Why do the FRS/BRZ engines sound different from other Subaru's
 

I was wondering why the FRS/BRZ engines sound completely different from other Subaru's which have a definite thrumming / sewing machine sound. I thought I read somewhere that the twins have a different crankshaft design. Anyone have a solid answer?

Correct me if im wrong but i believe that other Subarus have unequal headers, while the the FRS/BRZ/GT86 have equal headers thus no burrburrburrburr sound.

i wish it had that signature boxer sound from the WRXs too lol

It is because of the header design and lack of a turbo. Google FRS unequal headers and you will hear classic subie.

Don't know what kind of sewing machines you have heard but it sounds dangerous if it sound like a subie lol.

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1. Its not the same engine.
2. Its not the same sized engine. Most newer subaru's have a 2.5 liter.
3. It doesn't have unequal length headers like some of the older wrx/sti's came stock with
4. Even an frs or brz with unequal length headers doesnt sound as good as say a 2004 STI with exhaust.

So why the unequal length headers? Not a real fan of the WRX sound but admire the engineering. Being a past multiple aircooled VW owner I can't get that sound out of my head.

Purely a noise thing for the Subaru's, the Forrester and STI sound completely different even though the base engine is the same.

For the aircooled Germans it was a byproduct of the rear engine layout, there wasn't enough space to get everything neat and of an equal length purely for the sake of a less characteristic exhaust. What did you own? My dream car is an old air cooled 911...

Had a 59, 66, 71, 74 beetle. Loved them as you could actually work on them. My dad had a 57 Porsche S90, fun car.