hi im new here and sorry to bother. I'm just confused with two or three things about putting a muffler in my rx8....
well first, what is a catback muffler?? does it mean it comes with a catalic??
and in the what in the world is a mid pipe?? and where does it go?
I mean I'm trying to buy a muffler that sounds reallyy nice and loud... people tell me to go with greddy sp2 catback..... and others say to just buy any exhaust and putt a midpipe and that will make it sounnd really awsome...... any help in here??? or any suggeestions??? if the catback exhaust does not come with a catalic, will that still make it sound loud and not like a bunch of bumble bees??
i will apreciate all of your suggestions and comments....

thanx

 

A catback system does not contain a catalytic converter. It is essentially the entire exhaust system in back of the cat.
A midpipe is the piece of exhaust that contains the catalystic converter and not much else. It's probably about 4' long. A midpipe without a catalytic converter could be called a straight pipe (essentially a piece of shaped pipe and nothing else). A high flo cat generally is a high flo catalytic converter along with the entire midpipe section it goes in.
As for sound, look around on youtube or the forums for sound bites of people's setups. The Greddy SP2 is generally considered fairly loud and a midpipe (no cat) generally makes any exhaust (including stock) much louder.

 

A catback exhaust system is from the catalytic converter back not what maxxdamigz said thats why its call a cat-back. Also a midpipe removes the catalytic converter.

 

Welcome to the club!

Here's your answer:
1) Greddy exhaust is quite loud, you will be pleased if that's what you're looking for. (there should be sound clips on www.youtube.com)

2) Catback = exhaust pieces BEHIND the catalytic. Pretty much mufflers and the exhaust tips

3) midpipe replaces the catalytic converter. This is NOT legal in some states. Some people call it straight piping, race pipe, it's all pretty much the same thing. (pipe with no cat)

 

ok i think i get it now.. so if i put a midpipe with the stock exhaust that still makes it loud right? but won't that make me loose power?? and how can i know if a midpipe is legal? what do you guys think about a midpipe and a catback exhaust all together??

 

greddy exhaust + stock Catalytic = loud.
It would be LOUDER with a midpipe but probably TOO loud.

You won't 'lose' power with the stock cat. freeing up exhaust flow with a midpipe MIGHT give you a few extra hp but we're not talking about a big amount. (ie; probably not worth it)

Where do you live?

 

i live in north carolina....

 

do a google search for emission laws in NC.
also look into smog laws.

No cat = NOT passing a smog check.

 

well then i think i'll just stick with a catback exhaust. in what states are the midpipes legal? if any

 

i have a question too ......if i take the cat out ....and then put it back in when i go smog , i'll pass smog test right ?

 

yes, you SHOULD.

 

Removing the catalytic converter is against Federal Law. It isn't usually enforced against an individual. It is sometimes against businesses. The alcohol that they put in the gas will make your car smell, with a midpipe. A straight pipe on a rotary is ear splitting loud. Much louder than on a piston engine. That is why, if you get a midpipe, get one with a pre-muffler or resonator on it. A midpipe will also create an error code in the PCM that will have to be cleared before the car is taken in for emissions testing.