Exhaust Tone Slowly fades "in"?

ghetto waggon

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2003 Protege5, Yellow.
Just put the mazdaspeed axle back on, and noticed that when you first start the car, the exhaust isn't anywhere near as dynamic as 5 mins later.

I think the reason for this might be the fact that 5 mins later, the car idle's at 500-750rpm, and the sound that has the most "scoop" to it is that low growl right in that range.

The reason I question this is because, in removing the stock muffler, there was no washer between the pipe and the muffler. There was a metal "ring" that seemed to be part of the pipe, which I ended up setting the washer on over that. The screws didn't fit closely like before, but they are tight...no leaks. I wasnt sure if the circular "ring" piece sticking out was actually a ring that came off, so we just added to what we had. It would've taken pliars to pull it out (that is IF it pulled out)

Is this abnormal?
 
Give it some time to break-in... it'll sound more "pronounced" with age (we're talking days here, not months.) :)

The new MS muffler should have come with a new gasket. The newer style gaskets are actually large "crush washer" or ring style.

As long as you don't get any leaks at the joint, don't sweat the details. Might want to re-torque the nuts/bolts in a few days for safety measure.

HTH - Jim


PS - Any news on the wheels? :)
 
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Not to mention the fact that most cars these days recycle exhaust gasses until the car warms up. Not completely sure if this is the case on the P5, but it wouldn't suprise me if one or more of the ports one the exhaust manifold was closed until the car hits operating temp. That would mean less gas out the pipe = less sound.
 
There should have been a gasket between the stock exhaust and exhaust pipe. If you did not remove it and used the gasket that came with the Mazdaspeed exhaust you may have 2 gaskets in there. They are metal rings like Mackdaddy said.
 
65 VW Bus said:
There should have been a gasket between the stock exhaust and exhaust pipe. If you did not remove it and used the gasket that came with the Mazdaspeed exhaust you may have 2 gaskets in there. They are metal rings like Mackdaddy said.

Good point. ;)

Joe, check your work again as the old gasket would have stayed on the "b" pipe. That's where the flange extends (not on the muffler side of the piping.) Just to make sure....

Jim

PS - tmht: What? That's not even close, sorry. All cylinders / ports are fully operational the moment the engine starts running. Sorry dude.
 
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