Racing Beat Header Update
12-04-2008, 11:44 AM
#326
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: 30° 0'2.66"N 90° 9'7.46"W
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Installed my RB headers last weekend. Ease of installation on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most difficult, I give it an 8. Some of the nuts were tough to get to once the header was on.
My 2004 RX-8, as currently modded:
Mazda Speed:
Machined Aluminum Oil Cap
Front Strut Brace
Rear Strut Brace
Lightweight Flywheel
Axial Engineering:
Short Throw Shift Lever
Racing Beat:
ReVI Intake system
Stainless Headers
Stainless Cat-Back Exhaust
Braided Stainless Brake and Clutch Lines
Suspension Kit and End Links (Coils Springs, Struts and Sway Bars)
Performance Silicone Spark Cables
SR Motor Sports:
High Flow Catalytic Converter and Midpipe
Aluminum Power Pulleys (blue) w/Wide Belt
Machined Aluminum Rotor Accent (rear)
PowerSlot:
Slotted Rotors
Hawk HPS Brake Pads
Electronics:
AV Electronics Video Switcher integrated into OEM Bose DVD/NAV
Front View Cam
Rear View Backup Cam
XM Xpress RC Satellite Radio
Puddle Lamps
Streetglow Multicolor Underbody and Wheelwell Lighting
OEM iPod Itegration Module
OEM MiniDisc Player
OEM Alarm Motion Sensor
OEM Footwell Courtesy Lighting
Appearance/Accents:
RX-8 Rotor Logo Wheel Hubs
RX-8 Rotor Logo Door Threshold
RX-8 Rotor Logo Machined Aluminum Rotor Radio ****
Shinka Logo B Pillars
40th Anniversary Engine Cover
Vanity License Plate "RX-8"
JIM parts:
Clear Corners
Illumiated Gear Shift ****
Other:
Red LED Cabin Lighting
Red LED Truck Lighting Mod
Battery Charging Umbelical Cord (I dont drive the car much, this allows me to plug in a charger and charge the battery with hood closed)
I did all the work myself, except for installing the clutch line and flywheel, which I had my friendly Mazda Dealer do for me. Pulling the old flywheel was more than I wanted to tackle.
My 2004 RX-8, as currently modded:
Mazda Speed:
Machined Aluminum Oil Cap
Front Strut Brace
Rear Strut Brace
Lightweight Flywheel
Axial Engineering:
Short Throw Shift Lever
Racing Beat:
ReVI Intake system
Stainless Headers
Stainless Cat-Back Exhaust
Braided Stainless Brake and Clutch Lines
Suspension Kit and End Links (Coils Springs, Struts and Sway Bars)
Performance Silicone Spark Cables
SR Motor Sports:
High Flow Catalytic Converter and Midpipe
Aluminum Power Pulleys (blue) w/Wide Belt
Machined Aluminum Rotor Accent (rear)
PowerSlot:
Slotted Rotors
Hawk HPS Brake Pads
Electronics:
AV Electronics Video Switcher integrated into OEM Bose DVD/NAV
Front View Cam
Rear View Backup Cam
XM Xpress RC Satellite Radio
Puddle Lamps
Streetglow Multicolor Underbody and Wheelwell Lighting
OEM iPod Itegration Module
OEM MiniDisc Player
OEM Alarm Motion Sensor
OEM Footwell Courtesy Lighting
Appearance/Accents:
RX-8 Rotor Logo Wheel Hubs
RX-8 Rotor Logo Door Threshold
RX-8 Rotor Logo Machined Aluminum Rotor Radio ****
Shinka Logo B Pillars
40th Anniversary Engine Cover
Vanity License Plate "RX-8"
JIM parts:
Clear Corners
Illumiated Gear Shift ****
Other:
Red LED Cabin Lighting
Red LED Truck Lighting Mod
Battery Charging Umbelical Cord (I dont drive the car much, this allows me to plug in a charger and charge the battery with hood closed)
I did all the work myself, except for installing the clutch line and flywheel, which I had my friendly Mazda Dealer do for me. Pulling the old flywheel was more than I wanted to tackle.
12-04-2008, 12:04 PM
#328
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: 30° 0'2.66"N 90° 9'7.46"W
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Yeah. Very nice. I like the way it sounds. I haven't gotten it out o the highway yet. With the traffic, construction and weather all conspiring against me, all I ve been able to do is drive it around the block. Its back in the garage now, I'm tinkereing with an updated satellite radio installation.
I'm hoping to make a road trip this weekend and put it through its paces.
I'm hoping to make a road trip this weekend and put it through its paces.
12-04-2008, 02:16 PM
#331
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12-05-2008, 06:18 PM
#336
whines all the way home
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Location: Towson/Baltimore, MD
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Just got RBs newsletter, an exerpt...
Our next batch of RX-8 are expected to be completed at the end of this month. If you're interested in ordering one of these beautiful headers, give us a call or place an online order. You will NOT be billed until the headers arrive and you're contacted to confirm your order status.
RX-8 Race Pipe with Presilencers
The RX-8 forums have been active with requests for a resonated RX-8 Race Pipe, and we've responded!
It seems that the popular Mazsport resonated race pipe (which featured dual Racing Beat universal presilencers) is no longer available on the market. We've decided to fill the void and offer a revised version of this resonated race pipe using two presilencers that have been specifically designed for the limited space available in the RX-8 chassis. These reconfigured presilencer units will assure adequate chassis clearance and eliminate the need for the "spacer" blocks that were required with the Mazsport unit. The revised presilencers should be in-house within 6-8 weeks.
Thanks to all of the RX-8 forum members for their input!
Our next batch of RX-8 are expected to be completed at the end of this month. If you're interested in ordering one of these beautiful headers, give us a call or place an online order. You will NOT be billed until the headers arrive and you're contacted to confirm your order status.
RX-8 Race Pipe with Presilencers
The RX-8 forums have been active with requests for a resonated RX-8 Race Pipe, and we've responded!
It seems that the popular Mazsport resonated race pipe (which featured dual Racing Beat universal presilencers) is no longer available on the market. We've decided to fill the void and offer a revised version of this resonated race pipe using two presilencers that have been specifically designed for the limited space available in the RX-8 chassis. These reconfigured presilencer units will assure adequate chassis clearance and eliminate the need for the "spacer" blocks that were required with the Mazsport unit. The revised presilencers should be in-house within 6-8 weeks.
Thanks to all of the RX-8 forum members for their input!
12-05-2008, 07:12 PM
#337
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Join Date: Nov 2008
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Nice vid Bobby!
For those that wonder about the OBX some of them have the air ports connected. The way to tell is if the port is deep enough inside the header, a small square hole in the side of the port tells if it is a finished design or the half finished design. It sports a high grade stainless manifold as well. I had both versions of OBX at one point and saw the difference.
The downside was the finished with functional ports had to be trimmed on the bottom edge of the manifold needed to be ground down because otherwise it would not connect up to the engine.
The one that does not have functional fit the engine perfectly.
To be on the safe side I would recommend the Racing Beat over the OBX because fitment will be perfect unless it has been previously installed or tools are on hand if grinding needs to be done. We put it on a lathe with a diamond bit otherwise it would have taken hours to grind the small bit it needed... Very hard material.
For those that wonder about the OBX some of them have the air ports connected. The way to tell is if the port is deep enough inside the header, a small square hole in the side of the port tells if it is a finished design or the half finished design. It sports a high grade stainless manifold as well. I had both versions of OBX at one point and saw the difference.
The downside was the finished with functional ports had to be trimmed on the bottom edge of the manifold needed to be ground down because otherwise it would not connect up to the engine.
The one that does not have functional fit the engine perfectly.
To be on the safe side I would recommend the Racing Beat over the OBX because fitment will be perfect unless it has been previously installed or tools are on hand if grinding needs to be done. We put it on a lathe with a diamond bit otherwise it would have taken hours to grind the small bit it needed... Very hard material.
Now, any of you with racing beat header use head wrap or ceramic coating on header? I run mine the way it arrives. I talked to a tech from Racing Beat and he recommend no header wrap or ceramic coat because it could make the header wrap. I installed mine when the weather is already cold (less than 50 degree F) so I haven't notice if the engine bay is any hotter than what it normally would. Anyone has feedback on this? The header seems to be hanging pretty low and kind of out of the engine bay.
12-08-2008, 09:11 AM
#338
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I love these headers. I don't have a way to dyno test the cars, but my general impression is that there is more low and mid range power. Due to construction on I-10 I haven't gotten it out on the highway yet.
The RB suspension kit lowers the car about 1" - 1-1/2" and the streets are really bad here in New Orleans. I have the suspension set kinda stiff, so it can be a real kidney buster on bad roads. I have to be real careful about bottoming out anyway, so header clearance is not really an issue.
Generally, I only drive the car on the highway; or to work on good roads, when the weather is nice.
My overall impression is: The car is scary fast.
The RB suspension kit lowers the car about 1" - 1-1/2" and the streets are really bad here in New Orleans. I have the suspension set kinda stiff, so it can be a real kidney buster on bad roads. I have to be real careful about bottoming out anyway, so header clearance is not really an issue.
Generally, I only drive the car on the highway; or to work on good roads, when the weather is nice.
My overall impression is: The car is scary fast.
Last edited by InuYasha; 12-08-2008 at 09:17 AM.
12-08-2008, 11:42 AM
#340
Power!!
From Racingbeat's website on the header:
*Legal in California only for racing vehicles, which may never be used upon a highway.
It retains the emissions equipment so it should pass emissions. But that doesn't make it legal.
*Legal in California only for racing vehicles, which may never be used upon a highway.
It retains the emissions equipment so it should pass emissions. But that doesn't make it legal.
12-08-2008, 11:46 AM
#341
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
it's only illegal if you get caught
12-08-2008, 02:51 PM
#343
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
it's illegal for all of us in CA but then again so are plenty of other mods I have on my car. 
12-09-2008, 02:08 AM
#346
Silver Power
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nothing on my car is illegal but cops around here are ******** so if they feel like giving you a fix it ticket then they will..i would have to get them removed in order to pass emissions i am assuming
12-09-2008, 04:22 PM
#347
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Join Date: May 2004
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12-09-2008, 04:25 PM
#348
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
your oem side markers have been 'altered' and do not appear to emit an amber color. That is a violation of the CVC
Your headlights have also been altered as they are not using the standard bulb.
Is that an illegal subastance applied to the front two windows of your vehicle? (aka tint)
I would quote vehicle codes but I'm too lazy and I'm sure you see my point here...
12-09-2008, 05:36 PM
#350
WRONG!!
your oem side markers have been 'altered' and do not appear to emit an amber color. That is a violation of the CVC
Your headlights have also been altered as they are not using the standard bulb.
Is that an illegal subastance applied to the front two windows of your vehicle? (aka tint)
I would quote vehicle codes but I'm too lazy and I'm sure you see my point here...
your oem side markers have been 'altered' and do not appear to emit an amber color. That is a violation of the CVC
Your headlights have also been altered as they are not using the standard bulb.
Is that an illegal subastance applied to the front two windows of your vehicle? (aka tint)
I would quote vehicle codes but I'm too lazy and I'm sure you see my point here...