I have a 1985 GS RX-7 (12A) and love it!!!! I am looking at a new exhaust system because mine is going fast. I am also looking at a "performance" or "race" system (no cats). Racing Beat makes the "Performance System" and for about 100 dollars more, the "Street Ported" system, which allows for even more power. Can someone please give me some information as to if I am going in the right direction? Also, can someone please tell me of some other exhaust retailers/shops that make systems for the first generation RX-7? Finally, I would like to know how long it would take to drop my exhaust system I have now and put in the new system. Thank you for your time.

 

Racing Beat is the only way to go - don't even consider anything else. You can also buy the same stuff from Mazdatrix. The street port system has an extra presilencer and doesn't collect until the muffler. I have heard and driven both systems... the streetport is a little quieter (kind of a different sound than the single presilencer systems) and makes a little more torque on a stock engine. The normal system has a little less low/mid power. Now this is for a stock engine - if you had a ported motor, the streetport system might be more of a difference.

The 'normal system' for you, meaning the non-streetport single-inlet muffler (for 83-85 RX-7s with single connecting pipes) is pretty quiet, but sounds amazing. The street-port muffler / single presilencer combo (for 81-82's with dual connecting pipe) is significantly louder, and sounds equally amazing. I used to have the former system on my car, and now have the latter.

Anyways, my recommendation would be to go for the normal system if you aren't planning to do any significant mods later on. If you have big plans, do the streetport, because it offers much more flexibility down the road. Either way, the power increase over that stock garbage is phenomenal - you'll be very very happy with either system.

 

Unfortunately I don't think either system is CARB legal and therefore not a winner in CA. But hey, if you live in a non smog area.... Go for it! Heh.

Chris

 

Thank you so much for your imput. The reason I was considering the "street" port system is because I am going to need a new connecting pipe I think. I doubt it is going to be in good shape and with the connecting pipe being like 110 dollars, it may be easier to go with the "street" port one over the "performance" one. I have not looked at the connecting pipe yet, but the car is 16 years old and I really doubt it is in good shape. Do the Racing Beat exhaust systems give me more low end torque? Also, how long does it take for me to completely take out my old system and put in a Racing Beat system? Thanks for your time.

 

A have a brand new and shiny dual connecting pipe on my car right now and I'm lovin it

If you're gonna replace anyways, definitely go with the Streetport. Again, it isn't a big gain over the other system assuming a stock engine, but it's a torquier feeling system and allows greater future flexibility.

As well, these RB systems last *forever* - you won't be replacing this anytime soon. If you can find one, used systems are a good deal for that reason, because they aren't much different from new ones other than cosmetically. Of course it's awesome to have a brand new shiny system

It's hard to tell you how long it'll take to swap systems. It depends on whether you have a lift or not, how rusty your old bolts are and what kind of tools you have to deal with them, etc. You'll need new gaskets, which are not supplied with the system (order them from your Mazda dealer, or RB/Mazdatrix sell them too I think). You'll also be removing the airpump, so you'll need an ACV block-off plate that you can buy from Racing Beat. When you order the system, ask RB/Mazdatrix and they'll sell you everything you need to install it. Double check, cause it's been a while since I did this stuff. In short, have all the parts ready in advance, and it'll take you however long it would take you to swap the exhaust on any 16 year old car, plus dealing with the airpump stuff.

 

Well, I just want to tell everyone that I just ordered my "HIGH PERFORMANCE EXHAUST SYSTEM" from Racing Beat. I decided to keep my origional connecting pipe and I can't wait for it to come in. Could anyone tell my how much power they actually got from just adding this system to their car without doing any other modifications. Thanks for your time.

 

greetings,

i too bought that hi-performance system for my 12a. and i like it alot! the sound is fantastic! aside from buying my car it is the best $1000 canadian i have spent. i am happy to leave my crappy stock stero system off just so i can listen to it when i drive.

to date, i am happy with the performance of the car too. but my commentary on before/after differences is limited as i only drove it for two weeks before i stored it for the winter, when i began working on the car (including this upgrade). i've got to believe it MUST be better as during replacement i discovered cracks in the exhaust connecting pipe!

as for difficulty of install, i am no mechanic -i cook for a living. i used 4 jackstands but my big problem was the severity of the rusted nuts and bolts. my solution was to drop the entire system as one piece -exhaust manifold to muffler. that worked great! then at my leisure i began whacking the bolts to separate the components (for stress/curosity purposes...). my only other issue was to find new exhaust hangars, and i did decide to get a new connecting pipe.

when i ordered the complete system from r/b, they included all gaskets (except for one -between the muffler/connecting pipe i think). also, i was missing a block off plate for where the acv pipe that connected to my connecting pipe. when i asked r/b about it, they had no idea what i was talking about. no matter, i improvised something.

hope all this is relevant. in the meanwhile, i continue to pose questions to the wiser members found here...

regards,
norman ng

 

What did you end up using?

 

there was a small metal piece on one of my cats which i whacked off. i then jammed a screw in to the pipe that connected to that, gasket sealed it and then bolted it to the connecting pipe opening. i suppose the directest thing to do was jam a screw into the connecting pipe opening but i figured this way i could remove it if necessary.

there's no emissions testing here in quebec but i know they are talking about it and i don't know how retroactive the plan will be.

norman ng

 

I have an "84 SE with a racing beat header and presilencer, im looking into finishing my exhaust and curious as to where i can buy a new connecting pipe or have a custom 2.5 pipe made and then weld in an APEX n1 universal muffler for performance/cosmetic reasons. Would i be better off with the RB muffler and connecting pipe?

 

<Racing Beat is the only way to go - don't even consider anything else.>

Bah!

I'm running the 2.5" high performance system from Mindtrain, and wow, does it ever sound cool. The RB stuff is great too, but this system is full 2.5", as opposed to the 2" header from RB. It flows a bit better, and I like the muffler as well. Unfortunately, the dyno shop in town isn't quite opened yet, so I don't really have comparisons, but the Mindtrain is equally as good, if not better (looking at the performance aspect of things).

*...waits for more Mindtrain guys to pipe up...*

 

The racing beat headers are 2", as well as everyone else's. Then after collecting, the convert to 2.5" pipe.

You don't want the header diameter any thicker than 2".
If you did, you would lose the velocity, and the scavenging (extracting) effect.

Also, when it comes to Rotaries, RACING BEAT RULES.

 

That's what I told Fred from Mindtrain, but he said there's only a slight difference in bottom end torque. In the top end, the Mindtrain stuff shines.

 

I have the Road race header and center section for 12a, with a custom 2into1 into a 2.5" overaxle and a free flow ricer boy exhaust (dual 3" tips).

Its really frickin loud, but isnt high pitched. It blows hondas out of the water.

Great performance now. I'm so glad i did it. Sometimes i have second thoughts about making it a bit quieter, but then i remember that i like it. And i'm young. So yeah.

 

I have a RB header and pre-silencer, and am about to upgrade my muffler from stock. I think I'll end up with a RB muffler as well. I was looking at MagnaFlow and DynoMax, but the RB is more what I think I want, and its just few dollars more than the MagnaFlow I want...Anyway, mine isint too bad as it is, I could probably drive it, but I dont (yet). Its annoyingly loud, and has an annoying sound to it, but I kinda like it at the same time. Its a love/hate relationship .

~T.J.