Racing Beat Exhaust install write-up...pics inside:)
 

As many of you read, I ordered up my Racing Beat Cat-back exhaust from www.performancebuyers.com. I had some issues with their pricing, but was able to work something out that was good for them and myself.

I received the cat-back in 4 days and was finally able to install it this evening using nothing but basic handtools. I did have to use a breaker bar to get the bolts loose on the cat to resonator/b-pipe section. Install time was one hour.

The exhaust is of exceptional quality. Truly it's a work of art that I think will be hard pressed to be duplicated. I wish the instructions would have been a bit more clear about which way the resonator was supposed to point. I poked around on the net and figured it out. That was about the only problem.


My impressions on sound? It's quiet. Very, very quiet. In fact, I think it borders on too quiet. It's my wifes car, so it's stunningly perfect. It's VERY deep in sound and never, never sounds raspy one bit. I don't drive the car much, so I couldn't tell if there was anymore power. What I can say is that it looks great, is assembled perfectly and sounds great too.

Here are some pics. I will post them in several posts....

Curt B. Shumaker


Here's the new resonator:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_123_full.jpg

Look at how thick those flanges are:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_124_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_125_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_128_full.jpg

Racing Beat muffler:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_126_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_127_full.jpg

Now the good stuff:)
 

Resonator removal:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_129_full.jpg

B-Pipe Removed:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_130_full.jpg

Old removed:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_131_full.jpg

Old flanges--diameter:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_132_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_133_full.jpg

Old muffler:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_134_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_136_full.jpg

Cat exposed:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_137_full.jpg

Old vs. New Comparison:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_138_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_139_full.jpg

New B-Pipe:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_140_full.jpg

New Resonator:
http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_141_full.jpg

Great write up. Amazing how shitty the stock exhaust really is.

I couldn't agree more. What's even more sad is that it only has 6800 miles on it :eek:

Curt B. Shumaker

looks awesome

I actually found the opposite, it was louder than I thought it would be, maybe too loud. But after living with it for a while (an possibly it broke in) I find it just right

Did you attach it to the cat with the muffler/b pipe bolted up to the resonator, or did you do them one by one?

Looks great. I want this exhaust but I'm pretty sure it will not fit on a 99 LX, correct?

I bolted up the resonator to the cat. Then I bolted the b-pipe to the resonator. Then I hung the muffler by the rubber brackets. and then crawled under and connected the rear of the muffler to the B-Pipe.

Curt B. Shumaker

I think that you can buy the version for the sedan too. The one for the P5 will not work---youa re correct about that.

Curt B. Shumaker

Wow! I think you are the first person to say that---that it's louder than you like.

Curt B. Shumaker

Well I am over 30:eek:
I also have a sportscar that is earplug loud, and since this is my daily driver, I wanted the sound to be fun but not intrusive. I like it now though

nice pics! good job. looks awesome!
how big is the racing beat exhaust tip? 4"?

I am not exaclty sure. However, it's more oval than anything and it fits that cutout in the bumper PERFECTLY. I'd guess it's 3.5"

Curt B. Shumaker

How much did this setup cost you?

Also, can you put some final pics of the whole car up please :)