FYI VRS exhaust

[goldwing2000]

Yea goldwing, I hear ya, but you have to remember one thing though, this is a bolt on system. So, you can always put your old muffler back on if you think it's going to be a problem. The dealer I take my car to, my best friends sister is the finance manager, and we know ALL the techs so they won't give me any problems, short of putting a turbo in my car. But just the fact that it's bolt on should relieve some of your worries about your warranty. Also removing the second CAT is really kinda necessary if you want any serious power gains with this, don't you think? (no) Say NO TO DEALER ASSHOLES

I think you missed my point. I said my dealer is ok with the mod. There have been other people posting on here with asshole dealers.

Anyway, the reason I'm not going to buy from VRS is that I don't like their shady attitude. And no, removing cats is not really necessary for serious power gains. Ask anybody in CA. You just have to be more creative.

M3Zoom: No idea if it will fit the sedan. I would imagine so but you might want to e-mail them and ask. As for the sounds, your guess is as good as anybody's. Unless you can get them to send you sound files, it's pretty much up to personal brand preference.

 

[yac2727]

will this system fit on the sedan or just the hatch, i thought the overall length was a few inces different? (uhm) also, it gives 2 muffler choices, which ones gonna sound better on my car, i dont wanna order an exhaust and have it shipped all the way from florida and have it sound like crap.

I'm going to go with the magnaflow, just to use the same brand all around (magnaflow resonator, etc) Besides, the Borla is louder than the magnaflow and I don't want it to be soooooo loud.

 

[newblu3]

The new exhaust may be bolt on but that doesnt mean you dont have to cut the old one off. I havent crawled under the car yet but I thought I read somewhere that you might have to cut off the stock exhaust to get it out. If that is the case then you wont be able to just put your stock exhaust back on when you want to. If I am wrong then nevermind, but this might be good information to know.

 

[2words]

holy crap you see under the hood of that rx-7 they have on there customers cars thats what im talking about

 

[goldwing2000]

The new exhaust may be bolt on but that doesnt mean you dont have to cut the old one off. I havent crawled under the car yet but I thought I read somewhere that you might have to cut off the stock exhaust to get it out. If that is the case then you wont be able to just put your stock exhaust back on when you want to. If I am wrong then nevermind, but this might be good information to know.

That's a definite possibility, judging by the way it wraps around the rear suspension and threads through the cross-members.

Unless you have a hoist and a good imagination!

 

[newblu3]

Yeah, I read that you have 2 choices cut it off, or remove the axle.........goes to get the sawzall........

 

[goldwing2000]

Yeah, I read that you have 2 choices cut it off, or remove the axle.........goes to get the sawzall........

Yep. That's pretty much a no-brainer.

 

[AzMz3]

Pretty much all the exhaust that come out for the Mazda3 will remove the last cat. Some might have a replacement cat on the system, but that will not pass the visual test during smog time. The 2.3L Focus is the same way. And you will free up some HP by removing the cats. I don't have to go thru emissions for 5 years so as soon as a race header comes out, off the cats go. And as for warrenty, like they said it is up to the dealership.

---Herb---

 

[mazda3zoom]

do we even have smog tests here in Michigan?? (uhm)

 

[goldwing2000]

do we even have smog tests here in Michigan?? (uhm)

Not since 1995 but they're talking about bringing them back. (pissed)

 

[vividmaz3]

Yes you do have to cut off the exhaust. I tried taking mine off and there is no way in hell that is coming off. so what i did is cut off the muffler and welded a test pipe in place of it. sounds beautiful! as for the exhaust manifold. that's not coming out either unless you cut that up too. I tried to cut the cat on that.. for one the sensors wouldnt come out, and two that manifold isnt coming out the bottom or the top.. so when they actually make headers for this thing.. it's gonna be fun.

 

[canada3]

Yes you do have to cut off the exhaust. I tried taking mine off and there is no way in hell that is coming off. so what i did is cut off the muffler and welded a test pipe in place of it. sounds beautiful! as for the exhaust manifold. that's not coming out either unless you cut that up too. I tried to cut the cat on that.. for one the sensors wouldnt come out, and two that manifold isnt coming out the bottom or the top.. so when they actually make headers for this thing.. it's gonna be fun.

ya they had to cut mine off to get rid of the factory muffler......damn why did they put it in the middle? oh well its on the garage floor now hehe

 

[AzMz3]

Yes you do have to cut off the exhaust. I tried taking mine off and there is no way in hell that is coming off. so what i did is cut off the muffler and welded a test pipe in place of it. sounds beautiful! as for the exhaust manifold. that's not coming out either unless you cut that up too. I tried to cut the cat on that.. for one the sensors wouldnt come out, and two that manifold isnt coming out the bottom or the top.. so when they actually make headers for this thing.. it's gonna be fun.

I did not see anything under there that woiuld preven tthe header from coming off?

---Herb---

 

[ImportBabie3]

My friend pulled this straight from that thing. Take this and shove it up their noses because as far as I'm concerned they dont know what they're talkin bout (jerkit) .....well this says it all..look!

"Magnuson-Moss Warranty – Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty."

BET! (wink) Theres my 2 cents

 

[vividmaz3]

My friend pulled this straight from that thing. Take this and shove it up their noses because as far as I'm concerned they dont know what they're talkin bout (jerkit) .....well this says it all..look!

"Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturers original warranty."

BET! (wink) Theres my 2 cents

riiiiiiiight hahaha and there is a lot under the hood that wont let the manifold come out. trust me i tried to take it out before.. there is like just barley not enough room. the studs snag on one tihng, then when you get it lose the other side snags one one thing.. and etc.. it aint comin out.

 

[ImportBabie3]

Ha Hey i TRIED!

 

[goldwing2000]

My friend pulled this straight from that thing. Take this and shove it up their noses because as far as I'm concerned they dont know what they're talkin bout (jerkit) .....well this says it all..look!

"Magnuson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturers original warranty."

BET! (wink) Theres my 2 cents

Removing a cat isn't solely improving performance. It is removing emissions controls. That's a federal offense and any shop that does it can be severely fined.

(shrug)

 

[AzMz3]

Removing a cat isn't solely improving performance. It is removing emissions controls. That's a federal offense and any shop that does it can be severely fined.

(shrug)

Not another tree hugger....Just kidding.
But you will get some gains from removing the restrictive cats.
Besides alot of the newer cars will pass emissions with out the cats now a days.
I wouldn't be scareing people with that claims. With all the exhaust systems coming out there are going to be a few that need a shop to install them.

---Herb---

 

[goldwing2000]

Not another tree hugger....Just kidding.
But you will get some gains from removing the restrictive cats.
Besides alot of the newer cars will pass emissions with out the cats now a days.
I wouldn't be scareing people with that claims. With all the exhaust systems coming out there are going to be a few that need a shop to install them.

---Herb---

(blah)

I'm not a tree hugger and I'm not trying to scare people. Just presenting the facts. People are free to make their own decisions but it should be an informed decision. Bypassing/removing emission controls is a federal crime, plain and simple.
Do people do it anyway? Yep.
Do people get caught? Not very often. Automobiles only produce about 25% of air pollution, so the EPA considers tuners "small potatoes".
Do shops get caught? Yep. Last I heard, the fine for a business removing a cat was $10,000.

You are right about one thing, though. The EPA will not consider any modification to be a violation of federal law if there is a reasonable basis that emissions are not adversely affected. So if you can pass emissions without the second cat, then you're fine! (thumb)

Don't take my word for it, though. Visit the EPA's web site and see for yourself. http://www.epa.gov
Specifically this document:
http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/resources/policies/civil/caa/mobile/tamper-memo1a.pdf

Also, most states have additional laws against tampering with emission controls. Here's a good EPA-based guideline from the state of Texas' web site:
http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/air/ms/tampering.html

I'm sure other states have similar guidlines.

 

[ImportBabie3]

Lol thanks....i think.. (dunno)