I need help. I have several things that I need opinions on.
I have a 2004 black RX-8.

First, I live in GA and the legal window tint is 32%. I don't want to go much lower than that, but you can see right through 32% in my opinion. In ya'lls opinion, is 25% or 20% dark enough? I don't want to go much darker for fear of getting a ticket and having to take it off, but I want you to be able to tell I have it tinted and gives the "all black" sleak look.

Second, I need help with is exhausts. I have gone to www.mazdatrix.com and have watched the videos of the different exhausts. I think that the Greddy exhaust tips are waaaay too big, and give it a "rice burner" look and sound. (No offense to anyone that has one, sorry.) I like the way the Racing Beat sounds because you can still hear the rotary engine roar and the tips aren't quite as big and seem to fill the gaps nicely. I also like the Mazdaspeed. But, I am concerned that the Mazdaspeed makes no difference, considering it looks just like the stock. I would like to know what ya'll think is the best exhaust between the Racing Beat and the Mazdaspeed. Please consider sound, looks, horsepower increase, etc. Also, does the Racing Beat, or any other non-mazda part, void the 40,000 mile warranty? I would really appreciate it if someone could answer these questions for me.

 

For starters, which Mazdaspeed exhaust did you look at? I assume it's the old single muffler one. They're coming out with a dual muffler one with slightly bigger tips around January. There will be a group buy for this new Mazdaspeed exhaust. Check it out in one of the vendor threads. I think all aftermarkets will void your warranty unless they're Mazda's or Mazdaspeed's.

Personally, I have a HKS Legamax and I love it. Big tips, great looks, but it doesn't sound 'rice' IMHO.

Can't say much about the tints though, sorry.

 

An aftermarket exhaust will only void the part of the warranty that can be proven broken from the new exhaust.

Personally I have the Greddy SP2 and I think that the exhaust tips actually fit VERY nicely into the stock rear bumper. It also sounds really good, nice and deep at low RPM's and very rotary when you really get on it.

 

Yeah, I was looking at the single muffler one. Thanks for your help. But, do you think that the mazdaspeed one is worth getting? Does it sound THAT much better than stock? And, how much horsepower increase you think I'd get with the single and the 2 muffler mazdaspeed exhaust?

 

I haven't heard the new MS exhaust (simply because it's not out yet), am an unsure about HP gains from it. Generally, manufacturers claim between 5-10HP increases on average with aftermarkets. I can only say that the single muffler MS exhaust looks too much like the OEM exhaust, and wouldn't pay good money for that reason.

Go to the vendor forums and check out one of the threads there about the new MS exhaust and CAI. I'm sure you'll find your answers there. Hope this helps.

 

I don't know about Ga but in Ca if you have two rear view mirrors you can tint the back as much as you want. I'd tint the passenger doors dark as hell too. Then just go legal on the door tint. Worst you'll get is a fix it ticket.

 

lol NY that would be 4 tickets one for each window in the car. here is 35% the most. my bro got 5 on his 93 acura legend