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View Full Version : Midpipe only questions


freebird_78
03-10-2008, 10:17 PM
I realize there are a million posts around this subject, but in all my searching, I can't seem to find the answer to the question I have.

When replacing the 2nd cat with a mid/test pipe, what are the increases in the smell? I've seen opinions all over about DP/MP combos, comments about sound, etc, but none on MP ONLY smells.

I had a MP on my RX-8, and it ended up taking me longer to install it than for me to realize it was a NO-GO, stunk WAY too badly, and sounded like crap. From the posts I've seen, the sound isn't bad for the MS3, but that's really only judging by clips, not in person.

The consensus seems to be that this is a worthwhile mod, assuming you can live with the trade-offs (sound, smell), and that's what I'm trying to figure out.
evo2ms3
03-10-2008, 10:36 PM
I've riden in one Speed 3 with intake and midpipe only. It was a turboxs. The exhaust note was not much louder at all to my suprise, and I didn't smell anything from it in the 15 or so miles we rode. I'm curious to other inputs on possible smells.
oskinosmee
03-10-2008, 10:54 PM
Dp will get you a smell
Bravnik
03-10-2008, 11:08 PM
I have a TurboXS Test Pipe only and I hardly get any smell. There are times when I'm outside my car and if the wind blows just right I get a wiff, but it's not bad at all and nothing like one without Cats.
aaronc7
03-11-2008, 12:01 AM
I never noticed any smell wtih just a racepipe. My buddy said he could smell it when I was driving in front of him and gunned it once. But the car running really rich might also contribute to it all.
Davidb
03-11-2008, 12:09 AM
I had a rx8 with a racing beat midpipe...I actually still have...and I know what you are talking about. I just put the CS midpipe on my MS3 and I love it. I haven't noticed the smell...so I guess its not really that different. I noticed the smell right away with my rx8. I still have stock exhaust and it really didn't change the tone or loudness much at all. My wife didn't notice a big difference at all...
mrlilguy157
03-11-2008, 12:14 AM
uh oh. i'll be smelling with my dp/mp combo tomrrow i guess... :(
Sierra117
03-11-2008, 10:01 AM
uh oh. i'll be smelling with my dp/mp combo tomrrow i guess... :(

Its good for you, builds character.
aaronc7
03-11-2008, 10:05 AM
uh oh. i'll be smelling with my dp/mp combo tomrrow i guess... :(

meh, it's not THAT bad. I notice it because I drive with the windows down all the time in stop and go kind of traffic. Plus I live in Daytona, so there's always bikers, so I'm kind of used to the smell I guess. Still, I already have a high flow cat, going to get it welded in when the rest of my exhaust gets here!
mrlilguy157
03-11-2008, 10:22 AM
Its good for you, builds character.

i lol'd...

about 6 hours till i have a new 24lb turbo in my hands. I'll take lots of comparison shots before the snail is hiding behind the block.
shadrag
03-11-2008, 11:34 AM
about 6 hours till i have a new 24lb turbo in my hands. I'll take lots of comparison shots before the snail is hiding behind the block.


Mmmm
freebird_78
03-11-2008, 06:41 PM
I had a rx8 with a racing beat midpipe...I actually still have...and I know what you are talking about. I just put the CS midpipe on my MS3 and I love it. I haven't noticed the smell...so I guess its not really that different. I noticed the smell right away with my rx8. I still have stock exhaust and it really didn't change the tone or loudness much at all. My wife didn't notice a big difference at all...

Were the gains more noticable on the MS3 than on the 8? That was another reason I went right back to stock on my 8. Lots of stink and noise for not a whole hell of a lot of return.
Davidb
03-11-2008, 07:14 PM
Well it added more then it did on my ms3 then for my rx8. But I don't think it added as much as my intake...
haberdashery
03-12-2008, 03:04 AM
how hard would it be to switch out just the midpipe, leaving the stock downpipe, on and off? for a dealer visit or something. im paranoid!(shrug)
aaronc7
03-12-2008, 08:15 AM
^^ changing out the mid pipe is quick and easy, especially after you do it a couple times
haberdashery
03-12-2008, 09:34 AM
do you have to mess with any of the 02 sensors, or is that just with the downpipe?
aaronc7
03-12-2008, 09:48 AM
Nope! Just need to take out brace thing on the bottom of the car (8 bolts....comes out in like 2 mins) and then it's just 4 bolts on the mid pipe and that's it (plus getting it off the hangars).

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/aaronc7/Mazdaspeed%203/IMG_2681.jpg
aaronc7
03-12-2008, 09:49 AM
the pipe on the bottom is the stock one....i have the cat taken out tho
haberdashery
03-12-2008, 11:25 AM
hey thanks, i really appreciate that
AllLostThings
03-13-2008, 04:32 PM
The exhaust isn't much louder I guess but It is quite a bit deeper. I'venot noticed any more of a smelltobe honest. I've had mine of for a a few months now. Install was about an hour using a lift. I noticed quite a bit of mid to high end increase personally. With my set up.