CatBack or just Muffler?

[SilverP5Ghost]

Hi All,
I'm interested in purchasing a new exhaust to compliment my AEM Shorty Intake. There seems to be lots of options out there from Sebring to Racing Beat. I am interested in some real world advice on the stock cat to muffler piping, if it is acceptable to add just a muffler or if it would be much more wise to go with a new catback system. Also, if anyone has any insites on downpiping, that would be helpful as well.

Thanks All,
Ric

2002.5 Silver Prot5
AEM Shorty Intake
Thats it.

 

[APEXistud]

This question is kinda like asking a woman if she likes ribbed or regular. Sure the ribbed are going to cost a bit more, but they'll feel a lot better. Probably a bad analogy, but you get the idea.

So with pointing that out, I say Catback. Buying a muffler is like only putting the head in. Ya know...(hump)

 

[Dragon_Reborn]

Lol!

 

[protege52nr]

That is probably the nastiest (that how you spell?) analogy of a catback exhaust and a muffler! It all depends on what you want, exhaust will give you the performance, but its just that much more expensive, work with what $$$ you got for now, you can always get custom mandrel bent piping later on!

 

[Murda]

While we're on this topic (not to steal your thread or anything), how easy is it to install an axel back. Is it much harder to install a cat back? Something that can be done in a simple basic tools garage?

 

[Dragon_Reborn]

both are easy to install. axel back or cat-back, cat back might be easier b/c most are "bolt-on," systems, axle back you need to do a small welding job maybe.

 

[Murda]

If you know any good how-to's for an axel back install or even a cat back install, please enlighten me.

Can an axel back install be done without a jack? What tools are req for our car?

 

[havozP5]

I just installed the mazdaspeed axle back
exhaust and it only took 10 mins. a 14 mm wrench for 2 bolts and some WD40 for the hangers!! It was the easiest thing Ive ever done to any of my cars!!!!

 

[havozP5]

To answer your question NO JACK REQUIRED I just slid under the rear of my car and 10 Min. later I had it done!!!
The muffler has a great sound to it as well as looks! Not bad for only $150

 

[Murda]

Cool thanks. 10 min for the full axel back? Not just the tip?

Awesome, makes me wanna spend more money!

 

[Murda]

Oh BTW, where'd you get the mazdaspeed from? That's the Racing Beat right?

 

[havozP5]

Yes its the mazdaspeed!! I got it at my local dealership! They are 1 of a few authorized mazdaspeed dealerships!

 

[xXMP5Xx]

well IMO i would say go all out with the cat back, im not sure as to how much of a difference it makes in P5's b/c i havnt gone that far in tuning my P5, but for my civic that i had i first spent money and just put on an apexi n1 axle back muffler and then later on and went with the apexi cat back and noticed a significant difference between just the axle back and the cat back. So now i have kept with the philosophy if u r goin to do it do it right the first time.

 

[havozP5]

The Mazdaspeed exhaust is NOT a complete cat back it is only the rear section! But I would highly recommend it!!!

 

[Murda]

Yah, I may invest in that soon. But I'm broke right now. Going to first put in an intake... and then I'll work on the ass end!

 

[havozP5]

I just put it on last week and love it! I got the kartboy SS on its way and in a couple of weeks Im goin with the Injen CAI

 

[SilverP5Ghost]

Catback

So I guess we all pretty much all agree that a cat back is better, but why is that? From what I understand, the benefit of a cat back is simply a straighter pipe from the catalytic converter to the muffler. Perhaps even a larger pipe. But if the stock cat to muffler piping is adequate, then why bother with a cat back. Anyone have any real world knowledge with a Prot5? Such as they had an axel back and installed a cat back and found a performance increase? Also, in the case that the cat to muffler piping is fine, what muffler does everyone recommend? Mazdaspeed? Sebring? Racing Beat?

Thanks all,
Ric

 

[ALLMAN]

I can not recall off the top of my head where I read this info, "but" some tuner shop swaped out the ECU's on the MP3 vs. the P5 and put the scenarios to the test on the dyno. They found that no real gains came from the swap to their suprise...and made an assumption that the MP3 made more HP gains to the wheels by several other performance gains other than the ECU, one of which was exhaust differences....so take that for what it is worth is comparison nature...peace!

 

[SilverP5Ghost]

So here is the other question then. Do you know if the MP3 has different piping than the prot5, or is the muffler just a mazdaspeed or racingbeat? I'm thinking because of monetary reasons, I will just go with a muffler, but again, which one?

 

[ALLMAN]

Yeah, If I remember correctly, the MP3 muffler was less restrictive than the P5....so, again...cat back?, axle back?...or just muffler???........Peace!