I currently have a stock set up but recently bought a IL Motorsports Twin exhaust rear box off ebay. It looks absolutely gorgeous - powder coated black with chromed angled tips.
Problem is that I am now having second thoughts about cutting the bumper, just in case the IL M system proves to be a bit too rorty! Consequently thinking about sticking with a single exit.
Does anyone have any experience with the three systems listed in the title? They are all fairly similarly priced and spec’ed so I guess that it will come down to personal preference. Some opinions would be good though (or indeed any other similar suggestions). I’m just after a sportier sound and a nicer look. I doubt that performance improvements will be very noticeable. I used to have Racing Beat system on my old MK2 which produced a fantastic rumble. Wish that I had kept hold of it when I sold the car as the dealer wasn’t interested what was on it. They are up around 300 notes now though
I’ll probably stick the IL M exhaust back on ebay unless anyone is interested.
I’ve been very impressed with the MX5 Parts stainless one, perfect fit with no mods, looks great and after being fitted for 2 years the only problem so far, it seems to be getting ‘quieter’
I was looking at the MX5 parts exhaust and it looks an extremely nice and well made bit of kit but I wanted a slightly narrower tail pipe, that they said they cannot do. So I investigated a bit and found a company called ‘Powerflow’. You take the car to them and they hand make the whole thing. Nicely tailor made for your car including, ‘How loud do you want it sir? Boy racer? No I thought not, how about just a bit sportier than standard?’ and thats exactly what I got. The component parts are made in South Africa (big company) and shipped over. Mine cost about £250 for cat back and as I said that was tailor made for the car and you cannot even see the rear box as it tucks up nicely behind the rear skirt. As regards tail pipes you can have virtually any size and shape you want from standard to a Queen Mary funnel. Mine was done in Exeter but they have branches all over the place and a website. www.powerflowexhausts.co.
I think that I will go with the Cobalt set up. I read one review on the Miata forum that suggested it was comparable with the Racing Beat exhaust (which I loved on my MK2).
Those guys using the decat pipe - was this the standard bypass pipe or a silenced version? The car is 18 years old so I doubt that the existing cat is in great condition.
Will also order the O2 sensor plug and a spare gasket. Already got a couple of spare hangers. Anything else needed?
I have the silenced decat pipe on mine - still makes a nice noise though. My Cobalt exhaust started buzzing/rattling soon after I fitted it. My exhaust hangers were long past their best so I fitted four new ones and the unwanted noises went away. You only need four hangers for the Cobalt and I would highly recommend replacing all four.
Ordered all from Moss so ended up with a Milltek bypass pipe (non-silenced).
A doddle to fit (according to the garage - I was busy earning the money to pay for it!) and looks fantastic. I have even warmed to the blue cobalt logo on the side of the exit pipe.
Start it up and rewarded with a fantastic rumble. I was in Waitrose car park on Saturday and I reckon half a dozen people turned around to see what car had just started.
Out on the road - stick your foot down and the result is somewhere between ‘Shock and awe’ and the 1812 overture. Driving through the village at home the growl was rebounding off the walls and sounded fantastic (to my ears anyway!).
The missus thinks that it is too loud. Jury is still out for me. Always have the option of swapping the Milltek bypass pipe for a silenced version.
No noticeable improvement in power, but then wasn’t really expecting any!
If it is anything like mine, it will calm down (but only slightly!) when a layer of soot has built up inside and the Cobalt badge will fall off when the glue melts.
I got a “free” Milltek decat pipe with mine too. I sold this to a friend and he now has a full Milltek system from the downpipe back.
I have a silenced decat on mine and the wife says she can still hear my car approaching half a mile away from home when I press the “loud” pedal.
I purchased the CAT back Cobalt Exhaust from Moss Europe and as everyone has said it was a doddle fit and at first I loved the look, as its beautifully made and it sounded lovely at first.
After two drives with Solent Area, I am wondering whether to change it for an MX5-Parts steel exhaust, as it is very loud and as someone has already said it drones, especially at motorway speeds.
I did not change the mounting rubbers, so wonder if best to order the ones from Moss Europe or another supplier - any recommendations on this would be appreciated.
My EUNOS has the shorter CAT, so wonder if a silenced CAT would make a difference and quieten things down a bit?
In fact any ideas on toning it down a bit would be appreciated, otherwise it will be up for sale
Mal, can’t really help with your problem. I’ve had two Cobalt exhausts, one on my NB and one on my NC. I’ve found both to be excellent. Not too loud and certainly no droning at speed. I do wonder if it’s just that some people are more sensitive to certain noise frequencies so it’s more noticeable to some than others. I’m not sure how you would go about reducing the sound further without potentially compromising the functioning of the exhausT and thus the performance of the engine. You could try the old banana in the tailpipe trick but somehow I don’t think that would be a good idea!
Another poster mentioned the Cobalt exhaust getting quieter over time. In my experience it’s simply gone from a fairly “tinny” sound initially to a lovely low growl which is exactly the sound I’m looking for. Would be interesting to see what others think…
Thanks for your reply and although I am partial to Banana’s and cooked bananas on the BBQ, I think best to not go that route
I am hopeful that it might settle down and may invest in a new set of rubber hangers of good quality, if there is such a thing and see how it goes form there, esp as I love the exhaust.
As you say, I may be just sensitive to certain frequencies - not that my wife would agree with that
I recently fitted the IL Motorsport stainless steel exhaust to my Mk 1 Eunos and really like it. It is a very good compromise in my view. Quiet when pooling around and not droney on the motorway but makes a nice sporty sound when revved harder although I would describe it as subtle sporty with the hood up - I imagine will hear it more with the hood down. I was going to try fitting it myself but was glad I didn’t as they had to use acetelyne torch to remove the old bolts - was charged £30 for the fitting which I felt was reasonable
Hmmm…interesting one that. Now wondering whether to live with it a bit longer and see if it settles, after fitting new rubbers. May go for PolyBush Rubbers, which may help?
Its a bit of a trade off as the more I use it the less its residual value will be
Interesting that, I note you say purchase OEM Exhaust Hangers but I was thinking of going for the Powerflex or Polybush Hangers from MX5 Parts.
I feel I need something with a bit more guts in it to hold the behemoth that is the Cobalt Exhaust and would be very surprised if they slip off but. I could be wrong here of course
In my experience the poly bush exhaust mountings are to rigid and transfer noise to the body more than the standard rubber ones and also they potentially dont allow the exhaust to move around enough which in turn could and does fracture stainless exhausts
i to would also go oem for the exhaust mounts or good quality after market from a reputable company .
