trophymaker

Before I stir the hornet's nest, let me start by saying I have read every single thing I can find on this site and beyond concerning aftermarket exhaust for our 8. As well, I've tried to ingest the sound and video clips for all the competing systems.

I've come to the conclusion that if I want a deep throaty sound, as opposed to the more tinny and ratty (can't stand that), I need to go with either Racing Beat or Borla. From what I've read, I am understanding that the Borla is a bit louder, but not offensive at all.

I'm just asking for some insight from the owners of these exhaust systems (I am aware of the more vocal members and their thoughts). Do the people that have Racing Beat wish it was louder? Do the people that have Borla wish it was softer? Can the sounds be compared?

I have read the thread about adding another muffler to the Borla/Canzoomer MP combo to reduce sound... am I right in thinking Racing Beat/Canzoomer MP might be a perfect fit because of the Racing Beat's already lower volume?

I am ready to buy an exhaust system now and I can't wait to hear it!

Also, why the hell is the HKS so damn expensive?!

Thanks in advance.

tommy12g

I own a Racing Beat and love it.

mysql101

Here's a sound clip of my Borla:

http://tyrannical.org/rx8/borla_6k.wmv

It might sound a bit loud, but that might be because I'm very close to the garage, and my video camera is close to the exhaust.

I listened to many sound clips and I still don't think any exhaust beats borla for deep sound.

YoungDriver

i will be honest... i own racing beat... love the way it looks... love the way it sounds BUT it could def. be louder...keep in mind that im in high school and louder is always better... i just didnt like the greddy sound...

mysql101

If you want louder, a straight pipe will give you more than enough.

brothervoodoo

I don't own either a borla or racing beat for my 8 but have spent time with people that do.

Here's my personal observations and how I rate them in 3 different categories:

Exhaust Tips: BORLA - More visually appealing, bigger than stock but smaller than racing beat's. The borla seems to fill the exhaust shroud just right. Both at least have some thickness to them, unlike say Greddy's tips which visually appear like the end of a tin can.

Sound: BORLA - Tough call but I have to give this one to borla too. The note is lower and has a deeper "grumble" than racing beat.

Design: RACING BEAT - The wields are impeccable, probably flows better given less bends than borla, nice dual can design.

If i'm not mistaken the reason some added an additional resonator to the borla was because they additionally installed a high flow CAT.

If sound is your main criteria I guess the scales tip a little more to Borla, but it's still a tough call even for me after spending time with both.

Both exhausts on their own don't seem overly loud but they are both louder than stock. Though you may get some "decibel woe's" if you add an intake and/or replace with a higher flowing CAT.

mysql101

I tend to agree with you - visually the internals of the borla are not appealing. In fact, I don't like the design very much. But something I've come to enjoy is the fact that the "can" cannot be seen at all, it's tucked up inside near the heat shield, so all you see is an exhaust pipe going towards the rear.

Fanman

I have the Racing Beat exhaust, and too be honest it was perfect before I got the SR Motorsports hi-flow cat (with resonator). Like stock at low revs, much throatier at high revs. Now with the SR Motorsports unit it is a bit too loud for me. I actually got some dynamat this past weekend so that should help a bit. I could not even imagine how loud the SR unit/Borla would be. I personally love the tips of the Racing Beat. I love how big they are. I saw the Mazdaspeed unit, and they were tiny. The RB tips fill out the back perfectly.

brothervoodoo

Yeah, the MS exhaust is basically the same circumference as stock, the only noticeable difference is the Mazdaspeed lettering etched on the tips.

trophymaker

Thanks for all the advice, I would love to hear more... as it stands, if I am not going to see the 'ugly' Borla exhaust, and if it sounds better.... I think the choice is clear!

mysql101

Just don't buy used.

I bought mine brand new from someone on this forum, and borla just told me I have no warrentee.

Genom

And for another opinion, I prefer the RB over the Borla. I dont have either one of those but I have heard both and I find the RB more apealing soundwise. if yo have a HF cat then you will probably get the deep sound you want, but at a louder volume.

TrackAddict

Sounds like RB or Borla are the top choices. I have the RB (about 3 months now) and love it. Here is a sound clip of mine taken at a track day.
http://www.geralds.net/trackdays121104/fasttimesnm.wmv

trophymaker

Hmmm CZ HFCat + Resonator and RB might be a good combo too. sigh This will be a really hard decision.

tpryor

I have had both on my 8 (see pics in link).

Currently have Racing Beat - better quality, not as loud, deeper/throatier sound. Neighbors like it MUCH better.

I still like the way the Borla sounds a little better, but it was just too loud for me to leave the house at 5:00am. My neighbor said he knew when it was time to get up when he heard me leave (at 3000 rpm - very carefully). Also, every couple of autocrosses I had to readjust the slip fit flanges on the Borla. The Racing Beat doesn't have those.

trophymaker

Maybe I'll get one of each haha. Thanks for your input. I am still stuck... now it seems the Borla might be too loud!

Pretty much I've decided it comes down to tone. As it stands, the Racing Beat has my pick.

goforwand

Can't go wrong with RB. Can't speak for the Borla, but the RB exhaust is loud when you want it to be (under hard acceleration), and not overbearing when you don't want it to be (driving at crusing/highway speeds or around the neighborhood.)

Plus, I think the tips fill out the back of the car very nicely...don't think they're too big at all.

mysql101

The borla isn't very loud unless you're above 5,000 rpm. At idle you can barely hear it. But the borla is so deep that it's similar to someone in a car with a loud sound system and all you can hear is "thump thump thump". It grumbles.

Petrus

Ofcourse this is very much a personal choice depending on what sound and look you are looking for. When choosing a catback system I wouldn´t look to much at the claimed hp increase from the manufacturer. It´s hard not to, because somehow you want the numbers to be correct and want to belive that one exhaust can give you 15 extra hp.
So, choosing between Borla and RB strictly by the look and sound I´d go with Borla. Why? Becuase personally I prefer the deeper tone it has both when revving and idle. Second I prefer the Borla design over RB. RB tips are a little to big for me.

truemagellen

I'm still enthralled with the Hymee Exhaust, but I give the nod to either one of these...although dang does the Racing beat one look much better put together, sheesh

Overport

I never really cared for the Borla because the only time I heard it was when it went up on the Mazdatrix website and it sounded almost similar to stock. The Racing Beat sounded excellent, and the tips were just right. The Greddy obviously has the huge, ricey looking tips but the sound was appealing to me. So I went with Greddy. After hearing that video though the Borla sounds almost perfect.

artx8

I have the borla exhaust on my eight and have had it for amost 5 months now.... it gives you AMAZING tone and really isnt that loud. Sometimes i find myself looking for more sound than what it actually emits but i would not sacifice more "noise" for the overall tone you get. When searching for an exhaust, I really tried to only take tone into consideration.... I definately did not want that high pitched ricey sound, and believe me the Borla really gives you the sound that your eight deserves. Deep and intimidating!

trophymaker

Any more impressions?

RX-Nut

Check out my post/poll.. its seems RB is widely accepted, with Greddy and Borla not far behind.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/what-exhaust-do-you-have-your-rx-8-a-47493/

With that poll, I went with an RB. I love it.. not obnoxious loud, and almost the same sound as stock at idle, but at high rpms, she got a new grunt. Plus the tips look much sweeter than stock.

oryas

When I was choosing an aftermarket exhaust I couldn't decide between Racing Beat and Borla. I read many different reviews which favored both exhaust systems. I listened to different sound clips and they both sounded great, but in the end I went with the Borla. I guess I just liked the name "B-O-R-L-A"