Page 1 of 1

Mazda3 w/ Mazdaspeed3 exhaust

Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:14
by AuroraAxela
Hi guys, thought I would post about this exhaust mod so that others can know what to expect from it, or if you can do it yourself, great!

This modification works for all first-gen 3's, both 2.0L and 2.3L, sedan or hatch.


After you have acquired an exhaust system, if you compare them, the Speed3 exhaust is about 13-15" shorter than the regular exhausts. The reason for this is the Speeds have a midpipe between the downpipe/cat and the exhaust; regular 3's only have a downpipe. As the picture below shows, the black line indicates where the Speed exhaust would connect to its midpipe.
Image


In my case, I opted to just have straight pipe in that section instead of the resonator.
*********Edit*********this was a catalytic convertor, NOT a resonator
Image


This next picture is of the massive stock muffler that makes our little 3's teeny and quiet.....
Image


..... which is replaced by another resonator and an itty-bitty pass-through muffler near the rear.
Image
Image


The really nice part is, ALL THE HANGERS on the Speed3 exhaust match up to YOUR standard 3's hangers, no modification required!


This pic illustrates two things: First, that the Speed3 exhaust is significantly larger compared to stock, especially at the tip. In fact, the stock tip actually fits inside the Speed3 tip (mildly amusing).
Second: Sedans are a bit longer than the hatchbacks, so if you have a sedan, this exhaust will need to be extended at the tip. (no need for hatches)
Image


I ended up choosing a different tip anyways, so it worked out in the end. Here's my tip w/ extension.
Image



..... and finally, the difference between stock....
http://youtu.be/XooljWtac2g

.... and the finished product.
http://youtu.be/7atnAEf4uns



Many thanks to Scribz, and to

[SIZE="4"]EXHAUST PROS
9440 East Colfax Avenue
Aurora, CO 80010-5008
(303) 367-4900[/SIZE]

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:14
by erod550
I miss that angry growl sometimes.

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:14
by Shadowden
may have to go for a spin with you at the next meet.

How is the sound in the car when you are WOT in 3rd or 4th?

Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:14
by AuroraAxela
Haven't even been on the highway yet. We can check it out tomorrow, I'll take some of you for a ride if you want. :)

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:14
by AuroraAxela
AuroraAxela wrote:
In my case, I opted to just have straight pipe in that section instead of the resonator.
Image




So I learned today that the "resonator" we removed is actually a second catalytic converter, one that is not monitored by sensors..... be advised!!!

Image

Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:14
by Learjet45
I wonder if it will be any trouble to pass emissions now... I doubt it, but you never know.

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:14
by Hschlick84
Can't wait to hear the sounds on video!

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:14
by geo2maz
Hschlick84 wrote:Can't wait to hear the sounds on video!


he has the after-vid in his first post, > http://youtu.be/7atnAEf4uns
I heard it in person and it's louder than my stock MS3 exhaust...

Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:14
by erod550
Should sound about like an MS3 with a test pipe. That removes the 2nd cat. A lot of people run that setup and like the sound.

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 9:14
by RX-7 Chris
An N/A car will always be louder than a turbo car because the turbo blocks some of the noise.

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 9:14
by Number2
RX-7 Chris wrote:An N/A car will always be louder than a turbo car because the turbo blocks some of the noise.


Yup.

The N/A with that exhaust sounds mean though!

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:14
by Shadowden
I didn't even think about you having the 2.0 engine.

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:14
by 42boxer
I did this with my 2.0 and love it. looking at vibrant headers next but dont want to go to loud.
Stock
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN4YUrZp3_c"]2.0 Mazda 3 stock exhaust with SRI - YouTube[/ame]

After
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1mhZp_3m4A&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL"]2008 Mazda 3i with sri and MS3 exhaust with 2nd cat delete - YouTube[/ame]

Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:14
by AuroraAxela
Yup. Sounds like mine. Zoom zoom.