Quietish Aftermarket Exhaust

[Merrilin]

My exhaust is falling apart. I noticed the connection between the back of the muffler to the rest of the exhaust is weakening (it isn't a weld at all and doesn't appear very strong) and my tailpipe is hanging low. I wouldn't be surprised if there is a leak, too (it doesn't appear to sound any louder though). Right now it's being temporarily held up by some picture chord, but at least axle-back is going to need to be replaced. The rest of the exhaust is so rusted, though, that I probably wouldn't be able to take the tailpipe off without breaking it off. So, it looks like I'll need a catback system.

I look at this as a good excuse to upgrade. I want an increase in HP, but I don't want it to be too loud. Obviously it will be louder at higher RPM, but that's a good thing. My main concern is drone - it annoys the s*** out of me (and would annoy my passengers). What are some of the quieter exhaust brands available for MSP? I'm willing to sacrifice some power to get rid of drone. Can anyone recommend exhausts that sound perfect at higher RPMs but are barely noticable below 3000 RPM? How much does a silencer usually help?

 

[mazdaspeedp]

Silincer helps allot but u loose a bit of power. Magnaflow makes a good similer to stock replacement go on ebay. Corksport makes a really nice one too and if u want it to not be so loud just make sure u order cats.

 

[Merrilin]

I was looking at the Corksport one, actually. From Youtube videos it sounds pretty nice. You think if I get the high-flow cat and the silencer, it'll pretty much eliminate drone?

Edit: Also, would I be able to use it with my current catalytic converters or would that just bottleneck the power and defeat the purpose? I won't go catless.

 

[jbrewer4639]

I would go ahead and get new cat cause i would hate get a new exhaust only have turn around and replace the cat.

 

[tweety2300]

Racing beat

 

[KrayzieFox]

Buy Khaosman's GHL turboback, they're a dying breed as they don't make them anymore. See the FS section if you're interested. Keep in mind it's a 3" exhaust so it's bound to be loud, but I don't think it will drone. Similar to the Corksport but a bit louder as it's 3".

If you really wanna keep things quiet then you can do what I did. Just get whatever catback you want and keep the stock MSP axleback. I have a 2.5" midpipe and catback with a stock 03.5 axleback and it's just barely louder than stock, but you can definitely feel a performance boost from freeing up the restrictive double-cat midpipe. Another bonus is it looks completely stock so no hassle from the cops.

 

[Merrilin]

That sounds like a good idea, but my axleback is what's falling apart so it's not really an option. Anyway, where would I get an exhaust kit that's only from catback to axle?

Edit: Say I got a high flow cat, better midpipes, and a catback (up to axle) while fixing and keeping my stock tailpipe. The stock tailpipe will keep all of that from droning, but will it significantly inhibit or even completely nullify potential performance gains?

 

[Carlinator]

IIRC the midpipe is the most restrictive bit on our cars, so replacing those should still net you some gains. Make sure whatever you get can actually bolt up to the stock axleback, though; some kits may be too long or short.

 

[Jo060]

I just replaced my exhaust from the exhaust manifold back with a 3" pipe and took the cats off. Installed a magnaflow muffler and kept the original MSP tip. I was a bit nervous as I didn't want a loud exhaust either...didn't want the typical ricer sound. This set up has a deep sound to it not too loud, especially if you keep the cats.
Might be worth considering.

 

[Merrilin]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. How do I generally know if two pieces are going to fit together without buying them first?

 

[hornsfan10609]

I think the stock Racing Beat muffler sounds great with high flow or no cats personally, and there isn't a lot of performance gained from upgrading just the axle back. Most HP gains are from a larger DP and midpipe.

 

[91Protege]

I gave you a PM

 

[Speed3.5]

I just replaced my exhaust from the exhaust manifold back with a 3" pipe and took the cats off. Installed a magnaflow muffler and kept the original MSP tip. I was a bit nervous as I didn't want a loud exhaust either...didn't want the typical ricer sound. This set up has a deep sound to it not too loud, especially if you keep the cats.
Might be worth considering.

which mangaflow muffler did you get, part nr or muffler dimensions would work too as i'm looking to change my muffler but not sure on what size to go with at this point.

 

[mazdaspeedp]

Check on crossover auto they have magnaflow for msp

 

[91Protege]

I live like 10 min from him, sold him a stock axle back.