It's all installed and Fantastic!!
 

OK after a newly installed CAI from AEM the low rumble was really loud and overly noisy nothing like what it was described on any forum. No whoosh (well at least you couldn't hear it under the rumble). Turns out after one of my friends said the rear right seat was a lot louder than the left (being a dual exhaust its a little more than odd) sure enough with a quick glance under the car I saw that the rear right muffler where it connects to the y-pipe had rusted or something but in any case had completely disconnected.[:@]Hence the very loud and potentially very dangerous vehicle. So alas here is my question, what would it cast to repair the part, welding and possibly new piping for the muffler? And wouldn't it be just smarter to replace the exhaust system, ex: Magnaflow cat-back $500 w/installation. And about how many hours of labor do you think it would be to install:

A: The Cat-back exhaust system
B: The whole darn thing: F2 4-1 headers w/ catalytic converter and Magnaflow cat-back exhaust ($1000)

Also are F2 4-1 headers legal and if not what are some other ones for the Mazda 6i (2003) I am having some real issues finding ones that are 4-2-1 OR 4-1.

What would it cost to have one custom made? Is that safe?

Thanks I am in some serious need here :(

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Pics in about 30min...

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Pics might be too big so if they don't show up here I will have to down size them and put them in my album under my profile pic to the left, they would be the ones of the broken muffler...

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Hold on re-try one at a time

[IMG]local://upfiles/12388/BCAA69B0D609476B9F5604288D12BCF1.jpg[/IMG]

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

#2

[IMG]local://upfiles/12388/7B04B4D5CB344C919ED4759F70F4FF7F.jpg[/IMG]

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

#3 this is what is currently holding it on, should I take the muffler off then if I NEED to drive it? Like to a shop? I assume I do.

[IMG]local://upfiles/12388/5A15534569E8452DB3907A2535689B09.jpg[/IMG]

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

OHHhhh... You were just aching for an excuse, weren't you Larry. I've got your number, Pal. ;):D:D:DWisconsin weather/road salt has taken it's toll has it?
A repair, if possible, of the OE would be far cheaper I'm sure, but... what do you want, and would you do it sooner or later anyway?Can you afford to do it now.
And as I'd said before, headers are not legal in any of these United States that I am familiar with, but you may be able to get away with it anyway. Many do.
Ask your local muffler shop for some advice. That's MY advice to you.

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

MANnnnnn!!! Have you got some rust starting under there or what??
I think that could be repaired. It's not at the inlet of the muffler so a new flange welded to a cleaned up inlet pipe might do it.
I'd take some time and prep/repaint some of that undercarriage before it gets any worse, my friend.

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Very true Virgin1 Wisconsin has that affect on cars, so ok yeah I guess i do have the money to do the exhast and catylitic converter then and I am thinking that will run about $600-700 in parts...and yeah I will ask my repair shop what the labor is and compare repairing prices with replacement. I am leaning twords replacing itm oh which reminds me does vibrant make an exhaust for the 2003 Mazda 6i. i haven't sean any but I know that there are a ton out there like Gredy, Apexi, Magnaflow etc and I can do my own reaserch and thi is a talked about subject so i will look at older threads for that.
As far as headers go then they will have to remain stock b/c I have to keep the car legal...ish[:'(]

Are high flow Catalytic converters worth it? or no?
I see the one that comes with the F2 header is only an added $100.

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Oh yeah? hmm what do you think a repainting would run? I haven't even heard of painting the undercarage.

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Larry, Larry, Larry.... So young. :D:D:D
About $14 and +/-2 hrs.
Jack up the car.Support the car on jack stands. Wear eye (safety glasses) and dust (a simple dust mask) protection. Get under there with some sandpaper or a scuffy (Scotch Brite) pad. Clean off the rust, and no it doesn't have to be perfect, but get as much of the dirt & dust off as is reasonable. You might even take it to a car wash first and power wash the undercarriage before attempting this, but it's not really necessary. Take your rattle can of rusty metal primer and spray all the newly scuffed surfaces. When that's dry (a few hours, or even a day if you can spare the time) you can do it again (second coat it,) or you can go straight to your rattle can of gloss black.
Protection is the name of the game here, not perfection... unless you want to spend the time and are that anal about it.

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Alright that would work for me I guess, oh and yes I am young and learning thats why i am here at the young age of 17. I am leaning more twords replacing the exhaust with an AM system like Magnaflow. If I were to do that would I need to spray the new piping or just the old metal on the undercarrage? b/c wouldn't the new exhaust have a n anti rust or it or no, well i guess it depends on the exhaust. Ok so questions:

1) How long does it take to install a full cat back exhaust system if done profesionally (as in not me)?
2)Is there any horses to be gained from this engine with an exhasut I hear its minimal? But if so at all how much?
3) Are the following websites really reputable I got them from the thread in the mazda3 section for after market parts websites.

www.protegegarage.com
www.therpmstore.com
www.racinglab.com

Also, what is you opinion on the following.

Magnaflow cat-back exhaust and a vibrant catalytic converter.

Is the CC worth $135+shipping?

I keep refering to magnaflow b/c I see its fairly common on these cars so its gotta have something good about them I know Virgin1 u are all about the Vibrant and thats fine but I don't think they make one for the Mazda 6i. :(

Others are

Greddy Evo-2 Exhaust (more pricy tho at $900-10000 so probobly not
Racing Beat at $420 (seams a little low)
Apexi (again a little pricy and I hear not so great things)
Tanabe Concept-G ($500)
Magnaflow is retailed on their website at $700+ but therpmstore has it for $465

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Well, I didn't know you were THAT young, but i knew you were trying to learn. I'm just messin' w/ya'. It's all part of the process, Man.
Some/most AM exhausts are Stainless, one reason they cost so damn much, but not all are.
1) It took me a little over an hour in my gravel driveway (OUCH!) to install mine. I don't think Vibrant makes one for the 6i. In fact from what I've seen very few make full cat-backs for the 6 series in general. Since it's considered more of a small family sedan you shouldn't be surprised, not to say that it can't be a nice street ride, or even w/e track car.
2) Yes.
3) I am familiar w/the first two and know people that have bought from them. The third I don't know.
4) In conjunction w/the higher flowing exhaust, sure, it willcompliment it.
5) See if theInjen it still available, though I believe the company discontinued it due to a lack of interest. I knew someone that had that on a 6s, 5-sp. 'Sounded good to me, and It seemed that it was SS too. In Wis, that would be a good thing in the long run.

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Yes SS is what I am looking at, Magnaflows is 100% SS as well. I will look into the Injen as well thanks. You've been a great help.:D

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Alright so here is the scoop...

Today I went ahead and bought the Magnaflow full cat-back exhaust system and the high flow metal core Vibrant catalytic converter. It will be here in about 3-5 business days and will be installed on saturday the 13th I beleave. The local shop says about 2-3 hours for the exhaust but then another 2ish to weld on the CC. That seams a little long for me but I guess it should be done right and its a very reputable installer in all manner of automobiles. The best part is I beleave i got a fantastic deal on it all.

Magnaflow exhaust on www.magnaflow.com is about $730...I got it from www.therpmstore.com for $465 including shipping. (Saving about $265)

Vibrant CC www.vibrantperformance.com $135 I got it for $120 including shipping. (website escapes me now I have it on my other computer, I will post it later)

All inall saved $280ish...all 100% SS!! yay no more rust

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

The website for the Vibrant catalytic converter was

www.verociousmotorsports.com

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Go Larry, Go Larry!!
That does seem a little long to me too.It should not be that hard, and competent muffler shop will have a bender if needed, universal flanges and gaskets, hardware, and should be able to weld them on in almost no time... 45mins @ most!!
Before they start, ask if that was only an estimate on their part orif that's the timethey will bill you for. Keep an eye on them when they work on the car, and time them.
Oh and BTW: Pictures and a sound clip are a necessity after the install of course. :D:D:D

RE: A turn for the worst...
 

Oh I will have all of the goodies on the way, pics sound and most likely a link to youtube for a video! :D

I will most definatly keep an eye on them, I knoe the time they sayd was a rough estimate but its a bold on exhaust and the only welding that will need to be done is on the catalytic converter, and thats minimal. I know they have a bender and evrything so I will ask what takes so long if they quote me on the long side.

It's all installed and Fantastic!
 

RE: It's all installed and Fantastic!
 

And so, and so, and so....?
What happened Larry? Where are they? Need input.

RE: It's all installed and Fantastic!
 

I am sorry for the delay, my car was vandalized at my house the other day by some high school kids, and luckly no damage done but i had to file police report and the whole nine yards in case any damage was to be found.

RE: It's all installed and Fantastic!
 

'Sorry to hear that, but why would they do that?? Did you piss somebody off? Are they jealous?
And how did the car escape damage if it was vandalized?

RE: It's all installed and Fantastic!
 

I am a senior in high school, with a nice car (esspecially for a high school student), it was home coming week so some juniors came to my house and did window chalk, shaving cream, bologna, and string cheese in my brand new exhaust (I saw it befor i started the car) thats where the vandilism came in to play it had high potential damage to paint and the exhaust, they had over a dozen peices almost 2 feet into the exhaust i had to jack up the front of the car to get it on and angle to jimmy it all out of there.

RE: It Is All Installed and Fantastic!
 

Jeez, Larry!! Nice guys.No respect for personal property.That sucks!!!
Remind me not to visit your neighborhood. :D :D :D