About to Order CPE TBE Need Some Help

[CoolWhip]

I'm getting to ready to order the TBE and noticed there were a few options .....

Just need some opinions from my fellow Mazda drivers.

Here is what I'm going for:

1. I want the best possible power gains.
2. Don't want the car ridiculously loud
3. I don't technically have to worry about emissions

So my questions are ...

Will the 12" Muffler help reduce sound at the cost of power gains?
Will a Highflow Cat reduce power gains?
6" Muffler Pipe or Straight Pipe?
Is the CPE TBE too expensive?

[PLM_Man]

Is the CPE TBE too expensive?


Not if you win the ebay auction going on until june 30. There's an essentially brand new cp-e tbe currently at about 65% of the brand new price from cp-e.;)

[CoolWhip]

Not if you win the ebay auction going on until june 30. There's an essentially brand new cp-e tbe currently at about 65% of the brand new price from cp-e.;)

Awesome.

What about my other questions :'(

[PLM_Man]

Awesome.

What about my other questions :'(

I don't have any experience with the 12" muffler. Actually, I don't think CP-E currently offers them as an option on their website anymore because there was such little demand for the 12" muffler. Also about 2 months ago, they changed their turbo manifold flange from fabricated to cast (to save time/$$)and added the option of a third bung for a wideband sensor. In my opinion, the CP-E system is excessively loud only when you first start the engine cold (as it idles high, then dips lower and quiets down after about 10, 15 seconds) and under moderate to heavy throttle. Otherwise it sounds slightly louder than stock in terms of decibels.

The highflow cat will cut down on the nasty smelling exhaust gases. I've heard of a few people mention some strong smells without the cat, strong enough to smell up the interior at a standstill. Others don't seem to mind. Its personal opinion. Performance-wise, you probably couldn't tell the difference, especially if its your daily driver and not a drag car. I'm guessing no more than 3,4 hp. You'll also need to trick the ECU of somehow thinking a cat is installed if you want to avoid throwing a CEL. So for max performance- no cat, however for the non-excessively loud- get the cat. You'll need to weigh in each trade-off and make your decision.

[Kain]

FYI, CP-E is local to us. You can just stop by the shop.

[Oxymoron]

I don't have any experience with the 12" muffler. Actually, I don't think CP-E currently offers them as an option on their website anymore because there was such little demand for the 12" muffler. Also about 2 months ago, they changed their turbo manifold flange from fabricated to cast (to save time/$$)and added the option of a third bung for a wideband sensor. In my opinion, the CP-E system is excessively loud only when you first start the engine cold (as it idles high, then dips lower and quiets down after about 10, 15 seconds) and under moderate to heavy throttle. Otherwise it sounds slightly louder than stock in terms of decibels.

The highflow cat will cut down on the nasty smelling exhaust gases. I've heard of a few people mention some strong smells without the cat, strong enough to smell up the interior at a standstill. Others don't seem to mind. Its personal opinion. Performance-wise, you probably couldn't tell the difference, especially if its your daily driver and not a drag car. I'm guessing no more than 3,4 hp. You'll also need to trick the ECU of somehow thinking a cat is installed if you want to avoid throwing a CEL. So for max performance- no cat, however for the non-excessively loud- get the cat. You'll need to weigh in each trade-off and make your decision.

+1

great explanation.

[meha11]

I have the cpe tbe w/extra resonator. Gains are good and noticeable (more than 3-4hp), it is a little louder than stock when driving normal, gets louder under load. I dont consider it to be obnoxious. Will have new born baby next month and the noise wont be an issue.
You pay a little more but the customer support is a+.

[PLM_Man]

I have the cpe tbe w/extra resonator. Gains are good and noticeable (more than 3-4hp).

What I meant with regards to the 3-4 hp difference was not the complete system gain itself, but rather my assumption of the difference between a system with their hi-flow cat vs going catless. I don't know what the actual difference is. Maybe someone has some dyno info.

[meha11]

oh ok, my bad.

[Eracer]

In my opinion the cast design is superior. Cast Outlets have the advantage of keeping a lot of heat in the exhaust. More heat = better velocity of the spent gases (flow). Yes, a cast design would be less labor intensive but an investment quality mold could cost between $5,000-$10,000 maybe more as it's been a while since I priced this type of mold. The cast also seems to run a little quieter and reduce under hood temps a little.

For our engines a real world estimate of running with a good quality high flow cat as opposed to none would be right around 2hp maybe 3hp not worth the effort considering the down sides of running catless. I am hooked up when it comes to inspection and not a tree hugger but still run cat. The smell alone is enough the justify running one and if its good for the environment, hey thats a plus!

Anyway just my thoughts.

[CoolWhip]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm going to map quest CPE and go down there when I get back from my trip to Myrtle Beach :D

[Kain]

CP-E is in Beltsville, MD, just north of Silver Spring.

[mckraut]

CP-E is in Beltsville, MD, just north of Silver Spring.

WTF? Sweet! I'll go pay them a visit maybe.

[CoolWhip]

CP-E is in Beltsville, MD, just north of Silver Spring.

Yeah just got the directions, I'm going to head down there Tuesday and see what they can do for me.