Discover XForce’s Toyota 86 Aftermarket Exhaust: An Investment Worth Making
Toyota’s highly acclaimed GR86 2+2, along with its feisty little twin from Subaru, the BRZ, are two of the most exciting sports coupes ever sold in Australia. And with their low-slung boxer motors, 174kW outputs and nearly perfect power-to-weight ratios, it’s understandable why they’re favourites of the Aussie aftermarket exhaust industry.
However, while most 2+2s like BMW’s 3 Series and Ford’s Mustang are built for lightning-fast acceleration and stump-pulling torque, GR86s are built for handling. That means in order for a GR86 aftermarket exhaust system to be effective, it has to be tuned to do its best breathing when it’s time to shove out of a curve. Sydney’s XForce knows precisely where the sweet spot in the GR86’s torque range is located, and it’s no surprise that their exhaust systems excel at allowing these coupes to do what they do best even better.
XForce Builds Exhausts Made For Top Notch GR86 Handling
For more than twenty years, XForce has been at the forefront of manufacturing high flow exhaust systems for some of the highest performance vehicles sold in Australia. They’re especially proud of their lineup of premium Toyota 86 aftermarket exhaust systems though, as they’re proof that when it comes to rear-wheel drive cars that are built for handling, top notch exhaust tuning is more about suitability than it is about size.
XForce systems are designed to fit all First and Second Generation GR86/BRZ models from 2012 – 2026, and for use with all of their 4U-GSE/FA20 2.0 litre, and FA24 2.4 litre powerplants. High performance boxer motors like these are synonymous with superior balance and exceptionally smooth operation, making them ideal candidates for low restriction exhaust systems based on attributes that include:
- Superior exhaust scavenging. Scavenging is the process where the vacuum created by spent gases, travelling from high pressure to low pressure inside the system, are helping to draw the next charges of fuel and fresh air into the motor.
- Increased exhaust velocity. As a result of the Venturi Effect, the velocity of spent gases naturally increases as they’re forced through differing diameter pipes in the system. This increase in exhaust velocity inherently increases the rate of scavenging.
- Reduced exhaust backpressure. Backpressure, either as the result of an internal obstruction or poor system construction, is the chief cause of poor exhaust performance. Reducing backpressure aides performance while also improving fuel efficiency.
XForce is an industry leader in exhaust design because they understand premium performance means delivering the best scavenging and exhaust velocities with the least amount of backpressure. That’s why their GR86 exhaust systems are dynotuned specifically to match the ultra-quick ramp-ups in low-end torque these sport coupes need to hit apex edges late and hard, but still have plenty of power to spare on the exit.
Keeping the power in the sweet spot is what XForce exhausts do better than anyone else – and the more aggressively a GR86 or BRZ driver lays into the throttle in the curves, the more power they can expect an XForce system to deliver.
GR86 Exhaust Configurations Made For Versatility and Flexibility
Make no mistake: while the superior flow dynamics of XForce’s Toyota 86 aftermarket exhaust products are proof of their ability to perform, their workmanship is arguably their best quality. Durable, mandrel-bent 304 stainless steel tubing is the lightweight starting point for all of their GR86 systems, with TIG-welded joints and flanges providing the solid sealing capacity needed to maintain superior exhaust velocity while eliminating the risk of leaks due to weakened or stressed joints.
XForce’s GR86/BRZ collection also doesn’t sacrifice versatility or flexibility. Their headerback and catback systems are available for any naturally aspirated, or turbo or supercharged First or Second Generation GR86 setup, and come in a selection of fully ADR (Australian Design Rule) compliant configurations with the following options:
- A choice of either 2.5” or 3.0” brushed system tubing.
- Availability with or without drone canister or centre hot dog resonator.
- A 200-cell high-flow catalytic converter with mesh-style connector flange.
- A choice of high flow centre, dual rear resonator, or one of XForce’s own electronically adjustable mufflers.
- A choice of 4.5” single or dual outlet polished stainless steel, matte black or blue burnt coated exhaust tips.
The straightforward exhaust routing of RWD cars, together with the Toyota’s and the Subaru’s excellent underside clearance, also lend themselves well to installing XForce systems. They have no impact on whether an owner is using equal or unequal length headers, and are able to make full use of factory mounting points with no problems, including mounting provisions suitable for XForce’s industry-leading tunable muffler, the Varex.
Varex Mufflers Let GR86 Owners Fine Tune Their Backpressure
While valve-actuated, automatically controlled and electronically regulated exhaust mufflers have been on the market for decades, true driver-activated mufflers that didn’t include long steel cables or unpredictable ECU management have been difficult to engineer. Pure performance mufflers like XForce’s Varex family have set a new standard for driver controllable mufflers, including a multi-modal version for sport coupes like the GR86 that are perfect for reducing unwanted backpressure when carving through the twists and turns.
The Varex’s SmartBox controller connects directly to the muffler’s butterfly valve control and is powered through the GR86’s OBD2. This simple setup allows drivers to remotely control the opening and closing of the valve via smartphone, and can be adjusted according to any of the following settings:
- Any default FULL CLOSE, 25%, 50%, 75%, or FULL OPEN valve position;
- Any custom position based on engine RPM, throttle position or speed reading;
- Any custom position based on desired exhaust noise level; or,
- Any custom geographic location based on track, street or highway location.
With a Varex muffler, GR86 owners can fine tune their exhaust’s backpressure, as well as its sound to match their driving conditions. They’re the perfect choice for a family of sports cars that deliver their best performance where restrictions are least desirable.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, what GR86s and BRZs lack in brute strength and acceleration they make up for in handling savvy. They’re engineered to handle curves and corners with surgical precision, and the best aftermarket exhausts for them need to be engineered to deliver power when and and where in the power curve it’s likely to be needed the most.
XForce’s premium lineup of 86 aftermarket exhaust systems are the key to maximising their potential on winding roads. They provide the added breathing room these boxer-motored coupes need to deliver their best performance.