Who would like a Mind Train exhaust system?
 

Here's the scoop. I've always loved this exhaust system ever since I saw/heard it in person for the first time. Not to mention, it would be great if Racing Beat actually had some competition. So, I emailed the sales dept. at Kickyride (the original retailer of the system) to basically beg/plead them to start production up again, and to tell them that the system is still highly respected:


Hello. My question is in regards to the MindTrain exhaust system that
used to be offered through this site. It is my understanding that it has
not been available for some years now, and I was wondering if there was
any possibility that it might someday return.
The system is still in use on many cars, and the majority of owners love them. A lot
of RX7 owners are currently wishing that they could find one of these
systems, and even the used ones (when you can find them) sell like
hotcakes.
If there is no possibility of you returning this product to the market,
could you possibly give me some details on it? I don't know if you
actually manufactured the system yourselves, or simply marketed it, but if
there is any way to get access to it once again we could make a great many
people happy.
Thank you for your time and consideration...
Sent at:3/11/2009 3:42:59 PM

The response:

Hi Ken,

Unfortunately, we did not manufacture the exhausts. If we did, I guarantee they'd still be readily available. Mindtrain pretty much called it quits a couple years ago. I spoke to the owner then and he had just retired and decided to shut down mindtrain. At the time, he only had a few pieces left which are definitely gone by now. Maybe, if enough interest can be found, I'll look into manufacturing some of the pieces but from what I learned in 2006, there was a minimum of a 25 piece order to justify a production run for 1 part. That's what made it difficult to revive certain applications a few years ago. I'll let you know if anything develops this year.

Thanks,
Mike
Sales/Tech support
www.kickyride.com



So there you have it guys. I am not personally in the market for one at this time, but rather wanted to make this attempt for the general benefit of our community....



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Can you tell us more info on their muffler? Specs, design, how it sounds? I've yet to find a muffler I like for NA rotary, the RB primaflow is great but a bit too quiet for me.

Mindtrain had one of my favorite rotary exhaust systems. A little louder and throatier than RB's, and from what I understand flowed really well. It's unfortunate I'm not staying supercharged, or I'd be very tempted to add my name to the list.

I want one!!!

I need a new exhaust too.

I'm game if they can do it in the next few months. Don't know how long my rusty original can hold out....

The sound is deeper, throatier, and slightly louder than the RB streetport system. Pure sex...

Amazing. But 25 buyers? What would the cost be? Seems like this might be a long shot, not to mention how does it look? Single or dual inlet/outlet?

Found this vid on youtube.. sounds pretty nice!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43EE9BmCXQw

I need a new exhaust

I am game, I have relatives in the US who can ship for me so that is no a problems.

what price range are we talking about here, i need/want some headers, and i like the sound of this, maybe just header only?

Nice find. That's actually the exact system that I fell in love with (Perfect Circle and I race together). Sounds so much better in person....

If they start up production again, do you know how many used RB systems are suddenly going to be on the market (including mine)? :)


More info on the system, by Jim Rothe (very nice article) http://www.jimrothe.com/mazda/exhaust.html where he compares this to the RB...

I love the 108db part....I don't think my Rotaflo is that loud....with two blown magnaflow presilencers!

I dunno man, it really is not that loud. I've got a lot of video of PC's car during autocrosses. I hate to say that I'll dig them out and get them posted, because I never have enough time to follow through on stuff like that, but I will try to do so. Don't expect it before the weekend though... :)

I've driven his car in races, I've heard him pull in to my drive way, and I've followed him on the road. No cop is going to hassle you for it unless you're being a jackass or he's PMS'ing.

Bump. this exhaust get's my vote for the best bolt on exhuast "available."

what ever this is beats it :D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IkFIBwGilc&NR=1

Rotaflo RF250 with 3" downtip and his motor is full BP, of course that would sound better, but costs a lot more :)

that is having to have a full service gas station in your trunk :lol:

Anybody have more info on the system? What does it look like, what type of muffler, that sort of thing? Sounds great, but I just got myself an RB system that I'm pretty happy with. The muffler is a bit quiet but I'm hoping that my car will be a bit louder when I exchange the nikki with a stock air box for a holley with an RB model. Also having a quiet car keeps me a bit more under the radar, but man do I miss flying by ricers with open exhaust.

BTW-That guy said he did the sound testing when it was in a garage. That would make the car a bit louder.

You do know that the RB air filter assembly will bolt onto a stock Nikki, or a Sterling for that matter, right? I have one, and it does sound pretty cool. Does nothing for the exhaust sound though...

So are we gonna get some of these made? :P

Mine won't. Mine is for a holley, which has a larger neck. I've already looked, and the RB air filter made for a holley won't begin to fit on a nikki. I know it will do nothing for the exhaust sound, but I'm sure it will make the car louder/increase the intake sound.

I sold a mindtrain to Ben last year. He liked it.

I heard this rx7 mindtrain exhaust flows good, sounds good, but isn't really rotary specific. It doesn't have the longevity of an RB muffler.

You didn't read the article, did you? :wallbash: They have been well know for use on rotaries, up until the guy decided to retire...


"Are we going to get some of these made?"... Well, I've done the legwork so now it's up to you guys to start screaming if you really want them. I replied to the gentleman that wrote to me, and gave him a link to this thread. With any luck, they are already watching this thread....




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i'd be up for one. quick question tho, as i'm a noob at exhaust systems... this wouldn't work for a turboed car would it? i'm figuring its due to the 2.5 inch piping instead of 3 inch? i have plans for turbo next year... just waiting on all respeed brake and suspension goodies. :)

I've heard different. Yes I've heard many people used them, and like I said I've also heard that they are great flowing exhaust, but longevity is the key. I've spoke with someone whose had several RX7's over the past 20 years and experienced that muffler on two of his cars, "They work great but they aren't really rotary specific and don't last nearly as long as an RB muffler". I'm not saying they are bad, heck I'd kill for a muffler that sounds and performs the way this one is being described, just trying to address a few things. A successful group buy especially for something like an exhaust component should be looked over and have all aspects discussed IMO.

I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the mufflers in the Mindtrain system wearing out.

Okay, so you spoke with a guy who once told you that in his opinion they aren't rotary specific and the mufflers don't last as long as RB. Noted for the record.... ;)

Look, I ain't here to sell the system. And I'm certainly not on commision. But I've heard the system, and I've seen one in use. In my opinion, it is a very nice system and should once again be made available to the RX7 community. I mean, for Pete's sake, we're trying to keep 25 year old cars on the road and performing well. We need every option we can get for stuff like this.

How many bolt on systems do we have to choose from right now? And what have their prices done in the last few years, since they have no competition? I am also happy with my RB system, but if I had a choice that had a better sound quality and maybe flowed better, that would be great. And even if it had no advantage at all over the RB system, competition is always good for the consumer. It makes the manufacturers stay sharp.

You don't want one yourself, fine. I've got no problem with that. But why are you in this thread arguing with me over it? I mean, come on... "I've heard different" ? That's some pretty low caliber stuff there man.

How about real research? Like reading the article written by Jim Rothe?

"Mindtrain has many systems for 1st gen's, including racing and streetable exhaust systems. True to their word, their exhaust systems use a larger diameter piping than others, including Racing Beat. That should make for a slightly more free-flowing exhaust. (Laws of diminishing returns apply here, so I can't say that there's really more power on tap than with another manufacturer's exhaust system. But MT claims their system has more flow potential, and that seems reasonable.) The tubing is a very heavy gauge steel -- certainly the thickest I've ever seen on either a car or a truck. The "Big Throats" muffler is also the coolest looking muffler I've seen on any 1st gen RX-7, with large, twin chrome tips. (That was in '97. Current Mindtrain mufflers have polished stainless steel tips.) These qualities will probably be the same on all of their various exhaust systems."

and especially this section right here, which seems to address your concerns...

"This is such a heavy duty exhaust system that I'm sure that it will be the last one that this car will ever need. (I've since transferred this exhaust system from my old '84 to my current '85, and every component is still absolutely rock-solid, with only slight surface rust. This is the rust-belt Northeast, you know.) Considering the system's longevity, it was money well spent."





Let's stick to facts, and keep rumors and uneducated opinions to a minimum, please... If you're going to ask questions, fine. But if you're going to try to state facts and data, at least do a little homework. Hearsay does not go far with me. Not trying to insult you, or start a flaming war, but we've got to keep this stuff straight for all the others reading this thread (in my opinion). So, peace (please)...

Few things to address. If you ever start a thread on any forum, expect constructive criticism and a wide variety of opinions. Secondly, I've tried to make it clear that if this exhaust is as good as a lot of you have said, then I would definitely want one, no idea where you get the idea:

"You don't want one yourself, fine. I've got no problem with that. But why are you in this thread arguing with me over it? I mean, come on... "I've heard different" ? That's some pretty low caliber stuff there man."

Also, I did do research. I did click the link and read a lot about it. Also, who was the one that went out looking for a sound clip and posted it for others to see? I was. If I didn't like the exhaust why would I bother? Think about a few things you've said cause they don't make sense. Everyone has their own opinion about car parts and it happens to be that the person who I spoke to about this exhaust is someone whose opinion I highly value, doesn't mean it's true for everyone and I never said it did. It seems a lot of people like this exhaust and want to see it back and action, and I couldn't agree more with that, sounds amazing. Exhaust parts especially are always a personal preference, everyone likes something different, and I've never personally experienced this exhaust so I can only say so much.

I'm not trying to start a flaming war either, but if someone addresses their own opinion, and it's clearly an opinion not a "fact", then you don't need to take it so personal. I'm not trying to destroy any potential chance to bring back this exhaust at all, because again like I've said I'm actually quite interested. So with that all being said lets drop this little argument and leave it to rest, as well as do our best to get this exhaust brought back!~

So your source said the muffler worked great but still says it's not rotary specific, kind of a contradiction wouldn't you agree. It sounds like he had a preference for RB and was knocking MT.

Besides the contradiction lets make this analogy: "Racing Beat works great but they aren't really rotary specific and don't last nearly as long as a Pacesetter muffler". I trust you can see how I can work "I've heard different" in here.

You did raise one good criticism and that would be its longevity and here I offer my opinion. Any muffler that can last 10 years on a rotary is a good muffler, If any agree with me then your criticism becomes a moot point.

So all the rhetoric aside was longevity your only concern?


Also this is all my opinion so don't take it personal.

Not going to waste my time answering that, go back and read everything I've said to this point and all your questions will be answered. :D

Not that I'm helping at all, I'm probably just causing more of a mess, but just because it is made for a rotary doesn't mean it is rotary specific. I don't know anything about the company mindtrain but just because they make a muffler that they made fit a rotary doesn't mean that the muffler is designed specifically for the rotary. It could just be a retrofitted matter. Food for thought, I suppose, but I'm probably off base on this.

So going back to my question, what does this exhaust consist of? New connecting pipes? Headers? Muffler? Test tube? What is it's design, twin tube or single, and what is the piping ID?

Super82,

I believe that the majority of those questions are answered in the article (see link I posted on 1st page). if I recall correctly, this is a header, dual pipes each with a pre-silencer, back to the rear axle to join up to the muffler. He also noted that the diameter was larger than RB, and that the pipes were very heavy gauge.

so where's the price range? close to RB or higher/lower?

When I first heard of them, they were slightly cheaper than RB. I would expect it to be in that range, or possibly higher since they will be re-starting the operation from scratch. But I'm must guessing here.

id love to say id be in for one, but well, i already have one. love it. not a single complaint ever. i think its one of the best sounding exhausts in general, not even just for a rotary.

here is a link to a video that has both kentetsus car, and mine. please excuse my poor driving i was more entertained with learning to drift than getting good times.
kentetsus car is the red one, mine is the white and black one. mine starts in at about 6:25

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_49XiLJbSrc

Whats your full exhaust setup? Sounds a little too loud :D

full mindtrain, header mid section, cat back.

I see, might be a little too loud for street use in CA.. :(

Cody!!!! I thought you'd gone and died, or got a girlfriend or something!!!! Happy to see you're still around man. :)

Okay, for reference, I have the RB system (not the streetport because I was a noob when I ordered it). I always thought that my exhaust sounded great outside the car, based upon how it sounded from the inside. I was rather disappointed the first time that I let my friend race my car at an event, because the exhaust not only was not loud, but was rather geriatric sounding. Not at all what I had thought all that time. Letting off the gas whenever I saw a cop, thinking it was loud enough to get pulled over. lol. Felt like a damn fool.

Perfect Circle's exhaust on the other hand, from the outside, sounded like exactly what I had been wishing for. From the inside (based upon racing the car), it didn't sound any louder than my RB system. In my opinion, it was perfect. Which is why ever since then, I've had a hard on for this exhaust system.

If this system was still available today, and I could find a buyer for what I've got right now, I'd grab it in a heartbeat. If I had the choice to make all over again, between RB or MT, hands down I'd be sporting a MT system. And to think, I could have had one of the last ones produced at that time!!! Live and learn.......

Thaks a bunch for stopping by P_C. :)

So what are the chances of getting the muffler made again?

Would the muffler/over axle section mate up to the RB system? Im talking about the road/race setup (dual). Thats all I am really interested in/need.

+1 exactly what he said.

no girlfriend, just work and school. and i didn't have internet for a long while.

any word on any events soon? i checked myautoevents and didn't see anything.

also, do you know if Jimmy is still looking for a car, im considering selling mine and buying a miata..... i know shame on me. but im thinking about hitting the drift scene pretty hard this summer and i would like something a little more reliable, with more parts available. and i know everyone says rx-7's are reliable, but i haven't had good luck with mine, and i've had three.

Maybe you haven't had good luck because you've had three... :)

Let's take this conversation elsewhere. I'll send you a PM.

Read the very first post again. They'll need a minimum of 25 orders "per part" to have it made again. I would assume that that means if you had 25 orders for just the muffler, then just the muffler could be returned to production. Same for the header, etc....

Feel free to contact the sales dept. at www.kickyride.com with any questions. I'm too busy to work as a middle man here. :)

Are there any other similar systems to this sound wise for the FB?

im currently looking for a nice exhaust system to replace my crap job straight pipe with hks tip.....if the price was right and we get a group buy going on....i'll definately participate...now is the perfect opportunity for me to order this or else racing beat is gonna win my money....is racing beat really that quiet? is it quiet enough so that my mom will stop bitching at me..compared to a 3 inch pipe right now? does racing beat exhausts set off alarms?

Watch this video for a good comparison:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_49XiLJbSrc