Right, I just bought my 04 on Aug 27 and of course I want to start doing some mods. I've listened to some video clips of what exhausts sound like and imo the HKS hi-power single exit sounds the best. I understand that it is not street legal but my question is, has anyone had any troubles driving with it? ie. has anyone been properly pulled over just because of it, or am I gonna be just fine driving on the street with it?

Its one of the loudest cat-back's out there... I've definitely heard of people getting pulled over for it. Where do you live? Some states are more lenient on sound.

a catback is not illegal.
the HKS hi power is under the DB requirements in CA.

The reason people get pulled over with it is becaues they're running midpipes as well which makes it extremely loud.

Actually, by most state laws, any modification to a car that isn't certified by a state approved inspector is illegal.

So yes any catback system not made originally by the manufacturor that was sold as oem equipment on the car can be considered illegal. Now most police officers won't even care, except when it comes to noise levels. Which if you read the how the law is written, is completely subjective. So hope you always get the nice officer!

So yes any catback system not made originally by the manufacturor that was sold as oem equipment on the car can be considered illegal.
not in CA. (and we the strictest emissions laws in the country)
It woud have to violate ca VC 27150


27150. (a) Every motor vehicle subject to registration shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained to prevent any excessive or unusual noise, and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

(b) Except as provided in Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000) with respect to off-highway motor vehicles subject to identification, every passenger vehicle operated off the highways shall at all times be equipped with an adequate muffler in constant operation and properly maintained so as to meet the requirements of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 27200), and no muffler or exhaust system shall be equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device.

(c) The provisions of subdivision (b) shall not be applicable to passenger vehicles being operated off the highways in an organized racing or competitive event conducted under the auspices of a recognized sanctioning body or by permit issued by the local governmental authority having jurisdiction.

Amended Ch. 558, Stats. 1977. Effective January 1, 1978. Supersedes Ch. 579.

it's a complicated law but in CA unless it's obnoxiously loud, the cat back is considered LEGAL.
Can you get pulled over for it? YES but that's a completely different law that deals with cracking down on illegal / stolen parts. Don't get me started on that one...

As someone that has driven MANY cars with loud to very loud exhaust..here is my take. Unless the cop spent the night on the couch, generally they wont bother you unless you are purposely making alot of noise at the wrong time.

Keep the revs down in the early AM hours. Dont try to put on a show at busy intersections. That local spot where the local street racers collect...yea, dont go there.

Guess CA has some different rules due to smog and pollution. They WANT you to keep your car up to date and in working order.

I guess we should probably figure out where the OP is located... :o:

Thanks for all the infoguys, really helpful. I live in Calgary Canada now but I'm moving to palm springs in January for golf school. I think I'm gonna get it, it sounds pretty mean, any vendor suggestions that ship to Canada?

I think almost all will. Just good luck with the exchange rate and extra shipping fees.

I've been running Racing Beat race pipe and catback, sounds wicked, shoots awesome flames (even on MM tune with good MPG), and wows everyone when you launch at redline.

I wouldnt worry about it unless your running a midpipe

you should be fine just dont go revving at 2am outside you exs house and youll be ok

I think almost all will. Just good luck with the exchange rate and extra shipping fees.

I've been running Racing Beat race pipe and catback, sounds wicked, shoots awesome flames (even on MM tune with good MPG), and wows everyone when you launch at redline.


YOU LAUNCH AT REDLINE?!

Are You mad?!

Dont complain when your tranny goes...

Also the HKS garners lots of unwanted attention due to the single exit and Ti tip... but it does look sexxy

True...... I'm running the HKS single HI power with the Racing beat midpipe and it is probably one of, if not, the loudest combo out there but it seems as if the exhaust noise can be controlled/muffled after awhile when driving at regular speeds but when I slam my foot down it sounds like I'm in the grand prix especially when I'm on the beltway. Cops don't bother me, if anything they just like looking at my car (knock on wood). I don't do random stupid shit when driving which also helps with unwanted attention.

I'm also running the HKS HiPower and RB midpipe...pretty loud most of the time. That's why I am getting ready to add a Vibrant resonator to the midpipe, not really to quite it down but to get rid of the raspyness and hopefully to cut down on the vibration from the heat shield under WOT.

That's why I am getting ready to add a Vibrant resonator to the midpipe..........

After that, you'll have an "a-HA" moment and want to send me a PM. ;)

^We'll see Ray. haha

I'm also running the HKS HiPower and RB midpipe...pretty loud most of the time. That's why I am getting ready to add a Vibrant resonator to the midpipe, not really to quite it down but to get rid of the raspyness and hopefully to cut down on the vibration from the heat shield under WOT.

You know, I never knew what the raspy part of the exhaust note would come from which was annoying while driving but when I get out and tell my girlfriend to drive,it would sound really loud.

i love my hks hi power cops never bug me i just pop the clutch in and it sounds like the engine is off. but i do get alot of sh*t form people next door and parents about pulling out cause its really loud getting up to speed then it quits down

I've had my car DB tested by the smog ref with the HKS hipower, it falls just short for the 95db limit with a silencer installed.

Well, I'm way over that since I'm running it with a midpipe...ohwell.

I was woundering which is the loudest dual exhaust

ive seen plenty of civic guys get pulls over for being too loud in houston.

I was woundering which is the loudest dual exhaust

Probably the Agency Power with their catless midpipe

I could be wrong though. But I've heard that one is extremely loud.

they're driving civics though. Cops EXPECT them to have stupid loud exhausts and all kinds of illegal / retarded mods.
our cars are a bit more subtle and not quite as notorious for that.

I laugh every time I see the title of this thread come up.

^ +1

I wouldn't buy it. Waste of money.

Make plans to buy and have installed in USA. Try Mazda Trix or Reliable Rotory.

I'm sure RR can get it and install it here in Santa Ana Ca.

Save some bucks

I'm installing a non resonated catless midpipe from rx7store.com next week on my greddy sp2. That should be nice and loud haha. We'll see how long it goes before I get pulled over. :)

When I was in search of a good exhaust, I also came up to this concern, basicly I ended buying the SP2 Greedy then later bought B&B midpipe, to be honest sounds just about right infront of the cops lol.. the sound is not that loud nor too low, I might be able to post a video on youtube but if I do I'll want to compare with another RX8 with a diferent exhaust set up than mine

i'm located in SoCal and i had the hks hi power for almost 6 months, and never got any trouble for it.
as long as you don't attract attention to yourself by keeping the car in the low rpms you should be ok. however it is quite obvious that you have an aftermarket because of the single exit.

it still is my favorite sounding exhaust, and defitnely well worth it.

Im living in the bay area around oakland. cops know their stuffs.. but i do happen to run greddy sp2 catback with a ap midpipe haha i must say it is really loud. i always set off car alarms but i mean go for it! haha. my buddy in pleasonton area the cops there are really strict he got pulled over with a agency power catback but with a cat on.

a catback is not illegal.
the HKS hi power is under the DB requirements in CA.

The reason people get pulled over with it is becaues they're running midpipes as well which makes it extremely loud.

Many states dont even allow aftermarket exhaust... depends where u live :banghead:

Many states dont even allow aftermarket exhaust... depends where u live :banghead:

and i hear that if you run 87 octane the rotary makes more power, but the rx8 ecu is smart.

but what do i know? ;)

beers :beer:

^;)

The cops in San Jose love my BHR mid pipe + Mazdaspeed exhaust, have zero issues with getting pulled over... ask me how i know ;)

The cops in San Jose love my BHR mid pipe + Mazdaspeed exhaust, have zero issues with getting pulled over... ask me how i know ;)

wow im surprised! ur in the 408 too. there pretty strict over there.

Now I wont bother driving through Milpitas late at night.. but the San Jose PD is pretty relaxed.

After that, you'll have an "a-HA" moment and want to send me a PM. ;)

Ray, I got that reso installed...I like the way it turned out! Got rid of the raspyness like I wanted and still loud like I wanted it. I've got a small vibration between 4200-4600 when cold but once warmed up nicely it is pure heaven. Heading to the VIR next weekend, I'll try and get some video of me out on track.

The HKS Hi-power is my favorite exhaust for this car... It sounds amazing with the RB non-resonated midpipe, but its certainly very loud. I occasionally get pulled over and harassed for it, but in general I keep it quiet in residential areas and coast into my neighborhood when I come home at late hours. Now, I didn't have the HKS exhaust before my turbo, so I'm not sure how loud the exhaust and a midpipe would be without a turbo to muffle it. Probably obnoxiously loud.

I'll take some sound clips this coming weekend when I'm at the track and show you how loud it is even with a single reso installed. ;)