Turbo XS TBE Inquiry

dronizm5

Member
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2008 Black Mazdaspeed3
So I think I might go with the Turbo XS TBE as my next upgrade. I am in an emission state so I need the high flow cat. Do they offer the high flow cat with the XS TBE? I saw a cat w/ the dp/rp combo for 100$ more but not with the TBE kit offered on MSpeedstore. Well any input about the TBE would be great a TBE is my next mod regardless just looking for some reviews about different exhausts and this one in particular. Thanks
 
I love the TurboXS DP/RP combo. Mine is catless. I don't know if you can get it catted. It would be a simple task to get a local performance muffler shop to weld a cat and O2 bung into the racepipe section. Would probably cost you an extra $100 for the cat and maybe $50 for the welding.

As to the full TBE, unless you are very heavily modded, meaning an upgraded and larger turbo, tuning, etc., you will not realize any performance gain from getting the full TBE, as the stock CBE is incredibly high flowing. The restriction is all upstream in the DP and those two stock cats. If you want to change the sound of your exhaust by going with something other than the stock CBE behind a new DP/RP, then that's another matter and will depend on what sort of sound you are looking for.

The best bang for the buck, if you need a cat, would be just a DP/RP combo from some reputable manufacturer with either an aftermarket high flow cat welded into the RP, or with a high flow cat as a part of the DP/RP combo , connected to the stock CBE.

Personally, I love my "Stealthback" system.
 
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I am "Stealthback," meaning I have the catless DP/RP but am running the stock CBE.

"Smoke" issue is non-sense to me. Check out my other posts on the subject.

I've owned a number of high output four cylinder turbos, three SAAB's two Volvos before this MS3. Every time I went catless big DP/RP and upgraded the ECU to run premium fuel and higher boost like ours (14-15-16 psi) there has been a certain amount of "smoke" from incompletely burned crankcase fumes getting recirculated into the intake through the PCV valve. My MS3 "smokes" no more than any of them.

All of the other cars had Garrett T4 or T04 turbos, so I don't think this has anything to do with our K04 turbo or the alleged seal problems. I just think it comes with turbocharged engines that are running high boost and high compression controlled by an ECU and which have the high pressure crankcase fumes recirculated back into the intake.

An oil catch can will help, but may not totally resolve this so-called "issue."

None of the turbos failed on any of the cars, although one did eventually have a shaft journal bearing gradual failure north of 100,000 miles, which is normal for that mileage. When the bearing journal starts failing you can hear it.

This is a long answer for, yes, there will be a bit of "smoke" or more "smoke" if you are catless. It comes with the territory. Check out the user groups for EVO, STI, SAAB, Volvo, turbo BMW, Audi, or any other turbo enthusiast forum. Everybody is bitching over what I think is a non-issue.

I think most of the people concerned about this issue have never before owned a turbo car running boost at 15 psi or higher on a high compression ratio engine. Otherwise they would have experienced this "issue" before and know it comes with the territory.
 
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Alright I will chime in. I have the Turbo XS Downpipe/Race-pipe with the Racing Beat dual tip catback. I absolutely love this combo. Sounds amazing, not loud at all, but has a nice deep gurgle. ZERO drone inside of the car, the stock droned alot more. However, I am wanting to remove one of the resonators to get a little more sound. When I got my turbo xs stealthback put on, I still had the stock catback, but I had 1 muffler and 1 resonator removed. Talk about a BAD ASS sound! It sounded absolutely SICK, but it was super loud. So I got my catback soon after to cut down on the volume, being that I am in VA. I love my turbo xs downpipe/race pipe, performance is there, sound is there, and high build quality. I get a random cel at times, but its nother major. Highly recommend it. I only get some smoking when its cold outside, which is actually condensation burning off.
 
I am "Stealthback," meaning I have the catless DP/RP but am running the stock CBE.

"Smoke" issue is non-sense to me. Check out my other posts on the subject.

I've owned a number of high output four cylinder turbos, three SAAB's two Volvos before this MS3. Every time I went catless big DP/RP and upgraded the ECU to run premium fuel and higher boost like ours (14-15-16 psi) there has been a certain amount of "smoke" from incompletely burned crankcase fumes getting recirculated into the intake through the PCV valve. My MS3 "smokes" no more than any of them.

All of the other cars had Garrett T4 or T04 turbos, so I don't think this has anything to do with our K04 turbo or the alleged seal problems. I just think it comes with turbocharged engines that are running high boost and high compression controlled by an ECU and which have the high pressure crankcase fumes recirculated back into the intake.

An oil catch can will help, but may not totally resolve this so-called "issue."

None of the turbos failed on any of the cars, although one did eventually have a shaft journal bearing gradual failure north of 100,000 miles, which is normal for that mileage. When the bearing journal starts failing you can hear it.

This is a long answer for, yes, there will be a bit of "smoke" or more "smoke" if you are catless. It comes with the territory. Check out the user groups for EVO, STI, SAAB, Volvo, turbo BMW, Audi, or any other turbo enthusiast forum. Everybody is bitching over what I think is a non-issue.

I think most of the people concerned about this issue have never before owned a turbo car running boost at 15 psi or higher on a high compression ratio engine. Otherwise they would have experienced this "issue" before and know it comes with the territory.

Thanks for the input I am going to be buying a TBE soon, I really want the Turbo XS but I need a high flow cat. I know the Cp-e comes with one, but I kinda want an exhaust that I can take a race pipe in and out of. Any suggestions? Many people have suggested getting another rp and have a performance shop put a cat and bung in the rp.
 
Thanks for the input I am going to be buying a TBE soon, I really want the Turbo XS but I need a high flow cat. I know the Cp-e comes with one, but I kinda want an exhaust that I can take a race pipe in and out of. Any suggestions? Many people have suggested getting another rp and have a performance shop put a cat and bung in the rp.

If I needed to pass a sniffer test, that's exactly what I'd do - high flow cat in the RP and a post cat 02 bung.
 
I have the full tbe and i gotta warn ya its ******* LOUD. I mean offensive at times. I like it it sounds very sti like. Expect to get pulled over alot though lol but on the plus side road noise is gone cuz all u hear is exhaust haha
 
Don't know about your state laws but any messing with cats here in CA. is illegal, even if you add an aftermarket high flow cat. Depends on how strict the laws are enforced where you are. I'm running the Stealth back kit as well on my 07' MS3 and no issues with smoke or CEL's with the diode fix. I'm in the process of going in a different direction and I am taking off my TurboXS DP/RP in the next week or so. I will be selling it soon, shoot me a PM if you want any more info... here's what it looks like... 2nd generation TXS kit.
 

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turboXS TBE = LOUDDDDDDD! i absaloutly HATED it at first but, now that i've gotten used to it im starting to like it more. STILL LOUD and when you enter boost you'll notice our cars have v-tech as it gets REALLY LOUD once you get into boost. so if you dont mind a loud exhaust, go for it. you're rear passengers will hate you for it haha.
 

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