Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast Forums - Review: Vibrant Exhaust

Many of you know me by now and that my car has the Vibrant exhaust installed on it. Here's what you may not know. I'll start with the facts as I view them:

1. I was able to install my system in an hour and a half with no instructions and by myself in my gravel driveway. This includes time to raise, lower and jack-stand the vehicle, as well asabout 15minsto locate some hardware that did not come w/the kit. (More on that later.) All in all, a very easy DIY. I would also highly recommendusing anexhaust cutting tool (a series of cutting wheels, like a pipe cutter hason a chain w/an adjustablehandle) rather than trying the hacksaw blade method. Fortunately for me, I already owned one.
2. While I expected more power from the car after the install, especially at higher RPM, what I did not expect was an additional smoothness during launch. I always had to back pedal the clutch a little for a smooth take-off and to avoid excessive slippage. Not any more.I was so surprised by this that I had to back up and try it again! A pleasant and unexpected surprise to be sure.

Pros:
1. The Vibrant is the only system that I know of that comes complete. It is not a "catback" system, but a pre-catback system as it includes a high-flow cat. An $80-100+/- savings, plus labor savings (your time/exhaust shop cost/welding) and one reason the Vibrant system costs a little more. It's worth it in this reviewers opinion.
2. The Vibrant is the only system that I know of that uses bolt-together flanges and gaskets. No blow-aparts, but can easily be disassembled as needed. All others use clamps.
3. The system is very well built and gorgeous to look at. Highly polished 304 SS throughout.
4. The welds look like they could be run over by andfreight trainand not break. Beautiful work here too.
5. Improved low-end, as well as high-rpm performance.
6. The sound is awesome. A wonderful low tone that turns into a scream at higher RPM/hard throttle. Not "ricey" and does not drone at all. And very controllable too!! With a light foot on the throttle, she'snearly as quiet as the stock system was.Get on it though and she comes to life!
7. Louder than stock so you can better hear your engine and shift points, yet quiet enough not to disturb the neighbor's (unless you want it to, orare just being stupid about it) and to carry on normal conversation while cruising. Vibrant claims an 84db sound level at full song, which makes it legal in most/all places.

Cons:
1. My system did not come w/(2) new bolts/nuts or a new gasket for the cat. They expect you to reuse the original bolts, however mine were permanently welded to the OEM cat body. I complained to them and was told that these were oversights and that they would fix these issues in future kits. I cannot verify that they have, so be prepared.
2. The tip, while it fits and aligns in the bumper cut-out perfectly,and looks great, is not of the double walled/insulated variety. Vibrant does sell these separately, however I feel that paying a premium for their system, certainly one of the most expensive on the market,there should be no question and should not have to be an option. I was looking @ the ARK system originally, which cost a little less, but comes std w/a beautiful d-w'd, insulatedtip out of the box.
3. As stated the kit came w/o any instructions or suggestion sheets. While an exhaust system is usually pretty straight-forward, this might save the average DIYer some time and guess work.
4. This last complaint is more directed towards Mazda than Vibrant: As stated, this system bolts together using (2) gasketsand (2) three-bolt flanges (not including the cat.) Some of the bolts are quite difficult to access and the exhaust heat shield has VERY sharp, jaggededges... like an exposedsaw blade. Since you must assemble and line up the system after it's under the car, blood will certainly spill. I know I lost a few knuckles on this install. That heat shield should be considered and handled likethe deadly weapon that it is.

Summary:
All-in-all, I love my system andif I had my choice to do over again I would still purchase this one. I would also highly recommend it to anyone wanting a nice, very high quality, mature sounding aftermarket exhaust on their 3.