DYT

How about buying the best performing, best quality product, be it Japanese, American, or Martian.

This thread represents the problem I see in the whole performance car scene.

The domestic guys thinks all Japanese cars are junk fit for weenies

The import guys thinks all American cars are junk fit for rednecks.

Why can't we just respect all cars and each other? Honestly who cares where does stuff are made as long as it fits your need.

bureau13

Amen to that. Maybe some of you import guys are new to the rotary scene, but companies like Racing Beat, Pettit Racing, PFS, M2 Performance, SR Motorsports...the list goes on and on and on...have been supplying home-grown goodies for rotary powered Japanese vehicles for years.

jds

Tweety-nator

Borla's exhaust is very popular among the Z community, along with Stillen. They are both American companies. Both produce high-quality exhaust systems made entirely of stainless steel.

Go to any Z forum, you will find that a lot of people go to Borla or Stillen for their exhaust upgrade. The 350Z does not have a true dual exhaust, so its a popular mod for those looking to increase the Z's HP/Torque. From what I have read, typical gain is about 10+HP for the Z.

I would imagine that the RX-8 would benefit from an aftermarket exhaust upgrade as well, just like the Z.

Digisan

I didn't say anything remotely close to that. Your comment about Borla being American and only good for domestics seemed a bit off base. Also, buying parts from Japan are expensive and not always the best, hence jds's post:

"Amen to that. Maybe some of you import guys are new to the rotary scene, but companies like Racing Beat, Pettit Racing, PFS, M2 Performance, SR Motorsports...the list goes on and on and on...have been supplying home-grown goodies for rotary powered Japanese vehicles for years.

jds"

Rick

Yes, good quality products that work.

dcfc3s

To throw some info out -

I've seen/installed nearly every exhaust system for an RX-7 you can think of. Here's my take -

Japanese exhaust manufacturers put a LOT of work into an exhaust system. You typically see very precision fit, excellent sound and performance. There's usually a range, too - quieter systems with less performance, and louder "race" systems with more performance, not a one size fits all exhaust. They spend a LOT of time with the design of the system for the best sound - Japanese are very picky on how a system sounds, and they put a lot of work into that.

Japanese exhausts are also typically better built. If the system has to be in multiple parts, they will join with a flange, and the kit will come with high-quality hardware and gaskets. Many American manufacturers use muffler clamps or the like - SUPER cheesy. I've also seen less attention to an exact fit with American systems - the tailpipe won't line up with the muffler cutout well, you have to jockey with it to keep it from hitting the frame, etc.

But, Borla does make a quality product. I've personally never cared for their "intercooled" tips - they look OK, and the finish is usually a bit lacking. But, yes, they are all stainless, and the muffler is of high quality.

Right now I think the only systems available are "local" - the Japanese have RE Amemiya, FEED, etc. which aren't typically distributed in the US. We have Borla, which isn't typically distributed in Japan. It's gonna take a little time for the "big guns" (HKS, Apexi, Greddy/TRUST, Blitz) to get their products out, and they'll be commonly available on both sides of the pond. They all make VERY high quality systems.

The "ricey" sounding systems are typically not systems at all, just mufflers. You can get cheap $100 made in Taiwan mufflers, have an exhaust shop hack off your muffler and weld it on, and you'll be buzzin' along. Get a real system, and you'll be well ahead quality-wise.

Dale

Peter Sawko

Looks to me that torque when the Borla unit is added is slightly lower up to about 5000rpm at which point it is slightly higher to redline.

Is the consensus that this in fact will reduce performance? What about the increased hp's impact?


Also, sounds to me like it is probably a good idea to wait a year or so to see more developed performance products.


Does anyone have any sense of what can be expected in performance enhancements?

Does anyone have any info on Mazda's plans to provide a means of recapturing lost hp?

Appreciate any responses.

gr8rx

what I want is a full titanium system in 2.5 and 3'' for less weight and higher quality, 3'' obviously for a turbo aplication

mikeb

thats excatly what I'm saying Dale

Rick

At least look at made in USA performance parts.

Kev

...and what's wrong with Australian Made???

When we actually make something that is

Rick

You guys make an awesome KTM. Wait a second... That would be Austria. Sorry

dcfc3s

Considering the Aussies and Kiwis have the market cornered when it comes to aftermarket fuel injection (Motech, Haltech, Microtech, Wolf, et al) that's your contribution .

Dunno what they put in the water over there that makes folks want to churn out EFI systems...

Dale

Icemastr

I have had the opportunity to hear a wide range of exhaust systems on naturally aspirated and turbo rotary engines alike, although most of my personal experience is on 3rd gens. I have had a few different exhaust combinations on my FD, and right now I prefer my current which is no cats, a 3" inlet/outlet magnaflow oval muffler and a Apex GT Spec Catback. Unlike FD's with a midpipe and Apex GT Catback, or even Catalytic Converter and Apex GT Catback, the sound is smooth and loud but not too loud, rather than "rattly". Originally I had an HKS turbo exhaust, which was quiet, barely louder than stock, then just Apex GT Catback and midpipe, crazy loud, then the magnaflow muffler, which quieted it down a bit and sounds better IMO. My friend has a Borla "prototype" catback that was installed on his car orginally as a testbed for a catback system that was never manufactured, and it sounds really good as well, a nice solid whoom sound. Naturally aspirated rotaries tend to have an even more rattly weed whacker like sound with open exhaust because it doesnt have a turbo to muffle the exhaust, and I think if I put an exhaust on my RX-8 its going to be magnaflow.

david borla

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gr8rx
what I want is a full titanium system in 2.5 and 3'' for less weight and higher quality, 3'' obviously for a turbo aplication [/QUOTE

This comes up a lot and it's really all about price. We have the ability to make all of our products out of titanium however the price increase is very substantial. More often than not, the few benefits of titanium are greatly outweighed by the cost.

mikeb

If you dont mind what would be the cost on that set up