Mazda5 exhaust compared to Mazda3 exhaust?

[njaremka]

Where's that "roll eyes" emoticon?...

I guess we can argue semantics, in which case I would counter with, "If thats what you meant, you should have said 'inexpensive' instead of 'least expensive' because they are different."

Or we can agree that tone is hard to convey via the internet, I'm being a pedantic price, and move on to help with the exhaust question.

So remind me, which specific part of your exhaust is leaking? You said "midpipe" - does that mean the section that contains the secondary cat, and is the long piece in the system? because in my recent history I've been dealing with ms3 parts for my setup, and in that system, "midpipe" means the very short piece that only contains the secondary cat.

Where is it rusted through? If it is rusted in the middle of a straight plan pipe, the muffler shop cut-n-weld idea isn't that bad. If you've got a hole in the cat or resonator, then a new section makes more sense.

Looking at the diagrams, the first and second gen 5 share mounting points, but not the 3. You have to add brackets to use a mz3 part, it appears.

(rolleyes)

The Mazda5 is a three-piece system: Header, mid-pipe, and muffler. The OEM header has the pre-cat and a flex pipe. The OEM mid-pipe has the secondary cat and resonator. The OEM muffler, well, is the muffler. My mid-pipe is turning into swiss cheese from being exposed to 6 North East winters. I'd like to replace it with a quality piece, for as little as possible. However, I also asked in my original post if anyone had any physical pictures of the Mazda5 system next to a Mazda3 or Mazdaspeed3 system. I only ask because I've seen Mazdaspeed3 system go for few dollars in still decent shape.

 

[njaremka]

The Gen1 speed exhaust takes as much modification to fit the 5 as the gen1 mz3. But those are relatively minor. Some sections have to be lengthened and the correct flanges welded onto the leading end to bolt up to the mz5 manifold.If you can get your hands on a complete gen1 speed 3 exhaust I say go for it. But you would still have to have someone splice/welded sections in which goes back to your longevity dilemma.

Sounds like I know which way I'll have to go. Thanks.

 

[loosenut]

I don't have time due to work but tonight I'm going to compile the info that I have for the conversion here for you if that's the direction you want to take.

 

[njaremka]

I don't have time due to work but tonight I'm going to compile the info that I have for the conversion here for you if that's the direction you want to take.

I'll take it, if you want to put it out there. I always feel there is never too much information to be had. Thanks!

 

[loosenut]

First a link to a Gen1 speed3 exhaust install that has fairly good pictures of how the system runs.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123682136-HOW-TO-Install-MazdaSpeed-CBE-on-2008-MazdaSpeed3-pics-vids&highlight=how+to+install+mazdaspeed+cbe
They cut the factory system in the typical place for exhaust removal. Otherwise the rear subframe has to be lowered for removal. This doesn't necessarily present a problem as this is an area that needs modified. Just as long as they left enough pipe on the end of the resonator for reuse. As sac02 said, the speed 3 has a short midpipe section that has the rear (unmonitored on fed emissions)cat converter in it. The mz5 has the rear (unmonitored) cat converter on the front of our long midpipe assy (the section you need to replace) Now, if you intend to keep the rear converter then the leading end of the speed3 exhaust would have to be reduced from 2.5" to approx 2" to the pipe off the rear of the mz5 converter. If you feel like removing the second converter (I'm not familiar with your state's emissions laws) then a 2.5" two bolt flange can be welded to an extension of the front of the speed3 exhaust. The collector diameter on the bottom of the mz5 exhaust manifold/converter/flexpipe assy is actually 2.5" interestingly enough. Bolt spacing is 4 1/8" at this flange.

Another area that has to be modified is just before the rear axle, to the side of the fuel tank. This is where the second resonator is in the speed3 system. I believe that due to a larger fuel tank there is less room for the resonator so fitment might be tight and it's compounded by the factory mz5 hanger location that may have to be cut off the vehicle to accommodate the resonator. I'm unsure of how well the fit would be here.

The next section that has to be modified is over the rear axle. The pipe would just need to be longer in order to retain the speed3 rear muffler hanger postion and make it work with the mz5 hanger position. Below is a test fit of the unaltered speed3 tailpipe assy.

Lastly, the rear tailpipe exit location is approximately 3" forward of the rear of the bumper. If that is not to your liking then an aftermarket tailpipe could be installed. I liked the exit location, so I kept it as is.

I would have loved to have a complete speed3 exhaust assy to install on my car, I would have been happier with the end result. Unfortunately I couldn't find one and I had the tailpipe assy so I had the middle pipe with aftermarket muffler/resonator made. I'm not happy with the result, due to less than perfect workmanship and my choice for the resonator. I need to install something that will take the decibel level down quite a bit. As I mentioned elsewhere, I had the complete speed3 exhaust system on a 2.0L zetec focus and loved it. It wasn't very loud but sounded aggressive with a nice burble. Good luck with your decision.

 

[njaremka]

Awesome! Thanks for the informations.

 

[sac02]

Good info loosenut!

You said that you wish that you had done the full ms3 system, but also that you were unhappy with your resonator choice in your custom midpipe. Can you expand on that point? What is wrong with the resonator you chose - too loud, quiet, buzzy, droning, etc? What resonator did you choose, and in hindsight what would you have rather chosen instead (aftermarket, excluding ms3 option for this Q)

 

[loosenut]

I had a dynomax bullet muffler installed in the midpipe that in hindsight I should have known wouldn't quiet the exhaust enough. It is loud, droans and buzzes at certain rpm. In certain spots it sounds awesome but just too loud. The speed3 rear muffler is a resonator style, straight through. If I can't get a hold of a speed3 system I'm going to install a flowmaster hushpower hp-2 in place of the dynomax muffler and hope it gets me closer to where I want to be.

 

[757Premacy]

Awesome write-up.. I have a 1st Gen Mazdaspeed3 exhaust I bought way before I bought my Mazda5..lol I couldn't pass up the price shipped to me with only @5k on it.. I just never bit the bullet to try to put it on.. I TIG weld at work and have access to our Machine shop.. I do remember when I first bought the exhaust I premade some SS flanges for where it was cut for removal.. I just have to locate where I put them or make another set...

Thanks again..

 

[loosenut]

Awesome! Thanks for the informations.

Good info loosenut!

You said that you wish that you had done the full ms3 system, but also that you were unhappy with your resonator choice in your custom midpipe. Can you expand on that point? What is wrong with the resonator you chose - too loud, quiet, buzzy, droning, etc? What resonator did you choose, and in hindsight what would you have rather chosen instead (aftermarket, excluding ms3 option for this Q)

Awesome write-up.. I have a 1st Gen Mazdaspeed3 exhaust I bought way before I bought my Mazda5..lol I couldn't pass up the price shipped to me with only @5k on it.. I just never bit the bullet to try to put it on.. I TIG weld at work and have access to our Machine shop.. I do remember when I first bought the exhaust I premade some SS flanges for where it was cut for removal.. I just have to locate where I put them or make another set...

Thanks again..

Thanks, working with the speed3 exhaust is something I've had plenty of experience with, as I've installed a couple of the speed accy exhaust system the gentleman installed in the link I provided. That's how I obtained the system for the Focus and the tailpipe I'm currently using. My dumbass threw the resonator section away not knowing I would get another car using this chassis someday. Funny thing is, I just heard back from another member here that is going to be replacing his speed3 exhaust soon. He's going to sell me his so I'll get to try this soon. The Focus was a much easier conversion than the 5 is, unfortunately.

 

[loosenut]

Ok, got my hands on a ms3 exhaust system and am doing the preliminary inspection before having the mods done. Overall shape is correct with 3 primary points to be lengthened. The leading edge:

Next is just ahead of the fuel tank, the ms3 hanger has to be cut off and the pipe lengthened here so the last resonator tucks up into the body beside the tank. I believe the factory hanger location could be reused by welding a hanger onto the resonator:

Lastly just above the rear sub-frame the pipe has to be lengthened:

Here are a couple of clips of my exhaust currently (not the full ms3) at start-up and idle and also while driving with the windows open. Like I said, it is too loud and I and the family will be happy when its quieter, but there is part of me (the 21 yr old single guy part of me ) that likes it.
[video]https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104294996461088761448/albums/6063210765327867569/6063210768359381618[/video]

My son renders his opinion during that one.
Next one is windows down stop light to stop light acceleration (sorry for the poor video)
[video]https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104294996461088761448/albums/6063210384122695217/6063210382990322002[/video]

I'll post some more sound clips after I get the ms3 system installed.

 

[hibern8r]

Thanks for taking the time to post this! Cant listen to the clips because it's too early. later today though. I have to clean my tip and felt its easier with it off the car than on. Lots of carbon. I'm using a solution of brasso and mother's metal polish.

 

[hibern8r]

I heard it. doesn't sound bad at all! Interior noise might be an issue on long trips.

 

[loosenut]

Yep, it resonates pretty bad. With the windows up it'll cause a headache. Definitely getting the ms3 exhaust on before temps get too cold to crack the windows.