The Racing Beat MX-5 Race Connecting Pipe with Presilencer (2-piece) is intended to replace the stock mid-pipe on the MX-5, thereby eliminating the integrated secondary catalytic converter and presilencer unit. The inclusion of the presilencer unit on the Racing Beat Race Connecting Pipe moderates the MX-5 Miata exhaust note to provide an aggressive exhaust tone, with a noticeable increase in sound over the stock exhaust system. If you prefer a much louder-than-stock exhaust tone, we also offer our Race Connecting Pipe without the presilencer unit.
Manufactured using 16-gauge, 2.375-inch OD stainless steel tubing, this MX-5 connecting pipe features mandrel bends and OEM style connecting flanges. Designed as a bolt-on component, this connecting pipe is easy to install and utilizes all existing mounting brackets and hangers. Although the photos show this pipe as a one-piece unit, we are now producing this race pipe as a TW0-PIECE version to facilitate shipping.
Emissions Note: The stock mid-pipe does not feature an oxygen sensor after the catalytic converter. (The oxygen sensors in the MX-5 exhaust system are located before and after the primary catalytic converter, which is located under the stock exhaust manifold near the engine.) Therefore, installation of this race connecting pipe will not impact the OBD II system and installation of this race pipe will not cause a "check engine" light to occur. However, since a factory-placed catalytic converter is being removed by the install of this component, this race pipe is NOT considered emissions legal for street use.
Road Test Evaluation
Below is an evaluation of the sound levels of the Racing Beat Muffler (PN 56472) and Race Connecting Pipe (PN 56441 - with presilencer) as presented by an independent MX-5 owner that assisted with the evaluation of these components:
Vehicle: 2006 MX-5 - Manual Transmission - Racing Beat Exhaust & Race Connecting Pipe with presilencer installed.
- An increase in sound level exists at lower frequencies. There is no high frequency "bark" or raspiness.
- The system should satisfy your average and slightly sensitive customers, especially those who drive their cars for longer distances on each trip. On flat terrain with steady throttle, there is very little increase in exhaust noise. Cruising at 70 mph / 3400 rpm / 5th gear, the sound level is nearly stock.
- The only time the exhaust noise is noticeably louder (just bordering on booming) is (A.) under off-throttle deceleration, as the revs drop through the 3500-1500 rpm range, and (B.) when the engine is placed under heavy load, i.e. climbing a long ascent using a gear that is too tall. I noticed this climbing a very long grade in 5th gear. When I dropped down into 4th and let the revs move up into the 4000+ rpm range, the low frequency exhaust resonance decreased, but engine noise (coming from the front of the vehicle) increased because of the higher revs.
- With the top down, the exhaust tone is generally very pleasant in all conditions. The wind noise tends to offset any low frequency resonance.
Racing Beat Note: Sound level evaluation is a very subjective and attempting to describe the actual sound of a specific exhaust system can be difficult. Aftermarket exhaust systems can be designed to provide sound level increases from extreme to modest, but most will certainly increase the sound level output as compared to the stock unit. If you are sensitive to the sound level output of your exhaust, we encourage you to solicit feedback from other car owners that have purchased a specific aftermarket system that you might be considering purchasing.
Application:
Year | Make | Model | Trim |
2006 - 2013 | Mazda | Miata | MX-5 |