I just had Spintech http://www.spintechmufflers.com here in Riverside, Calif. build me a new exhaust system today. It is a prototype for a possible production system. I'll get some photos up tomorrow and better ones in about a week or so. Spintech may run dyno tests on my 8, if so, I'll post the results to this thread. I'm attaching a sound clip to this message. No, the sirens you hear in the clip weren't after me! OK, I finally got the file compressed enough! Probably sounds like crap with all the lossy MP3 compression, but give it a listen.

In case anyone is interested I used a Rode NT4 microphone located approximately 5 metres directly behind the car and one metre above the ground.

It's a split syetem (2.5" pipe from cat back to a 'y' and 2.25" pipes into each muffler. 2.25" pipes out from muffler into 3" tips). This prototype used the stock pipe for the cat-to-'y' section, but production units will be true cat-back they tell me.

Subjectively, it sounds a little louder than stock (they may offer louder mufflers if you want them) but I'll never be mistaken for a "rice rocket" and I think that's a good thing. :D

It's hard to feel the HP difference if any, though I did hit 91MPH at the end of the on-ramp before I even noticed it! I haven't put enough miles on it to check for any MPG gains, and I don't expect any that are significant..

 

Just a quick question for you.
Is the cops in the background, pulling you over for being a chicken and not reving the hell out of your motor. So we can really hear it?
J/K
Please get pictures and also a better REV!

 

I did this recording in the middle of my condo complex at about 2200 hours. I didn't want to **** anybody off! Also I don't like to rev engines to redline with no load -- just seems wrong to me.
I will get pix after the sun comes up, and I'll try to get some better revs for you too. Hey, I have to go to Anaheim Mazda tomorrow -- want to meet up somewhere and check it out for yourseelf? Remember, this is a prototype and not as pretty as the final product will be, but it's not bad looking as is. E-mail me or post here.

 

What time are you going to Anaheim Mazda? Maybe I'll check it out.

 

Probably sometime around noon. I'm flexible on that, just NOT in the early morning -- I'm allergic to mornings!

Is there a time that is good for you?

 

mikea
did you go or not?

 

thats funny
soundclip sounds like highspeed chase

 

no it doesnt, wat are u talking about?^

 

school must be out

 

OK, as promised here are four photos of my 8 with the prototype Spintech exhaust installed. A sound clip is attached to this message. The engine was started, idled for a few seconds, revved to 6000 RPM, dropped to idle, revved to 9000 PRM, dropped to idle, brought to 4000 RPM and held for a few seconds, dropped to idle and idled for a few seconds and then shut down. The peak audio level at the loudest (9000 RPM) on this recording is at 0 dB. There was no clipping. The Mike was about ten metres from the rear of the car.

 

Photo #1 This shows the normal view of the RX8 that other drivers get --- FROM BEHIND!

 

Photo #2 -- From ground level.

 

Photo #3 -- Trying to show details.

 

Photo #4 -- More details. I will get some better shots when we get it up on the lift again in a week or so.

 

Man, nice photos.

Out of Amuse, Rotary Extreme and Spintech, I think the Borla has the meanest sound so far..

 

looks pretty similar to stock
is it that way in person also

 

I was going to say the same thing. If it doesn't sound any meaner I don't see the point since so far none of these exhausts have proven any "considerable" HP gain. As many like to say, "Flame suit on!" :D :p

 

Thanks.
The Borla is a very good system. I almost bought one, but thought I'd try something different. Stay tuned for more, because I think the guys at Spintech are going to put smaller mufflers on mine to try out -- that ought to be really mean, but I think I have decided to go with the mellower sound that these give. But I could change my mind -- I haven't heard the other mufflers yet!

The really sweet thing is that the exhaust sound doesn't resonate at a particular speed (usually what you cruise at!) and become annoying inside the car (and a cop magnet outside it). I don't know if that's the nature of the Rotary or the Spintech muffler design, but I like it.

 

Thanks for the "early" input, as you said, this is prototype and they are still working on it.

 

Yes, unless you look under the car. If you want to make it look different just choose some different tips. That's all that shows normally anyway. I may get some different tips just for looks myself, as soon as I find some I like.

 

No flames from me. Yes, it looks pretty stock unless you look underneath. I may get some different tips, but that's not the point of an exhaust system, at least for me.
And it DOES sound "meaner" than stock, but it's hard to record that. Also the "meanness" comes out under load. Anyone who is in the Ontario, Calif. area is more than welcome to come and have a listen for themselves.
As far as HP gains, that is a big unknown, as I haven't dyno'ed it. That may be done later.

BTW, I am in no way connected with Spintech. I went to them because I had their mufflers on my '96 Mustang SVT Cobra and Liked tham.

 

sounds a little too ricey for my liking, makes it sounds like you are driving a civic...

 

Does this setup affect the temperature inside the trunk? I've seen reports that the trunk get hot with the large stock muffler right underneath it.

 

I haven't noticed it, but I haven't been looking for that either. The mufflers are farther from the heat shield than the stock muffler was, so I think it would heat the trunk less if anything.

 

This is the first system (sound clip anyway) that doesn't have any significant popping on decel. A good thing! Any HP claims?
Tom