Shasta

Well I got the system installed today and here is my review.

** Review **

What you get -

1) Polished muffler and tip (welded on)
2) Mid section, connects muffler section and secondary silencer
3) Polished secondary silencer
4) 2 Gasket + bolts, lock nuts
5) Cool clamp mechanism, used to join the secondary and mid section

Quality -

This system is beautiful. From the fantastic tig welding down to the mandrel bent sections. The polishing the muffler and silencer are superb.

Installation -

Firstly I removed the old system that went without a hitch. In fact I was able to remove it without damaging anything or stripping any of the original hardware, simple hand tools were used. I sprayed the nuts about an hour prior to removal with WD-40, seemed to help but it went well anyway. Lubed the exhaust hangers with WD-40 and they just popped right off.

I then proceeded to clean the main original silencer or catalytic to get rid of some rusty material and prepare it for the new gasket. Note: The OEM gaskets no longer work here since the original mid section uses a collar with a slip on gasket that mates to the catalytics recessed flange, there is no collar on the new section so a normal gasket was supplied.

I installed the front section first and used a jack to level out the pipe as I installed the original nuts but added a lock and flat washer, but I did not tighten them down, left then somewhat loose. Installed that special clamping unit with the nuts pointing down and on the drivers side. Then installed the mid section and used a jack stand to keep it level with the front pipe. Lubed the stock hangers with WD-40, positioned the muffler section into place and latched the rubber hangers in place. I then loosely connected the muffler and mid pipe with the supplied bolts, nuts, and gasket. From here I proceeded to snug down the front section onto the catalytic, once that was done I snuggly tightened down the muffler section paying careful attention to making sure both pipes were aligned along with the gasket. Since the holes are slotted its easy to get the pipe a bit off so I made sure it all was tightening down in line. Then the last thing was to adjust the pipes in the special clamp and used an impact gun to snug them up. I had my neighbour hold the muffler in the correct spot but it actually aligns itself pretty good.

Initial Start Up -

It came to life but was really quiet, nice low tone but yet not much noise, I was pleasantly surprised. First thing I noticed was the condensation pouring out of the front pipe and front catalytic plus the special connector was dripping water. Ok don't panic, loosed off the special connector and removed the front pipe nuts and washers, theres enough room to pull the pipe back without having to disassemble everything. Install a second gasket that I had purchased, reassembled and tested once again. Still condensation continued to drip. I put my hand around it and it didn't feel like a leak but if condensation is escaping obviously theres a leak. The day before I picked up 2 OEM doughnuts and sandwiched it between the 2 gaskets on the third try. This seemed to work but I'm still a bit skeptical and will most likely try to locate a ceramic doughnut that will work with oversized Vibrant pipe and factory, if not I may fabricate an adapter that uses the factory gasket and flat gasket if all else fails but its seems to be ok after a 3 hour run.

3 Hour Drive -

As I mentioned the exhause is quiet, so I thought. After about 15 minutes of driving it seemed to get more of a growl. I proceeded to check everything, the front gasket seemed good the special clamp was dripping a bit of condensation but fine. I was now starting to notice a really nice low tone and seemed to get better after about an hour.

The exhaust tone is awesome, no tingy rice here, very mellow tone that stays correct as the rpm's go up, so your car doesn't sound like its going 100 mph when your going 20 mph, really accurate. About 2 hours in I was really impressed, I did have a rattle off the exhaust shield when starting and slowing down, later once I got home and back on the lifts I have the special clamp cocked and sitting about 5 mm from the heat shield so a simple loosen and twist should take care of that. Plus I'm installing Kartboy hangers so that will help with exhaust moving around but had no issues with the stock hangers but this system is much heavier that stock (completely stainless).

My driving impressions were shear immpressive to say the least. Smooth mellow tone from 0-60km at a normal city acceleration but after 80km/h you barely even hear it, I had my windows up, radio off and sunroof closed, you hear the wind and a slight hum. Now the floor of my car is completely lined with B-Quiet but I don't think it would matter, this exhaust is awesome. The system really helps the car accelerate too, big difference and when you put your foot into it the exhaust growls. I was actually expecting a similar sound to my old Honda but not at all, definitely surprised at how Vibrant has controlled the levels on this system, their website even states the direct fit systems have a dB rating of 95 or less thats really nice. The tip is off just a bit but I'm not too concerned till I get the urethane hangers.

Recommendations -

If your looking for an exhaust that fits extremely well, high quality build and material and doesn't annoy your neighbours this would be an excellent choice.

I will update this thread if there is anything else to report.

Now some pics after the installation.

_Kansei_

let me be the first to call BS here :P

you're in Canada my friend, no way did that come off that easily lol

I actually call BS on you being in Canada because the underside of your car looks MINT.

That exhaust sure is purdy though. The tip looks to be as large as the Mazdaspeed (bosal) axleback, but without the hugely rolled edges. As for positioning the muffler tip, once you get those urethane hangers on (have fun ever taking them off), you can use big thick zip ties to position the side-to-side of the tip with a decent level of precision.

Shasta

lol..I know isn't this car in unreal shape, I am so lucky to have found it. Seriously I used my Snap On 14mm closed spanner to break loose the nuts. I also wear Mechanic gloves not to rip my hands open and to get a good grip, I'm no stranger to mechanical, been doing it since I was old enough to hold a wrench but I know what you mean by the BS.

Usually no matter how old a car is those bolts tend to round off first then its out with a torch, I actually reused all the factory nuts.

Like I say ,I'm very lucky to have found a car that someone looked after similar to the way I look after one.

_Kansei_

I look after my car all I can.. but there's only so much you can do against the harsh super-salt that Rochester uses in the winter

J-Protege

Is that all 1 kit, or was the midsection a seperate buy?

If it all came together, how much did it cost you, and from where? It looks very nice, and by the description, has the exact sound I'm looking for.

KrayzieFox

It's 3 different pieces.
https://www.mazda3club.com/showthrea...=41116&page=21

Shasta

Yes 3 sections and purchased directly from the manufacturer. System is listed on the Vibrant Performance website for MSRP. $599 US. It sounds friggin awesome, wish I could do a sound clip. If you like a mellow tone and not that ricey loud sound you would love it, no drone. Ultra quiet cold then opens up once warm with your foot in it, good power increase.

_Kansei_

If you are asking if it comes with the midpipe, then no. The three pieces it comes with replace 2 stock pieces.. most companies split it to 3 so that they can package it in a much smaller box.