italianman1987

ok kind of a noob for exhausts...

what exactly does a midpipe do? what is the difference between resonated, notresonated and catless in terms of performance???

also is it of any use as far as peformance or nice sound if used with stock exhaust on the 8?

and any reccomendations for brands would be nice.. thanks

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

A midpipe replaces the stock catalytic converter causing free flowing air and no restriction from a cat. Resonated uses a resonator to control the volume.

Pros: Flames, extra 5-10hp, throaty sound

Cons: BAD SMELL (unburned fuel), illegal, will NOT pass emissions.

I have rotary performance and Its been great for me.

laythor

removes the restriction that a cat will cause in a normal exhaust set up

resonated = has a silencer of some type

no resonated = straight pipe

catless = generic term for an aftermarket midpipe

It's a slight improvement in a normally aspirated car for performance but the only things that will make you say "oh my god" would be turbo, supercharged, or nitros.

I purchased the mazsport midpipe due to reviews and the dual silencers. Be prepared to wait a long time for delivery. You might also want to check out some of the mazport threads since their customer service for big projects is some of the worse in the business. I went in with my eyes wide opened so the delays have not been a surprise for me.

There is another option, to replace the stock cat with a high flow one. Lots of people here have used the RP Super cat and love it, do a search for it and read some of the reviews.

italianman1987

yea only thing holding me back is the emissions issue, i wonder if i can pay some emeissions guy to let it pass.. lol, and is it still effective with stock exhaust?

and RENESIS07, what size wooffer is that in the middle console i was thinking bout doing that.. must have been a biatch to cut the hole out right?

how would you guys compare the rp super cat to the greddy sp2?

laythor

I have the Cobb Access Port with the Mazdamaniac touches so emissions isn't much of a worry for me.


The SP2 bolts up after the cat, so you would retain your stock cat with that set up.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

If emissions is a concern, I recommend a high flow cat or learning how to swap the cat and midpipe on and off yourself.

Its a 10", actually it was pretty easy, used a dremel from menards and drilled it right in.

Greddy SP2 is a catback exhaust, Rotary performance is a high flow cat; theyre different parts of the exhaust.

dothackRAVE

Also, you might want to be aware that a midpipe makes your car VERY LOUD. I can't drive around campus anymore without numerous stares.

I have the Racing Beat midpipe.

Also, another thing to consider is cruising. Yes, the noise can be pleasant depending on your tastes, but at highway cruising it tends to drone on (this of course depends on what make you buy etc.). I've tuned it out thus far, but people who ride with me tend to get annoyed.

Example of how loud:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...36244135&hl=en

You can hear in the later bits of the video how loud my car is.

greg985

mid pipe will give you a check engine light as well, I just put on my RP SuperCat and I love it. And word of mouth is it will give flames as well

italianman1987

k so now that i realized i do like the sound, which brand gives a descent sound but not extremely loud, because if heard the mazspeed one with resonator im guessing and its not loud at all, so im guessing straight midpipe with no resonator.. any reccomendations for websites to get it, i can barely find any on google.. thanks

DOTHAKRAVE---- urs is loud as hell what brand is that? i live in va and at my campus cops are asses so ill def get trouble for that loudness

dshiznit1489

B&B test pipe, like the one I have. I think you'd love it. I shoot flames.....and I drive an AT, just imagine a 9k flame.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

buy the turboxs exhaust, it comes with a free midpipe. and it sounds amazing.

dothackRAVE

My exhaust setup is Racing Beat midpipe with MazdaSpeed catback.

juikster

Like KERSH4 said, value customers should check out the Turbo xs deal. I have the mid pipe and exhaust and it sounds great. one thing, Im not sure about the other exhaust systems out there but the mid pipe set kind of low to the ground if your car has been dropped but unless your jumping logs or some thing its fine. Later all.....

SiLVeRE8

iTrader: (8)

YES!!!! mid pipe all the way!!!

cjwaggs

midpipe for sure....

ZumnRx8

^^^ Im suppose to be getting my Racing Beat midpipe soon... I really dont care about emissions...ill just switch back...uh.....I just hope its not too loud...I dont need cops f'in with me more then they already do.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

With a stock exhaust, its really not all that loud. I still hear my intake over my exhaust. With a catback, it can range from aggressively loud to annoyingly stupid loud.

rx 8speciale

iTrader: (3)

1st post . midpipe all the way i have the rp super cat, is great .

italianman1987

where can i find that pipe???

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

I recommend the FS forum on this site. Thats where I bought my midpipe, it had 18,000 miles on it and I paid $160 shipped. +10hp + flames + louder exhaust = solid investment

greg985

FYI you have a Hi Flow Cat not a midpie

SilverEIGHT

I have run the RacingBeat Mid-pipe, the RotaryPerformance SuperCat and I'm now back to the stock Cat. I'll explain why and it may save some of you, that care, some trouble.

I purchased the RacingBeat Mid-pipe to track with. I purchased it because most of all because I just wanted my car to sound more like a race car on track. When I drove at Roebling Road Raceway, Olddragger said I was shooting flames at least 3' long. That had some serious cool factor right there. The car felt like it had more response in the low RPM's because when I pulled out for the first time onto the track I hit the rev limiter before I knew it in 1st and 2nd gears. I didn't see anything on the top end. I did get a check engine light though and that is something you will just have to accept as it's not going away. Since I only ran it on track, it got to be a pain in the *** to change out everytime just for track so I sold it and got a RP SuperCat.

The RP SuperCat was perfect because I could drive it on the street and also at the track. It sounded fine on my daily driving but when I got on it... she talked. I really liked the sound with my RacingBeat CatBack. I did not get a check engine light with the SuperCat. However, it did something the RB Mid-pipe didn't do. At my first track event, it roasted/melted my shrouds around my exhaust tips. I figured it had something to do with the guts of the RP SuperCat so I gutted it. That did cause a check engine light. It did take care of the hot tips because it let the exhaust flow more freely and didn't build up as much heat. However, I was back to changing the pipe out for every event and I just didn't like that. I don't recall anyone ever saying they saw flames with the RP SuperCat. Guess it depends on your exhaust.

So I went back to my OEM Exhaust. Now after driving at TGPR 2 days ago, I really didn't like the lack of sound that the exhaust was giving me because it really does help out when doing a heal-toe because the sound really tells you a lot about your RPM's and helps you modulate the gas in a turn. So it becomes a part of your driving experience for more than just the cool sound, it's actually a tool to help you know what's going on with your car because you can't always look down at your tack. I wasn't pleased with the lack of sound. I kept having trouble downshifting to 3rd because I couldn't hear the engine. I missed it several times and came way to close to fu$#ing up pretty bad. It's not cool going into a turn when not in gear as I'm sure many of you know.

So, I have an answer to my problem which is just an addition to your request on info about pipes. "Marietta 8" loaned me a new intake to try out. It's an InJen and I installed it today. The sound is better than when driving with a loud exhaust and it tells you the same thing but better! It's more responsive and you are hearing it straight from the engine not the exhaust. I did have a RacingBeat intake but I will never go back to it now. Maybe it's just the sound or maybe the placebo effect but my seat dyno tells me I just gained real HP. I love it and I can't wait to try it out in 3 weeks at Roebling Road Raceway.

So, that's my thoughts on the topic and what I went through with the pipes. Now, the sound is probably more in the car than outside the car. Guess it's a personal preference. I like being able to not **** people off but still have a great sounding car. So, to me, inside the car... I'm loving it!

I'm thinking I'm going to have to try the dual resonated mid-pipe next though because I understand it is pretty quiet until you really get on it.

Look forward to seeing what you choose to do.

XAreXAteX

Midpipe sounds cool.

Fanman

For a lot of people, you do realize a resonator takes power away similar to catalytic right ? It's a restriction point & not a straight through design like a mid/test pipe.

FWIW, I would never get a midpipe if I had an aftermarket exhaust. Stupid loud. In the city I live in you might as well just put "ticket me" on your back window. Not to mention the smell/stench & the CEL. Just not worth it for the extra few hp you get over a hi flow cat.

mysql

Repost from another similar thread:

if you want to quiet it down, try the CC Insert:

http://www.carchemistry.com/shop/ind...duct_list&c=13

I had part of my catless midpipe cut out and replaced with a muffler containing the CC insert:

http://www.carchemistry.com/shop/ind...ct_detail&p=94

It's obviously a lot less work if you use the bolt in CC insert without cutting up the piping. They sell the CC insert with two and three flanges - and you can always wrap them with steel wool if you want more sound deadening.

The pictures don't really show it well, but it's just a hollow pipe with some ridges - like a cheese grater. Then on the outside it's got holes that allow air to pass through as well. No weird bends or anything to slow down the air.

NA Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeMwINlHaPc

I over estimated sound deadening quality in the video, it's more like 25% with the 3 insert version. If you wrap steel wool around the piping, they claim an additional 4 db decrease.

For a $60 investment, it beats the heck out of the alternatives.