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 :)

very very nice

I am very much considering tha Racing Beat exhaust after christmas...could you post some pics of the rear up with it installed? The tip looks kind of small...

How much louder is it than stock? My friend completely removed the muffler on his '93 Z24, so I am used to and like loud exhausts. Will a straight pipe in place of the cat make it a little louder? Oklahoma has no emission testing, so no one say anything :rolleyes:

Great write-up and pictures. I'm really tempted. BTW, is the stock exhaust carbon steel or stainless? Anyone have a guesstimate as to the life expectancy of the stock exhaust?

After a week with it on, it has grown a bit louder but not much. I don't think you will make it that much louder with a straight pipe. I think the biggest reason it's quieter than most is the muffler. They must have 15lbs of insulation in there. It's a nice muffler, but I think that is absorbing some of the sound.

Don't get me wrong, the noise it makes is perfect. I will liken it to a modified Probe GT.

I am going to wash the car today and then take some pics of the rear.

Curt B. Shumaker

I am not sure what the stock unit is made of. If you lived in the rust-belt like I do, I bet it will last 5 years if you drive it more than 10miles a day to blow the crap (moisture) out of it. If you live in Tenn., or Georgia, it may last 10 years if you drive it the same way. However, if you live in the rust belt and drive it 3 miles everyday, it may last 2 years. Maybe 5 in Tenn. or Georgia.

Rear Pics are coming.

Curt B. Shumaker

Ok---The much awaited for muffler pics from the rear are up...


http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_145_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_146_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_147_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/installs...2_148_full.jpg

I think that the tip size is PERFECT. It fills that cutout perfectly. It's not so big that I look like a 16 year old ricer. Yet it's big enough to know that something is under the bumper that's not stock;)

Let me know if you want any other pics.

Curt B. Shumaker

Thanks for all the great pics.
You're evil though.... I don't think I'm going to be able to wait
a few months now.;)

Your 99 Lx has a 1.6L, it will not fit. The sedan kit fits the following models as described:

99-00 ES 1.8L (California models with 2 cats)
--kit will fit without mods

99-00 ES 1.8L (regular model)
--kit will fit, you need to save the first flange off of the old exhaust and use it to fab a short pipe to replace where the second cat would be if the car were a Ca model or a 01-up.

01-03 ES 1.8L
--will fit no mods necessary.

Looks great Curt.
 

Welcome to the club! Give it a bit more time to break-in, she sounds just right for the "older crowd." It's nowhere near as loud as my WRX was (ATR catless up, Stromung catless DP / 3rd cat eliminator, Prodrive backbox.) :D

Props to my fellow Ohio brother.

Jim

PS - GOD I love white!! :D

http://images.fotki.com/v10/photos/1...SCN1620-vi.jpg

Hey, thanks for the kind words on the "white" car. It's been about 3 weeks now and it has grown a bit louder. The best thing is that my wife is now asking for an intake :D

WRX Loud? You should hear my SE-R :eek: It makes my ears ring after 30min. I am in the process of "fixing" that:)

Curt B. Shumaker

racing beat ex.
 

have had exhaust on for 1 month. fit is good but back half where it goes over rear cross member is to close to body and hits body when going over r.r. tracks. will put in heavier muffler hanger in front of muffler to correct this. exhaust large gain at above 5k rpms. it is very quiet next to racer boy in his honda.

I'm about to install mine next week did any of you guys use the stock gasket or did you go out and buy new ones? It's only 1 gasket right?

I had three gaskests in my package so I uesed them. I don't think I would reuse the stock one, I would go buy one. I'v had it on for almost a week, Love it.

Mine only came with 2 gaskets, so I had to have one matched at an auto parts store. I would never reuse a gasket though, even if it did fit properly.

So the gaskets already came with your kit? Lemme go check to see if i overlooked it

Just ordered my Racing Beat exhaust today! Yeah!!!!!:blue:

Great pictures (install and final)!

I have the same car (white P5) so I know exactly what it will look like if I bought Racing Beat myself.

I'm in the same situation. It's the wifes car and she doesn't want a loud noise coming from the exhaust. (I don't think she'll be asking for more modifications though...)

BTW. Did the kit come with everything you needed for the install (resonator, muffler, hardware) or did you have to order things separate to make a "kit". (sorry about the dumb question, I'm new at this)

Thanks for all the info.

The Racing Beat kit should come with everything you need. If your wife is worried about it being loud, it isn't by any means. It might be a little loud for the first week or so, but then it really quiets down. See if you can talk her into it!

Yes, the kit comes with everything but your muscles and time. I can't stress enough how nice this system is. I have experienced many exhaust from Greddy, DC Sport, HKS, custom...you name it. This one really looks like a work of art.

Curt B. Shumaker

Does anyone know where I can get a mazdaspeed Exhaust in Canada?

Ben

Your dealer should be able to get it for you, but it won't be the cheapest.

Where is the Racing Beat kit available online?