what to get (exhaust?)
- Thread starter zmepro
- Start date
p5sundevil
Member
- :
- 03.5 MidnightBlue p5
i am voting for 2.25 mandrel.....cat back.
although if cost is really an issue I would go with a mandrel bent 2.5" axle back...I really dont think they are going to charge you that much more for mandrel bending 2.5 instead of 2.25...actually there should be a price diff and I think 2.5 is the highest you should go with a N/A application....2.5-2.75 for boost.
If its going to be a while I might be selling my ractive axle back brand new.....I am waiting for pricing on my own 2.5 cat back custom mandrel bent...not sure what muffler I would use.....soon as I get pricing Ill let you know for sure if I am selling the ractive or not.
although if cost is really an issue I would go with a mandrel bent 2.5" axle back...I really dont think they are going to charge you that much more for mandrel bending 2.5 instead of 2.25...actually there should be a price diff and I think 2.5 is the highest you should go with a N/A application....2.5-2.75 for boost.
If its going to be a while I might be selling my ractive axle back brand new.....I am waiting for pricing on my own 2.5 cat back custom mandrel bent...not sure what muffler I would use.....soon as I get pricing Ill let you know for sure if I am selling the ractive or not.
Lowdown on exhausts:
Ok, this is a very opinionated opinion
Personally, I think that the stock piping is quite suffcient on the Proteges. Therefore, I would not waste your money with a catback exhaust, and instead put your money elsewhere (not to mention you'll save a buttload on shipping). Mostly, you'll see people have the Racing Beat, JIC, HKS, or "custom" exhaust. Basically, from what I understand (although I've only had one exhaust, the HKS), the main difference is sound. I highly doubt that you will notice a difference in performance between the Racing Beat cat-back and the HKS axle-back exhaust. If you wanted to go the custom route, you could simply buy a nice muffler from eBay, and take it to your local muffler shop and have them weld it on...then use the money you save to buy yourself a high-flow catalytic converter from the same place. The reason I chose my HKS rear section (in other words, it bolts to the stock piping right around the rear axle, as opposed to the second cat converter) is because it comes with a silencer that you can use to significantly dampen the sound of your exhaust - this keeps you from sounding like a damn ricer, AND can be very important in areas where they are strict on noise ordinances and EPA violations...plus, HKS is a good name too! Install on most of the exhausts should take you less than an hour with a good jack and a friend...they should be two bolts only, and come with gaskets!
Ok, this is a very opinionated opinion
Personally, I think that the stock piping is quite suffcient on the Proteges. Therefore, I would not waste your money with a catback exhaust, and instead put your money elsewhere (not to mention you'll save a buttload on shipping). Mostly, you'll see people have the Racing Beat, JIC, HKS, or "custom" exhaust. Basically, from what I understand (although I've only had one exhaust, the HKS), the main difference is sound. I highly doubt that you will notice a difference in performance between the Racing Beat cat-back and the HKS axle-back exhaust. If you wanted to go the custom route, you could simply buy a nice muffler from eBay, and take it to your local muffler shop and have them weld it on...then use the money you save to buy yourself a high-flow catalytic converter from the same place. The reason I chose my HKS rear section (in other words, it bolts to the stock piping right around the rear axle, as opposed to the second cat converter) is because it comes with a silencer that you can use to significantly dampen the sound of your exhaust - this keeps you from sounding like a damn ricer, AND can be very important in areas where they are strict on noise ordinances and EPA violations...plus, HKS is a good name too! Install on most of the exhausts should take you less than an hour with a good jack and a friend...they should be two bolts only, and come with gaskets!
I just got my Mazdaspeed Axle back last night...and i couldnt wait for help so i did it my self in my garage (and i am NO mechanic) with a 14mm rachet and a couple bricks i drove onto so i could get under my car, it took me about 30 mins, and the hardest part was getting the old muffler off the rubber hangers.....the mazdaspeed is very cool, nice low sporty tone, doesnt sound like a ripped up tin can rattling around back there, and like im sure many have told you, your not going to see huge gains in the HP department but there is much better throttle response and is a little "peppier", i hate that word but oh well, good luck man i vote axel back stay away from crush bent ....L8ER
Similar Threads and Articles
