Mazdaspeed Sports Sound Exhaust
12-09-08, 07:25 PM
#33
the st may is by far one of the most well crafted and designed exaust i've seen. every weld, curve is perfect, not to mention its JAZMA approved. none of Apex-i N1 exausts passed that japanese standard.
the reason pipings are thiner, is because its split into 2 canisters. if you have 2x 3" piping, it wouldn't be balanced and would loose too much torque/back pressur. The inlet is still 3" just like the RB and majority FD cat'backs.
about the Ebay sellers, i got mine when the other seller when it was $300 + 50 shipping. that seller had 3 total that was bought during St May's last liquidation sale. these 3 mufflers, one went to me, one went to Mahjik (if i remember correctly). All were drop'd or something during storage and had slight bent to the muffler tips. I was able to bend the slight exaust tip distortion with ease.
This ebay seller that's been selling them for $600 recently, is a different guy than the $300. which i assume probably bought the liquidation before the other guy leaving some left overs. Knowing they used to go for more, he set the price higher.
so to clarify things, St. May went out of business years ago. these exaust are no longer being made. my guess would be poor marketing over in Japan or else this is truely one of the best looking/sounding exaust for FD. It sounds very close to a RB dual, maybe just slightly 1 db louder.
the reason pipings are thiner, is because its split into 2 canisters. if you have 2x 3" piping, it wouldn't be balanced and would loose too much torque/back pressur. The inlet is still 3" just like the RB and majority FD cat'backs.
about the Ebay sellers, i got mine when the other seller when it was $300 + 50 shipping. that seller had 3 total that was bought during St May's last liquidation sale. these 3 mufflers, one went to me, one went to Mahjik (if i remember correctly). All were drop'd or something during storage and had slight bent to the muffler tips. I was able to bend the slight exaust tip distortion with ease.
This ebay seller that's been selling them for $600 recently, is a different guy than the $300. which i assume probably bought the liquidation before the other guy leaving some left overs. Knowing they used to go for more, he set the price higher.
so to clarify things, St. May went out of business years ago. these exaust are no longer being made. my guess would be poor marketing over in Japan or else this is truely one of the best looking/sounding exaust for FD. It sounds very close to a RB dual, maybe just slightly 1 db louder.
12-09-08, 08:16 PM
#34
RHD Track Whore
I have a Tanabe medallion TOURING.
I would highly recommend it if you are looking for something that isn't obnoxious, has a smooth tone and doesn't drone on the highway. I also noticed a 1-1.5 PSI gain on my boost gauge, so I know it's flowing well.
Aesthetics are subjective but I think it is a nice clean look as well. Not as stock looking as the RB duel, but a little bling never hurt anyone.
I would highly recommend it if you are looking for something that isn't obnoxious, has a smooth tone and doesn't drone on the highway. I also noticed a 1-1.5 PSI gain on my boost gauge, so I know it's flowing well.
Aesthetics are subjective but I think it is a nice clean look as well. Not as stock looking as the RB duel, but a little bling never hurt anyone.
12-11-08, 11:58 AM
#36
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: winnipeg
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ahhh, which to get, I like both the st mays and the tanabe. The tanabe is cheaper and easier to get, but I have heard to many good things about the st mays.
12-11-08, 02:05 PM
#37
the st may is by far one of the most well crafted and designed exaust i've seen. every weld, curve is perfect, not to mention its JAZMA approved. none of Apex-i N1 exausts passed that japanese standard.
this is truely one of the best looking/sounding exaust for FD. It sounds very close to a RB dual, maybe just slightly 1 db louder.
this is truely one of the best looking/sounding exaust for FD. It sounds very close to a RB dual, maybe just slightly 1 db louder.
Yes, from the looks of it's design it should flow well but so far, no one has posted any data to that effect. It sounds nice, but that's subjective. Honestly IMO, it doesn't sound any better than the RB.. or for that matter, the Greddy SP that I'm running. Incidentally, 3" inlet pipe to my Greddy SP is also MUCH straighter than the St. May's design.
It's not all stainless. It looks very nice when new and sitting on the floor in that picture. But what will those pipes look like after a couple of years of use? I also prefer the look of rolled tips like the RB. It think it looks more refined. While I can't tell for sure, the St. May's doesn't appear to have them.
The muffler canisters are too long to fit beneath the car, causing it to hang lower than most and increase risk of damage...especially on a lowered car. And together those canisters are too wide to fit the cut-out of the rear valance, requiring the valance to be trimmed. To my knowledge no other aftermarket cat-back needs that.
Mahjik endorses it and I hesitate to disagree with his assessement. But IIRC his car is primarily tracked now. In that case maybe trimming the valance, the ill-fitting appearance, the higher risk of bottoming out and the a shortened life-span isn't as much of a concern.
12-11-08, 02:21 PM
#38
Sgt. Blue, I love the SP exhaust on yours... I wish I could find an "old school" version and not the SP2.
Futhermore, I do agree with what you said. It doesn't look like it fits well. However, to each their own. If they like it, so be it. I havn't heard this exhaust yet, but would like to.
Futhermore, I do agree with what you said. It doesn't look like it fits well. However, to each their own. If they like it, so be it. I havn't heard this exhaust yet, but would like to.
12-11-08, 02:26 PM
#39
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...4&d=1204517608
While the exhaust does stick out rearwards further than something like the RB duals, it does not hang down further than a single cannister exhaust which offers a little better clearance with that respect. I used to own a Greddy PE so I know all about rear clearance (or lack there of).
12-11-08, 02:37 PM
#40
The muffler canisters are too long to fit beneath the car, causing it to hang lower than most and increase risk of damage...especially on a lowered car. And together those canisters are too wide to fit the cut-out of the rear valance, requiring the valance to be trimmed. To my knowledge no other aftermarket cat-back needs that.
Nope, no trimming required.
Compare to N1 Dual
OK, sometimes needs cutting. But mrb63083 is right...to each their own. In terms of fitment, construction and performance I just think there are better alternatives in at least two of those categories.
12-11-08, 07:03 PM
#46
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: winnipeg
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Its too bad there is really no definitive proof of just how much hp the st may's or the racing beat adds, because I think when it comes to both looks and sound, they are pretty much even, so this would really show which is better. It seem that people go with the racing beat because it looks pretty close to stock, and it is both easy to install and easy to buy. But if it showed that the st may's added better flow/hp then it might just persuade people to go with this exhaust over the racing beat, not too mention put to end the questions about the 2 smaller pipes leading to the st may's
12-11-08, 08:28 PM
#47
thx man 
i totally agree. I think that Tanabe posted above is really clean too. lots of nice exausts out there.
that's why i have both. got the RB sitting in the garage incase if i get an exaust ticket. both are keepers for me.
It seem that people go with the racing beat because it looks pretty close to stock, and it is both easy to install and easy to buy. But if it showed that the st may's added better flow/hp then it might just persuade people to go with this exhaust over the racing beat, not too mention put to end the questions about the 2 smaller pipes leading to the st may's
12-11-08, 09:20 PM
#48
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: winnipeg
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
good thinking, wish I could just afford all 3, did you feel any differences from the racing beat to the st mays link?
By the way, sick FD link, can't beat the look of a clean white one.
By the way, sick FD link, can't beat the look of a clean white one.
12-12-08, 06:33 PM
#50
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
To make the thread even longer 
I'll add that I absolutely *love* my current setup..... 4 inch dp--->4 inch resonated mp (magnaflow)----->3.75 inch apex'i GT spec with apexi' active tailpipe silencer to tone the noise down at idle and cruise.
My A Spec 500R (1.06 hotside A/R, long runner mani) gets full boost (15-17psi) at 3500-3600 rpm in 2nd and 3rd gear if I step on it at 3000 rpms, not bad for a 67mm compressor wheel. I'm sure a lot of this is due to my less restrictive big bore exhaust....this is without the ATS, I dont have enough seat time yet with it. It occurs to me that all the ceramic coating and the turbo heat blanket contribute to that as well.
Back when I had stock twins and BNRs, I ran the standard 3 inch dp and mp with a PFS catback, which was constructed extremely well and looked and sounded great too (at least to my ears
)
I'll add that I absolutely *love* my current setup..... 4 inch dp--->4 inch resonated mp (magnaflow)----->3.75 inch apex'i GT spec with apexi' active tailpipe silencer to tone the noise down at idle and cruise.My A Spec 500R (1.06 hotside A/R, long runner mani) gets full boost (15-17psi) at 3500-3600 rpm in 2nd and 3rd gear if I step on it at 3000 rpms, not bad for a 67mm compressor wheel. I'm sure a lot of this is due to my less restrictive big bore exhaust....this is without the ATS, I dont have enough seat time yet with it. It occurs to me that all the ceramic coating and the turbo heat blanket contribute to that as well.
Back when I had stock twins and BNRs, I ran the standard 3 inch dp and mp with a PFS catback, which was constructed extremely well and looked and sounded great too (at least to my ears
)
Last edited by GoodfellaFD3S; 12-12-08 at 06:39 PM.