VR-R1

So like title says, I bought the OBX-R catback for my FD.

I am sure since they added the "R" to the OBX product line it is quality stuff now.

So, the deal is I bought my 42k mile FD for stock class auto-x and indeed this car has been auto-x'ed since 1998.

It has a crush bent straight pipe cat back on it since stock class rules allow anything and a straight pipe is light. The hangers are not quite right and the thing falls out of them and swings all over as well as looking and sounding like something is missing (a muffler).

I figured since I am allowed so few mods in stock class might as well make them the best. So I bought the Greddy Titanium catback to keep it light.

Discontinued-

Then I found the Magnaflow 16804 titanium cat back the was even better. Bought that one a couple times.

Discontinued-

Greddy system is sold as the Japanese "Trust" brand now and commands too high of a price. The JIC DE2 full Titanium is nice but too pricey. Looked at some used JDM pieces (Ganador Ti and Feed Ti) but still damn expensive.

I was so frustrated I started looking at all the exhaust options and I saw the OBX-R system for $255 shipped and it is full stainless incorporates 3" to 3 1/2" piping and a large oval muffler (I like that look and sound).

Great! I will use the $1000 I saved on some V710 tires and the RX-7 Club will finally get a review of the OBX-R catback (I searched and there is none).

I have previously owned JIC Spec 90 turbo back exhaust and Racing Beat RevTII turbo back exhaust on my FC as well as a "Bonez" na front pipe and these pieces will be used as references for comparison to the OBX-R experience.

Stay tuned for the review and let the controversy begin.

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

I honestly hope it works out well.

Narfle

iTrader: (16)

You're a brave man.

cptpain

iTrader: (1)

+1

RLaoFD

iTrader: (6)

To me, as long as its not a moving part (wastegate, bov, turbo, etc.), I would be comfortable with buying a brand like that.

Nateness

iTrader: (7)

I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out (hoping for the best).

Miata_mx5

In for LOL's

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

VR-R1 says-

Wow that was fast; it is already here!

Packing-
It came in a big box with lots of "OBX-R" tape reinforcing it as the cat back is all one piece. The entire exhaust was wrapped in thin packing foam and then wrapped in a layer of bubblewrap. The muffler and tip had cardboard box sections around them and the muffler hangers had neoprene sleeves over the ends. Last it was cradled in expanding foam blocks.

Recap- great packing!

Build and materials Quality-
After finally getting it unwrapped I was pleasantly surprised it looked just like their sales pic in the Ebay auction. Very few complaints visually, but here they are.

The front and back flat sections of large oval muffler are a bit wavy from welding distortion so there is not a clear reflection. Picky, but this would be unacceptable by Japanese manufacturing standards and probably even below a quality American company like Racing Beat.

The pipe to pipe welds are socketed lap TIG welds that appear to be done with no filler. Not bad in itself, but the welds do meander a bit in direction and speed; obviously not done by a person proud of their welding craft. They look quickly done but serviceable.

The hanger welds are also done with no filler which causes a lot of undercut on the hanger rods. Luckily they are beefy solid 10mm (~3/8") thick and the thin pipe/muffler sections will probably tear out first. But again, it looks bad to one who has welded.

Materials look well chosen with a beefy 11mm (.43") flange that is nicely machined and thin 1mm stainless pipe. The muffler section is very heavy despite its thin case and indeed stainless packing is evident inside the perforated inner tube.

Recap- materials look good, execution could be improved.

Design-
Aforementioned 11mm (.43") flange leads to 70mm (2.76") 1mm thick pipe for the 1st 254mm (10") incorporating one slight bend.

A stepped transition to a socketed weld joint leads to 90mm (3.54") main pipe incorporating the two "S" bends to put the large 267mm (10.5") wide by 165mm (6.5") tall by 444mm (17.5") long muffler canister in the stock location.

The inlet to the muffler is offset and the outlet to the 115mm (4.5") tip is centered with a big "high quality exhaust OBX-R racing sports" tag spot welded on. *looks for chisel*

Now the real bummer! At the exit of the muffler leading into the tip is a 64mm (2.5") diameter "stinger" that protrudes back 100mm (4") into the muffler to really quiet it down with a reversion pulse.

Unfortunately, this is really a poor design for a rotary as our pulse wave is so forceful.

I read about a similar problem with the WRX version of the Magnaflow Titanium cat back I was looking at. They actually produced a special version without the "stinger" reversion for the STi model.

Last is a removable tip silencer with a variable flow/noise feature built in. This was quite difficult to remove, though I was not totally unprepared for this based on the reviews of OBX-R cat backs for other vehicles. I ended up using jackchain under the 3 allen bolts for the variable passages and a slide hammer to persuade the silencer out.

Then I attacked the "stinger" with a diegrinder and cut off wheel. Thank god for that big ricey tip now I cut the stinger off inside, split the reducer lengthwise and then cut the reducer off so it could all be persuaded back out of the muffler.

Finally, 90mm straight through muffler like the rotary wants! Took over an hour O.o

Design recap-
It was all good until the damn "stinger" reversion device. I will try hard to contact OBX-R and let them know that NO ROTARY enthusiast will ever be happy with the design they used and yes we know our exhausts are a bit louder than the other cars but we accept it.

jonnyrx7

iTrader: (9)

I'm sure it'll work out fine. Post up a video when you can. I'd be more worry-some if you were buying one of their turbo's...then again some FD's on the forums are running their turbos and making great power. Good luck!

VR-R1

Went to put the cat back on today and found the crush bent straight pipe that is on there was welded straight to the catalytic flange with no flange of its own...

I have a date with the muffler shop tomorrow afternoon and will see about getting some video up. If you liked the camera pics you will love the camera video- lol.

Oh I forgot to mention in the review above that this OBX-R system does come with a gasket and a set of nut/bolts.

pinkrx7

iTrader: (2)

excellent review

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

Looks like a greddy knockoff. How much does it weigh?

RLaoFD

iTrader: (6)

Post a vid of how it sounds when you get everything sorted please.

wankel88

iTrader: (7)

added the "R" lmao i bought the xs power (ss autochrome) exhaust figuring it was just a catback for around 300, turns out it was a complete system dp resonated mp and a nice lookin can at the end ive had good luck with mine hope this works out for you.

VR-R1

How much does it weigh?

I dunno? It has thin wall 1mm piping, but a honkin heavy stainless packed muffler. I would guess in 20-25lb range, but it is quiet!

I will link to some vid shortly.

VR-R1

Pics of the crush bent straight pipe that was welded to the cat flange.

Part Okie engineering, part race minimalism; you decide the proportions ~.^

VR-R1

OBX-R catback. It was riding high, very near the plastic at the rear bumper.

After I took these pics I stuck a 2x4 up it and jumped up and down on it until it was hanging about an 1 1/2" below the bumper.

VR-R1

The straight pipe was really much louder than the very quiet OBX-R catback though it doesn't sound that way on the phone vid.

Outside with the straight pipe you got more turbine whine along with the loud truck like exhaust tone.

Inside with the OBX-R all you can hear is the turbos spooling unless the window is down and you get a faint exhaust note as well. Not quite as much whine outside though.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6MWdXsqPlA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0WAj9Lq6qI