when i bought my rx8 last summer i left it stock, planning on starting the whole upgrading fiasco once spring hit. well it being 57 and sunny today i was inspired to start my first project. i hit up the muffler shop and got a quote on a catback straight pipe set up. for 2 1/2" main pipes leading to 3 1/2" tips he quoted me $178 which i must say im not to upset with, considering any decent exhaust not including a midpipe seems to be in the $800+ range.

it seems like there are only a select few people on the forum with this setup which i can understand, it is quite loud. but i do like the rugged sound and i dont care much for the glamour that you get with all the chrome and burnt Ti tips on the brand name exhausts. anyways a few questions maybe the people who have this could answer for me.

-how bad is the drone, if there is any where does it usually occur in the rpm range?

- how noticable is it at cruising speed? 55-75 mph.

-if you own this, how long have you had it, and are you tired of it yet or still a fan of the straight pipe setup?

and here is a question for the masses...

about how far should the tips stick out, i have been looking at pictures and it seems like it really varies, i just dont want to run into the risk up melting the bumper. like i said i am using 3 1/2 plain aluminum pipe as the tips. is it the pipe itself that manages to melt the plastic or it is the exhaust fumes?

i REALLY wanted to do a single exhaust that exit though the rotary triangle on the bottom of the bumper through the center but it looks much to small and i would be afraid of something catching fire. if i did this the pipe tip itself would consist of 3 flat aluminum rectangles welded side to side to make a triangle as well to sort of mimic the hole it was protuding from. if you guys think this is possible, i would really like to pursue this but i dont think it is.. although it must be because the lambo mercielaqo has a center exhaust, along with the mitsubishi evo x fq400. i know other cars due but i cant think of them. do you see this option possibly being... an option?

thanks for any help!!

matt

 

if u want someone was selling the rotary shape exhaust for $150 muffler also straight pipes?? i like loud but straight pipes just will not sound good if u have enough time on your hand disconnet the cat then start the engine and see if you like it, dam near make you go deaf. i wad advised you man just save and do it right the first time becuase if u do it for $178 you will be coming out the pocket more to get it done correctly.

 

less restrictions in the pipe = more droning in the cabin

 

I think you may have mis-read the OP, im not doing a full straight pipe set up, just a catback. so the oem cat and resonator will still be in place. and yea i saw the rotary tips. but what im talking about it making a center exit exhaust that came from the triangle piece on the bottom of the bumper. where a lot of people do the 3rd brake light.

im aware of this concept, i just was curious as to how noticeable it was or how annoying it may be.

 

no mufflers = very loud, even with the stock cat in place

 

Get a midpipe without resonators, and I bet that would be plenty loud... LoL

 

Remove your stock catback and fire her up, that will be as loud as a straight pipes. It's a no go.

 

well when i was in the shop we disconnected the muffler from the cat and he revved it up. needless to say it was loud but then again i was standing right under the car AND the exhaust was blowing right in our faces. so idk, i wish i could take it for a test drive haha. im not worried about WOT loud, thats what i want. but im more worried about cruising speeds. can i talk to passangers, can i hear the radio etc.

 

Trust me, my HKS high power with the SR catless non resonated pipe was LOUD and the HKS has a pretty good size muffler on it. That is why I got the BHR pipe and it muffled it by a lot. Without mufflers and resonators it will not be streetable and when he revved it the motor was not under load.

 

hmm i didnt think about that. you really think there would be that great a difference when the motor is actually doing a pull rather than a standard rev? i just like the sound of straight pipe the most, i wish there was an alternative. i havent heard any exhaust systems that really catch my ear like this does. i suppose i do like the HKS legamax system, but its so damn expensive.

 

Racing Beat Race Exhaust.

 

thanks for the suggestion! i looked into and i must admit it is a nice looking exhaust. doesnt have a bad sound either. looks like i will just have to save an extra $500 haha!

 

the only thing your ear will catch is continuous buzzing/ringing and going deaf. Maybe you should consider a lobotomy to go with your straight pipe? And no, you can forget about listening to the radio and plan on either yelling or using sign language as your passenger communication options, especially at 70 mph interstate speeds.

after driving my comp car to a few long distance events I decided the extra weight for a muffler wasn't so bad after all ...

 

haha, ok thanks for the advise. i have had other cars that i have put a catback straight on and sure they were loud accelerating but once at a constant cruise they muffled down and werent so bad. i was hoping this would do the same but apparently not.

 

I have a friend that can straight pipe my car I have a 2004 rx8 6 speed and he said he will delete my cat! Now with that do I have to start pre mixing? If yes how much will I have to put for every litre!