Exhaust/Headers

[Br0therly Love]

Hi,

I'm new with Proteges .Ive just begun tuning my '02 Protege ES, 5spd. I've already gotten a cold air intake. I'm looking to put in an exhaust system and some headers.
I was wondering if any1 could tell me if this exhaust system I'm about to buy is good.

http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/BRO112209.htm
and is it compatible with the OBX headers on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-Exhaust-Header-01-03-Mazda-Protege-5-MP3-2-0L-ALL_W0QQitemZ170084553214QQihZ007QQcategoryZ33631Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[jeg0024]

The bosal system looks good, and it also looks like it will bolt right up to the OBX header. I would recomend getting the header from Ken @ protegegarage.com instead of ebay though, he is much better to deal with than anyone from ebay.

If you want to check out my header install thread to get an idea about what to expect Click Here (http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123655050). Let me know if you have anymore questions, thanks.

[Shift2xlr8]

I didn't look at the exhaust, but why don't you just go to your local muffler shop and have them just weld in a 2 1/4in header back pipe and put in a new muffler? 1) you're gonna save a lot more money versus spending $300-$500 on a bolt on kit that you wont end up liking in the long run. I had a Apex'i exhaust for about 6mos and got so annoyed with it because I spent so much money on it and I couldn't even hear my stereo on the highway with it damn near all the way turned up.

I suggest a Borla muffler and 2 1/4in piping, header back. Thats what I have and I noticed a big difference in torque.

As for the Header, I personally don't like OBX headers, I bought a turbo manifold that is a OBX and that thing is the worst piece of shit Ive ever bought. The welds are shitty and looks like some 15yr old kid did it in his grandpa's garage with dollar store tools. I bought this Tsudo 4-2-1 header off eBay, and I can honestly say its a lot cheaper (about $50less) and a lot better quality than the OBX, this is purely my $.02 and you are welcome to try any products you like for your car. Trial and error is how this game works, fortunately I haven't blown up anything in the process . Good luck with your header/exhaust research!

Chris

PS - The Borla muffler I have sounds amazing, similar to a 350Z's exhaust, at least that is what it reminds me of, and it looks great as well.

[jeg0024]

My welds looked fine on my OBX, better than those on the Thunder IMO. But I know that if you have any problems with the welds cracking or whatever Ken will do his best to work something out with OXB to get it fixed, if you go with ebay your pretty much screwed if something happens.

[Shift2xlr8]

It could have just been that specific manifold, I didnt mean to say that all OBX manifolds were like that, just the one I bought. As for any cracking, I havent had issues with mine, and the stats on my cheapo Ebay header are the exact same as the OBX, so I figured it was worth saving the extra $50. I know the lady that owns the local Meineke shop so my buddys and I all get cheap deals on welding and exhaust installs. Again, good luck finding whatever it is that makes you happy, hope this information from myself and the others in here helps you with your research.

Chris

[Br0therly Love]

So this exhaust system is going to be loud? I don't like really loud exhaust like those civics.

[CantCMe]

I went to a exhaust shop and they custom made me one (2 1/4 stainless-steel pipe, hi-flow cat w/ weldedn Apex'i muffler) and it was loud, but I liked it. The only thing wrong was the quality of work. I should have spend the extra dough and bought an exhaust specially made for my car AND went to a better shop...now I gotta start from scratch. If you get one made for the Protege more than likely you'll get some kind of warranty. Those spots that make custom stuff normally have that 90 day crap.

[Shift2xlr8]

So this exhaust system is going to be loud? I don't like really loud exhaust like those civics.

It depends on the muffler, I had the straight through flow design like the Apexi, greddy, HKS, etc and yes it was loud as piss, Id be going 80mph at 4k RPM in 5th gear and you could barely hear anything. I had to scream to my wife who was sitting right next to me. I hated it. When I changed over to the Borla, it was a lot quieter, and I gained back a LOAD of torque from it. If you dont want something loud, but loud enough it still sounds good and isnt obnoxiously loud, try the Borla, its not too expensive and its worth every penny. Good luck.

Chris

[CantCMe]

Does borla sell midpipes too?

[Br0therly Love]

I searched up the Borla exhaust system and it was still rather expensive, would it be good if I bought this Vibrant pipe
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/performance/brand.php?makeid=16&modelid=290&year=2002&partid=186
and use either my stock muffler or buy get a universal muffler for it?

[jeg0024]

Ok, to be honest with you...I have an OBX header and an OBX axleback and the performance and sound gains are perfect, you wont get much more out of a whole catback system, and when you get a high flow cat midpipe later down the line you may get a few more gains but its definately gonna be close to being too loud. I like my set up, when the car is cold its quiet and when I have the rpms above about 4k its pretty much quiet. I dont see any need to do anymore if you are worried about the noise. And its gonna be a lot cheaper too.

[Gipper76]

I searched for a Borla exhaust for a 99 LX and nothing came up. I, like many others, have a nice exhaust but its just way to damn loud. I can't hear my music, I can't talk to peopleon the phone and I can barely hear people in my car. Does Borla make an exhaust for a 99 lx or no? And ifnot, where can one with quality like Borla be found for me?

[CantCMe]

I believe Magnaflow makes one...one of the shops I go to couldn't find one from Borla for our cars either. I just looked on their website and they don't have one. The shop did say Magnaflow makes a good cat-back system for $575.

[Br0therly Love]

So the Vibrant pipe will still be loud even if I get a silent muffler?

[CantCMe]

So the Vibrant pipe will still be loud even if I get a silent muffler?
It depends on what you call loud...you could get the Vibrant pipe and get a muffler w/ a silencer on it. I know the APEXI muffler I had came with a silencer. I used it for about 2 days but took it off and the decibels did go up. But even with the silencer on it still wasn't as quiet as stock.

[Br0therly Love]

It depends on what you call loud...you could get the Vibrant pipe and get a muffler w/ a silencer on it. I know the APEXI muffler I had came with a silencer. I used it for about 2 days but took it off and the decibels did go up. But even with the silencer on it still wasn't as quiet as stock.

I want it loud enough so that people can hear that I'm driving a manual, but I don't want it to where it sounds like a motorcycle. If I get this Vibrant pipe, what muffler would u recomend? Or should I just go with the Bosal system?

[CantCMe]

The APEXI muffler might be good for you. But if you don't want it too loud just keep the silencer on. It has a low tone to it...and it def. doesn't sound like a motorcycle(thumb) .

[Br0therly Love]

Thanks. I guess I'll try that, but the Bosal system's price is very appealing, if only I knew how it sounded.

[Shift2xlr8]

If you wanna try the Borla they have sound clips on their site.

www.borla.com

Chris

[Shift2xlr8]

Borla's mufflers are damn near univeral, with in reason. You cant put a V8's muffler on your car and expect it to sound right.

As for the 99 LX, the muffler is just a muffler, there is ZERO sense in spending $575 on a cat back system, when all you are buying is a muffler and some piping. Do you realize how much money you're saving by just buying the muffler? The muffler itself is maybe $100 and the labor to have it welded in maybe is $75 if even that much. I spent $40 to have my Borla muffler welded in, I bought a cat back system and didn't even use the piping, I just used the muffler. The reason I didn't use the rest was because it was smaller than stock piping. My piping is currently 2.5in, however I know that isn't the stock piping. Im sooner or later going with 2.25in piping, as that is the biggest most N/'A cars can go with out losing back pressure and overall losing power. But the point of what Im saying is, there is no point to spend damn near $600 on some piping with a $100 muffler welded onto it. When you can have the same shit done at your local muffler shop for a 1/3rd of the price. Then you could use that remaining $400 to buy more mods for the car, like the Jspec intake cam shaft which I believe gives 8-12hp, and underdrive pulleys from UnOrthadox which add about the same, 8-12hp. That right there is 16-24hp and for the same exact price of what that cat back system costs.

So bottom line, would you rather spend $575 and gain maybe 4-5hp OR spend $575-$600 and get about 20hp (exhaust/camshaft/pulleys) See what Im saying and the reason behind it? Oh and not to mention, if you lean out your fuel a hair you'll gain back some torque from that as well, so really you are gaining a nice bit for the same price. So...which are you going to choose?

Chris

[Br0therly Love]

The Vibrant pipe and the Bosal exhaust system have very reasonable price, no where near 600, but I'm just worry about the quality.

[Shift2xlr8]

The Vibrant pipe and the Bosal exhaust system have very reasonable price, no where near 600, but I'm just worry about the quality.

Ive never even heard of Vibrant or Bosal, so I dont know what to tell you on that. All I have experience with is the Borla.

Chris

[Captain KRM P5]

its guaranteed on this car if you remove the entire exhaust system with a combination of header + midpipe + catback section + new muffler its going to be louder. my good friend's protege5 has an obx header, mental addiction catless mid pipe and a racing beat cat back and the car is nice and loud despite the racing beat being the quietest system for these cars according to most. you simply have to expect that changing mufflers and resonators, going with larger diameter pipes, removing some or all catalytic converters that your car is going to be noticably louder. if you're not looking to make any more sound above stock then you probably should not modify the exhaust system. i am also of the mindset that if you are going to modify the exhaust for pure power purposes you need to pretty much do the whole thing. it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to just get a header and leave the rest of the system alone. sure there are decent gains to be had that way, but you are still bottlenecking it somewhat by going from 2.5 inch pipe to something 2inch or smaller in diameter.

just my .02

[Shift2xlr8]

^^I agree, I honestly think that header, with a high flow cat and new muffler is a good idea. I don't suggest wasting money on a cat back system...like I said before...all you are buying is some piping and a muffler. And as for the MAM midpipe...another waste of $150...all it is is a piece of pipe with two flanges welded on the ends. A OBX header is cheap...I believe they are around $150-$180, then if u want to delete the cat, just do 2 1/2in piping from the header back then do a like Borla muffler and there u have it...a full exhaust system and all for a damn cheap price.

Chris

[niky]

its guaranteed on this car if you remove the entire exhaust system with a combination of header + midpipe + catback section + new muffler its going to be louder. my good friend's protege5 has an obx header, mental addiction catless mid pipe and a racing beat cat back and the car is nice and loud despite the racing beat being the quietest system for these cars according to most. you simply have to expect that changing mufflers and resonators, going with larger diameter pipes, removing some or all catalytic converters that your car is going to be noticably louder. if you're not looking to make any more sound above stock then you probably should not modify the exhaust system. i am also of the mindset that if you are going to modify the exhaust for pure power purposes you need to pretty much do the whole thing. it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to just get a header and leave the rest of the system alone. sure there are decent gains to be had that way, but you are still bottlenecking it somewhat by going from 2.5 inch pipe to something 2inch or smaller in diameter.

just my .02


I've got direct experience of this. I've got everything but a muffler, and while it's much better than stock, it's frustrating how that bottleneck in the rear dulls the throttle response. I'm finally upgrading to new pipe later this month.