Header on 81 RX-7
 

I'm new to the RX-7, so this may be a dumb question. Does it make sense to install a header, high flow cat, and high flow muffler to improve performance on an 81 RX with a 12a engine? Everything I have seen online describes headers, a presilencer, and muffler. I was thinking that I would want to keep the cat for emissions, but if it only provides minimal benefit, I will likely keep it stock. Thanks, Tim in Atlanta.

hey tim,
I just got an unused racing beat header from craigslist for $100.
while i thought this was a good deal at the time, i learnt after i installed it, it was about 6" longer than the stock header and i wasn't able to bolt the rest of my stock exhaust straight back up without modification.

So i looked on racing beat's website and i thought they were asking too much for their complete systems and i continued to look around on craigslist and i got lucky.
I found a guy with a full twin pipe streetport exhaust they sell on RB for $1000+ and he didn't know what it was and i got it for $200.
It's now on my car and all i can say is there is no way i would have paid the $1000 and i'm quite happy with what i found so i suggest keeping a look at what's available with cheaper alternatives unless you're willing to go all-out and spend big bucks on your ride there's not really much improvement with any exhaust upgrade alone.

From Jozey

Thanks for the information. I'm not looking to make the vehicle a race car, but I don't want to spend a bunch of money, potentially mess up emissions and not really get anything of note out of it. Go to try some work on my own, though I would not call myself a car guy. Thanks again.

reply
 

yeah it's a tricky situation, if you go with the racingbeat exhaust you will get a nice not from it but you pay top dollar. Im sure there are other options out there, however.
I'm new to Portland, Oregon and i was told that i don't need to meet any emissions standards for a road car that is more than 21 years old so as far as i know i'm all good to go with my exhaust with no cat.
Prior to buying my $200 rb exhaust i checked out 'eds mufflers' shop locally and they told me they weren't allowed to manufacture any exhaust without a cat. i called bullshit and they quoted me $7-800 for a basic setup.
If i were you maybe have a look at the local exhaust shops but don't fall victim by paying more than what it's worth.

good luck let me know how you go with it if you can.