I've never been the best forum searcher and same thing on ebay. I have the worst time narrowing down certain things I end up looking for but other aspects of the web and pc's in general I'm a wiz. Anyways, I got my car in the shop getting some work done from this jerk smashing me and I'm considering a different exhaust since they'll be right there working on stuff already. I'm most likely keeping the cat as I think it was damaged in the accident and will be replaced but not a 100% if it's damaged, so I'd be looking for a cat back I guess. Is there a certain cat worth getting better than the stock or just get the stock one? I've read a few things talking about high flow cat? Next would be which exhaust to go with. Back when I was originally looking at exhausts I remember liking the Borla and The Mazdaspeed. I've been trying to find prices comparing the 3, the stock vs. borla vs mazdaspeed. My next question would be if I'm changing exhausts should there be any attention paid to intake? I have the stock intake set up on now. I could be wrong but changing exhausts where maybe the openings are larger than stock and would need larger intake? My figuring could be wrong here so please correct me. Just want to do it all right.

 

^You're doing it wrong...

Exhaust and intake are essentially unrelated. Just stick with oem intake, as it works fine. As for an exhaust- just search youtube for sound clips. You won't have any gain without removing the CAT, and even that is minimal. So, the catback is really the last thing (other than eye candy) to consider.

This, however, has been well (and over) documented on these forums. Click the google link in my sig, and type in specific key words to assist you in your search.

 

dont go in the wrong direction and buy a K & N intake. you lose power.

 

The way I'm looking at it is If the borla or ms exhaust is only a little more money than the stock I could just kick in the rest since insurance is only paying for what is there and ditch the stock set up and If I deceide to drop the cat out in the future I would just get a mid pipe and go that route if that time comes.

 

You can find used stock exhausts for dirt cheap, they are almost impossible for people to sell. As far as new you may want to call Mazda and see what they charge for one I bet its a lot.

 

After the cat the they said the muffler itself is about $750 and theres another pipe which is about $220.

 

I would tell that to your insurance then, because you can get a cheaper aftermarket exhaust than that. Turboxs is around $500 for the exhaust + midpipe, racing beat is ~$700 for their exhaust I believe. So you would actually save them money, unless they want to try and go with a used exhaust.

 

Just offer these guys $600 and see if they take it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FUJITSUBO-LE...361#vi-content

 

I think the Borla is the way to go, has a good sound and they've been around a while. I can't find anyhting bad about the borla set up for the RX8.

 

Borla is a great choice, the Fujitsubo is a similar design, they both have a nice mellow tone. I think the OBX one on ebay is a copy of these designs as well.

 

BTW you don't need to make any modifications to your intake to install a catback system. The intake really just gives you more noise. If you were to get an intake though, look at the Racing Beat REVi

 

Would I need different exhaust shrouds to fit the Borla tips? I think they are bigger than the stock. I was just looking at some pics of other exhausts with larger opening melting the shrouds.

 

^ look at my tips they're 115mm and larger than the Borla, no burning. You won't have an issue with the Borla.

 

I have the Borla catback on my car and I have zero issues. You won't melt the plastic or anything like that. The Borla sounded the best to me at the price range I was in and is also one of the quitest exhaust that's aftermarket. Sounds very nice and louder than you would expect when you get on it.

The Borla tips don't even touch the plastic and the exhuast comes in two pieces like the stock exhaust. The tips are welded to the muffler. All you do is just mount the catback on the stock flanges and your good to go. Beware of the two bolts that connect the catback to the cat........ it's a PITA to get both bolts back in. I cursed many hours at those bolts. If you know someone who has a lift then use it all the way.

 

I have magnaflow on my rx8 and I always say "My car sounds awesome" very quiet and sounds pro haha

 

This is good news! And thanks for the response, I'm having the repair shop put the borla on instead of the stock so I won't have to deal with those bolts but incase I do I will keep those on mind.

 

Stock or ebay,