I think I'm having an issue with my recently installed exhaust system, however I would like to confirm if it's really an issue with other members that have the same setup, thus the reason I'm posting. I searched but didn't find a definitive answer, so please don't chew my head off.

This past weekend I finally installed the Racing Beat Rev8 exhaust, race pipe and REVi intake with ram air on my 2005 RX8. So far I'm pleased with the results and sound of these products. However since the install I've been noticing a "hissing" sound around the passenger area, where the cat should be. You can really hear it when accelerating next to a wall and at a certain throttle position on quiet roads. Under slight acceleration doesn't make the sound or at least I don't notice it.

Today I went to a muffler shop to verify if there were any exhaust leaks. We took a close look at the install and found no leaks at all. I did install all new crush gaskets provided by Racing Beat and also used the stock doughnut.

Is this sound normal with straight through midpipes? It feels like an exhaust leak but there aren't any. Could this be the air moving through the midpipe?

Input of owners with similar setup will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

when i first started reading your post i thought it was going to be an issue with u forgetting to put in the gaskets, but after seein that you didn't i don't really know. I did have a similar sound when i had my Agency Power DR midpipe and Catback on as well as AEM intake. I felt like the sound was coming from not having any gaskets because when i took off the header-back i didn't get the hissing sound. Might also be that the intake makes this sound when teamed up with some kind of headerback system. Good luck finding the source.

Dave

 

Did you use the stock cover from the factory cat over your midpipe? Ive had that cover moved slightly out of place and my exhaust made a weird hissing noise. All i had to do was move it back in place and tighten the clamp around it though.

 

No, I didn't use any cover over my midpipe.

 

Ok, went to the muffler shop again this morning to have a second look at it.

We separated the midpipe from the stock header and found no exhaust residue, gasket was fine and dandy. Bolted it back together as tight as possible, went for a spin and the "hissing" sound around the passenger area decreased considerably. However, I can still hear it under acceleration although not as pronounced.

I'm beginning to think the gasket is not working as intended. Has anyone tried the Race Roots high performance gasket with good results? I'm talking about this one:

High Performance Exhaust Gasket (3-Bolt)

 

Wow, isn't there anyone with a straight through midpipe and cat back having this "hissing" sound issue? Doesn't have to be Racing Beat, although it is preferred in order to compare apples to apples.

 

I hear it with my BHR midpipe. I have taken it off 3 times and replaced the gaskets on both ends. Got quieter but still there.

 

Hmmm...just as I suspected. It seems this sound is normal with catless midpipes. Either that or is leaking very slightly through the gasket under load. I think I'm going to try the RR gasket.

 

AP single resonator midpipe with Rev8, no hiss at all.
I do have a rumble from the rear exhaust tips.

/Bad news, the fix must be to install a supercharger....

 

Hahaha....that's more good news than bad. Unfortunately, not in scope for now.


I've been giving it a couple of hard runs to redline everyday (can't keep my right foot from reaching the bottom) and noticed the "hissing" sound has increased slightly. There's definitely a leak problem, probably small though.

I ordered the Carbon 3 bolt exhaust gasket from ebay. We will see if it fixes my situation. Is there anyone here that has used this gasket? Can it be used in conjunction with the OEM crush gasket?

 

Nope. I just answered my own question.

Received the gasket today and no, it cannot be used together with the oem style crush gasket. Would have been great through.

See pictures here:

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...8-27212631.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...8-27212700.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...8-27212800.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...8-27212604.jpg

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...8-27212524.jpg

 

I have I'm pretty sure the same noise you're talking about. It sounds like its coming from the catback/midpipe bolt up and usually hear it when I'm shifting (like a burst of exhaust escaping). I've just learned to live with it lol

 

^same here, I've just learned to live with it. I didn't have the sound when I used RRs gaskets with my old midpipe but when I installed a used BHR midpipe with OEM gaskets I started having the hiss. Let us know if the carbon crush gaskets fixed the hiss, if it did I will be ordering another set from RR. It is too bad they aren't reusable.

 

halleluyah...hiss no more brodah!

I went to the muffler shop and installed the gasket. No more hissing sounds near the cat area. Hissing sound completely gone under load. Definitely worth the $25.

Now I really like the sound of my exhaust.