Intake or exhaust?

[Butternuts]

I just purchased a used 2003 mazdaspeed protege and was looking to do some minor modifications for a little bit more power and mostly for fun My knowledge of cars is somewhat limited so bear with me please. I was planning on purchasing a cool air intake due to cost and ease of installation but then a guy at work told me that it would be more beneficial to upgrade my exhaust before i put an intake in. First, is that true or is he just acting like he knows what hes talking about and second, could i get some suggestions on exhausts and intakes? Just a side note... I don't want a tuner sounding exhaust. I know that sounds dumb since I bought a tuner car but I hate the whinny annoying sound they make... I would preffer a deeper sound. (No offense to those who like and own that kind of an exhaust... to each his own)

Thanks

 

[CnoTataymo]

You're better off with a midpipe or downpipe and keeping your stock cat-back if you don't want it loud.You'll get way better gains from that compared to an intake.

 

[JCell]

get the exhaust, not just a muffler but an actual exhaust

it'll be pricey but the gains are well worth it

 

[kicknmazdaspd]

The bigger the piping the deeper the tone. Also, my exhaust doesn't sound whiny at all it is very deep. Also you would gain a lot more power from an exhaust.

 

[mspHtown]

get a test pipe to replace ur cats. cheap and decent mod. cold air intake is worthless.

 

[msp35]

Test pipe, and drop in a K&N. You may spend less than $100 on total depending on your area.

 

[smo0f]

why is it called a test pipe..

there's no punch line, just genuinely asking a question

 

[MSP 2731]

If you have not been convinced yet, do your exhaust first. I got a Injen cold air intake as one of my very first mods and other than a difference in sound(air being sucked into the engine and the turkey), there is no noticible power increase. If you want to keep the exhaust quite but want power, do like what has already been suggested and get a midpipe/downpipe and keep your stock axle back. If you go that route I would suggest Corksport.

 

[b_dues]

if you're looking for a little fun, i would suggest the intake..Injen CAI more specifically, just because of the sound (spooling and turkey)..it'll turn heads...without any power gain whatsoever.

 

[jmv]

why is it called a test pipe..

there's no punch line, just genuinely asking a question

i believe its because 'back in the day' they sold them as test pipes to check to make sure your cat wasn't screwing up your car or something, and they were "intended for testing purposes only"... yeah right. People would use test pipes to run catless.

Butternuts, first i gotta say i love your name, butternutts is actually an ongoing joke with me and some of my friends.

2nd, the single greatest increase in power you will see will come from the 'midpipe' section of the exhuast. This is the part that contains 2 catalytic converters on the stock exhuast. If you replace that with a 2.5 or 3 inch pipe, with a hi-flo cat or no cats at all, you will feel it alot more than just an intake. Personally, i have one from apexr1.com, but you might be better off getting one used if you want the brand because as i understand their customer service is atrocious (i bought mine used). You can also pick up a midpipe from protege garage.

If you want more power from your exhuast, you can also add a cat-back to the midpipe section, or just buy an s-pipe back exhuast like the Vibrant. The stock catback isn't as big of a restriction as the stock midpipe though. People love the vibrant.... its not cheap but it adds alot. Or if you happen to have enough cash to throw around, you can go for a GHL full 3" exhuast from the turbo back. I believe they are the only company that currently makes a TRUE turbo back, most of the others retain the stock s-pipe (the exhuast part bolted onto the turbo). Its like $1100 or so though.

As far as intakes go.... i think they're important in terms of an overall build, and they make cool noises, but you won't really feel any power increase. I would pick one of those up after exhuast probably.


EDIT: and for what its worth, neither the GHL or vibrant have a 'ricey' tone to them.

 

[Speed3.5]

One more thing to add to the list, of course it's mandatory from upgrading the exhaust is to upgrade the engine mounts as well other wise you'll break that exhaust or damage it and as far as they go they come in different stiffness where there's 62a (rating) the softest and follows with 70a, 75a, 88a and 95a-which is the stiffest one.
Just to remind you the stiffer more vibration inside the cabin so ask around what will be good for you.
you can get them at many places pm me or look at vendors section you'll see the most trust-worthy vendors evaluated around this forum.

P.S as far as exhaust choice, I've heard and just got an vibrant, still haven't put it in but i can't wait, but than again depends what is you're future of the car.

 

[cmahlig]

definately midpipe. i would look up sls motorsports or protege garage. best first mod imo. i would definately go custom on your intake. theres a how to where a guy made a fmic and a short ram intake. way cheaper than an injen, it just requires you to drill a bit but you could get a really nice intake for under 100

 

[Peter5]

racing beat + injen cai.

 

[msp35]

I'm going to reitereate that a custom 'test-pipe' will be ~1/2 the cost of a premade kit. However if you're looking for a proven PIPE then by all meants purchase a premade pipe from one of the vendors. But if you have the $$$ IMO nothing will beat a GHL dp. Even with the stock catback.

 

[JCell]

most echaust shops will charge ya 50 bucks to install a new midpipe

 

[Butternuts]

First, Thanks for all help everyone! Obviously ill be going with the exhaust first. Price is somewhat of a concern but only cause i'm cheep not cause i don't have the money. I would rather spend more money and do it right than go cheap. (1k is around what i would like to spend) so I will probably go with a package rather than dicking around with mid pipes, cats and whatever the hell else you guys were talking about So I think ill be going for the "GHL full 3" exhaust from the turbo back" Now my question is will I need to worry about emissions. (I read a thread yesterday about taking your cat off (or at least I think it was the cat) and it not passing emissions. Should that be a concern of mine? Thanks again for all the help.

Edit: Should I buy direct from GHL or do you think i could get it cheaper from other dealers.. if so what dealers / websites should i look at?

 

[JCell]

it has a hi flow cat, bot the GHL and Vibrant Do


for the GHL, you'll need to remove the trubo to install the S pipe section, i haven't heard of anybody being able to remove this piece with the turbo still on the car

 

[jmv]

First, Thanks for all help everyone! Obviously ill be going with the exhaust first. Price is somewhat of a concern but only cause i'm cheep not cause i don't have the money. I would rather spend more money and do it right than go cheap. (1k is around what i would like to spend) so I will probably go with a package rather than dicking around with mid pipes, cats and whatever the hell else you guys were talking about So I think ill be going for the "GHL full 3" exhaust from the turbo back" Now my question is will I need to worry about emissions. (I read a thread yesterday about taking your cat off (or at least I think it was the cat) and it not passing emissions. Should that be a concern of mine? Thanks again for all the help.

Edit: Should I buy direct from GHL or do you think i could get it cheaper from other dealers.. if so what dealers / websites should i look at?

well, it seems that the only vendor i can find that carries the GHL is www.s t r e e t u n i t.com (without the spaces).... some crap happened and their not allowed on the forums because they paraded a part as something more than it was, sorta. I don't think i would have issues buying from them, but some might i suppose.

So long as you have a cat in the system (both the GHL and the vibrant have cats) you'll be fine. If you somehow end up without a cat, thats okay too because you can use a couple different methods (search for spark plug non-fouler and MIL eliminator) to trick the computer into thinking theres a cat there, so you won't throw a check engine light and emissions places won't know any better unless they actually take a look (they never do where i live).

 

[msp35]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=91304
Install w/o removing turbo assembly.

 

[Butternuts]

One last (And probably really stupid question) Does installing the exhaust (GHL 3" Turbo back) involve any welding or does it involve clamps? I realize it bolts on to the turbo but how does the s-pipe, and down tube attach? Thanks again for all the help you guys have been great!