Well mine arrived in the mail on Monday. Unfortunately, my schedule hasn't allowed me to install it yet. I will be rectifying that tonight and will have a full review with pics. Maybe even video. What I can tell you right now is, just has been said already in this thread, the craftsmanship is second to none. (I so whish I could TIG as well as these guys do.) The overall quality is obvious the second you pull it out of the box. Can't wait to put it on!
Racing Beat Power Pulse CX-5 Exhaust
- Thread starter Voda Pas
- Start date
I cant wait to see the video and photos
NinjaNoises
Member
- :
- CX-5 Sport MT
I am waiting as well!
- :
- Mazdaspeed6
That looks swell. I like that RB didn't drop the ball with unreasonably large piping diameter, like CS did with their catback.
Sorry for the delay. I've had so many projects piling up that my garage was a disaster after I got done last night. So, I didn't get online after the install which was probably a good thing, but I'll explain that in a bit. I did snap a few pics as I installed, but honestly they were with my phone and the lighting was crap so they don't hold a candle to the pics Tampa posted on the last page.
Anyhow, after the install last night I took her out for a quick spin and I wasn't very impressed. It seemed noticably quieter than the stock system. (Thus why it was best I didn't get online last night.) But, I've installed enough after market exhausts to know you don't judge on the first day. This morning I had a good 45 minute commute to get a more thorough impression. (Please remember these are my impressions and should be in no way taken as criticism of the exhaust. It is a quality unit made by a company with a deservedly great reputation for the CX-5's with the 2.0 and I have installed it on a 2.5. So, if I say it makes a sound I don't like, that doesn't mean there is necessarily anything wrong with the exhaust. It could just be I have installed it behind an engine that it was not tuned for.)
INSTALL:
The install was almost stupid easy (so long as you buy exhaust clamp pliars, if you don't have any go buy some now). The exhaust comes with a new gasket (not really needed as the factory gasket was in great shape) and new hardware (very much needed, remember torque to 28 ft lbs). The fit and finish is probably the best I have seen with the exception of Borla. But, far better than Magnaflow, Flowmaster, etc. The hangar mounts align the exhaust tips perfectly. No need to fight with it or adjust it.
SOUND:
So far, as advertised, I have detected no droning. The only sound I've found less pleasant than the factory system is under a set of very specific circumstances: if you are cruising at a set speed in fifth or sixth and then have to decelerate quickly and then accelerate before the transmission kicks down to second the exhaust creates an ugly subsonic until you get back up over 1500 RPM. (Basically, a situation you'd encounter when you have to slow but not stop for a car turning in front of you.) Obviously, this is not a problem if you are using the manual shift mode. Otherwise, as the exhaust got a chance to really warm up today the sound is very similar to the factory unit but it's deeper and throatier. No one is going to mistake your CX-5 for a Ferarri but let's be honest it's a CUV with a four banger, expectations must be kept grounded.
Bottom line it has delivered exactly what I was looking for: high quality construction that will last the life of the vehicle, great fitment, easily installed and able to go back to stock in a matter of minutes, a pleasant but not overpowering tone and those gorgeous exhaust tips that perfectly fit the bumper openings. To me that was worth the $450 I paid. (That of course is not true for everyone.) However, if you are looking for an exhaust that is going to dramatically change the sound of your CX-5 or (laughing) going to give an increase in power then you need to look elsewhere because the Racing Beat exhaust is not the one for you.
Once again, sorry for not having pics or vids up yet. I'll get some up tonight after I wash the filth off of her.
Anyhow, after the install last night I took her out for a quick spin and I wasn't very impressed. It seemed noticably quieter than the stock system. (Thus why it was best I didn't get online last night.) But, I've installed enough after market exhausts to know you don't judge on the first day. This morning I had a good 45 minute commute to get a more thorough impression. (Please remember these are my impressions and should be in no way taken as criticism of the exhaust. It is a quality unit made by a company with a deservedly great reputation for the CX-5's with the 2.0 and I have installed it on a 2.5. So, if I say it makes a sound I don't like, that doesn't mean there is necessarily anything wrong with the exhaust. It could just be I have installed it behind an engine that it was not tuned for.)
INSTALL:
The install was almost stupid easy (so long as you buy exhaust clamp pliars, if you don't have any go buy some now). The exhaust comes with a new gasket (not really needed as the factory gasket was in great shape) and new hardware (very much needed, remember torque to 28 ft lbs). The fit and finish is probably the best I have seen with the exception of Borla. But, far better than Magnaflow, Flowmaster, etc. The hangar mounts align the exhaust tips perfectly. No need to fight with it or adjust it.
SOUND:
So far, as advertised, I have detected no droning. The only sound I've found less pleasant than the factory system is under a set of very specific circumstances: if you are cruising at a set speed in fifth or sixth and then have to decelerate quickly and then accelerate before the transmission kicks down to second the exhaust creates an ugly subsonic until you get back up over 1500 RPM. (Basically, a situation you'd encounter when you have to slow but not stop for a car turning in front of you.) Obviously, this is not a problem if you are using the manual shift mode. Otherwise, as the exhaust got a chance to really warm up today the sound is very similar to the factory unit but it's deeper and throatier. No one is going to mistake your CX-5 for a Ferarri but let's be honest it's a CUV with a four banger, expectations must be kept grounded.
Bottom line it has delivered exactly what I was looking for: high quality construction that will last the life of the vehicle, great fitment, easily installed and able to go back to stock in a matter of minutes, a pleasant but not overpowering tone and those gorgeous exhaust tips that perfectly fit the bumper openings. To me that was worth the $450 I paid. (That of course is not true for everyone.) However, if you are looking for an exhaust that is going to dramatically change the sound of your CX-5 or (laughing) going to give an increase in power then you need to look elsewhere because the Racing Beat exhaust is not the one for you.
Once again, sorry for not having pics or vids up yet. I'll get some up tonight after I wash the filth off of her.
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- 2014 & 2019 CX-5 Touring(s)
Nice writeup! Thanks.
Having done aftermarket and exhaust changes before, you should revisit the "sound" review in about 500-1000 miles - especially with a DI engine. The soot buildup in the muffler baffles can (probably will) change the sound considerably, especially when it comes to drone. You might find that the <1500rpm slowing nastiness disappears.
Having done aftermarket and exhaust changes before, you should revisit the "sound" review in about 500-1000 miles - especially with a DI engine. The soot buildup in the muffler baffles can (probably will) change the sound considerably, especially when it comes to drone. You might find that the <1500rpm slowing nastiness disappears.
Very good point. I agree that the sound will definitely change over the coming months. But, I hadn't considered that being DI might effect that change.
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- 2014 & 2019 CX-5 Touring(s)
Only because, with their leaner and more efficient combustion, they tend to produce more soot. But really, any engine will produce byproducts sooner or later, that coat the exhaust.
I've been messing with engines my entire life and this is the first time I've heard that a lean burn produces more soot.
My experience has been that a leaner burn turns plugs and everything downstream a lighter tan color with a thinner coating. Rich burn produces more soot, both on the plugs and downstream.
I've installed new mufflers on 5 of my previous vehicles (and let's be clear here, we are not discussing a new "exhaust", it's just a new muffler). I don't think the terminology of auto parts has changed when I wasn't looking. In every vehicle I've installed a new muffler of a different design, the sound did change as the insides became conditioned. The sound becomes softer and more subdued. But I've never seen this process change the rpm range or frequency at which any unflattering harmonics may develop. That is a function of the specific geometries inside the exhaust system and how they interact with the exhaust pulses of a specific engine. The conditioning of the exhaust system doesn't change these geometries enough to affect the nature of such harmonics other than to slightly soften the volume and tone. The harmonics still happen under the same conditions and will not sound much different. An exception could be made for an engine running so rich that a thick layer of soot started to build up and even form piles inside the muffler. But that is an extreme case that everyone want to avoid.
Of course way humans process these sounds also changes as we become conditioned to the new sounds. After regular use, our brains tune out familiar sounds such that we hardly hear them (unless we consciously focus on them).
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- 2014 & 2019 CX-5 Touring(s)
Well I guess my experience with multiple new exhausts on multiple cars (some not my own but have come back to later) would disagree with your statements, Mike. When I drove my own car (a 2-liter direct injection turbo) off the lot on the way home when I first bought it, I got on the freeway driving at 55-60mph and the drone from the factory exhaust was so bad I nearly turned around and returned it! After 1000 or so miles it calmed down and never droned again. I then swapped it out with an aftermarket exhaust and got the exact same symptom (though that one was even louder). Again, after some miles it was fine. But don't let personal experience get in the way of your facts.
Even from the engineering and physics standpoint, OF COURSE build up of deposits on the insides of a resonant system will alter the resonant point and harmonic. How could it not?
As for DI engines producing soot, it's certainly a well-known fact with all VAG DI engines as well as the GM Ecotec line. Maybe Mazda has pulled out some special sauce to overcome that, havn't had my CX-5 long enough to tell. But I tend to doubt it.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/direct-injection-engine5.htm
http://bznotes.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/soot-emissions-from-gasoline-direct-injectin-gdi-engines/
Even from the engineering and physics standpoint, OF COURSE build up of deposits on the insides of a resonant system will alter the resonant point and harmonic. How could it not?
As for DI engines producing soot, it's certainly a well-known fact with all VAG DI engines as well as the GM Ecotec line. Maybe Mazda has pulled out some special sauce to overcome that, havn't had my CX-5 long enough to tell. But I tend to doubt it.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/direct-injection-engine5.htm
http://bznotes.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/soot-emissions-from-gasoline-direct-injectin-gdi-engines/
Nice write up Vand Pas. RedBaron, those links make sense and thanks for posting them. The higher NOx emissions makes sense to me. I've noticed some soot in the tailpipe of my exhaust where on previous cars I had not with so few miles. It's not much but it's noticeable.
brainbasher
Member
- :
- 2014 CX5 GT
From racing beat
Well,
Looks like Racing Beat has a better video up. But, since I went to the trouble of uploading it, I'll throw mine up to. I took some inside the cab vids with my phone while I was accelerating but the audio is horrible and the files are huge. If I get around to uploading them and they turn out decent I'll post them up. Oh and I also added some pics of the exhaust installed to my album "Kodo". They are pretty big though so I'm not going to insert the images.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=202871&d=1370663253
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=202872&d=1370663264
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=202873&d=1370663272
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=202874&d=1370663299
Looks like Racing Beat has a better video up. But, since I went to the trouble of uploading it, I'll throw mine up to. I took some inside the cab vids with my phone while I was accelerating but the audio is horrible and the files are huge. If I get around to uploading them and they turn out decent I'll post them up. Oh and I also added some pics of the exhaust installed to my album "Kodo". They are pretty big though so I'm not going to insert the images.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=202871&d=1370663253
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=202872&d=1370663264
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=202873&d=1370663272
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=202874&d=1370663299
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I didn't think I did, I simply shared my experience that, yes, the tone and volume of a muffler does soften as the exhaust "conditions" but that I had not seen a harmonic (that happened at certain rpm's) completely vanish. And that has been my personal experience. You also shared your personal experience - that's good but I'm not going to personally attack you for that.
Re-read what I actually said. I didn't say direct injection engines couldn't produce more soot under some operating conditions- I suggested more soot wouldn't be due to a leaner burn.
And I stand by that.
Here Voda ;-) good taste beautiful CX5 any more videos? we are twins!! your rims are 19" ?
read this ;-) http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...Gas-Mileage-to-date-333-miles-All-city-milles
read this ;-) http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...Gas-Mileage-to-date-333-miles-All-city-milles
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Yes we are! That last pic you posted inspired me to completely rip you off. LOL. Good thing I'm up here in Indiana and you're down in Tampa or things could get confusing. Your roof rails are about the only thing that sets us apart. As for the wheels, no they are 20x10" just like yours. It's amazing how much they change the look of the CX-5. I get compliments on them all the time. Good taste my friend!
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- Mazda 6 iTouring 6MT
this exhaust sure does look nice but i still like the look and sound of my corksport exhaust
SayNoToPistons
Wheels, not rims...
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- CX-5 GT AWD w/ Tech, RX-8 GT 6spd w/ 'goodies'
More interested in a drive by video as the sound signature completely changes throughout the rev-range when it is under load...
Or Alternatively Someone is willing to do this type of mod just for pure sound . Since upgrading a axle back muffler doesn't produce any horses for the penny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3E9ChRGK3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3E9ChRGK3k
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