NC Exhaust/Muffler Options & Advice, Anyone local with one?

[Lucky_Luke]

Hey guys I'm looking for some advice/suggestions from you.

I'm starting to do some forum and youtube research on exhausts for my NC and I'm leaning toward a mid pipe and muffler combo from RB and GW racing ...

Original thoughts are to start with a rear muffler and if its too quiet potentially get a mid pipe such as the pre-silenced Racing beat one.
Like most people I'm after a system with a deep sporty purr & growl when I push it (not wraspy) and doesn't have a droning noise for longer trips, can anyone name any potential other combos or brands they've had success with? I quite like the look of the MX5plus system too but have not heard one.

Does anyone in Adelaide have a custom or aftermarket brand system installed? It would be good to meet up and have a listen in person as youtube videos are really only a good starting point as they often sound completely different in person. I've also read alot about droning bass from some systems which really not what I want, I had that once before on a car and I resorted to swapping out to my stock muffler everytime I went for long trips... Very annoying.

I'm tempted to go an exhaust place again but I'm just not sure what I'll end up with, could be good ... could be bad ... I rather stick with a known sound/product, but I might still pay a visit.

Thanks!
Luke.

[PAU61L]

Hello Luke,
I have this muffler on my car, it does make a better sound than standard and my wife noticed the performance difference.
I did have the trumpets on the end replaced with straight tube angled at the end.
Another member had this muffler on his car BUT he has 4 into 1 extractors and it was too loud with this muffler.
Talk to you later, Paul.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWAX:IT

[Mr Morlock]

the one thing I found with older cars that exhaust fitting was one of the worst jobs. Today we have exhaust repairers in abundance and their charges always seen reasonable. If it were me I would be visiting some exhaust specialists and see what they have available from their suppliers.Town and Country in Geelong do exhausts for NB's etc and it might be worth ringing them to see if they have any info on the NC- PCMX5 may also have some info. You are right about the balance- ie a drumming / droning exhaust is a pain for most. With our cars we at least get to hear the exhaust with top down so it does not have to be too noisy.

[pcmx5]

Sorry T&C have not touched an NC and probably won't given it was my dyno time that helped develop the NA/NB system and they don't seem interested in pursuing it, ie spending some money on developement.

My NC has the HKS twin muffler system and sounds great from in the car with a subdued almost BMW 6cyl growl under acceleration. It has .as standard, fairly large oval tips and does boom a bit on overun.If i keep it I will change the tips.

Strangely following it you don't get any real exhaust note.I would think it would not be hard ro replicate the HKS with a couple of small straight through mufflers but then you would be the guinea pig and may spend a lot before you got it right.

I think MX5 Plus has a system but have no experience with it. Good luck, please let us know what you do.

Peter

[orx626]

I think MX5 Plus has a system but have no experience with it.

http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=43004

[Lucky_Luke]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the responses and feedback, the HKS one possibly sounds like one I might consider. Youtube video please!

I've also seen pics of a green NC with plates OMX542 (wasnt that your car ORX626?) on this forum with an MX5plus system installed...

On Sat I went to a few places to check out pricing for custom systems ...
I first when to visit 2 well renowned exhaust places in Adelaide, and Cartoyz.

1st Place -
Full Custom Sports Box - Full 304 Stainless, any tips I wanted, either a Magnaflow or JunBL muffler all for $1220 and an extra $180 for the cat back.
Really friendly service here, suggested we first sit to down to chat about the sound I wanted to decide on which muffler to go for, then invited me to come in and watch the install, said they would lay it all out first try several tips and see what I liked. Workmanship of some of their systems on display looked really good.
He went as far as saying he would guarantee no resonance and that I would love the sound and would take it off if I didn't. ( Would I still have to pay... hmmm yet to ask ..) Overall pricier but had a good feel about final product I would receive. Could also offer cheaper chinese muffler alternatives but would not guarantee the sound satisfaction, $980 for the muffler. He was a good salesman, in doing so made me feel like he could confidently deliver the goods.

2nd Place -
Full Custom Sports Box - Full 304 Stainless, any tips I wanted, Magnaflow. $980 for stainless system or $550 for Mild Steel version
Took a while to get served in an otherwise empty shop, ended up being a rather knowledgeable guy that was helpful in the end.
Not too much info here other than it came up cheaper, in the end I left feeling like they could do the job and I might be happy with it I but didn't get the same satisfaction vibe from these guys, is that worth the extra $, probably yes for me..

Cartoys-
Only offered me the 5Zigen Pro Racer ZZ Stainless Rear Muffler - $1599.
Told me it retailed for $1999 and just tried to sell me the "top quality, top of the line Japanese brand name" lines ..
Just a sales pitch. I found no exhaust expertise here.

At this point I'm tempted by the 1st place's offer although the more expensive option. I'm somewhat sold on the Magnaflow growl and JunBL branding..
This is then compared to purchasing a tried and tested goodwin or racing beat muffler/midpipe for approx similar $$$ when landed.

I'll still do some research for a little while yet before I purchase but will let you know what I settle on.

Cheers,
Luke.

hmmm some food for thought anyway.

[Charlie Brown]

Luke,

'Twas me who PAU61L referred to with the 5Zigen muffler but combined with my Goodwin headers it boomed. Completely different when hooked up to the standard system and the smaller outlets fitted as Paul has now. A lot quieter.

Monte5 fitted the MX5Parts muffler you show in the picture, combined with his MX5Parts header and he too found it too loud and boomy.

Might I just steer you in another direction to get the sound you are after? Have you thought about fitting a header (or extractors) instead of a rear muffler?
The GWR header that I have hooked to the standard midpipe and muffler gives you the increased sound you want without the boom. The added bonus is that the power output at the wheels jumps from 92kW to 105kW. There’s not a chance in hell that a rear muffler will do that!

Should you decide that the header isn’t the way to go and all you want is a muffler, you should really consider the Goodwin setups. Now with 5 years ongoing development and the AUD being around parity with the USD, they really make good sense and are good buying as you can choose how loud a system you want. Have a look at their site here: http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... d=AzoegKPy

Take some time to read all the information about each of their mufflers. Stay away from their single race muffler. That’s so loud it will attract the EPA and every policeman from the Clare to Victor Harbour.

[orx626]

I've also seen pics of a green NC with plates OMX542 (wasnt that your car ORX626?) on this forum with an MX5plus system installed...

Hi Luke, yes that is my car and it does have the MX-5 Plus rear muffler installed. If you have any questions about it don't hesitate to ask.








Regards,
Danny

[Lucky_Luke]

Thats not a bad idea CB to get some performance gain and noise... I might look into it..
There is a goodwin header/midpipe system with a stock muffler on the back on youtube, but unfortunately didn't sound all that exciting to my ears, but again youtube only provides an indication, some do sound good on there.

I quite like the sound of this Mazdaspeed with the GW mid pipe setup.. but I've read alot of people reporting that they drone quite badly though and obviously they're quite pricey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-yeD3hoFAc

Speaking of Youtube ...
ORX626 is it possible for you to provide a little speil describing the details of your mx5plus exhaust, have you just got the rear box on or have you done headers/mid pipe as well?
Does it drone/boom at all.. especially when cruising at 110km/h?
A reckon a youtube clip showing some idle/revving/driving off would be awesome
.. could be good promo for mx5plus as there isnt any reviews of this system yet that I've found.

Cheers,
Luke.

[orx626]

Speaking of Youtube ...
ORX626 is it possible for you to provide a little speil describing the details of your mx5plus exhaust, have you just got the rear box on or have you done headers/mid pipe as well?
Does it drone/boom at all.. especially when cruising at 110km/h?
A reckon a youtube clip showing some idle/revving/driving off would be awesome
.. could be good promo for mx5plus as there isnt any reviews of this system yet that I've found.

Cheers,
Luke.

Hi Luke, I put the following video together this morning. I have only changed out the rear box on the car. Forward of that is standard. As you will see I'm working on a supercharger kit for the NC based on a HKS centrifugal supercharger....so if anything the exhaust noise might be slightly louder than naturally aspirated. This is our stage 1 kit which boosts to a non-intercooled 6-7 psi and generates 180 rwhp. I have a used HKS header and mid-pipe which will be installed after we have finished testing with the standard exhaust.

I've had the rear muffler on the car for over 12 months and I haven't found it to drone or boom..especially when highway cruising.

Enjoy!



Cheers,
Danny

[Lucky_Luke]

Well... that clears that up ..

Danny you're a legend! That was super quick video production!
Its sounds great! and that s/charger kit looks awesome too.

It doesn't sound obnoxious at all and I actually really like the growl as it takes off in the last scene! and no drone to boot! Thanks for the details much appreciated guys.
That def. bumps the system up in my list after hearing it.

Cheers,
Luke.

[reflex]

Take some time to read all the information about each of their mufflers. Stay away from their single race muffler. That’s so loud it will attract the EPA and every policeman from the Clare to Victor Harbour.

I would agree with CB to the point that you should be cautious with the single Race muffler from GWR. You would really need to hear it/drive it etc before making a decision. I've got the single race muffler and no other exhaust mods and I reckon it sounds brilliant, and i've never had an issue with the authorities, BUT, I do 98% of my driving between 7am and 9pm, so I think if I was out 'crusing' at midnight I might get a bit more unwanted attention. I'm in Sydney and I don't know what the cops are like in SA so heed CB's warning well.
Happy choosing.

[Lucky_Luke]

Hey guys, thanks for the comments.
I'm currently waiting to attend a few MX5 Club of SA runs where I hope to see a few modded NC's.
Currently though based on research.. this is what I've come up with I'm tending either toward the HKS or Custom system still atm.

Good options are quite readily avail ...

HKS Legamax Premium - Muffler box only delivered for $1400.

Racing Beat - Muffler box only delivered for approx $800

GWR Roadstersport Q - Muffler box only delivered for approx $800

Racing Beat - Headers/presilenced midpipe/muffler delivered for $1400
Apparently due to RHD, somehow to fit the RB mid pipe you need to install the header due a length issue which they cant seem to explain.
Only down side of this system is there is no cat conv so the O2 sensors mounted in the header I believe will generate a OBD error, causing the "Engine light" to come on.
Not sure how to get around this... I've heard of O2 simulators but am not keen to go this route.

MX5 Plus - approx $1000

Full Custom Muffler/midpipe - JunBL or Magnaflow box for $1400

Cheers,
L.

[Charlie Brown]

Luke,

The engine light caused by the O2 sensor error is not just a warning light showing there is a problem. The computer switches your fuel map to safe move which runs the fuel mix very rich and performance drops away.

I know nothing about O2 simulators so can’t help you there.

So back to your original ‘want’ of a louder exhaust note. If you’re not going down the extractor route then forget the midpipe as really it’s a waste of money. Just pick a rear muffler. Paul has the modified 5Zigen for sale and there’s another in QLD in the for sale setion. Both will be way under what you’ll be paying for a new imported or local one.

[Zohxoco]

GWR Roadstersport Q - Muffler box only delivered for approx $800

Hi there, I have this one. I got it direct from GWR and by the looks of the quote you have, the same way. ie. by courier, which effectively doubles the price. Brian wouldn't consider anything cheaper. Anyway, still comparable to other prices.

As a totally non technical person with crappy tools, it took me 3+ hours to install, up from the quoted "20 minutes" others claim. Getting the old muffler off the hangers was a killer.

The sound it makes is deeper and much smoother than stock. You lose much of the characteristic rasp of the the stock car. To be honest, that was a little bit of a let down. The sound is more "sophisticated", sportier, but also less interesting I would say. There's no snap and pop on overrun; I guess you'd need the header for that. So yeah, a smooth, deep sound, but with less character. Volume level is very controlled, it's not a loud exhaust at all. No real booming either, which is good. BTW I don't use the baffles.

I'm starting to think about the header myself. More power, and hopefully a rawer experience. The only problem is the volume. I live in an apartment complex and I don't want to piss off the neighbours with a ridiculously loud exhaust. I wonder if the Q+GWR header+glass pack baffles is the go, or GWR header and stock exhaust.