CraziFuzzy

I have never seen a borla system that made the exhaust less efficient... I have, however, seen many MANY exhaust systems and mufflers for other 'ricier' imports that sacrifice efficiency to tune the sound to a certain note. I think everyone knows what I'm talking about. A 5 inch tip on a 2 1/2 exhaust system, with a restrictive resonator after the muffler is definately a downgrade.

While I would agree with you that in most cases this is true, mods like putting a turbo or sc on a car will cause more restriction when cruising, slightly hurting mileage. Most driving IS cruising, so mods that add a certain amount of drag on the engine regardless of throttle position, will, on average, lower mileage.

U. N. O.

as crazzyfusy said, this is not true since a turbo and/or a sc WILL reduce your mpg efficiency yet increasing your hp...
don't get me wrong, "your theory" is to be right. never the less this is a new car, a new engine and we don't know with certainty how it will react with certain changes. thats a fact. I know borla is a very reputable company with very high quality (and prices) and would make mods for the better BUT this being a brand new things no one just no one has the experience on it to determine sust conclusions.
And i know you might be right but i rather still be skeptical until proven wrong by phisical proofs from that car itself not just logics and theories and past w/ other cars (i am a big logic person but sometimes..)
heck i might get it to see myself..u never know

david borla

I understand your point. We need to think of a test scenario that will be accurate so we can find the answer we are all looking for.

Any ideas of how we can run a scientifically accurate test? In my opinion, it would have to be a comparison between aftermarket and stock exhaust with the same exact route, similar driving conditions, same weight and over the same time period/distance. If you want to get super accurate, RPM's and shift points should probably be kept close as well.

What other variables am I leaving out?

This will be an interesting test. Most of us are normally concerned with power, so this is kind of unique. I can't recall ever reading about an aftermarket exhaust MPG shootout. It's especially appropriate in California these days. We should sell the idea to a magazine!

Gyro

I think it shows the 'overall' maturity of this forum. Quite different from others Ive visited.

Digisan

Seems my orginal post was deleted. Maybe an admin fat fingered my post, next time inform me why.

I found the Borla exhuaust for $549.99 at:

http://www.rx-7parts.com/default.php

Shipping is about $25, plug your zip in to get a more accurate price.

You can use your Mazda screw-up AMEX card there too. I asked the owner if they would split up the price over two credit cards since it would be more than $500, no problem.

D-san

energie

i believe it has a lot to do with the fact that vivid racing is a core sponser of this board.

why would they let your thread take away their business?

i think alll in all, since their price isn't that much higher than posted, go buy it from vivid to support the board.

Digisan

That is a pretty **** poor way of doing business and I don't think Vivid would promote anything like that, I think someone took it upon their self to make that decision. Hmm, who is the mod for this section??? Any guesses? Thanks for the suggestion but I'll save the $25 for gas. Looks like Vivid price matches, so there you have it, saved everyone a bit of money.

tpryor

OK - installed my Borla last night. There are some Hi-res pictures at the link in the signature, but here are the small versions.

I also took "before" and "after" sound recordings, but they are too big (1 Meg and 1.85 Meg) for the site, so if anyone wants a comparison taken 1 hour apart, in the exact same location, with the recording device (iPaq 3850) at the same location (by the rotary crest), PM me with your email address and I can email them to you promptly.

Pic 1 - the Kit - before installation:

tpryor

Pic 2 - before:

tpryor

Pic 3 - after:

Speed Racer

Tpryor,
Excellent photos! They really show the difference between the exhausts.

I have a couple of questions for you about the install.

Did you have any problems reinstalling the spring bolts?

Did your kit come with a M6 nut to attach the ground strap to the muffler?

U. N. O.

very , very nice pictures...! tell us about any change in mgp IF ANY!!

one question fo r every one.. what if we just do a straight pipe to the back?with a couple of resonators to lower the tone? that will increase the hp lots more, better mpg? and cheaper!! . on time for an inspection, just bolt the factory back on and u set.. would this work?

U. N. O.

thats sounds more like it..now we need enouhg peps with the aftermarket one to compare

tpryor

You know, it's interesting. I had heard on the forum (possibly from you) that the spring bolts were an issue. We actually had the LEAST trouble with those bolts - they went on by hand!

We assembled the system on the ground (all clamps loose), removed the plastic pieces surrounding the exhaust tips, hung the B-pipe hanger first, and the rest went together in 10-15 minutes (adjusting and tightening clamps, etc. and putting the plastic "surrounds" back on). The very last thing we did was reinstall the springs and bolts, and it was no issue.

We did NOT get a nut to attach the ground strap in the kit. On the parts list, it is not listed, so we assumed that they had no intention of including it. Luckily, we had one handy.

tpryor

OK - SL01 (not the real name) has converted the files for me to post on the forum (THANKS!), so here goes:

Stock Sound:

tpryor

Borla Sound:

eclps0

damm this sucks. The good side of me told me "danny dont buy anything for the car yet"But the bad side said "Buy it buy it u know u want to" guess who one im buying next week.:D

zoom zoom

General

Omicron

Man, is this a great board! Great info, mature "audience," and some real experts. I look forward to reading it almost as much as I do driving my 8!

Coupla things: First, John at http://www.socalmotorsports.com says he will do the same price he gave me for the Borla ($560 including shipping) if you mention my name (Paul).

Secondly, question for David Borla or anyone who has put this exhaust on. Looking at that lovely 3" cat-back pipe, I began wondering if I will lose ground clearance as compared to stock. Will I?

Thanks...

RotorMotor

What a great growl!!! I was almost expecting to hear "Zhoul" and see my eggs pop out of their container and start cooking themselves on my countertop!! :D

Speed Racer

So who are you going to call?!? :p

tpryor

We actually measured that, as it was a concern for us as well. The pipe bends through the same "hole" as the stock one, and the ground clearance (at it's lowest point) seemed to be very miniscule (less than 1/8"), and the more rearward you went, the ground clearance actually increased slightly.

Not a concern.

mikeb

I have two devils on my shoulders, your lucky to have one side of reason



glad you finally got it tpryor
you waited so long, great pics

Omicron

So Borla must have bent the cat-back pipe up a bit from the run of the stock pipe, to offset the additional width of the new pipe. Nice!

pmacwill

I'm really torn between borla and mazdaspeed. any advantage of one over the other?

Mazdaspeed offers full warranty still... thats a biggy. It sounds like borla gives a few performance gains, and I think the Mazdaspeed is only offers a richer rotary sounding exhaust note. what are your thoughts?

MrWigggles

That puts some water on the fire.

I find it hard to believe that they would void the waranty to the powertrain because you went with a cat-back Borla exhaust.

Would that mean aftermarket mufflers void waranties too? Mineke might be out of business if that is the case.

I seriously doubt they would bring up warranty issues for a Borla catback.

Mr. Borla, what are your thoughts?

-Mr. Wigggles