TECH: Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ + Toyota 86 Exhaust System Diagram Explained

When it comes to the exhaust system of the Scion FR-S, Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, it can be a little overwhelming. Front pipe, midpipe, overpipe… what the heck does it all mean? Well, luckily for you we’re hear to clear the air as to what’s what with your exhaust system. For your convenience, we’ve posted a copy of the FR-S/BRZ/Toyota 86 Exhaust System Diagram below, which shows the route your exhaust takes from the headers to the exhaust tips.

Scion FR-S, Toyota 86 & Subaru BRZ Headers

We’ll start from the engine and work our way back. Your Scion FR-S, Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ’s exhaust exits the cylinder heads into the headers. When it comes to headers, you have quite a few options to choose from, but one thing to keep in mind is equal length vs unequal length headers.

Equal Length vs Unequal Length Headers – What’s the difference?
If you want that signature Subaru Boxer rumble, go unequal. If you don’t care for the Subaru rumble, go with equal length.

Borla Scion FR-S Subaru BRZ Toyota 86 EL Headers
HKS Scion FR-S Subaru BRZ Toyota 86 EL Headers
Borla Scion FR-S Subaru BRZ Toyota 86 UEL Headers

FR-S, Toyota 86 & BRZ Over-Pipe

After the exhaust goes through the header, the next section of the exhaust is the overpipe. This section of the exhaust is a short piece of the exhaust that routes it over the sway bars and subframe, hence overpipe. This part of the system is ahead of the Catalytic Converter. Replacing the overpipe won’t cause a CEL and also enhances power and torque with smoother exhaust flow.

Invidia Overpipe Scion FR-S Toyota 86 Subaru BRZ
Motiv Concepts Overpipe Toyota 86 Scion FR-S Subaru BRZ

FR-S, Toyota 86 & BRZ Front Pipe / Downpipe

Motiv Concepts Downpipe

After the overpipe is what’s referred to sometimes as a “Test Pipe”, but more commonly, a “Downpipe” and “Frontpipe” – in the context of the FR-S/BRZ/Toyota 86 FA20 exhaust system, they all mean the same thing. This is the section of the exhaust that has the Catalytic converter in it. You’ll usually have the option of catted or catless – catless is illegal for street use for all 50 states and it’s technically cheaper, but catted will inherently be more expensive because of the cost of the rare metals used in a catalytic converter, but your exhaust won’t smell nearly as much of unburnt fuel. We’ve told you before the key to fixing the torque dip is headers, downpipe and a tune running E85 fuel, and a downpipe will certainly help wake up your FA20.
Berk Technology Catted Downpipe (Sport Cat) for 2012+ Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6]
Borla Mid-Pipe + Downpipe for 2012+ Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6] (60541)
Invidia Frontpipe for 2013-15 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6] HS12SSTFP
Motiv Concepts Frontpipe for 2013-15 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6] SC.105

FR-S, Toyota 86 & BRZ Midpipe

Ok, now here’s where it can get a little confusing. A Cat-Back exhaust will include the Mid-Pipe ahead of the muffler to connect it to the front pipe/downpipe, but some companies split them up. The Midpipe is the section ahead of the muffler, but after the cat.

Borla Mid-Pipe + Downpipe for 2012+ Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6] (60541)

Scion FR-S Toyota 86 & BRZ Cat-Back Exhaust & Mufflers

A Cat-Back exhaust for Scion FR-S Toyota 86 or Subaru BRZ is going to include a muffler and a midpipe to connect the system right after the catalytic converter, hence “Cat-Back”. The combination of a muffler with a larger-diameter and streamlined midpipe enhances horsepower and torque as well as sound. With any exhaust it’s important that you do your research and listen to multiple exhaust systems so that you can decide for yourself what you like best. It’s worth noting any system called an Axle Back will not include the mid-pipe, but rather, just the muffler and tips only, or sometimes only the muffler itself, so be sure you know what you’re ordering.

Here are a few of the Cat-Back options for the FR-S & BRZ:
ARK DT-S Cat-Back Exhaust for 2012+ Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6]
ARK GRIP Cat Back Exhaust for 2012+ Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6]
Borla Cat-Back Exhaust for 2012+ Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6] (140496)
HKS Legamax Premium Cat-Back Exhaust for 2012+ Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6]
Invidia N1 Cat-back Exhaust for 2013-15 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6] Model: HS12SSTGT
Invidia Q300 Cat-back Exhaust for 2013-15 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 [ZN6/ZC6] invHS12SSTG3
Magnaflow Cat-back Exhaust for 2013-15 Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ [ZN6/ZC6] w/4in Tips (15157)
Perrin Cat-Back Exhaust for 2012+ Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ [ZN6/ZC6]
REMUS Cat-Back Exhaust for 2012+ Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ [ZN6/ZC6] w/Dual 127mm Tips
Takeda Cat-Back Exhaust for 2012+ Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ [ZN6/ZC6] w/Polished Tips
Tanabe Cat-Back Exhaust for 2012+ Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ [ZN6/ZC6]