Need Advice, Please

[aceP5]

I've waited a long time to post this. I have searched for hours looking for my answers but have resorted to posting a new thread with my questions.

I'm really looking forward to getting a cat-back for my automatic tranny P5. I initially was looking at Team Moon, but heard that they stopped production. Since then I have narrowed it down to three systesms: the racing Beat, the Magnaflow, and the SR Motorsports. I have heard only good things about the Racing Beat (with increase of 4.7 hp, 5 ft-lb of torque). But I also heard that the Magnaflow gets increases of 8.1 hp and 10.2 ft-lbs. I also heard that the SR motorsports cat-back gets hp gains of around 9 hp.

So, my questions are as follows:
1. Are these numbers accurate? If anyone has dyno graphs, please post them. I was surprised to see that the magnaflow and sr had better results than the RB. Anyone have any explanation regarding this?
2. Another concern of mine is fitment. I have little experience working with cars, but I'd like to install the systems myself if at all possible. I was wondering how smoothly each of these installs went. I want the tip to be safely positioned away from the bumper and I don't want any knocking and as little movement as possible.

Thank you all, I really appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!

 

[Captain KRM P5]

I've waited a long time to post this. I have searched for hours looking for my answers but have resorted to posting a new thread with my questions.

I'm really looking forward to getting a cat-back for my automatic tranny P5. I initially was looking at Team Moon, but heard that they stopped production. Since then I have narrowed it down to three systesms: the racing Beat, the Magnaflow, and the SR Motorsports. I have heard only good things about the Racing Beat (with increase of 4.7 hp, 5 ft-lb of torque). But I also heard that the Magnaflow gets increases of 8.1 hp and 10.2 ft-lbs. I also heard that the SR motorsports cat-back gets hp gains of around 9 hp.

So, my questions are as follows:
1. Are these numbers accurate? If anyone has dyno graphs, please post them. I was surprised to see that the magnaflow and sr had better results than the RB. Anyone have any explanation regarding this?
2. Another concern of mine is fitment. I have little experience working with cars, but I'd like to install the systems myself if at all possible. I was wondering how smoothly each of these installs went. I want the tip to be safely positioned away from the bumper and I don't want any knocking and as little movement as possible.

Thank you all, I really appreciate any advice you have for me. Thanks!

Racing Beat is about the only honest dyno of the bunch that you listed. Not without gutting your cats and running bigger diameter pipe from the header back will you see anything like a 10 hp gain from the exhaust. SR and MF are exaggerating thier dynos. Injen claims 11 whp from just thier intake (lol2) which is another example of inflated gains. Racing Beat is easy to install, though I can't speak for the other two. There is also Bosal exhaust.

We just got done running a group buy on 2.5 inch catback exhausts for this car - $259 plus shipping - which is a far cry less than the $500 you'd pay for an above system. There is still time to jump in on it. Its in the same style as the GReddy exhaust, is stainless steel all the way back and 2.5 diameter piping, bigger than the RB. Fitment I have seen has been perfect and the people who have owned one have liked it alot. Let me know if you are interested.

 

[Iconoclast]

custom custum custom

does anyone on this whole site live near a garage of any kind-people dont realize what you can get for 750 to a grand with a custom set up. and if you get your own cat and can its even cheaper. but everyone knows everything.

get the silver one

 

[NJP5Guy]

I would go with the racing beat exhaust. Even though i do own one i still feel it is the best(sounds great). Though the others claim higher levels of power the numbers from racing beat are at the wheels. more than likely the others are giving a crank or flywheel number which is always higher than what is recorded at the wheels(at the wheels is all that matters because its whats actually driving the car). also take note that the power from the racing beat is throughout the power band. who knows with the others(they could spike like a volley ball player) . Besides, racing beat has made stuff for mazdas for a long time and i would trust their quality over others. hope this helps. (cool)

 

[featured]

the listed price for the RB exhaust on their site is $449. does that include shipping? is there somewhere else i can get it cheaper? im not looking to buy now. but somewhere in the hext few months prolly.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

the listed price for the RB exhaust on their site is $449. does that include shipping? is there somewhere else i can get it cheaper? im not looking to buy now. but somewhere in the hext few months prolly.

when i bought mine shipping was $40 extra

 

[aceP5]

the listed price for the RB exhaust on their site is $449. does that include shipping? is there somewhere else i can get it cheaper? im not looking to buy now. but somewhere in the hext few months prolly.

I know one of the vendors here offered something like $437 shipped. Do a search with this number and Racing Beat Cat Back and you might find it. IT was in one of the recent discussions regarding the magnaflow versus the racing beat.

As for me, I am not 100% sure yet. I think I might go with the magnaflow. A shop in town will order and install it for around $440 +tax so around $466. I think this might be a better route than installing it myself. But I'm still open to opinions, please anyone with any advice just speak up!

 

[scorch70]

Here ya go, this is the package I got:

http://www.ptuning.com/html/Item-Desc.cfm?PartNo=PTPKGMP5HP&MakeCode=mazda&ModelCode=proteg&ModelYear=2002%2D2003%20All%20Prot%E9g%E9%205&ModelDesc=Proteg%E9

EDIT: Oh, and I did it myself. If you have basic tools and a weekend, you can do this no problem. No welding or anything needed. Just bolt ons.


hth,
scorch70

 

[SciFiMan]

custom custum custom

does anyone on this whole site live near a garage of any kind-people dont realize what you can get for 750 to a grand with a custom set up. and if you get your own cat and can its even cheaper. but everyone knows everything.

get the silver one

Most people don't have a grand to throw at a custom exhaust. Probably why your posting has been ignored (again). But we're lucky to have you here to always advise us of our faults and thin wallets.

 

[flat_black]

Iconoclast, one of the big problems with going custom is time; A lot of folks here drive their car everyday, and don't have a second car, so they can't be without the car so long that they can't get to work for the day or three that it takes to fab up an exhaust. Custom work also varies from place to place; One exhaust shop could spatter welds and use clamps and epoxy to hold the whole exhaust system together, another might have precision TIG/MIG welds done by people who've done 10,000 exhausts on racing cars. One mans rockin' custom job could turn into another's bundle of crap stuck onto the car, really. I'm all for doing custom if you can, but often it's hard.

Take into account, also, the fact that, while you're in the Northeast, there ARE places in the Northeast and around certain areas, not all places have a good exhaust or speed shop in the area. I'm fortunate to live in Manchester, where I have two good places right nearby. Someone in Keene isn't, nor in Vassalboro, Maine. =)

 

[aceP5]

has anyone here had both the magnaflow and Racing Beat? I have heard a few times that some people have switched from racing beat to magnaflow and thought that the magnaflow was better. I wonder if there's anyone who has switched from magnaflow to racing beat? I am sure that either one is a good exhaust, but speak up if you've had both.

btw, thanks to everyone for their advice so far.