Hi guys,

A few of you have expressed your interest, and I am now dead keen to get some really nice sounding RX-8 exhausts out there, now that Wildcard's one is a success:

http://rx8.hymee.com/catback2.jpg
http://rx8.hymee.com/catback1.jpg

What I need to do is get enough numbers so I can get 10 cat-backs made up. So I need to get an idea from who is interested. You can choose aluminised mild steel (about $400 - $500) or stainless steel (about $800 - $900). Delivery time will be about 4-6 weeks from now. If it looks like it is a go I will ask for deposits (in due course) to get things going.

Hopefully the popular Hymee Grill Kits have shown that only quality products come from the House of Hymee, and I haven't run away with anyones money! So I plan to take the next step, and offer this fantastic Catback. (An other batch of grills is on the way.)

I need to work out freight costs for non-locals. I sent a full V8 dual exhaust for a Commondore to Melbourne (ex BNE) for $80 last year as a guide. International orders welcome as well.

Please support the local RX-8 development. Success with this project will benefit us further down the track as it will pave the way for the "Hymee Mid Pipe" and the "Hymee Headers". Don't forget about the "Hymee Tune" and also the OBDII work I am persuing. These cars will be awesome with a full complementary package of bolt-on mods like this.

Cheers,
Hymee.

BTW, I can't really "advertise" much, but I am organising my own paid forum sponsorship so this is cool. Look out for the Hymee banner soon on you favourite forum! And you can visit Hymee's Bar and Grill at http://rx8.hymee.com for my all-too-quickly-wacked-together webpage. If anyone wants to tart it up for me...

just how "loud" are we talking about by the way?

and what's Mazda's position on the cat changes? will they void anything warranty wise?

I'm sure that even having put the car on my AMEX to extend the warranty won't save me if the cat's are frowned upon by Mazda.

Oh - and don't give up your software engineering rold for Web Design * grin * - and go register at http://ads.websearch.com.au and setup a sponsor listing "ad" and punch in all the car and rx8 and related keywords you can dream up and I'll credit it $20 for $free for fun..

* grin *

Yeah - I know my web is crap for now. I just wanted to put something simple there... Geez - you mean you want high quality grills, catbacks AND a good website?

Good questions though, Dez.

Wildcard posted his views on the sound in a separate thread. Barely noticible at idle - it just give you a hint it is there. (In fact we initially thought it might have been too quite when we first started it.) No drone at cruise. Not much louder then stock on cruise and partial throttle openings. Open it up and it sounds the goods. And I know what a bad/loud exhaust sounds like. It is not a buzz box ricer exhaust. Sorry, but it is not "foowly sick, man".

As far as warranty goes - It is up to everyone to satisfy themselves in this area, but I will give you my real world experience:

I asked my service manager, and he was cool with putting a new exhaust on the RX-8. Part of personalizing your car. Obviously, the Mazda warranty won't cover the new exhuast, or any consequential damage that an "exhaust failure" might cause. That is the responsibility of the aftermarket supplier. It is no different than putting a RYCO oil cooler or air cleaner in instead of the Mazda part. Exactly the same. Obviously we need to take car with heat sheilding etc. As a matter of fact, Wildcard reports the temps in his boot have dropped noticibly since his Hymee Catback was fitted.

Heaps of MX-5's have exhausts. And the service guys at Mazda serviced Wildcards car just days after his exhaust was fitted, and they all liked it. Seemed like everyone from the Sales Manager down to the mechanics commented to me.

Every man and his dog has put a full exhuast system on there Commodores. I had mine into Holden for warranty work (clutch replacement), and the only comments I got about the exhaust were how it was such a good system, and how nice it sounded.

As far as the mid-pipe and the cats go, the aim is for a fully emissions compliant high-flow setup. I was talking only just today to the cat supplier's rep. about the cats themselves. Very helpful guy he was. And he used to have the nickname of "Hyman". Can you believe that!

Cheers,
Hymee.

hee hee - I live by scary standards * grin *, love the web site - really I do!

so with the whole noise issue touched on, what's the word on performance benefit?

++dez;

ps: you should be getting some sleep!

Until we finalise the best way to bypass "safe mode" on the dyno we won't know. But Wildcard's "after" run really started to take off, compared to the "before", just as the flipping safe mode ruined everything.

The safe mode bypass is another project we are onto, here in the House of Hymee. We put a CRO on the wheel sensors the other night to see what is going on. We think we have theorised the correct solution, but we haven't tried it in practice yet.

Cheers,
Hymee.

PS - I'll go to bed soon. I am just trying to catch up with all your replies you keep catching up on!

HYMEE

Count me in for hymee exhaust.

Having been fortunate enough to see hear and be a passenger in wilcards RX8 i can independently report my findings.

Sound , great sporty not ricey just right.

Linda lovelace style deep and throaty ( kev i thought youd like that) get back to your cold shower.he he he

Workmanship . As usual top notch looks awesome dans is stainless steel.

Hymee will exhaust be provided in 3 inch configaration as well as (2.5 as dans)

I would want different exhaust tips as well .

Havent decided as yet as to stainless or mild steel still thinking.hmmmmmmm.

How will this exhaust stand up to maurices stage 2 mod. ????

Cheers
michael

L&L,

Lots of good questions. :)

2.5 or 3" With the stock mid pipe & cats & collector being all 2.5", there is nothing to be gained from 3" intermediate pipe. A 3" pipe is freeking huge, and there are a number of reasons not to go there just yet. There is such a thing as being "over exhausted". Ric Shaw advised me that 2.5" was about right. Perhaps it might be required with forced induction. For now I think we will stick with 2.5" We can always change the intermediate pipe for a 3" one later if desired, without any real dramas. It will be the least expensive thing to change at a later date.

Tips... What sort do you want? I'm trying to get the best system with the best tips. Bulk buying helps with economies of scale. I'm sure we can come to an arrangement though.

Stainless looks nicer, and will last longer. Aluminised steel is cheaper. I might get mine done in aluminised to keep the inital costs of jigging down. I really like Wildcard's in stainless. It looks mint.

From my understanding, the Stage 2 mod needs a higher-flow, higher temp cat. That is the plan for the our mid-pipe. I can only see the new exhaust complimenting any ECU mods. I'll talk to Maurice.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hi Hymee,

Im in for aluminised steel cat back.

Regards
Dale

In for a grill, so I guess I should be in for a cat!

But I'm really keen to learn more about the performance benefits outside it's "linda lovelace" qualities..

++dez;

The aluminium mild steel... comes with the same 4" polished tips, no? :D

Oh, and how hard is it to fit? Kinda thing a novice could manage (with the high quality Hymee instructions again ;)) or need a pro?

If we can see some real performance gains (5-7 kw) for this exhaust I'm in but I don't want to pay just for a good noise. Otherwise maybe I should buy some speakers for the back of my car like L & L was talking about in another thread.

Originally posted by pepe
The aluminium mild steel... comes with the same 4" polished tips, no? :D

Oh, and how hard is it to fit? Kinda thing a novice could manage (with the high quality Hymee instructions again ;)) or need a pro?

The same 4" polished SS tips for both the Aluminised and the Stainless.

It is a bolt off / bolt up fitment. Possibly easier to do than the grill kit. A hoist would be handy, but you could do it with a jack and some stands, and a couple of spanners. No holes to drill, either :) Bolted flange at each end of the intermediate pipe, and uses the same slip-on rubber hangers as the stock system. And a small earth strap to connect.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Originally posted by rx8 - smooth!
If we can see some real performance gains (5-7 kw) for this exhaust I'm in but I don't want to pay just for a good noise. Otherwise maybe I should buy some speakers for the back of my car like L & L was talking about in another thread.

5-7 kW is difficult to accurately quantify, but we will do our best to be able to give good results when we get the dyno safe mode issue dealt with.

All I can say it would be hard to make it much less restrictive than what we have made. The splitter is mandrel bent, the mufflers have straight through mandrel bent perfs. I am also looking at doing mandrel bent intermediate pipe and tail pipes if that can help out a little, but the difference should be minimal at then end of the system.

This is just the first part of a package. The real gains should be made when we get some synergy happening, the different bolt ons all working together.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hey Hymee,

I'm interested in stainless with tips that look nothing like the tips L&L wants ( joking :) ). Seriously, I'd be happy with the picture at the top of this thread.

My preference is for an exhaust not that doesn't intrude under low loads in the lower rev range.

Kev.

PS How's L&L's custom back seat spa coming along :)

What exciting times we live in... Car of the Year, the Hymee cat-back orderbook open, and CZ's first Aussie ECU with a report - all in 24 hours!

As we have discussed before, Mark, I'm in for the Aluminised with 4" Magnaflow SS tips, plus grille.

Congratulations on getting the exhaust to market: now for your ECU developments and mid-pipe.

jack

i'd be interested in mild steel, polished tips no larger than stock however, Cant drive around like a rice "hoon" and dont want to.

A sporty level of DB would be nice, just to let people know its a little warm!

C'mon Kas - Those tips are not rice. And the car does not sound like rice. I could almost take offence to that ;)

Do you want to re-use your stock tips? Could ship without, and get your choice welded on locally. Every "custom" order really makes it harder to keep costs down for everyone else. But we can be flexible to some extent.

Cheers,
Hymee :D

sorry if you've taken offence, but my pc speakers arnt working so i have no idea what it sounds like from the other post =)


What size diff is there in the tips?

No offence taken. I said almost. I came from V8 land to this place, so for me to "make rice" would be very bad form indeed!

I don't think the sound files do justice anyway, but I do appreciate people wanting to here it for themselves. I'll see what I can do. Perhaps some better quality mics might be the way to go. WIldcard did a lot of videos when he was up here. Since then he has been studying hard at a "special" course for his work. It is a bit like a "Top Gun" course he is doing, but more aligned at his line of work, rather than Tom Cruise's!

The tips on the Hymee Catback are 4" OD. The ID starts at just under 4" at the outlet, then tapers down to just over 2.5" for the connection to the tail pipes.

They fill the opening in the rear bumper quite well, with a uniform gap between the tips and the plastic. Looks like the ones the designer wanted berfore the accountant got the red pen out!

Cheers,
Hymee.

I guess I should throw in my 2 cents here....

I have been living with my Hymee exhaust for over a month now and I am still totally happy with it. Every time I approach the car from the rear, I can't help but look at the tips with admiration. They fill the space in the bumper perfectly IMO. I also can't help but have a quiet chuckle to myself now whenever I am out and I see another RX-8 with standard tips. They just don't look right next to mine. (Please don't take offence anyone - If you like the stock tips then that's fine, but I am sure that L&L or Hymee would agree that when you put my car side by side with another '8, the stock tips look a bit puny).

Sound is perfect, as per my previous comments.

Performance is at least equal to stock, probably slightly better. As we know, the stock system is already quite good, and 5-7kW is about the maximum you could hope to gain from this level of modification. 5kW is pretty hard to feel with your butt, so until the dyno problem is fixed, all that can be said is that Hymee's design is about as free flowing as you could make it, hence it should be making as much power as is possible without going to the next step of changine cats etc.

Dyno results are subjective too. You really need to use the same car under the same conditions and do before & after tests. Hymee and I both Dyno'd our stock RX-8's back to back and got different power outputs. (113 for Hymee, 109 for me).

It's not all about power either. Hell, body kits add nothing to performance, but that doesn't stop people from forking out big bucks to make there car look better or more individual. A cat-back exhaust gives you looks and a sweet sound to boot.

Wildcard,

That was such a nice posting that I want to go and get one myself, right now ;)

Someone has already asked me why I don't have one... I suppose it looks a bit silly not having your own product fitted. I think it speaks volumes though that an othewise complete stranger (i.e. Wildcard) had enough trust in me to have one fitted to his car.

The plan was to make a jig of Wildcards, but it will now have to be off of mine, when I get it done. Partly why I mentioned about 1 month till the first ones get done. I hope y'all can be patient!

Cheers,
Hymee.

I don't think the crappy quality sound files I posted really did the exhaust the justice it deserves. Hopefully my words did.

The underbody pictures look about 1000% better than that borla people were going ape over.

I think you'd better hit the Mazda dealers with a pristine fit on your car, it's an aftermarket area they haven't got covered and one the need to consider.

Ok Hymee, i'm in. 2.5" mild steel. Cant go wrong for $400 or so dollars!

Can u work out shipping to Melb, Hint: use TNT!

oh, and 1 more thing. I'd also be in for the mid-pipe with trick sensor, so i'm assuming the 2 products will go together like a glove on a hand!

Kas,

When I do the mid-pipe it won't need the "fake" sensor, as we will re-use the existing rear O2 sensor. It will also have suitable a hi-performance cat in it, so it can be street legal.

I'm thinking about an optional resonator as well, just in-case folks think it is getting too loud.

Thanks for support on this guys. I'll send emails soon to all who have expressed interest. It will be great having our own home-grown exhaust. Just look at the problems/ mounting costs etc Wildcard faced.

Cheers,
Hymee.

just quietly, i'd prefer a straight pipe. but lets see whats on offer when it comes time.

OK. I won't tell anyone if you don't ;) ;)

Thanks all for your support on this so far.

I am in a bit of a bind, and need some input.

Firstly, I have modified the design so we don't need to replace the standard intermediate pipe (the last one before the muffler assy). It is 2.5" mandrel bent stainless steel. Most people wanted aluminised, and I couldn't see any point in taking a perfectly good stock pipe off, and replacing it with a 2.5" aluminised press bent pipe. Also, the best size for the mid-pipe & intermediate pipe has yet been determined. Perhaps we are going a bit too fast. The revised design I envisiged consisted of a flanged adaptor and would allow the use of the stock intermediate pipe, until such time as we know what the best size is for the "front" of the exhaust - when we go for headers. At that stage the stock intermediate pipe could be removed, and a new intermediate pipe/adaptor put in, leaving the "Hymee Muffler" assembly in place. It is dual 2.5 inch pipes, which is more than the cross sectional area of a single 3" pipe.

Secondly, I reviewed the responses to this thread. So far the tally looks like:

Aluminised - 4
Stainless - 2
Unsure - 1

Plus a US enquiry via PM, and a couple of enquiry's via Hymee mail. Also, one Mazda dealer seemed interested. That is not really a definate 10 though.

Thirdly, people want dyno results, and rightly so. I have not posted any yet until we are confident we have a repeatable, consistent way to bypass safe mode. We will be testing this tomorrow hopefully. But to be honest, the power gains in the "catback" section of the exhuast are marginal at best. The look and sound is the benefit. Experts I speak to seem to believe the real gains will come from the front of the exhaust - the headers and the mid-pipe. When you do change what is up front, you dont want the back to be the restriction. I believe the muffler assembly as pictured is about as least restrictive as one can go without using a straight peice of pipe, and keeping the noise to a acceptable level. Therefore the "Hymee rear mufflers" would compliment anything up-front.

My car is/was to have the new system installed Wednesday. We would then be taking the system off so we can make a jig, and "mass produce them" for you guys.

I have not asked for any deposits yet, 'cause I have not given a firm price, nor a got any quotes on shipping. But the price should not work out more than what I have indicated. In reality, I can't get firm numbers until I get deposits. Money talks.

I need to make a decision whether to proceed, but I hoping for input from the community that the decision affects - you.

Who is prepared to make a deposit, of say $100? If I only get 5 deposits, that will at least cover some costs, and help justify making a jig and the first small number.

Who thinks it is better to wait a while, and see what we learn from more exhaust development?

Who just wants a good system that sounds good for now, and trust it will complement the "front end" in the future?

Who thinks I should just cancel the whole thing for now?

I would appreciate your feedback.

Cheers,
Hymee.

I'm interested in the cat back, but have not voiced it yet. Hymee, as you have said, cat back power gains are minimal, it is the sound quality that counts. I drive a VERY LOUD MX5 as my daily driver, and it gets a bit much sometimes, the exhaust system was bought without hearing it. MY RX7 remains stock, the sound is pleasant as it is. The RX8 is too quiet. I had my partner overtake me last week on the way back from it's first service. There are no doubts it needs more dB out of the exhaust. My concern is I don't want to make it like my MX5. So I guess my order will have to wait until I can hear it.

Frustrating isn't it Hymee....

Did you say you were overtaken ........ SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!

Hymee,

I am willing to pay the deposit up front if only to assist in furthering the whole exhaust development process. (Hey, it has to start from somewhere and I believe you are an essential person who can aid in the continual development process).

Yes, I would like to see further exhaust developments before changing my exhaust but if we all sit back and wait for money to fall out of the sky when we can be supporting a key person (Hymee) we could end up waiting a long time.

So for the sake of funding at least the initial Jig, count me in for an aluminised steel system.

Joe

Joe,

Thanks for your public support.

And I must stress that I will only be "aiding" the development process. The actual work on that will be done by someone emminently more qualified to do that research and development than myself, with all the proper skills and resources at hand.

Perhaps if people are concerned about the outlay, we could all go for the aluminised system instead of the stainless - other than those who already trust me and have what it takes to go straight to stainless! :) Such as Hymee Catback #001 himself - Mr. Wildcard :D

Cheers,
Hymee.

Originally posted by pricer01
Did you say you were overtaken ........ SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!

I was in the MX5 (she refuses to drive it) she was in the RX8

I fell victim to the same 'i wont drive it' trick. before investing in the RX8, I had a Mirage (Mitusbichi not Jet!) for commuting. It was a manual and my wife refused to drive it (manual hard on the knees ...) Somehow since the 8's arrival, the knee pain seems much less of an issue! GO FIGURE!?!?!?!?!?

Back on Topic ... Apologies Professor H.

I'm also a touch reluctant based mostly on my lack of understanding of the issues .. I too would be willing to contribute an early deposit if it helps the process

My MX5 is not quite stock. VERY LOUD, very low, racing clutch which is extremely heavy, Koni's and Kmacs all the way round, and large sway bars front and rear, all adding up to a kidney jarring ride. It is very tiring driving it long distances. I can't blame her for not wanting to drive it, especially with the option of an RX8 and a series 7 RX7.

The reason I have chosen Steel is that Manufactures only started using Stainless when the warranty was incresed to 3 year 100/kms. In my experience, I have never kept a vehicle long enought to have the exhaust rust on me and I do not like the "tinny rattling sound" (exhaust gases "ping ponging" on the extremely smooth interior surface) which eminates from stainless steel exhaust pipes.

Hence, I cannot justify the additional cost of stainless on my RX-8 or any other previous cars that I have owned! (All previous cars have had exhaust modifications (at least 20 out of the 42 of them! - even my current Hilux 2.7 ute has a modified exhaust!).

what are the exact issues?

is the exhaust mandrel bent ? if its not then you'd need 3" to compensate for the restrictions around the bends. and then 3" gets louder.

making no more power? read around, you wouldnt be the first to make no more if not less power. Butt dyno's are nothing for me. I also feel that the louder sound creates a fasle sense of speed/power.

i'd be happy to pay a deposit, i know you and your work will be top notch and whatever you do is strictly for the benefit of rx8 drivers and developments.

On the other hand, do we all wait until the dyno issue is properly resolved and we have true numbers to work with?

As much as i want the sound a bit louder and more power, i'b be a bit dissapointed with an exhaust for show only. go before show.

still thinking.. at the same time, its only $450.

Joe,

My appologies - my "have what is takes" remark was not pointed at you or anyone else. I for one have never had a stainless system on any of my cars. And the system I get for the jig will be aluminised.

Kas,

The intermediate pipe is now going to be the stock mandrel bent pipe, at 2.5" (full reasons as per the earlier posting).

The stock tailpipes are 2.25" from memory, and the new ones are 2.5". 2.5" will be adequate for even if development dictates a 3" mid and intermediate pipe - 2 x 2.5" pipes have heaps more cross-sectional area than a single 3" pipe. And the mufflers have an internal 2.5" mandrel bent perforated pipe.

As for power etc, I am under no illusions. Testing will tell. This is just one component of a complete exhaust. Traditionally power comes from up front, and the note from down the back. Some people might just want the note and the tuff looking tips. Some might want to take it to the next step. So this caters for whatever people choose, hopefully.

Remember all the drooling over the Borla. How much was it going to cost Wildcard to land one here - $1500! He is wrapped with what we did for him, and I bet him and his wallet are glad.

Anyway - I'm glad I have sparked a bit more interest. Otherwise Wildcard might end up with the only "Hymee Catback" on earth! That will truly be clasified as a Hymee Special!

Cheers,
Hymee.

Where do send my $100?

I have noted elsewhere my absolute faith in Hymee, and want my exhaust soon. So let's send round the hat.

jack.

To save posting my account details directly on the forum, please send an HymeEmail to hymee@hymee.com and I will reply with the details for exhaust deposits.

Cheers,
Hymee.

any final figures yet?

i'll put a deposit down should i get a stronger indication of price. Need to start watching my cents =)

thanks Hymee

The "master" will be made tomorrow, thanks mainly to some faithfull supporters willing to pay a deposit. Thanks jax8 and NT Rotor Head! You will be the very first 2!

Tonight I did 4 runs with my MR Dyno. The average of the 4 runs is posted here. The ambient temp was 21-22 deg. C.

http://rx8.hymee.com/images/mrdynobeforeexhaust.png

Interestingly, I am down about 10kW from my last testing with L&L. Also, my car was on the Dyno yesterday to test "Safe Mode" things, and it consistently pulled 180HP at the wheels, which is about 140kW. That is consistent with the MR Dyno I published in my report on initial stage 1 testing.

http://rx8.hymee.com/images/dyno run 3a.jpg

(More on this safe mode thing in another thread, I'll post in Tech Garage. We did about 16 runs, and it consistently laid down this curve. Absolutley consistently.)

So where is 10kW? I don't know... I refueled this morning, the road was slightly wet (very slightly), I entered the wrong weight (1445kg tonight), different day, HIGH HUMIDITY <---- they might all add up. Anyway, I'll do another after the cat-back (not expecting anything really), and also do a proper dyno in more controlled conditions, and post the results.

Cheers,
Hymee

The guy im buying my RX-8 from (private) said its fitted with a catback exhaust system, (not sure what it was thow). Interesting

if you don't mind, how much are you paying, it would be nice to know what they are fetching on the 2nd hand market

Well its coming with the car along with different rims.

its got most of the accessories such as side skirts front air dam etc...

with leather pack $60000

secondhand

15000kms on it
i thought it was a fair deal

$2300 on transfer fees then off i go

Sounds like good buying, Ageo. Let us know what exhaust is fitted after you take delivery.
Where will the car be living? (Some of you guys are very cagey about giving any personal info in your profile.)
Welcome,jack

Slightly back on topic...

The "Master" has been built with the new design, and it is on my car for a few days, then we take it off to get a jig made of it. That will happen over the next week or so, and then the first orders can be filled.

The new design allows the use of the existing "intermediate pipe". It is 2.5" (actually 63.5mm) mandrel bent stainless steel from the factory, and I was not comfortable replacing it with a press bent 2.5" pipe. The muffler assembly is as per the pictures posted of Wildcard's prototype. There is a new adaptor peice, which is a short, straight length of 2.5" pipe that has a bolt-up flange on the rear end to connect to the muffler assembly, and a U-bolted slip joint to connect to the rear end of the intermediate pipe. The slip joint uses the factory U-Bolt. The short adaptor pipe permits the replacement of the intermediate pipe at a future date with a larger one if research and development deems this necessary, while being able to re-use the muffler assembly.

We did some work to "thicken" up the ends of the tips. Very subtle though. Sorry L&L - you can't get truncated rolled ends in Stainless, but chrome is OK.

Pricing has been finalised. (Hooray!)

Stainless Steel System $750 + shipping
Consisting of:

1 x Stainless Steel 2.5" flanged adaptor pipe.
2 x Polished Stainless Steel mufflers. Double wrapped and TIG welded. Mandrel bent internal 2.5" tubing.
1 x Stainless Steel Y piece, 2.5" Outlets, Mandrel Bent and flanged front end.
2 x 2.5" Stainless Steel Tail Pipes.
2 x 4" Stainless Steel Tips, Double Wall, truncated ("Magna-flow" style, as per the photo's)
1 x flange gasket
Nuts/bolts/washers/spring washers for flange joint.


Mild Steel / Aluminised System $450 + shipping
Consisting of:

1 x Aluminised Mild Steel 2.5" flanged adaptor pipe.
2 x Aluminised Mild Steel mufflers. Double wrapped. Mandrel bent internal 2.5" tubing.
1 x Mild Steel Y piece, 2.5" Outlets, Mandrel Bent and flanged front end.
2 x 2.5" Aluminised Mild Steel Tail Pipes.
2 x 4" Stainless Steel Tips, Double Wall, truncated ("Magna-flow" style, as per the photo's)
1 x flange gasket
Nuts/bolts/washers/spring washers for flange joint.

Here is a couple of photos of it on my (unwashed :() car:

http://rx8.hymee.com/images/StainlessTip.jpg

http://rx8.hymee.com/images/AluminisedMufflers.jpg

Looks tuff. Sounds nice, no drone, all what has been said before.

It also passed the noise meter test. It was 86 - 88dB at 6000RPM (3/4 RPM of Max Power). The limit is 90dB.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee

Could you please explain?

As your new designed exhaust system uses the existing stock standard "intermediate pipe". How come considering that there seems to be a lot less materials and labour involved in this new design. However the price is the same as your first design where the intermediate pipe was totally changed.

Surley using the stock standard intermediate pipe and not replacing it should have lowered the price of the new designed exhaust not kept it at the same price as before?

Cheers

Michael

Hi Hymee,

The underbody pic a couple of posts up looks a little low from the angle taken - I'm interested in the clearance ... particularly if and lowering goes on :)

Now that you've done you baseline dyno, are you going to do a with/without on your new exhaust?

cheers,

Kev.

Originally posted by Lock & Load
Hymee

Could you please explain?

As your new designed exhaust system uses the existing stock standard "intermediate pipe". How come considering that there seems to be a lot less materials and labour involved in this new design. However the price is the same as your first design where the intermediate pipe was totally changed.

Surley using the stock standard intermediate pipe and not replacing it should have lowered the price of the new designed exhaust not kept it at the same price as before?

Cheers

Michael

L&L,

I have not posted a final price anywhere, so I can't understand what you mean when you say I should have lowered the price. Are you saying I'm not charging enough for the stainless steel system?

The facts are:

[list=a]
The Mild Steel system is no dearer than I indicated originally, nor when I announced the change of design.
The Stainless Steel system is $150 cheaper than the upper limit of the price range I indicated on 2 previous occasions.
The new design consists of 1 less component - a $20 flange plate.
The new design weighs less. The stock intermediate pipe is 1.6mm SS, whereas the prototype was 2.0mm SS, and you can feel the difference. I have a junked prototype here (it split in the machine), and you can feel the difference just buy picking it up.
The retail price of the tips is considerable more than what the initial costing was. We have done our best to purchase these at a more attractive price.
[/list=a]

Cheers,
Hymee.

Originally posted by Kev
Hi Hymee,

The underbody pic a couple of posts up looks a little low from the angle taken - I'm interested in the clearance ... particularly if and lowering goes on :)

Now that you've done you baseline dyno, are you going to do a with/without on your new exhaust?

cheers,

Kev.

Kev,

The question on ground clearance is a very good one, and I hope to provide an equally good answer.

The lowest point on the exhaust is just before the U-bolt bracket where it connects to the muffler. This is right at a bend in the pipe that angles upwards towards the muffler. This is apparent in the underbody photo I posted this evening. The standard intermediate pipe is still hanging on it's orginal bracket and rubber. It may look low in the photo, as the bottom of the new mufflers sit considerable higher than the stock one. Perhaps the orientation of the photo make it look more pronounced. Look how the buttom of the mufflers sit up almost inside the heat shields. And the boot does stay cooler!

Regarding dynoing, yes I plan on doing a MR Dyno run tonight, and I plan for a chassis dyno in the near future.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Originally posted by Hymee
L&L,

I have not posted a final price anywhere, so I can't understand what you mean when you say I should have lowered the price. Are you saying I'm not charging enough for the stainless steel system?

The facts are:

[list=a]
The Mild Steel system is no dearer than I indicated originally, nor when I announced the change of design.
The Stainless Steel system is $150 cheaper than the upper limit of the price range I indicated on 2 previous occasions.
The new design consists of 1 less component - a $20 flange plate.
The new design weighs less. The stock intermediate pipe is 1.6mm SS, whereas the prototype was 2.0mm SS, and you can feel the difference. I have a junked prototype here (it split in the machine), and you can feel the difference just buy picking it up.
The retail price of the tips is considerable more than what the initial costing was. We have done our best to purchase these at a more attractive price.
[/list=a]

Cheers,
Hymee.

HYMEE

In your own words .(3 POSTS ABOVE THIS ONE UNLESS I HAVE GONE BLIND)

"Pricing has been finalised (HOORAY)"

Stainless steel system $750 + shipping

Mild steel /Aluminium system $450 + shipping.

The point that i am tryng to make is that the price for the mild steele system has stayed the same as u had previously posted at $ 450 , this price in my opinion should now be LESS than previously as you are now NOT replacing the" intermediat pipe "but are keeping this stock standard .

In your 1st design
you did not keep the "intermediatery pipe "but replaced it with a new one now in your new design you are Keeping the stock intermediate pipe however your pricing is the same?????????.

Your price for the stainless stell one has DROPPED by $ !00 FROM A PREVIOUS $ 850 TO A NOW $ 750 (no complaints here ) however your mild steele pricing has stayed the same as before WHY????.

michael

Michael,

I never published any finalised pricings previously, only estimates.

Since I have never published the price, how can you say it has changed? And why should I have to justify the cost? I have tried to get something good and affordable to help like minded enthusiasts out here. I'm not concerned if people choose to go to a muffler shop and take their chances.

Hymee.

Good news for those who like figures...

Until I get back on the Dyno, here are the on-road figures I obtained with the MR Dyno. Temps the same at 21-22 degrees. Same tank of fuel.

40 - 105 km/h, 2nd gear, average of 4 runs in opposite directions

Completely standard: 5.72 seconds.

New rear muffler assy: 5.53 seconds.

http://rx8.hymee.com/images/RX8MRDynoCatBackBeforeAndAfter.jpg

That is a controlled environment as I can get with my own equipment. I am keen to see if the Chassis Dyno tells the same story.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Originally posted by Hymee
Michael,

I never published any finalised pricings previously, only estimates.

Since I have never published the price, how can you say it has changed? And why should I have to justify the cost? I have tried to get something good and affordable to help like minded enthusiasts out here. I'm not concerned if people choose to go to a muffler shop and take their chances.

Hymee.

Hymee

No one doubts that you are working for the good of the RX8 and the enthuisiast rx8 forum members and no one begrudges you making a profit.

Ok i will conseed your pricing has not changed only your estimates of the pricing have .

I feel my questions were quite justifiable under the changed exhaust circumstances , considering that we are using part of the old exhaust for your new design .

Maybe i should not ask so many questions ???

As my modifications of the RX8 are not totally clear in what direction they may go in at this stage i will opt to keep my original exhaust for the time being.

If our mutual friend decides to tune my car and add extra tuning to it i may have the need for a different set up , to cope with extra heat in the system .(i certainly hope that this takes place our overseas friend is going to call him)

cheers
michael

Michael,

They should actualy end up being cheaper in the end, as the shipping should now be less.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Jax the car will be living in Sydney

ill post some pics when i get it

Ageo, nice photo mate. Well of the boat, and a seagull's head. The bottom of the image does not seem to come through. I've nothing against pictures of cars, or discussions about buying or selling, but try and keep the thread on topic ;)

Interesting that no one has commented on the MR Dyno results. Hopefully will be re-dynoing on Saturday. Fingers crossed :)

Cheers,
Hymee.

Sry bout that Hymee didnt mean to send that pic through.

Originally posted by Ageo
Sry bout that Hymee didnt mean to send that pic through.

Ageo,

No harm done. Don't worry about it!

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee,

132kW stock on the Dyno. Gotta be happy with that. I'm interested to see how the new exhaust goes. Nice results on the MR Dyno too. Looooove those tips!

Thanks Wildy.

I'm booked in tomorrow moring at the same dyno to get the "after" done on the revised cat back.

Next time you come to Brisbane, bring your intermediate pipe, and we'll see if we "update" your system to the released spec. Gratias of course!

It is hard to tell the difference between the sound of your stainless system, and the mild steel one. If anything, your one is slightly louder. But that is all pretty subjective.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee you wouldnt happen to have a mpeg of your exhaust on how to it sounds would you? that would be mostly appreciated if you could post a link on here.

thanks

I'll see if I can make a decent recording with my laptop for y'all.

Thanks alot for that

Can you really feel the difference in power and is it noisy

without going on a dyno what does the car managmnent system have to say about the exhaust

Originally posted by KIMBA
Can you really feel the difference in power and is it noisy

The dyno showed 2kW. I couldn't sit here and say truthfully you could feel 2 kW. If I did, I would be lying, and worse, I would lose credibility.

We never though the catback would yeild much by itself. Couple with other improvements, it should all work together. Other improvments are just going to happen in good time, with appropriate r&d.

It sounds sportier. It is about as loud as you can legally go. Most V8's are probably a lot louder than legal. I reckon it is a little quiter than my SS was. Almost same as stock at idle, just a little burblier.

I did some sound recordings just now, and I'll post them soon.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Originally posted by KIMBA
without going on a dyno what does the car managmnent system have to say about the exhaust

Can you elaborate on what you are asking? I can plug into the ODBII and get readings if that is what you are asking. I get no MILs (Malfunction Indicator Lamps)

Cheers,
Hymee.

Here are some MP3 files I recorded. I just used my laptop without any special microphone. So it is just whatever crappy one is in it, via a teeny little hole.


Start and Idle with a small throttle blip (521KB) (http://rx8.hymee.com/sounds/start_idle.mp3)

Short drive with windows down (738KB) (http://rx8.hymee.com/sounds/driving_windows_down.mp3)

Start, bigger throttle blips, 1st gear drive by (917KB) (http://rx8.hymee.com/sounds/drive_by.mp3)

Best to "Save As..." them to your hard drive.

Raw recordings, converted to MP3 format. No editing done to tart them up.

They sounded crappy on the laptop speakers, pretty good on my Sony noise cancelling headset, but very good on the desktop's speaker system.

I need to work out a better drive by, with a better take off, and a better driveby point.

Enjoy!

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee,

No regrets at all now. I like it. To me, it is better than the current stock exhaust sound that I have!

After all it the feeling that comes with the sound that I like.

When I want an arse tearing car again I will buy another HSV!

Joe

very nice hymee thanks alot of for that.

if you have anymore or doing anymore i would be more than happier to save them and pass it around.

cheers

Hey Hymee, I'm interested in your exhaust system.

Can you drop us a line on spsealsolutions@bigpond.com to arrange all the admin.

Cheers mate, look forward to having a chat

Nice sound! Venturing towards the Italian rorty, I sense ;)

Hymee... I once said I thought your RX-8 sounded quieter than mine... well not any more ;) Looking forward to playing this on my big mother speakers at home that go down to 25hz :D

Sco,

Since you are an audiohead (not meant in a derogatory manner), how about we get together to make a hi-fi recording? I can't imagine the mic in the Dell laptop is much chop!

I like you new "sig". Sort of like "What RPMs do you want today." ;)

Timbo,

VIVA LA ITALIA!

You've hit the nail right on the head! I thought I had heard the same sound before.

Joe

Originally posted by Hymee
Can you elaborate on what you are asking? I can plug into the ODBII and get readings if that is what you are asking. I get no MILs (Malfunction Indicator Lamps)

Cheers,
Hymee.
what i mean is if i drive the car hard will it go into limp mode and can i still rev up to 9gs?

Kimba,

It runs fine. Check the dyno sheet I posted. It doesn't go into limp mode (I'm not sure why it would), and it hits the RPM limit without problems.

Cheers,
Hymee.