Next we have the option we refer to as the Cat-back system (sometimes also known as “with Front Pipe” exhaust). One of the most noticeable changes after installing a cat-back exhaust system is the sound. The exhaust note becomes deeper and more pronounced, giving your vehicle a more aggressive tone. The specific sound varies depending on the muffler and pipe design, allowing drivers to choose a system that matches their preference for loudness and pitch.

The only difference is that it features straight perforated pipes. The original exhaust systems focus more on just reducing the sound and not shaping it to give it that desired deep growl. One function shared with both the axle-back and the cat-back exhaust systems are shaping your vehicle’s tone.

This modification includes the pipes, muffler, and sometimes the resonator. The term “cat-back” itself signifies that everything behind the vehicle’s catalytic converter is being upgraded or replaced. Milltek's Sport Catback Exhaust Systems are designed to compensate for the sound reducing qualities from the particulate filter and significantly improve the sound aesthetic of the exhaust system.

Brands like Invidia, Borla, and Agency Power offer a wide range of options, allowing you to customize the sound and performance to suit your preferences. Upgrade your Subaru WRX, STI, Forester, and Crosstrek with these cat back exhausts to unlock additional horsepower, torque, and an exhilarating driving experience. Catback exhaust systems are typically made up of a rear pipe, a resonator and a muffler, though they can also include a mid-pipe, x-pipe, h-pipe or y-pipe, depending on the make and model. Upgrade the sound and performance of your Toyota Supra, GR86, or Subaru BRZ with a high-quality cat back exhaust system from FTSpeed. Our cat back exhausts are engineered to enhance exhaust flow, resulting in improved horsepower, torque, and throttle response. With a deep and aggressive tone, these exhaust systems not only amplify the sporty character of your vehicle but also provide a captivating driving experience.

Installation was easy, and the craftsmanship and welds are very high quality. Mishimoto exhausts are constructed of large diameter mandrel-bent pipes for maximum flow. Mishimoto exhausts are perfectly engineered to provide an aggressively rich tone with no annoying highway drone. In general, though, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1000 upwards for a good cat back exhaust system. That may seem like a lot of money, but keep in mind that a cat back exhaust can provide a significant boost to your car's performance and help it to stand out from the crowd. Typically a cat-back exhaust upgrade can be swapped with the original exhaust without any modifications.

A stock system is designed to reduce and if possible eliminate all the noise produced by your vehicle. Because of this, the axle-back exhaust system does not impact the flow or pressure of the exhaust gases in any way. The axle-back exhaust system uses the factory exhaust pipe which does not have a large diameter. This offers even more breathing space for the engine thus better performance. Most cat-back exhaust systems are customized and not universal. One is to replace specific parts like with cat-back exhaust systems.

One issue is that the system can become clogged with dust and debris over time, causing reduced performance. This can be remedied by regularly cleaning the system with compressed air or a soft brush. Finally, it's always a good idea to check for leaks after installation.

By running pipes from the catalytic converter to the muffler and from the muffler to the exhaust tip, cat back exhaust systems improve exhaust gas flow, providing small performance boosts. However, your performance gains may be limited if your catalytic converter restricts gas flow, as a catback exhaust system is installed ‘downstream’ of the converter. Header-back systems are increasingly rare, namely because of modern emissions systems. Since removing your vehicle’s factory emissions components is highly illegal, the previous two options are more common. However, header-back systems are still available for some older, pre-emissions applications. In these cases, header-back systems offer more performance and volume than cat-back or axle-back systems