Miata Mailing List: July 1999, Message #43

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From: TheoryII@aol.com
Subject: exhaust
Date: Thu, 1 Jul 1999 12:04:21 -0400

>I have stock exhaust with a racing beat/K&N filter and am wondering if
>an aftermarket exhaust will make that much of a difference.  If so is 
> >there a less expensive option than say borla or JR?  Thanks AD

Okay, my much-delayed response:

Most of the other posts have talked about buying complete cat-back systems, 
but if you're really on a budget, there's another option - buy a performance 
muffler seperately, and go to a good muffler shop and have a custom system 
welded up. You can get a good aluminized steel "turbo" style 2" or 2 1/4" 
muffler (don't go bigger than this on an NA Miata) for less than $35 from 
any one of the major mail-order houses that specialize in American cars 
(Jegs, Summit, PAW, etc.) or you can pay a little extra and get a stainless 
muffler for $75-$90.

I've had good luck with regular Walker Dynomax "turbo" mufflers. 
"Straight-through" style mufflers such as Borlas and Edelbrock Performers 
tend to be louder than the normal "turbo" style mufflers, so you might want 
to avoid them. Also, word of caution - DO NOT GET A FLOWMASTER 8-) They are 
incredibly, unbearably loud when installed on 4-cylinder cars. Be warned 8-) 
Another hint - get an exhaust tip with a resonater in it. These will take 
the "edge" off the noise produced by less-expensive mufflers.

Generally, a good shop will weld a system up for less than $100. I've never 
paid more than $150 for a complete system. However, make sure that you check 
out the shop first before getting any work done, because some of them are 
real losers 8-) Ask around first.

Hope this helps!

Chris Walton
99 Miata Sport
85 RX-7 GSL-SE


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