HKS Exhaust Choices - Which one do I go with?
 

There's been a lot of confusion on HKS exhausts and what the differences are in each one. Looking at the HKS USA website, it's not real clear on what the differences are. We're working on clarifying on the website, but I wanted to give an overview of the different options and exactly what the differences really are.

To begin with, there are two main categories of exhausts HKS has for the BRZ/FR-S. The Hi-Power and Legamax. Hi-Power is going to be the one that makes the most power, while Legamax is designed to be a more tolerable sound for daily driving but doesn't quite put out the same power.

Let's start with Legamax.

There are two types of Legamax exhausts. Legamax Sports and Legamax Premium. Legamax Sports uses a dual muffler design whereas the Legamax Premium uses a single horizontally mounted muffler. The Legamax Premium is available as a cat-back or axle-back, and the Legamax Sports is available with either single or dual tips.

Legamax Sports Cat-Back (Dual Tip)
Part #: 32018-AF009
MSRP: $1700
Stainless Steel Dual Tips, Dual Exit Exhaust

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...09_muffler.jpg https://youtu.be/Q39_kr66OPQ

Legamax Sports Cat-Back (Single Tip)
Part #: 32018-AT041
MSRP: $1500
Stainless Steel Single Tips, Dual Exit Exhaust

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...41_muffler.jpg https://youtu.be/2mRLIBx05R0

Legamax Premium Axle-Back
Part #: 32018-AT039
MSRP: $899
Stainless Steel Single Tips, Dual Exit Exhaust

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...39_muffler.jpg

Legamax Premium Cat-Back
Part #: 32018-AT040
MSRP: $899
Stainless Steel Single Tips, Dual Exit Exhaust

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...40_muffler.jpg

Moving on to the Hi-Power exhaust, there are 3 options from HKS. The Hi-Power Spec L is available with either titanium tips or carbon-wrapped tips, and the Hi-Power Racing exhaust is a single exit exhaust that will give you the most power.

Hi-Power Spec L w/ Carbon-Wrapped Tips
Part #: 32016-AT023
MSRP: $980
Carbon-Wrapped Single Tips, Dual Exit Exhaust

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...23_muffler.jpg https://youtu.be/OfqhyWRSKSg

Hi-Power Spec L w/ Titanium Tips
Part # : 32016-BT001
MSRP: $980
Titanium Single Tips, Dual Exit Exhaust

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...32016bt001.jpg

Hi-Power Racing
Part #: 32016-BT002
MSRP: $600
Titanium Single Tip, Single Exit Exhaust

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...32016bt002.jpg

In addition to the cat-back and axle-back exhaust systems HKS offers, we also offer 2 different header options and front pipe.

4-2-1 Exhaust Manifold (w/out cat)
Part #: 33002-BT001
MSRP: $799

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/produc...33002bt001.jpg

4-1 UEL Exhaust Manifold (w/ cat)
Part #: 33005-AF018
MSRP: $1280

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/produc...05af018_p2.jpg http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/produc...05af018_p1.jpg

Front Pipe (w/out cat)
Part #: 33004-BT002
MSRP: $350

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/produc...04bt002_p1.jpg

And finally, there are some combo packages available.

Exhaust Manifold & Front Pipe (*with* hi-flow cat) [fits 6MT only]
Part #: 33005-AT006
MSRP: $2200

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/produc...33005at006.jpg

Hi-Power Spec L w/ Carbon tips & Exhaust Manifold & Front Pipe (w/ hi-flow cat) [fits 6MT only]
Part #: 32025-AT001
MSRP: $3300

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...32016at023.jpg

+

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/produc...33005at006.jpg

Legamax Sports Cat-Back & Exhaust Manifold & Front Pipe (w/ hi-flow cat) [fits 6MT only]
Part #: 32025-AT002
MSRP: $3160

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/product_d...32018at041.jpg

+

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/produc...33005at006.jpg

Hopefully that clears up some confusion and helps you pick the right one!

So which of the catbacks/axle backs is the quietest?

The first one listed, Legamax Sports with dual tips will be the quietest. Stock measures 82 db and that one measures 86 db.

Actually, if you have the info available. A ranking of quietest to loudest, and lightest to heaviest would be very helpful. It has taken me weeks to research Catbacks, and I am still trying to get all the info sorted to help make a good decision.

Good to know. I've already been doing research about this and contemplating switching since my Injen exhaust is too loud/droney.

From quietest to loudest:

Legamax Sports Cat-Back Dual Tip - 86 db
Legamax Sports Cat-Back Single Tip - 88 db
Hi-Power Spec L Cat-Back Carbon Tips - 90 db
Legamax Premium Cat-Back or Axle-Back - 91 db
Hi-Power Spec L Cat-Back Titanium Tips - 93 db
Hi-Power Racing - 104 db

From lightest to heaviest:

Hi-Power Racing - 23 lbs
Hi-Power Spec L Cat-Back Titanium Tips - 27 lbs
Legamax Premium Axle-Back - 32 lbs
Hi-Power Spec L Cat-Back Carbon Tips - 34 lbs
Legamax Sports Cat-Back Single Tip - 50 lbs
Legamax Premium Cat-Back - 51 lbs
Legamax Sports Cat-Back Dual Tip - 58 lbs

Excellent info. Thank you. This is helpful.


Interesting (thought not too surprising) that there is almost (I said, almost) a perfect inverse relationship between those two lists

Single Hi-Power because i loved it on my SW20

Do you have dB readings for your exhausts with your catless header and catless front pipe also installed?

Sorry but we do not have the data for the header. However, here is the sound data for the front pipe:

http://www.hks-power.co.jp/en/produc...04bt002_g2.png

I just installed your HKS uncatted EL header, dual resonated front pipe, and Legamax Premium catback. Very satisfied with the results. Hoping to get it dyno tuned soon(on a OTS map currently). I don't have any current decibel recordings, but it's very manageable on the highway. :burnrubber:

Will you be releasing a 3" exhaust anytime soon?

The Hi-Power Racing exhaust is 3".

You should totally be pushing your boxer spec manifold.

This video
https://youtu.be/JTqoqnUGrpU?t=1m55s :burnrubber:

Hubba hubba - that is one sexy note! :party0030: