[SoCalEngineer]

Basically I'd like to stick with mazda modifications as much as I can for now for warranty reasons. So I'm curious if others would agree that the bulk of exhaust gains are going to come with the down pipe and "middle pipe" as I've seen it called. In which case it's really arbitrary which cat back you go with, and honestly probably comes down to sound more than anything. It seems I should wait at least 6 months to see what everyone offers but the bug has definitely bitten me and the 20% discount at the dealership and the hourly discount makes parts fairly cheap to get.

For those who will wait, which company are you waiting for? Can someone with more info on cobb tell me if I should wait and see what kind of gains they are going to get? What are you guys going with for turbo back? As an aside I plan on keeping the primary cat but eliminating the secondary.

 

[mattleegee]

Im doing

Racepipe (removes 2nd cat)
Then
MSCBE
which hooks onto the racepipe

I didnt want to remove the first cat mostly for noise and definatly emisiions, is there a hi-flow cat for the first cat that has a o2 sensor? I would hate to see blown CEL's but will probably keep that stuff stock

Cobb makes one ugly downpipe but it is a utility item which gets the job done, as in not pretty and a few different metals it looks like, but with them makeing a MAP for specific application it might be a pay off

I look for a exhaust system that will let the turbo spool faster... let me hear the turbo better.. and not have a bottle neck
Then also i try to stay away from emission problems... noise... and black chuncks flying out the back

 

[SoCalEngineer]

In the early stages I'm thinking the Mazdaspeed CB, and the CPE downpipe (eliminates 2nd cat and middle pipe) with cat and O2 bung.

I think that will net 90% of the gains of catless or any other combination and maintain a little bit of warranty until I pull the trigger on the down pipe section.

I'm a little new to the brand new OEM non'track car thing, will there be exhaust mani's made by some companies for the stock turbo? This car from what I can tell would benefit greatly from a complete exhaust replacement, and a diet.

 

[diablospeed]

you are worried about your warrantee? if you are doing and exhaust anything cat-back has no bearing on anything other than the exhaust itself. I honestly don't get where everyone comes up with the notion that their entire warrantee is magically going to disappear when they bolt on a part. Unless there is a failure that can be traced back, therefore placing blame on said aftermarket part, then your warrantee must be honored. I say screw Mazda.. I'll spend any additional money on this car with an American company. HAHAHA! Just kidding. All the products that CPE and Mazda are making are very similar, and should get you good results. I chose CPE as a choice... and for no other reason than that. I liked their name (track record) and when I actually spoke to them, they listened. Try calling Mazda's engineers and see if they will explain why they are making certain parts. Unless you speak Japanese, you won't get through to them. OK, enough Mazda bashing from me. I have the CPE CBE installed and have ordered the downpipe with the hi-flow cat. I am currently running a CPE intake also. I have ordered the StreetSmart BOV, but who knows when I'll have that. I also am anxiously awaiting the COBB tuning piece, but once again, that is far off. All said and done, I will still have a warrantee, and a very fast car.

 

[mattleegee]

Cobb is makeing a turbo manifold i know
Probably everything will be redone for their downpipe and other companies similar

 

[SoCalEngineer]

The warranty thing is a big concern. If you make more power from an aftermarket piece, they can deny claims on your transmission, your engine, your differential, half shafts, wheel bearings, basically the bulk of the front suspension, engine mounts, the list is endless. I won't be conerened with it after the car matures a little bit but so early in it's life it's something I'm definitely aware of. Even when you prove your aftermarket piece is not the culprit, you have done so after months of arguing and legal speak, it's a big hastle.

 

[CosmicBlueMS3]

the only way you are going to make any significant amount of power between two cat back exhausts is if you run a straight exhaust, no resonator, no muffler, nada
im going for full SS, quality welds and a good price and I want a guranteed good tone, and right now, only mazdaspeed fits that bill.
dp and mid pipe will give you more significant gains than a cbe, but the cbe sorta ties it all together.

one exhaust may claim this, and another may claim that, but in the end they all generally take the same bends at the same spots and only the addition of or lack of resonators and mufflers will seperate them.

 

[SoCalEngineer]

Cosmic is it fair to say you expect the Mazdaspeed exhaust to be of higher quality then the other current offerings? Have you checked out corksports cat back? It looks pretty well designed and put together, but I don't know their reputation.

 

[diablospeed]

Quality of exhaust is determined by the INTERNAL construction of the piece. I personally don't care for chromed stainless, as it looks like everything else in about an Arizona minute. All things being equal, it is still a coin flip when you look at all the brands. As far as noise goes, I would expect the Mazda to utilize a more baffling muffler, but that really doesn't effect power. It just makes it a pound or two heavier. The CPE is not loud at all though. Using it with the stock cats is truley the test. No more loud than stock, just an easier feel between throttle on and off (less backpressure), and a gruntier/growly sound. I would bet that both Mazda's and CPE's piece mated this way sound similar.
I forgot you are in SoCal... the dealers there are real annoying with aftermarket exhaust modifications. You should invest in a MIG welder to re-flange the stock one for emergency.

 

[mattleegee]

[quote author=SoCalEngineer link=topic=73464.msg1304233#msg1304233 date=1175404629]
Cosmic is it fair to say you expect the Mazdaspeed exhaust to be of higher quality then the other current offerings? Have you checked out corksports cat back? It looks pretty well designed and put together, but I don't know their reputation.
[/quote]

Corksport are great guys and know alot (my local area)
Havent heard much on it yet

 

[Boost Addict]

Matt pretty much nailed it on the head with the Cobb... Yeah its made of a few different metals that are purpose built for the job... Great quality piece, but with Cobb you pay a slight premium... its around 600... downpipe alone with racecat... about 1200 for a full turboback. I personally would give my business to cobb because of my past experiences, but thats not to say that their cat-back will trump other offerings... this is where Cosmic is right .. most are the same shit, different brand... it comes down to the noise you want... they will all be quality welded, stainless steel, 3 inch pieces that will be only seperated by resonators and mufflers... I personally will go with the QUIETEST system possible... If no Borla Hush type systems are offered, Ill likely go Cobb.

Downpipes though are something to look a little further into. There are different designs which bolt to the turbos exhaust outlet... Bellmouth and Divorced... As you probably know when exiting from a restricted opening, exhaust gases AND excess boost will tumble with eachother creating turbulence and backpressure in the pipes (as is most likely the stock setup...) The Bellmouth design provides enough space for both to exit the turbo without causing turbulence or backpressure, essentially guiding it right out and down the pipes. A Divorced Wastegate design is an Obsessive Compulsives Downpipe solution... The wastegate has its own pipe, the exhaust its own.... They meet about 6-12 inches down the pipe to eliminate any interaction between the two, improving flow characterstics allowing for more boost Its a long and tired debate which one is better... Bellmouth and Divorced are both significant improvements over stock and the differences between eachother are probably indistinguishable until youre at disgusting power levels (not very streetable, id imagine)

Oh and a catted DP doesnt provide 90% of the benefit... Its far better... There are really no drawbacks... You lose MAYBE 1 measured HP under full throttle, but in return you get a environmentally friendlier car, and itll pass the sniffer, and itll suppress some sound, and not stink

I would personally wait until the biggest names have started making their systems.. that way youll have more options. Have fun man!