Aftermarket Headers NB

[AB7]

What's midpipe size everyone's running here for N/A?
I'm running 2.25", I noticed some people running 2.5".

I had just installed Hydra Nemesis on my 2001 NB8B, my car picked up 4 KW & 27 NM torque. I wasn't expecting big KW gain because I had full header (maxim) and exhaust/ intake already. The torque gains is the one that surprised me the most, mid range power is great now.

[sliq]

What's midpipe size everyone's running here for N/A?
I'm running 2.25", I noticed some people running 2.5".

I had just installed Hydra Nemesis on my 2001 NB8B, my car picked up 4 KW & 27 NM torque. I wasn't expecting big KW gain because I had full header (maxim) and exhaust/ intake already. The torque gains is the one that surprised me the most, mid range power is great now.

Running 2.25" also. I'm sure that's the optimum for n/a. Anything bigger would be overkill. Have you gotten around to putting on the midpipe without the resonator yet AB7? How does it sound? Like a dead cow?

[Okibi]

I'm sure i've said it before, the yanks had a povo cast manifold on their NBs so they find much bigger gains with aftermarket headers.

At a big guess (and feel free to argue with me) i'd say the benefit lists (for helping a naturally aspirated MX-5 breath) would be

Muffler
Intake
Midpipe
Remove AFM
Extractors
Hi flow cat

[crzymx]

Hrm, i just didnt want hat constant drone that you get when cruising that i hear on some cars. It gets really irritating when your cruising and you have this deep note piercing your ears. And if this is in a family sedan type, i was scared what it would be like in the mx5 being small and noisy! Can anyone confirm what noise is like with a hi flow cat and after market midpipe? Because basically i have an aftermarket muffler and tip, i was just after a bit more in terms of 'middle exhaust'

[crzymx]

I'm sure i've said it before, the yanks had a povo cast manifold on their NBs so they find much bigger gains with aftermarket headers.

At a big guess (and feel free to argue with me) i'd say the benefit lists (for helping a naturally aspirated MX-5 breath) would be

Muffler
Intake
Midpipe
Remove AFM
Extractors
Hi flow cat

Do you mean remove and replace the afm with 1 from an rx7? Or remove it completely?

[Damo]

Crzy, I think it's usually the crappy Autobarn fartcans that really have that annoying drone. The Town&Country system that I and plenty of the other Victorians have doesn't have this. It's noisier than standard but perfectly liveable.

Have a ride in a few peoples cars and see what you like because it's a pretty personal thing as to what sounds good.

[crzymx]

Unfortunately i dont think i know any of the vic guys who have any of them :S

[sliq]

crzymx check the sound database.

[pcmx5]

crzymx,

Chris Hoskin is in Box hill, Stevesports ?(in Melb.) and both have the T&C setup without a steel cat so if you contact then i am sure they would be happy to let you hear their cars.Their are a few others too, perhaps someone will get in touch.

If you want Chris's details pm me or ring 0417562357.

Peter

[stevesports]

Yes i have the town and country exhaust, including a high flow metal cat. Check out the melb meetup thread to see if i'm coming and you're welcome to have a listen. Note: the exhaust does stink now that i have put in the metal cat. Also mine is completely mild steel. I hear that if it is stainless steel it would have a raspy sound.

[sliq]

I hear that if it is stainless steel it would have a raspy sound.

yeah, has a deep raspy sound. very liveable with.

i'm keen to hear what mild steel would sound like..

[pcmx5]

[ Also mine is completely mild steel. I hear that if it is stainless steel it would have a raspy sound.[/quote]

Stevesports does have the steel cat, sorry forgot about that.His pipe and reasonator is mild steel but the muffler is stainless.

This gives the best of both worlds, not as raspy as stainless pipe but longer life in the muffler as the rear muffler is where the condensation(read water ) will be as this is the coolest part of the system and it forms there.Mild steel mufflers will not last as long as SS.

Chris' NA8B system is mild steel pipe and SS reasonator and muffler and he has retained the stock cat.We are keen to get his car on the dyno as he fels there is a signifigant increase in power and low down torque

Peter.

[stevesports]

pete,

that's perculiar because i have the same car as Chris and the same exhaust (bar the cat) and i don't feel a difference in low down torque. However i do notice that the car revs quicker near the top.

[pcmx5]

pete,

that's perculiar because i have the same car as Chris and the same exhaust (bar the cat) and i don't feel a difference in low down torque. However i do notice that the car revs quicker near the top.

steve, exhausts are peculiar and the character of each car differs.Same exhaust same model car doesn't always produce the same results,in power, torque or even sound.

It may also be that the standard cat and the exhaust produces a greater increase in torque( and remember we are talking about seat of the pants feel here) than a high flow which may be better at the top end.

what would be really interesting would be to run your car and Chris's on the same dyno.

We are thinking about doing a Saturday morning here in Geelong on the Dalton automotives dyno dynamics set up in late Feb/march. Chris , john d(NA6 BBR turbo) and I will probably be starters.

Would cost $50, let me know if you are interested.

Peter.

Ps a stock NC just made 88RWKW on this dyno, my car made 89.5RWKW and Leonw's NB8A 78RWKw( See post)

[AB7]

Hi Pete,

Im keen to get my car dynoed again.
Let me know when you want to do it, it would be good to get a variety of mx5 with different mods dynoed.