any specific way that i can tell if it is leaking, the installer told me they got a new gasket from mazda.. but who knows those people are shady

and where is it likely to leak, at the header or between the midpipe and cat pipe where the springs are?

 

The reason it is so loud....

To say it simply: Well... its just loud hahah

 

Put the car on jackstands. With the exhaust cool, start the car and run underneath. Put your hands all around the front flange where the header meets the midpipe, to check for air blowing out. IF you find none, QUICKLY move to the rear flange where the midpipe meets the catback and repeat. You have to do this quick, because the exhaust heats up quick and then you won't be able to put your hands near it.

IF you feel no air leaks at either flange, then you are good to go.

 

can wait till i do my tax and order this exhaust already,

but if your gone keep the exhaust i would change those tips or you'll melt your shrouds

EDIT: did it throw a CEL

 

definitely will.. it's a straight pipe.

 

heres a few pics of the rear of my midpipe flange connection to the Turbo XS catback exhaust. as you can see it hangs low at the flange , so if you bottom out real hard , leakage can develop due to distorted flange, its a good idea to have all gaskets checked if it seems too loud.

 

^Thats so true. Unlike the AP exhaust. My friend Mike would bottom out going to SoCal and over time he had a exhaust leak. Quick fix.

 

would turbo xs work with stock setup ??

 

^yes the the midpipe will bolt right up to the stock exhaust, but you will need a gasket

 

Have mine xs with the stock cat as well, sounds great and not too loud. Regarding the exhaust leaks, go to a auto store and get some universal exhaust gaskets, modify them to fit the flange, use two layers maybe, tighten the bolts up really well and you should be good to go. I bottomed out a couple times already but no problems.

 

+1^that man speaks the truth

 

anything i can do to reduce the smell.. .. it gets inside the car ...

 

always leave your windows up and turn your a/c on recirc.

 

its too loud, its too smelly, im sensing you didnt know what you were getting yourself into. lol. if you want, i can meet you in bethesda to let you know if your car sounds normal. those gaskets are $50.

also, i dont go anywhere (except the race track) without my silencers in.

 

 

Marilyn, Jason and the Joker....who am I missing?