Loud MazdaSpeed Sport Exhaust

O

'olzoomer

Member
I just got the MazdaSpeed Sport Exhaust installed. Although it looks great on the yellow PR5, it is just unbearably LOUD (resonance in the cabin) when travelling above 3000 RPM (even with the stereo blasting).

Is this a common experience with this particular exhaust (and as well as any other aftermarket exhaust)? I hope the installation was correct (I'm gonna test for any leaks).
 
Yup.

Exactly what I found out (in a hurry.) Looks great, way to loud for me. But I must admit, being 40 has a bit to do with that statement. :D

Needless to say, I sold that one fairly quick. I decided to give the RacingBeat Catback a try, as I'd read nothing but good about it. It's been on the car for about 5 months. Not nearly as loud as the MazdaSpeed (Bosal) rear section. Not like stock mind you, but tollerable for me. Sounds nice and aggressive when you hit the throttle hard.

Any aftermarket exhaust will be louder than OE. It's just a matter of finding one that your ears can put up with on a daily basis. For me, the RB is as loud as I'd want for a daily driver. To each his own.....

HTH - Jim
 
Re: Yup.

Mackdaddy said:
Exactly what I found out (in a hurry.) Looks great, way to loud for me. But I must admit, being 40 has a bit to do with that statement. :D

Needless to say, I sold that one fairly quick. I decided to give the RacingBeat Catback a try, as I'd read nothing but good about it. It's been on the car for about 5 months. Not nearly as loud as the MazdaSpeed (Bosal) rear section. Not like stock mind you, but tollerable for me. Sounds nice and aggressive when you hit the throttle hard.

Any aftermarket exhaust will be louder than OE. It's just a matter of finding one that your ears can put up with on a daily basis. For me, the RB is as loud as I'd want for a daily driver. To each his own.....

HTH - Jim
Click to expand...

Hehe....you should try a 2.5 inch custom piping with a Catco Hi-Flo cat, and the JIC Magic catback. It was kinda quiet tile the Catco Hi-Flo cat was added.:eek:
 
Re: Re: Yup.

LinuxRacr said:


Hehe....you should try a 2.5 inch custom piping with a Catco Hi-Flo cat, and the JIC Magic catback. It was kinda quiet tile the Catco Hi-Flo cat was added.:eek:
Click to expand...

Been there, done that. :)

I had my WRX Wagon setup with ATR catless up, Stromung catless down / 3rd cat eliminator, and Stromung rear section.

Talk about loud. But damn, did it run like a bat outta hell.... :D
 
mackdaddy, gotta luv the RB cat back! just enough sound, great look, made well, fitment was perfect. nothing but good things to say about RB, joe. (maybe it's got something to do with my being a forty something guy too!)
 
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Word

bazooka joe said:
mackdaddy, gotta luv the RB cat back! just enough sound, great look, made well, fitment was perfect. nothing but good things to say about RB, joe. (maybe it's got something to do with my being a forty something guy too!)
Click to expand...

I find the RB catback a real value.... especially now that Jason from Avanced Imports is selling them for $400. I got mine for $435, and feel that was still a bargain.

All stainless construction, good fittment, fantastic looks, mellow yet aggressive sound. What more do you need?!

Hell, I paid over $500 for a Stromung rear section for the WRX. Talk about pricey! But in perspective, it was worth every penny.

'Olzoomer: Get rid of that damn grapefruit shooter, and get an RB catback from Jason. I don't think you'll regret it! :)

Take care,
Jim

PS: Here's a link for ya http://64.49.232.219/product.asp?3=216
 
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Mack,

Yah! I also know 'bout the "being forty" deal! :D

Is the RB catback easy to install? Or I should ask, how is it installed (compared to the Sport exhaust)?

How loud inside the cabin when you're at about 3500 rpm (70mph)? Since you've tried the Mazdaspeed as well, how does it compare? I usually use the PR5 on the freeway.

Thanks!
 
i dont think its too loud at all..............its a little loud, but nothing like one of those honda fart cans...............its a nice deep sound...........
 
I found that it only starts to resonate at around 3500-4000r's. Even then, if you find the sweet spot, not speeding up, and not slowing down either, it's really not bad. And the sound it makes when you do get on it is niiiice. I really like my MS muffler.
 
i like the look and the sound, i dont think its all that bad sound wise because it IS like a nice clean deep sound. like said before its not liek a bunch of bees in a can
 
Gearhead for Life

'olzoomer said:
Mack,

Yah! I also know 'bout the "being forty" deal! :D

Is the RB catback easy to install? Or I should ask, how is it installed (compared to the Sport exhaust)?

How loud inside the cabin when you're at about 3500 rpm (70mph)? Since you've tried the Mazdaspeed as well, how does it compare? I usually use the PR5 on the freeway.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I like to refer to it as the "mentor age." :D Only as old as you feel (somedays older than others....)

Anywho, the easiest way to do the full catback install is on a lift, hands down. Makes life so much easier. It can be done lying on your back, under the car on 4 jackstands, but that just plain sux. All in all, it took about 20 min. to install it (on a lift, two people.) Not hard at all.

As for Cabin resonance at highway speed, there is none. 3500 rpm sounds good... easily drowned out by the tunes (but I prefer to listen to my powerplant most of time.) :D

I drove it all the way to Carlisle Sport Compact Nats and back (~700 miles.) I though it sounded great (this was in conjunction with an Injen CAI too, mind you.)

HTH - Jim
 
Thanks Mack!

I thought I'd give the Mazdaspeed a second chance today going to work... But still bothering me. Also I noticed my mileage seems to be affected (for the worse!) by the new exhaust! I thought the new exhaust makes the car more efficient. Do you find your mileage affected with the RB catback installed?

Well I think the MazdaSpeed exhaust will be replaced by the stock this weekend. That is, until I get the RB cat back...

BTW, any RB cat back users here in California? I assume it will not affect getting through the tougher new SMOG II checks here in California (at least in my county).
 
My milage has been fairly consistent from day 1. ~23mpg mixed city/highway, 28mpg highway. I've not seen any real improvement in fuel economy with any of the mods on this car. Strange.....

I just hit 9k miles BTW.

As for Cali inspection, I don't think you'll have a problem, but since I'm in Ohio, what the hell do I know! :D
 
Did u get your RB from Advanced Imports? Did you sell your MazdaSpeed Exhaust (and how much)?

I've been getting 28-30mpg (mostly highway) on my 130mile (roundtrip) commute to work. After the exhaust install, my first calculation was giving me less than 25mpg! But that doesn't really bother me... It's the loudness at 70mph that's bothering me. As long as the RB catback is less noisy than the MazdaSpeed, I'd be happy with it... Right??? :D

And I'm at 6250 miles on my 3-month old PR5.
 
Yes, got the RB from Advanced. Sold the MS axleback for ~ $175.00 shipped (as I recall, it's been awhile.)

RB much quieter than MS, no question. I really think you'll like it. Fuel economy should get better as we rack up some mileage. This is what I'm observing (although mine will never be as good as a 5-spd car, just the nature of the beast.) I can live with it.

Jim

Edited for grammatical errors.... :D
 
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I could be wrong about this, but I think I read somewhere on this forum that the Mazdaspeed exhaust will quiet down a little after you get some dirt in it (that is, used it for a while). I've noticed mine has quiet down a bit since the first day. Maybe it's just me?
 
Joygasm said:
I could be wrong about this, but I think I read somewhere on this forum that the Mazdaspeed exhaust will quiet down a little after you get some dirt in it (that is, used it for a while). I've noticed mine has quiet down a bit since the first day. Maybe it's just me?
Click to expand...

I had my MS axleback on for about three weeks.... it never got any quieter. Just my humble observation.
 
Mackdaddy said:


I had my MS axleback on for about three weeks.... it never got any quieter. Just my humble observation.
Click to expand...

Hmm, maybe it's just me then. I could've sworn it's not as loud as it use to be. But then again, I never thought it was that loud to begin with... and that's cause my Mustang is VERY loud. Guess I just got use to that one. I'm pretty sure you'll get some good money for it though if you wanna swap it out for a stock one. I'm sure there are other members here willing to buy it off you
 
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