You have to cut the stock MS3 exhaust to get it out!!???

[ElBartoRex]

I just read this? Is it true??

 

[numbnuts22715]

yes it is.
Or you can drop the whole rear suspension and get it out that way, but it'll take a reallly long time and theres a decently sized chance that something wont get put back together right.

 

[ForceFed]

Nothing a Sawzall cant handle removing..and a Welder cant handle if wanting to re-install.

 

[ElBartoRex]

im sad...

thats really dissapointing on the part of the Mazda engineers...

some of us anal retentive types like to save all of our stock parts..

 

[ForceFed]

some of us anal retentive types like to save all of our stock parts..

What says you cant save them?

 

[ElBartoRex]

What says you cant save them?

yeah but cutting...I don't like cutting..

 

[ZooMIN3]

I cut mine, and where I cut, there is enough elbow for it to be re-welded..

besides, who'd want to go back to stock??? Unless you plan on getting rid of your car in a few years?

Here's a linky on how I did my install... I did it the faster, more convenient way...

Installing MazdaSpeed Cat Back Exhaust

 

[Captain KRM P5]

the mazdaspeed3 is not unique in this regard. most cars i have worked on require that you do this.

 

[Rotus8]

Dropping the rear sub-frame is not very difficult. I did it to install camber links. It can be done in your driveway with jack stands. Probably adds 1/2 hour to the exhaust job, not much longer than it takes to cut the stock pipe.

 

[Mocoso]

im sad...

thats really dissapointing on the part of the Mazda engineers...

some of us anal retentive types like to save all of our stock parts..

Come on now.. you really expect Mazda engineers to design an exhaust which doesnt need to be cut in order to be removed without taking anything else apart all while keeping the car under 23K so those who mod it can keep their parts stock??? No engineer worth a damn is going to make that call if it means it will add 1 penny in production costs with no other benefit other than pleasing anal retentive modders...

Give credit to the engineers for coming up with a production package that delivers so much value

 

[Hirudin]

I've been wondering about this for a while: seems like people choose to cut the exhaust right next to the bend. Wouldn't it be easier to re-weld if the cut was made at a straight point?

 

[ZooMIN3]

I've been wondering about this for a while: seems like people choose to cut the exhaust right next to the bend. Wouldn't it be easier to re-weld if the cut was made at a straight point?

If you cut at a straight point, it'd be before that muffler towards the rear... then that'd defeat the purpose of not taking off your rear suspension; becuase you'll have to snake that peice out towards the rear of the car since the tip will not fit in the small "tunnell" where it needs to be "snaked" out at...


look here, and try to imagine pulling the straight peice before the muffler in front of the bend... you think you'll be able to pull that through that suspension stuff?

This is what the whole piece looks like side by side... notice where the cut took place; and see how there isn't much room to work with when it comes to cutting near the bend?

 

[knowledge007]

You know wtf...I would like to know who here who has ever done an exhaust mod I.E. me, as able to get the stock out with out cutting. Please man give me a break.

 

[bova80]

ha with the speed6 you don't have to cut, just drop it out and install the new one, guess you speed3 guys weren't as lucky.

 

[major error]

It's all in how much time you have & effort you want to put into the project.
I think Rotus' claim holds water. It would also make an excellent how-to.

As for my exhaust-removal experience, I managed to get the factory cat-back off my old Ranger w/o cutting or raising the rear end on a jack....it just took an extra 30min of careful twisting & rotating....and a few choice words

 

[knowledge007]

lol, thats funny...

 

[autoxes]

hell, when I did the catback on my Protege, it was rusted together, so I still had to cut it.

 

[Rotus8]

Dropping the rear frame down enough is not hard:
1) Rear up on stands
2) Undo ARB end links
3) Remove lower shock bolts
4) Put jack under sub-frame brace
5) Undo 6 big bolts (impact driver helps make this quick)
6) Lower jack carefully and sub-frame goes down

After removing exhaust, reverse steps, tightening bolts with a big torque wrench.

 

[ZooMIN3]

You know wtf...I would like to know who here who has ever done an exhaust mod I.E. me, as able to get the stock out with out cutting. Please man give me a break.

What the **** do you mean WTF? Are you refferring to NOT cutting the stock exhaust when taking it off; without dropping the sub-frame? If that's the case, instead of WTFing it, why don't you share your Knowledge.. I'd say its easier to do it this way, and less time consuming, and honestly I didn't want to take off the rear sub-frame.

 

[knowledge007]

Thats what I am saying...lol JUST CUT THE b**** OUT!