Headers

[DieNadel]

Has anyone done headers on the V6 or the 4-cyl yet?? I just got mine for the V6 and was just wondering if anyone had any troubles. (rockon)

[crossbow]

Ya the troubles with the headers so far are...

1) Generator failure (one case) due to problems when they were installed. 1100 USD repair through mazda. This is mainly an installer problem.

2) Vibration in the cabin compartment caused by some design of the headers. Possibly the position of the flexpipe. (Three owners have complained about this. The problem becomes more noticable in the upper rpm's)

3) Excessive vibration caused by flex pipe position causing the area where it intersects the main header pipe to come loose and leak. This problem has been addressed by MSDS.

One could also call the "sound" a problem. But thats all to the individual. To myself, it sounds absolutely horrible. Like a civic with a bunch of giant fart can's. Some of the sound issues are caused by the excessive vibration, which may be being addressed by MSDS as we speak.

Installing a highflow cat should deaden the raspiness some, as well as running a stock exhaust. A resonator will also help reduce any raspy tone.

[Da 6]

yep a guy on cardomain had headers put on his 6s and shortly after removed his bosal rearsection due to the db level that shot out of it...

[DieNadel]

Yeah I found a set of Greddy SP mufflers for pretty cheap (Ebay God bless you) so I'll be throwing those on anyway. I have a pretty strict exhaust law up here in CO so I have to keep the noise to a minimum. Now when you say generator are you talking alternator? A stupid question I know but I'd like to get as much info as possible so I dont make the same mistake. Were the other peoples headers also made by MSDS? (smash)

[crossbow]

MSDS is the only company producing headers for the v6 Mazda 6s. Draxas produces headers for the 6i, and also resells the MSDS headers at a slightly lower price.

The generator is an alternator controlled by the PCM. Its got a vulnerable wiring harness, and the generators heatshield has to be modified to allow for header fitment. If the shop isn't careful when doing this, its possible a short could occur, destroying the generator.

Of the 15 or odd so headers that have been installed by various persons, only 1 individual has had an issue, and thats pretty much due to problems the shop had when installing his headers.

As mentioned earlier, removal of the precats and main cats greatly increases the noise output. You may need to keep the stock resonator and exhaust on to help quiet the system down. Running a high flow cat would also lessen the noise level, but would require that it be welded in place.

One member had the bosal exhaust before getting the headers, and had to revert back to stock to reduce noise levels to a comfterable level. This of course is personal opinions, and the noise level might not effect you as much.

[DieNadel]

Thank you for the info. As I said before, I have a set of mufflers that may quiet it down some. If nothing else I'll just throw the stockies back on and live with that until I can get a resonator. The joy of living in the town that I do, is that we dont have to do emissions so I'm just looking to quiet it down. (ricer)

[z6speed]

If i were you i would buy a wrap clamp (it's about 2 inches wide and has two bolts to it to tighten) to replace the dollar clamp being used connecting the flex pipe and y-pipe. For me, the flex pipe became dislodged, causing exhaust to exit well before the mufflers and was extremely loud. Also, i am running with stock exhaust and it is not that bad, around 3200 rpms you'll hear the raspy sound (vibration) and after that it sounds more like a race car (IMO). OUtisde the car is a different sotry, it is a little louder, but not that bad with the stock exhaust.

[Da 6]

The joy of living in the town that I do, is that we dont have to do emissions Bet you have alot of guys in pick'em up trucks with gutted cat, no mufflers and 32 inch lifts running buckwild...(yes) but yeah i'd be deleting cats and running a big ass 32 inch glasspack with no mufflers if I was there(smoke) . Yeah I want to just stay slightly modded and make it my daily driver while I get a project car to turn into my street legal (Sleeper) racecar (lol2)

[DieNadel]

Well the headers are in. And it sounds like ass. But the performance gain was noticeable. Also due to my exhaust inexperiance, it took about 5 hours to install. MSDS sent some fine hand drawn instructions too. But all in all now that its done I plan to get another resonator and some HKS or Greddy mufflers too. Thanks again for the feedback.

(mj) (loser)

[Da 6]

is it unbearable on the highway?

[crossbow]

dienadel,

Do you notice any vibration in the cabin compartment (driver or passenger) in the upper rpm's?

[DieNadel]

No, everything is actually pretty solid. Its still using the stock resonator so that might be helping too. But no vibration and no CEL so far (drinks)

[crossbow]

Well thats good! Enjoy your headers!

[DieNadel]

Thanks!!

[Glowspeedp5]

You can call Kartboy and ask if they can make exhaust hangers for the mazda6.

They make them for the protege 3rd gen. I have header that vibrated alot got there exhaust hangers no rattles. It kicks ass.

[crossbow]

Glowspeedp5,

Were already working with them. The 6 has 5 total hangers, and the protege ships with 5.

3 of the 6's hangers are the same as the protege, but the rear 2 are an extra .5 inches thick.

Kartboy is working on deciding whether or not its worth it to fab a new rear hanger...

[juice14]

I have MSDS HEaders on mine, any questions? id be glad to answer and help

[Killer]

Dude...the thread is 3 years old...(hand)

[trees]

Dude...the thread is 3 years old...(hand)

who cares.. should he start a new thread. E.A.D (huh)

[Dragon Queen]

What is a DieNadel?

[dirtysouth_msp]

Why would you guys weld a cat in place when:
1.) You are putting an exhaust system in the car to gain hp and then
counteracting your gains by installing a restriction (the cat).
2.) The cat will do absolutely nothing to help the car remain emissions
compliant.
3.) You will need to either install O2 eliminators or relocate both rear
oxygen sensors behind the cat to avoid throwing DTCs for the cats.
4.) If you are going to use O2 Eliminators, you don't need the cat
anyway.

I guess it is one way to reduce db level, but geesh I've heard this exhaust on a 6 with the stock cat-back and it is uber quiet compared to my MSP (which I'll admit is pretty loud, but anyway). The point is, if you want to make noticeably more power, your going to have to make some sacrifices in noise and comfort, otherwise you might as well be doing the mods for looks or just to say you have them. Oh well, I guess to each his own...