and budget plans. With both their Quiet and Extreme Series , ETS provides the Catback, Non-Resonated with Burnt Tips for under $1300, with Polished Tips for right below $1400 , Stealth Black Tips for under $1500 . The Resonated option for their Quiet Series spans a price range between under $1400 and $1600 . AWE brings its Touring Edition to the table with their Catback Exhaust w/ Chrome Silver Tips at around $1500 and their Diamond Black Tip option coming in right under $1600 . Tomei's Expreme Series is included within the most wanted as they deliver their Ti Titanium Type-D Dual Exit Catback Exhaust model, priced at around $1900 , a solution that will definitely provide the performance while helping any enthusiast reach the level of expectation they only dreamed of at the beginning of their modification journey. There are a lot of popular options within our catalog under the $2000 mark, but two other companies bring another option to the enthusiast as they count every penny to reach the goals they've set for themselves to hopefully experience top performance at whatever corner of motorsports they reside. Finally, Cobb offers both a stainless steel and a titanium CatBack Exhaust solution to the enthusiast who looks for a history of automotive performance development covering a wide range of innovation, intelligent engineering, and quality design. The COBB Cat Back Exhaust in Stainless Steel comes to market under $1500 , while their second option, the Titanium Cat Back Exhaust hits the highest end of the price point at right under $2200 . Make sure to carefully review the Subimods online catalog to have a more detailed outline of the performance exhaust systems available to the 2022 WRX from ETS , AWE , Tomei , or COBB . Again, please reach out with questions about any of the products covered in this article. It is the hope of our team to provide support, education, and satisfaction while you pursue an upgrade of any type to help your vehicle reach its highest level under any set of challenges.
For more information regarding aftermarket parts for your 2022 Subaru WRX, please visit our website and explore the section dedicated to your platform at: https://subimods.com/collections/2022-wrx
Bryon Turcotte - Marketing Writer/Analyst
Turcotte has worked as a writer, journalist, and digital content developer for 30 years. He began his career in music journalism in 1995 then worked for several years as both a staff writer, managing editor, and a freelancer for both regional and national music publications. Over the next three decades his contributions extended beyond the music industry as he served within the realms of higher education, science and technology, manufacturing, and finance. He has been serving as a content developer and writer on the Subimods Marketing team since August 2023.
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