Speaking of loud....

I'm thinking of going with an OBX header, High flow cat, and OBX catback.

The OBX catback is pretty mellow and subdued on a car with a regular cat. Does anyone know of any video clips or have heard a setup like this? I don't want it to be too loud. This is still my daily driver and the family is a consideration.

And this is correct too! When I had the single resonator midpipe installed, I had to be VERY careful around back roads (and really baby the throttle while accelerating... especially if a cop was nearby). The loud sound and the occasional flame bust (not intentionally) made me nervous around cops. This is why I'm going with a dual resonated midpipe... it help reduce the sound.
This is a drive-by of the midpipe I purchased from MazSport:
http://www.mazsport.net/multimediadualdriveby.htm

Go to YouTube and search "RX8 OBX". You'll find different setups with the OBX header and the OBX exhaust.

OH.. FYI
The e-check on State RD in Cuyahoga Falls DOES check for the cat. I took my car and my truck there and they searched for it both times.

This is why there are people that have gutted their CC. Im surprised that nobody has designed a midpipe that looks like a CC just for stupid things like eCheck. I find it hard to believe that they actually have to look for a CC though...they should know as soon as they pull it in "Hey, this doesn't sound right."

Also standing behind the car as someone revs the engine and having your pants catch on fire could be used as a clue that the car may not be street legal. :)

Just a minor backfire problem. Engine just runs a little rich. :P

FYI: If you gut your cat or even if you put a midpipe/test pipe on there, you're still bound to fail the ECheck because you're probably going to throw a CEL. That's grounds for automatic ECheck failure.

Throwing the OEM exhaust back on there might not help either unless you have someone erase the codes, or disconnect and fully discharge the electrical system.

I could be wrong, but I would certainly look into it before shelling out a bunch of clams for a pricey midpipe. Besides, even with the entire exhaust removed, Racing Beat stated that they got only 8whp out of it. That's not worth the close to $1000 for a midpipe and catback system to me. I just tried looking for that info on their website so I could quote it here, but it seems to be missing.....bad for business maybe?? Anyhow, think before you buy....that's my $.02

The rich gas smell would definitely give it away

I would bet that 8whp is about right. However, I wonder how far that goes up once you install a turbo.

This is correct... you WILL throw a CEL with a midpipe installed. The new Cobb Access Port disables the bit for that sensor so that it won't display a CEL related to the rear O2 sensor.
And just clearing the CEL codes before you go up there will not help either. The E-Check system looks for "usable" data and if it doesn't appear that the car has been driven for a while (allowing the car to "learn"), they will tell you to drive the vehicle around for 10 minutes and come back. They told me this when I went up there after I just installed a battery (which clears any codes).

I definitely noticed a difference with my midpipe installed... especially in the lower band... less restrictive (obviously)... so I can see 8whp being about right.
And once you go FI (turbo or supercharger) the midpipe makes a BIG difference (along with upgraded ignition coils).
I plan on going FI... this is why I'm "prepping" my car this way.

Wonder what the diff is between the Pipe and a high flow cat on the RX8? On other cars it has been proven that high flow cats are nearly as free flowing as a test pipe. I want to stay legal, and I really don't like the idea of spewing unnecessary polution into the air... that's just me.

If you aren't planning on going FI... then I would highly recommend going with a high flow cat. The difference in performance between these pipes are small while your car is N/A... but its a huge difference once you go FI.
For High Flow Cats, I would recommend the RP ‘Supercat’ Mid Pipe for $395 from the RX7.com store. They also offer a Mid Pipe Bolt & Gasket Kit for $30. I've reused mine a couple times without any issues, but next time I will be replacing them.

Next weekend there is automotive swap meet in Canfield Ohio. Any one up for a cruise? This is all brands and years meet. So it will have eveything from classic cars to imports, etc.. This is next saturday. May 3rd.

damnit...why does everything have to be on a Sat. :(

Well there is the meet up on May 2nd that's not a Saturday :)

See you all there!

Yea...work on Friday too. But I'll be there as soon as I get out of here with the rest of the gang from the office.

Speaking of the office. Who owns the VR8 that works off Beta Dr?

I work in Beachwood, and live in parma. It is bad, I have yet to see another rx8.

Even though I did have a guy with a 350z take me on at a light last night.. Not good. All I saw was tail lights... But did give a good chance to try launching and winding through the rpms..

I only have mazdaspeed cold air intake and exhuast. but the car seems to be breathing good..

also where is the meet on friday may 2?

May 2nd is at the Winking Lizard in Peninsula.

As for working in Beachwood and not seeing any of us...it must be dumb luck on your part. I drive through it a lot actually. Sis lives in South Euclid...been ending up drinking in Coventry a lot...and Im probably over at Eton in Woodmere for food once a week.

I've only been to the Peninsula Lizard a couple of times (usually while riding the tow path - nothing like having a few beers to break up the exercise routine :lol:) , but if it's anything like the one's I go to more often it may be a total zoo at 6:30 on a Friday. Should we try for a head count so as to maybe have them set up a table for us if one of us can get there a bit early?

Also, I used to often see a yellow 8 parked in the CVS lot at Green and Mayfield in South Euc, and it seems to have migrated to the CVS at 42 & 82 in Strongsville. Anyone here?

Besides it being a zoo inside, won't the parking lot be a zoo too, I've been there only once but drive by often, and I cannot remember there being that much parking.

I probably won't be able to get down there with the gang until like 730 or 8. Yall still gonna be down there?

On Friday May 2...you mind if some "other" Mazda's come along to meet you all??

If someone would post up a seperate thread then I bet you would spike alittle more interest....I can if you want and call about setting up a reservation?!