Exhaust build

KSteele47

Member
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Protege5
So I was contacted by Racing Mazda a week or so ago and they were offering for me to get in on a limited production run of their 4-2-1 headers.

They needed five people to commit in order to build some and I was all in. Now that I started and I'm currently all stock I decided to purchase a AEM short ram intake and I'm getting fried on researching and reading all the forums about which cat back system is better. Spend a ton of time on youtube and I think I'm just gonna have to make a plunge into the abyss. I have heard and read too much about the Magnaflow sounding high pitched so, I have decided to steer clear of those.

I know everyone's are set-ups are different and that is what makes it hard. I need assistance because I will be running AEM intake, RacingMazda 4-2-1 and no Cats and now I'm in need or a cat back system that will hook up to my test pipe. I found this video and this guy was running MagnaFlow during the 1st part then went to a RS system. I like the new sound and I think that is the one I want to try with/for. RS cat systems who is RS and where can I buy one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecjwjUcN8xQ
 
the RS catback in the video is just an ebay exhaust. there's several different versions of it floating around. Some are "branded" some arent, they're all the exact same thing though. I did a write up on it a couple years ago, it sounds good, flows well, and cheap but it's very poorly built. I threw mine away after about a year of use.

if you're looking for a solid catback that will actually last get a racingbeat catback
 
Thanks. I have decided to stay away from ebay exhaust due to hearing they don't last long. I just went to install my AEM short ram intake and the freaking arm on the intake next to the filter that mounts to the engine is welding incorrectly. The Mass air flow sensor was angled down, the rubber gasket after that was not flush and the filter was touching the engine bay where the air box mounted. I did not want even want to try and bend the arm it that extreme. So I just refunded it through Amazon.
 
I'm interested in this topic too. I've been thinking of getting a new exhaust but didn't know which path to take. I don't want the high pitched whine common with a lot of aftermarket tuner mufflers, and definitely don't want any cherry bomb! I'm thinking more along the lines of Subaru's STI exhaust, I like how that sounds, deeper and with a slight growl. Anyone know of a muffler for the P5 that sounds similar? I've decided I'm going to have a custom exhaust welded together, I just need to know what direction to go with the muffler.

@KSteele, I put a Cosmo Racing CAI in mine and am extremely satisfied. Piece of cake to install, no extra work, was literally a bolt on. And only $120.
 
the RS catback in the video is just an ebay exhaust. there's several different versions of it floating around. Some are "branded" some arent, they're all the exact same thing though. I did a write up on it a couple years ago, it sounds good, flows well, and cheap but it's very poorly built. I threw mine away after about a year of use.

if you're looking for a solid catback that will actually last get a racingbeat catback

this... I had an ebay catback first and it was fine for about 8 months until the resonator weld broke and i had a big fat hole in my exhaust. then i got the racing beat catback. best option out there. quality build, too. deepest and smoothest done, definitely no cherry bomb
 
I'm interested in this topic too. I've been thinking of getting a new exhaust but didn't know which path to take. I don't want the high pitched whine common with a lot of aftermarket tuner mufflers, and definitely don't want any cherry bomb! I'm thinking more along the lines of Subaru's STI exhaust, I like how that sounds, deeper and with a slight growl. Anyone know of a muffler for the P5 that sounds similar? I've decided I'm going to have a custom exhaust welded together, I just need to know what direction to go with the muffler.

@KSteele, I put a Cosmo Racing CAI in mine and am extremely satisfied. Piece of cake to install, no extra work, was literally a bolt on. And only $120.

check out the hks hi power axleback with a resonator delete. pretty much as close as you're going to get without getting a custom uel header
 
I am also looking into getting an aftermarket exhaust installed, my biggest concern is the O2 sensor after the OEM cat. How do I go about relocating this. I have been told that there is an extension but, is there another way to work with this?
 
Does this non fouler trick have any impact on the performance of the vehicle or sensor components?

Negative. All you're doing is getting the sensing tip of the downstream out of direct exhaust flow so it "looks" cleaner" when it's reading the exhaust gas. The secondary O2 simply monitors your cat's ability to do it's job.
 
Ok, so if the O2 goes bad does it mean that the cat is bad as well?
I'm not sure what you mean, however, a failing rear O2 can give the illusion a cat is bad. And a failed rear o2 sensor can mask a problematic converter. I hope that answers your question.
 
I have heard and read too much about the Magnaflow sounding high pitched so, I have decided to steer clear of those.
Dunno what that's about...I have magnaflow cat on hi flow midpipe with magnaflow race series 5x8 oval muffler 2.25" ss piping all the way from header meeting midpipe. No high pitched anything about it. Quite the opposite, has a low sonic bass to it that sets car alarms off like crazy. No drone just cool sound. Sounds so good I listen to it more than the stereo.
 
You should do full 3"! Like a real man!
 
You should do full 3"! Like a real man!
NA sportauto daily driver has no use for any 3" exhaust. Waste of money and parts. I have a truck to do any kind of "real man" s*** I feel the need for on 4 wheels. Real men don't have any need to use the phrase "real men" either.
 
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Wow, that was a joke. Defensive, much?
 
I apologize for the possible thread jack.. (I just didnt think making a whole new topic for a question or two was necessary, plus its on topic!)

But, as far as headers go for on our cars, the only quality one is the OBX, but I found an SRS one on ebay for a bit less than an OBX, and seems to me to be good quality and was curious if any of you other guys have a history with it or know of those who do?

Also (last question i promise), I am planning on replacing my Magnaflow for a Corksport system, any of you guys running it, and if so did you guys get the mount inserts or no? Kinda dont wanna have to do all the work for it (unless its easier than i think it is?), but i will void warranty if i dont so on the fence a bit..
 
I apologize for the possible thread jack.. (I just didnt think making a whole new topic for a question or two was necessary, plus its on topic!)

But, as far as headers go for on our cars, the only quality one is the OBX, but I found an SRS one on ebay for a bit less than an OBX, and seems to me to be good quality and was curious if any of you other guys have a history with it or know of those who do?

I wouldnt say OBX is a quality product. Quality control is rather poor since many of them have the egr bungs welded on at an incorrect angle. I've had 4 different headers so far OBX, 2 ebay no namers, and Ractive. Side to side the OBX and ebay look identical as far as flange and piping thickness/quality. To be honest the welds on the ebay one looked better than the obx lol. After seeing both in person I'm convinced they're all made in the same factory and the only difference is that the OBX has a brand badge welded onto it. If I were to go NA again I would probably get an mx6 FSDE 4-2-1 header and take it to an exhaust shop to have the egr bung and hangers modified.
 
If I were to go NA again I would probably get an mx6 FSDE 4-2-1 header and take it to an exhaust shop to have the egr bung and hangers modified.

So I just ebay searched MX6 FSDE Header, and see a bunch of 4-2-1's and as long as egr bung is angled correct (parallel to ground right?) and for an FSDE, it should mount up to the piping? Or will piping need to be modified too?
 
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