Best GR Supra Exhaust in Australia: 9 Cat-Back Systems Compared

The best GR Supra A90/A91 exhausts in Australia compared: Valvetronic, AWE Touring and Track, HKS, Active Autowerke, RSE titanium and SP1R, with weights, sound levels and AUD prices.

6 min read

The B58 in the GR Supra is a great engine, but the factory exhaust doesn't let you hear much of it. It's heavy (about 25 kg), quiet and filtered through the speakers. An aftermarket cat-back is usually the first mod Supra owners make, and there are a lot of choices, from drone-free stainless touring systems to full titanium single-exit race exhausts. This guide compares the best GR Supra A90/A91 exhausts we sell in Australia, with AUD prices, weights and sound levels, so you can choose the right one for how you drive.

Quick picks

What to consider before you buy

Sound and drone

This matters more than anything else. A system that sounds great in a YouTube clip can be tiring on a two-hour freeway drive. Drone is the low booming noise inside the cabin at steady cruising speeds. Touring-style and valved systems are designed to avoid it. Track-style and straight-through titanium systems usually trade some comfort for volume.

Weight

The factory Supra exhaust weighs about 25.1 kg. Titanium systems cut a lot of that, and it's weight off the very back of the car, which helps the balance.

Single or dual exit

Single-exit systems (RSE Type-R, SP1-R, SP1-X) give a clean JDM race look but leave the factory rear diffuser openings to deal with. Dual-exit systems keep the factory look. Our carbon exhaust shield cover caps and the Verus Engineering single exit exhaust cover tidy up the unused side.

Road legality

Australian road cars have to meet state noise limits. In states such as Victoria and NSW, the stationary test limit for modern passenger cars is generally 90 dB(A). Measurement methods differ, so a manufacturer's dB figure isn't directly the same as a roadside test, but louder systems need more thought. That's one reason valved systems and removable silencers are popular. A cat-back doesn't touch the catalytic converter, so it doesn't raise the emissions issues a catless downpipe does.

The best GR Supra exhausts in Australia

1. Valvetronic Designs valved exhaust (from $4,400)

The Valvetronic Designs system is the one we recommend most for a Supra that's driven every day. With the valves closed it's quiet and refined. With them open you get a raw, motorsport-style B58 note. It comes in three finishes: Brushed Steel ($4,400), Gold ($4,650) and full Titanium ($7,400), which is about 11 lb (5 kg) lighter than stock. It bolts on using the factory mounting points, so it's fully reversible. Read more in our Valvetronic exhausts Australia guide.

2. AWE Touring Edition (from $5,050)

The AWE Touring Edition is known for its drone-free cabin. AWE's patented 180 Technology gives a deep, aggressive note under throttle and stays calm when cruising. It's made from 3" T304L stainless with 5" slash-cut double-walled tips, and AWE quotes up to 65% more flow than stock and +6 hp / +8 lb-ft on a stock ECU. You can choose a non-resonated mid-pipe (rawer) or a resonated one (smoother), with Diamond Black or Chrome tips. It includes an adapter for 80 mm aftermarket downpipes.

3. AWE Track Edition (from $4,050)

The AWE Track Edition shares the Touring's construction and 65% flow gain but is tuned to be louder. It has a more aggressive mid-range, a raw B58 soundtrack, and it's about 11 lb lighter than stock. Choose this one if you want AWE quality and more noise and don't mind some extra volume on the freeway.

4. HKS Super Turbo Muffler ($5,100)

The HKS Super Turbo Muffler is the refined JDM choice. HKS's internal muffler design reduces restriction while keeping drone and harshness low. You get deep cold starts, more turbo and exhaust tone under acceleration, and comfortable cruising. It's made from TIG-welded stainless steel with quad-tip styling and bolts on to the factory mounting points.

5. Active Autowerke Performance Cat-Back (from $4,390)

The Active Autowerke cat-back uses a large 3.5" mid-pipe and 100% 304 stainless, and Active Autowerke claims 12–15 hp over stock. The 100 mm double-walled tips come in brushed stainless ($4,390), black ($4,450) or carbon fibre ($4,950). It gives a deeper, more aggressive note under acceleration and still suits daily use. It pairs well with the Active Autowerke GESI catted downpipe for a matched Stage 2 setup.

6. RSE Titanium Type-R single exit ($2,800)

Made in Japan by Real Speed Engineering (formerly Tomei Japan), the RSE Type-R is remarkable value for full titanium. It weighs just 7.8 kg against the factory 25.1 kg, a saving of more than 17 kg. With the removable silencer fitted it measures 98 dB. Without it, 105 dB. It has 3" piping, a 152 mm silencer case and a burnt titanium tip, and it bolts on with no cutting.

7. RSE Titanium Type-D dual exit ($3,600)

If you prefer the factory dual-exit look, the RSE Type-D gives you Japanese titanium with twin 3" piping and burnt tips. It weighs 11 kg against the 25.1 kg stock system and measures 93 dB with the silencer or 100 dB without. It's designed for right-hand-drive cars, so it's a true Japanese-spec system.

8. SP1-R full titanium single exit ($4,400)

The SP1-R is a full-titanium, single-exit system with a clean motorsport look, a big weight saving over the factory exhaust and a distinctive titanium note. Sequential Racing is SP1R's newest distributor for Australia and the APAC region.

9. SP1-X True 4" full titanium ($6,600)

The SP1-X is the flagship. It uses true 4-inch titanium piping for unrestricted flow, so it suits big-power and big-turbo builds as well as stock-turbo cars that want the most aggressive sound and look.

Comparison table

Exhaust Material Exit Character Price (AUD)
Valvetronic Designs Stainless / Titanium Factory-style Valved: quiet or loud $4,400–$7,400
AWE Touring T304L stainless Dual Deep, drone-free $5,050–$5,250
AWE Track T304L stainless Dual Loud, raw $4,050–$4,100
HKS Super Turbo Stainless Quad tips Refined JDM $5,100
Active Autowerke 304 stainless Dual, 100 mm tips Deep, aggressive $4,390–$4,950
RSE Type-R Titanium (7.8 kg) Single Race, 98/105 dB $2,800
RSE Type-D Titanium (11 kg) Dual Race, 93/100 dB $3,600
SP1-R Titanium Single Motorsport $4,400
SP1-X True 4" Titanium Single Maximum flow $6,600

Which exhaust should you buy?

  • You commute and do long drives: Valvetronic (valved) or AWE Touring.
  • You want it loud but still street-friendly: AWE Track, Active Autowerke or HKS.
  • You want to save weight and track the car: RSE Type-R, SP1-R or SP1-X.
  • You want titanium on a budget: RSE Type-R at $2,800.

Planning more power as well? A cat-back pairs naturally with a catted downpipe and tune. See our GR Supra Stage 1 and Stage 2 guide and our catted vs catless downpipe guide.

Installation in Melbourne

All of these systems bolt on, but a hoist makes the job much easier and ensures correct alignment of the tips in the rear bumper. We fit exhausts at our Altona North workshop. See exhaust installation in Melbourne or our GR Supra install services. You can browse every system in our GR Supra exhaust collection.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best exhaust for a GR Supra?

For most owners who drive the car daily, a valved system such as Valvetronic Designs or a drone-free system such as the AWE Touring Edition. For weight saving and a race sound, the RSE Type-R titanium is hard to beat for the price.

Does a cat-back exhaust add power to the Supra?

A little. AWE quotes +6 hp and +8 lb-ft, and Active Autowerke claims 12–15 hp. The biggest change is sound and weight. For real power gains, pair the exhaust with a downpipe and a tune.

Do I need a tune after fitting a cat-back?

No. A cat-back is after the catalytic converter and doesn't need a tune. You can add one later with a downpipe.

Will an aftermarket exhaust drone?

That depends on the system. The AWE Touring and HKS are designed to be drone-free, and valved systems let you close the valves when cruising. Track and straight-through titanium systems are louder at cruising speed.

Is an aftermarket exhaust legal in Australia?

A cat-back is legal as long as the car stays within your state's noise limits and keeps its catalytic converter. Louder titanium systems are best run with their silencers fitted for street use.

With the release of the GR Supra in 2020, we witnessed the culmination of a two-decade-long anticipation. The GR Supra also referred to as the MK5, underwent a remarkable transformation, blending its iconic JDM heritage with contemporary design elements, including contributions from the renowned BMW Z4 platform. While some may perceive this collaboration as a departure from tradition, it's undeniably a testament to the enduring allure of the Supra lineage, echoing the legendary 2JZ engine resonating through to the B58.

Behind the wheel of the GR Supra becomes the focal point of admiration, drawing fellow enthusiasts and eliciting spontaneous snapshots from passing people. My own journey into automotive culture was shaped by the vibrant scene of the 90s, particularly growing up in Melbourne, where car salons and cultural exhibitions brought JDM customization to life, from slammed suspensions, to under glow lights, supercharged turbos adorning from the streets to showroom exhibition floors.

Amidst the rapid evolution of the Australian automotive landscape, I recognized an opportunity to cultivate the car community around the modification and enhancement of the GR Supra. This endeavor is dedicated to providing a specialized platform centralised enabling high quality products sourced into Australia for car enthusiasts like myself on the limitations of the GR Supra (Unlike US and Japan).

While the Australian market for car modifications may be comparatively modest in scale compared to regions like Asia, USA, or Japan, our aspiration is to create this community from an inclusive space where like-minded individuals can access products, meet, share insights from a the collective experience of automotive enthusiasts across the nation- and hopefully one day globally.

Join Sequential Racing Australia as we embark on this journey, celebrating the legacy of the supra and championing the spirit within Australia's dynamic car modification community forging connections through our shared passion for automotive culture.

Thank You
From All of Sequential Racing Team

Written By:  Phil L | 989.Supra (Director & Founder)