I've often read of a "sound improvement over stock exhaust" with an aftermarket one. That would seem to imply that the stock exhaust has a sound of its own, but in practical situations, my experience tells me otherwise.

I know that in the garage, standing behind the RX8, I can hear the exhaust warming up if I kneel down. However, on the freeway, if someone was behind me on the onramp, and I was accelerating as fast as possible, I believe the stock exhaust does not emit enough sound to be audible, correct? I've never heard my own exhaust while driving, and never driven behind my own RX8, so just wondering if anyone has.

In fact, I'm fairly certain that the stock RX8 is only heard while on quiet streets, and even then, only by pedestrians crossing the street, and even then, only the engine or shifting mechanisms can be heard if they are within 10 feet, and I happen to be shifting or in 1st gear at high rpms for some reason. For example, on the freeway, a cop car next to me can't hear me do a downshift, so I don't have to worry about him thinking I am being childish right?

Just want to confirm if it is "stealth" quiet as I believe it to be, or not.

 

They can here it when you'r intake opens up around 5500rpms.
On a silent road I could here my fans louder then the stock exhaust.

 

I prefer the "Sneak up on 'em" stock exhaust system I have now. Besides, if it were louder, I would have to amp up the stereo. Then I would have to get hearing aids.

 

I have the MS exhaust and I can here the stock radio fine around 14-15. If i'm on the expressway the sound of the wind is to much if the windows are down.

I've had cars for years with exhaust and catless, some with just a dump off the turbo and I've never gotten a ticket for it. Only radar has got me.
I've even drove a 427 cobra with the headers flipped and sticking out of the hood.
No ticket for that. You'd think the flames would get me one.

 

Ok this seems to confirm my suspicions.

Lots of people like their aftermarket exhaust; I'm not ragging on that. Sometimes however, there's nothing better than accelerating at a high rate, while having no loud exhaust note trailing you.

Does this include cars with their windows rolled up, or just pedestrians within close range? I drive with windows down, and occasion I will redline in idle just to hear the engine. I always thought most of the noise is injected into the cabin, not to the outside. A pedestrian on the sidewalk might hear it on a quiet level, but I don't think the elderly driver in front with his windows rolled up would be disturbed, right?

Those of you with loud revs, are you able to use your gas pedal in place of the horn? If so, does it sound, "Hey you, don't take my parking spot", or does it sound "Hi, I'm an idiot"?

 

Hmmm, my radio is usually on 8. I go as high as 12, but never over. Borla exhaust and revi intake without issues.

 

Inside the car, stock exhaust seemed to be quiter than the engine. It can be heard a little when you stand behind the car, though.

 

A stock RX-8 is seriously quiet at practically all RPMs if you ask me, even at high RPMs, compared to cars similar to it. You're right, I didn't realize how easily the RX-8 allowed me to speed around stealthily until I tried an aftermarket intake. Then my 8 just became a "LOOK AT ME, I'M HERE AND GETTING ON THE GAS!!!" car, and I couldn't go back to the stock intake fast enough.

And to me, the stock intake and exhaust system has an addicting sound all of its own that is a large part of what makes the car and rotary engine so much fun to me. It has a sweet, pure, well dampened snarl that doesn't sound ragged or edgy, nor does it abruptly change tone at different RPMs. It's a constant rising screaming tone similar to what you hear out of exotics (but much, much quieter), with no sudden bassiness to it when you shift.

It's definitely not going to wake up the neighborhood though. I've done the high rev past cars that pissed me off and they basically don't hear it. To the general public a stock RX-8 really doesn't sound any different from an inline 4. If you're behind a car with a coffee can exhaust, you simply cannot hear a stock RX-8 over their noisemakers.