Gb: Msp Vibrant Exhaust

[MrDiggler]

You guys might want to ask Vibrant if you're getting the current exhaust or the revised one. They are revising it this Spring to make it easier to get the j-pipe nuts on. The new "down pipe" will be of slightly smaller tubing, and it needs to be. It's already way bigger than the s-pipe outlet and it's so big that it can be a real PITA to install it if there's not enough room next to the s-pipe studs for the nuts to go on (like mine). This should also eliminate having to grind the flange off of the factory s-pipe nuts. Mine is still up on stands in the garage because of this issue. I got so pissed off I had to come inside and cool down.

If I were you, I'd put it on Vibrant to either make your 10 exhausts with the corrected setup, or give you a break on their existing stock. I'm not real happy with them after they blew off my concerns about the O2 sensor wiring being so close to the cat and needing insulation. I told them I'd gladly pay $50 more for a system that didn't require hours of extra work to get it to fit and came with an insulating sleeve for the wiring. See my attached pics that illustrate all of this. On the pic at the s-pipe connection, it's hard to tell because of the shadow, but the nut on the passenger's side is actually up against the pipe and won't turn. Also, you can see why there's no room for the flanges on the nuts. Finally, the pic of the cat shows the O2 wiring and where I'm hooking into the factory hanger to give enough clearance between the exhaust and crossmember. (I've got Kartboy hangers on order)

 

[Jeph]

Interesting...

 

[baconbitz]

if you had the corksport s pipe would that help the issue at all?

 

[MrDiggler]

if you had the corksport s pipe would that help the issue at all?

If it's set up exactly like the factory s-pipe at the connection, it stands to reason you'd have the same problem. Dunno for sure though.

 

[byohndspeed]

very interesting. i wonder what the deal is? i havent heard this from anyone else who bought the exhaust..guess i'll have to go do more digging. you can always do what i did with mine. i have the almost same setup only made at a exhaust shop and the one nut was the same way so we used a smaller nut and bolt so it didnt hit the pipe.

 

[byohndspeed]

i will also email the guy i have been dealing with at vibrant to see whats going on..

 

[MrDiggler]

very interesting. i wonder what the deal is? i havent heard this from anyone else who bought the exhaust..guess i'll have to go do more digging. you can always do what i did with mine. i have the almost same setup only made at a exhaust shop and the one nut was the same way so we used a smaller nut and bolt so it didnt hit the pipe.

There's a huge thread titled "New exhaust for Mazdaspeed Proteges" that has a ton of feedback on the Vibrant, and is a lot of the reason I bought one. You can check out the first page or two, then skip to about page 30 or so b/c that's when peeps were getting their exhausts and installing them.

I did get mine installed, but it was a real PITA. I had to use an open-end wrench at the s-pipe connection and at the muffler section connection. It took forever.

 

[Nductshun]

I'm totally down to get this exhaust, if we can be sure about those bolts fitting around the s-pipe. I wanted to by a new exhaust system this weekend, and planned on getting the APEX-R1 exhaust, but I've seen how low it hangs and I dont want to wait over a month to get it. So I will be next on the group buy list if someone can confirm that fitting on the downpipe. THANKS!

-Paul

 

[Jeph]

Yeah, that one goes under the rear crossmember, this one goes over

 

[byohndspeed]

well thats not to bad about using the box wrench. yeah i can see it beeing a pain but at least it went on as for the o2 sensor, i am going to see what i can do to supply everyone with a covering, or at least get a good deal on something. i havent heard back from my guy at vibrant yet. i will keep everyone posted.

 

[MrDiggler]

I'm totally down to get this exhaust, if we can be sure about those bolts fitting around the s-pipe. I wanted to by a new exhaust system this weekend, and planned on getting the APEX-R1 exhaust, but I've seen how low it hangs and I dont want to wait over a month to get it. So I will be next on the group buy list if someone can confirm that fitting on the downpipe. THANKS!

-Paul

Don't let the bolt issue stop you from getting a Vibrant. I would, however, lean on them to either go ahead and ship the revised design or give you a little break on the price. It was truly a PITA on my install...took hours longer than it needed to...and it shouldn't have to be that way...BUT, that thing otherwise fits like a glove. It hangs perfectly centered in the rear lip and looks awesome. Still don't know what it sounds like because I can't get my car started, but that's another thread entirely.

 

[haze20]

You can also do the Spark plug non fouler trick like I did so you don't throw a cel and don't have to extend the wires.

 

[Dr.Sound]

You can also do the Spark plug non fouler trick like I did so you don't throw a cel and don't have to extend the wires.

u still have to extend the wires.
non fouler is only to prevent too much gasses from reacing the tip of the O2 sensor. it shifts the sensor out 1/2 inch.

the bung is about 1 1/2 feel away further than the harness reaches.

 

[haze20]

I didn't have to extend my wires when I did mine.

 

[MrDiggler]

I didn't have to extend my wires when I did mine.

I don't see how it's possible. How 'bout some pics to illustrate how you were able to do this? You sure you didn't use the pre-cat bung? The post-cat bung would hardly allow for the O2 sensor to stick out any farther than it already does, at least on mine, and is way farther back than before, like Dr. Sound said.

Also, it turns out it doesn't fit "like a glove" as much as I initially thought. Mine bangs in the rear. I think I know why...not enough clearance where it passes by the lower control arm (I think, I need to get it back up on stands to double check). It sounds really deep and nasty, but I can already tell I'll likely wind up with the silencer in it. Way louder in the car than I expected. Oh well. I'll see if the Kartboy bushings will help any with the clearance problem as soon as I have time.

 

[haze20]

The kartboys take care of the banging. When you do the anti-fouler trick you use the pre-cat bung. It just tricks the o2 sensor to thinking its behind a cat. From what I understand it is only for emissions anyway.

 

[MSP608]

I just installed my system last night and lets just say its not the easiest thing in the world. You all will be real happy if you get their new version where the nuts can actually fit on the j pipe. That took a considerable amount of time to get right on mine. Extending the o2 sensor takes some time too thats if youre not doing a crappy job. Not to mention the bung for the sensor is placed at an odd angle right up into the heatshield/body whatever was there cant remember but the clearance is really tight. Another thing i didnt like about this system is that the muffler rests against the bumper and a sheetmetal piece in the rear, vibrating and melting the bumper over time. Going to mess with the hangers to see if i can make it sit lower. So it took me about 4 hrs and i still have to go back and try to make it fit perfectly. Sry for the long post but just sharing my experience with this system for those who plan on buying it.

 

[MoJoeTCM]

how many more slots are we looking to fill....i took off my perrin because i thought i was getting rid of my car, seems that i am keeping it one more year then selling....i might throw down for a slot since it is not that bad of a price...did they every remedy the cracking dps?

 

[byohndspeed]

havent heard any issues on cracking dp's. we need a few more people yet. if the people that are on the fence now would jump on, we would be real close.

 

[Jeph]

Isn't it J-pipe back, so there wouldn't be a downpipe? its basically a catted midpipe and a catback exhaust combined correct?