NB8A Exhaust flange question

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri May 04, 2012 3:35 pm

Do also remember, the SMB high flow isn't just the cat on it's own.
It's a replacement pair of collectors (correct term?) with the cat integrated.

It's still overpriced, but it's not just a cat on it's own.

Why not just get a midpipe made up?
If you buy the SMB one you'll need it to be cut/welded/adapted to work anyway, why not just skip that and get one made right first up?

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:28 pm

My understanding of the SMB product is that it's made to fit the car and should bolt right in. Perhaps I'm being naive about this.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:34 pm

OurCognitiveSurplus wrote:My understanding of the SMB product is that it's made to fit the car and should bolt right in. Perhaps I'm being naive about this.

It is a direct bolt in for the NB8B

But the OP has an NB8A, which because of a slight design change by Mazda, means the SMB product won't fit his car unless he also buys the Cat/header combo they sell (which replaces the section that was changed on the NB8B)

edit:
Note, I'm going off pics, and what's read here. Ive not looked under an NB8B to see if this is all true and correct.

Rough word illustration:
- = Flanged join
+ = Welded join

NB8A: Engine - Headers - cat+midpipe+resonator - Rear muffler

NB8B: Engine - Headers+cat - midpipe+resonator - Rear muffler

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:39 pm

SMB asked me if the car was an NB8A or NB8B when I ordered the part, explaining that the design was different. I specified NB8A and they told me they'd make me one to suit.

Willstar · Postby **Willstar** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:42 pm

Maybe it will include a cat then???

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:44 pm

OurCognitiveSurplus wrote:SMB asked me if the car was an NB8A or NB8B when I ordered the part, explaining that the design was different. I specified NB8A and they told me they'd make me one to suit.

Ahh, I see.

I was just going off what's listed/shown on their website.

Willstar · Postby **Willstar** » Fri May 04, 2012 4:45 pm

And i confirm that the pictures on their website, and the NB8B setup stated by HKS Kensei, are how my NB8B is.

jonosx · Postby **jonosx** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:09 pm

I rung SMB when i was purchasing the system of sliq a while ago and specifically asked if it would fit on an NB8A as it was coming of an NB8B.

Their answer was that yes it would fit as they are all the same...

Obviously they are not which i found out after i tried to fit it. I just fittd the rear section and eventually i will source a high flow cat and fit it in their with the mid section.

I could buy the smb cat front pipe section but which would be easy, but the price they are asking for it is a bit ridiculous.

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:27 pm

hks_kansei wrote:
Rough word illustration:
- = Flanged join
+ = Welded join

NB8A: Engine - Headers - cat+midpipe+resonator - Rear muffler

NB8B: Engine - Headers+cat - midpipe+resonator - Rear muffler

Hold on, if the 8B cat is welded to the 8B header, it's quite likely that the high-flow-cat would not actually solve the problem of fitting the 8B system onto an 8A header.

That is, we don't know whether or not the SMB header has the same flange location and design as the 8A header (there would be no reason to build it like that).

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:40 pm

True, I think the assumption is while the exhaust shop is fitting the high flow cat you would get them to also fit whatever flange is necessary.

Also, apologies for my post above referring to the OP having an NB8A, I only just realised that you ARE the OP... so you probably know exactly what car you have.

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri May 04, 2012 5:51 pm

Wow with all of this... How much do they want for it all?

Dann

EDIT: Reread thread, 1800.

Does that include headers?

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Fri May 04, 2012 6:00 pm

I assume they've knocked off early to the pub.

I'll try and get answers on Wednesday.

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Fri May 11, 2012 10:00 am

Good Morning Greg,

The boys have sat down and looked at your situation. This is what they have come up with.

On order you have the cat back, we can offer you the front section as well, for the later model which will bolt straight on making your order the full system. Secondly Grant has mentioned, if you are just after a bit of note we can supply you with just the rear muffler which again will just bolt straight on.

In order for your cat back to bolt on you will require the front section, but as mentioned the rear muffler will work just fine. Meaning it will bolt straight on.

Regards,
Briony

This is what SMB exhuast has to say.

Does anyone know if the NB8A and NB8B headers are of the same design (i.e. come down and stop at the same point?) I've never seen them both in detail, but my thinking is that the NB8A might come down further/be longer than the 8B.

If that's the case, SMB is wrong saying that the 8B front section will solve the problem.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Fri May 11, 2012 10:27 am

totally overpriced system. you could get a custom 57mm ID mandel bend job done at any exhaust shop that includes a high flow cat also for $1000.

OurCognitiveSurplus · Postby **OurCognitiveSurplus** » Fri May 11, 2012 10:31 am

project.r.racing wrote:totally overpriced system. you could get a custom 57mm ID mandel bend job done at any exhaust shop that includes a high flow cat also for $1000.

I got a quote from my local exhaust shop, an MX5 specalist, and the price was more in line with what SMB is quoting.