If you’re a car enthusiast, you already know the Subaru BRZ is one of the most fun, affordable sports cars out there. The 2025 model keeps the same formula that made people love it: light weight, sharp handling, and rear-wheel drive. But let’s be honest—the stock exhaust is a little too tame for how this car feels to drive.
That’s why so many BRZ owners are going straight pipe. It completely changes the sound and vibe of the car, turning it from a mild-mannered coupe into something that sounds track-ready every time you hit the throttle.
Let’s dive into what a straight pipe does for the 2025 BRZ, why people do it, how it sounds, and what you need to keep in mind before making the jump.
Why Go Straight Pipe
For those new to the term, a straight pipe exhaust basically means getting rid of all the restrictions in your exhaust system—no mufflers, no resonators, and sometimes even the catalytic converter (though you’ve gotta be careful with emissions laws on that one).
With a straight pipe, the goal is to let the exhaust gases flow as freely as possible. That means more sound, a more aggressive tone, and possibly a slight boost in performance.
So why do it? Well, for most people, it’s all about the sound.
What It Sounds Like
Once you straight pipe a 2025 BRZ, the sound goes from “kinda sporty” to “did that just come out of a 4-cylinder?” in the best way possible.
At idle: It has a deeper, throatier growl.
Under throttle: It gets raspy and raw. You hear every bit of that 2.4L flat-four working.
Downshifts: You get burbles, pops, and crackles depending on how it’s set up or tuned.
It’s loud. Not obnoxiously loud (unless you want it to be), but it definitely makes its presence known. If you’re used to driving with music on, you might find yourself turning it off just to enjoy the sound of the car.
How It’s Done
There are a few different ways to go about straight piping your BRZ, depending on how deep you want to go:
1. Muffler Delete – The easiest and most budget-friendly option. This replaces just the muffler with a straight pipe section.
2. Resonator Delete – Removes the resonator from the mid-pipe for even more volume.
3. Full Straight Pipe (Cat-Back or Header-Back) – A full system that removes everything from the headers to the tip.
4. Custom vs. Pre-Made Kits – You can either go to a muffler shop and have a custom pipe made, or buy a bolt-on kit online.
Prices vary a lot. A simple muffler delete might run you $150 at a local shop, while a full system could set you back closer to $800–$1,000. Still, it’s cheaper than most performance mods and gives you a massive change in character.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
Way better sound than stock
Lighter exhaust system (good for weight savings)
Slight horsepower bump
More throttle response and engine note feedback
Cons
Very loud, which may not be ideal for daily driving
Highway drone can get annoying without a resonator
May be illegal in your area if you remove emissions equipment
Could affect resale depending on the buyer
If your BRZ is your daily driver and you live in a quiet neighborhood, you might want to think twice—or at least go with a muffler delete only. But if it’s your weekend car or you just don’t care, the sound is worth every trade-off.
What Other Owners Are Saying
A lot of BRZ owners online are raving about the straight pipe mod—especially for the 2025 model. Some have even said it’s the first mod they did.
Here’s what a few owners are saying:
> “Straight piped my 2025 BRZ and it completely changed the car. Sounds like a different beast. Zero regrets.”
> “It’s loud, yeah, but it’s fun loud. I get smiles and thumbs up everywhere I go.”
> “Had to throw the stock exhaust back on for inspection, and honestly, I missed the straight pipe the moment I drove out of the shop.”
Is It Legal
This part depends entirely on where you live. In many places, removing the catalytic converter or modifying the exhaust past a certain volume limit is illegal. Even just a muffler delete can get you pulled over in some states or countries.
Before you make any permanent changes, double-check your local laws. Some owners keep their stock exhaust so they can swap it back on if needed for inspection or a long road trip.
Final Thoughts
Straight piping your 2025 BRZ is one of those mods that completely changes the personality of the car. It turns a clean, quiet sports car into a loud, growling machine that feels as aggressive as it drives.
It’s not for everyone. Some people want a more refined tone or don’t want to deal with the extra volume. But if you’re the type who loves to hear every rev, pop, and burble—and you don’t mind turning heads—this mod is a blast.
Whether you go full straight pipe or just start with a muffler delete, it’s a simple and relatively affordable way to add excitement to every drive.
