RX8Club.com - TurboXS Exhaust

I am having extreme difficulty trying to install the "cat-back" portion of my exhaust to the oem cat. I did a ton of searching and have found some success stories and A LOT of unsuccessful stories. My problem is not going from 2.25" to 3.00" like most would think. I am forced to use the bolts on the oem cat because they are welded on. (thank you, Mazda:mad:) The bolt holes on the flange (from the TurboXS) are too small to fit the whole bolt (from the cat) so I had to Bore it out in order for it to fit. (major PITA) Now that the bolt is able to fit through... the spring must go back on in order to hold both pieces together. Who's idea was it to use springs on our exhaust??? Another problem, the flange on the TurboXS is about 8 times thicker than the OEM exhaust. Now the spring is too large to fit on the bolt before the nut. I will either cut the spring in half (may need to call Monchie for help:naughty:) or use some washers to take the place of the springs.

I worked on it for 8 hours today. I am going to start up and hopefully finish tomorrow. Do you guys have any suggestions? Isn't this exhaust supposed to bolt up to the factory cat with no problems? I have the version 2 with the slash cut tips BTW.

Here are some responses I have found by searching.

GOOD:

Quote:

Originally Posted by renesisjim (Post 3279027)

I am running the exhaust w/ my oem cat and I have no annoying drone at 70-80. I can still use my phone no problem. It will probably be pretty loud w/o the cat tho.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chancejat (Post 3328192)

not true...... the cat back will bolt up to any cat or midpipe.
but the race pipe is only going to bolt up to a cat back with a "slip" flange.
the cat back has a loose or rotating flange that bolt to the midpipe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macius8 (Post 3431751)

You can use the catback with the stock cat no problem, it'll sound nice. But lets say you will be upgrading your ignition and getting a Cobb, the mipipe is a must have :)
Removing the braces is less then 5 minutes btw. Two braces, two bolts for each.

BAD:

Quote:

Originally Posted by p4ck37p1mp (Post 3326138)

I have no idea as this is the only one I've seen, but I can tell you for sure the only place it bolts to OEM is at the header.

Quote:

Originally Posted by p4ck37p1mp (Post 3328123)

Only if you use the straight mid pipe. Stock cat or RP Supercat is not bolt on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wert4580 (Post 3380752)

Holy crap... I just got this thing installed, and I'm a bit worried...

I originally intended to have the catback installed, when my shop calls me to say it wont fit with the stock cat.. rather than pay money to have my stock exhaust removed then reinstalled, I think "okay, I'll run the full system with the race pipe..."

I really don't want to have this thing chopped up to install a 2.5" -> 3" merge and flange, but it might have to be done...

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOOSTD 7 (Post 3834015)

I just got mine and was working on installing just the cat back since I have to get emissions tested ... then will put the full exhaust on. That supplied donut gasked is totally inadequate for use with the factory cat. It doesn't look like much thought was put into fitting if someone just uses the cat back, either the flange or the factory studs will have to be ground down as well to make it fit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wert4580 (Post 3443433)

My TurboXS sounded sick with the OEM cat installed, but it leaked even with a brand new gasket.. :(

If you can go that route though, I definitely recommend it - I put my race pipe up for sale for $140 OBO and had numerous inquiries, so you can get some of your money back fairly easily.

Quote:

Originally Posted by italianman1987 (Post 3077283)

this catback does not fit to the stock cat, needs to have the midpipe, its a 3' pipe vs stock 2.5

Quote:

Originally Posted by italianman1987 (Post 3086871)

hows that possible, i tried with stock cat by removing the midpipe and its a 2.5 going into a 3, it leaked like crazy and was loud as shit...

As you can see, I have found more bad stories than good stories...
I really hope that I can make this work because the stock exhaust sounds like a prius and the full kit sounds like a raspy rocket:Eyecrazy: