is a cat back exhaust worth the money performance wise?
 

Hey guys I have a Gen 2 ms3 that I'm looking to mod, and was wondering if anyone knew for sure if a cat back exhaust system would add any hp ? because I get a lot of mixed reviews from the manufacturers/sellers saying they add 10-20hp and from other people saying they don't add any hp they just give you a better sounding exhaust system. So I'm confused on who to believe, if anyone has any legit info like dyno results before and after a cbe system was installed (and only a cbe) please do tell. Thx.

There is an entire sub forum for Gen 2 exhausts that answers any question you can and will ever have. Long story short, difference in power gain between the exhausts is pretty much 100% dependent on size, and the difference between exhausts of the same size in minimal if any. On the stock K04 turbo there isn't much power to be had with a CBE, you need a lot of parts before that unless you are just after the sound.

Add a downpipe. Will get you a little more sound and will also add power.

I would love a Catback but not going to pay 700 for something that doesn't do much of anything I'll do everything else I want first and then add a catback unless I find a good deal locally.

do you have internals? i know you can run a muffler delete without problems. can you run a catback exhaust without internals? like straight pipe?

Inked. Can you send me a link for the gen2 exhaust sub forum, I would love to read it ? I looked everywhere for it ( this site and google) but couldn't find it.

I like turtles.

2010 MS3 - Engine, Transmission & Driveline - Mazdaspeed Forums

Exhaust is under the engine section.


I like turtles as well.

I like cats because they go meow...
The cats on my car didn't go meow so I got rid of it.

i ripped out the guts of one of my cats and sold it for $5. no shit. it was in a little grocery sack.

Judging by your post I would assume you have minimal or no mods done.

Before getting too heavy into the mod bug plan for a HPFP. My stocker held fine for a while but then out of no where decided to drop into the 13-1400psi area.

Simple intake, AP/hypertech, HPFP, 2nd cat delete will net you some decent gains. I would save the catback until after you have full intake, intercooler, downpipe, racepipe, and a tune setup. It is kind of the last mod for a k04. There are other more restrictive pieces to worry about first unless you are after decent change in exhaust note (even then the cat deletes add a fairly aggressive tone to the stock cbe).

Get a used one so its not as expensive and you can sound super duper cool :cool:

I know a catback exhaust doesn't do much for performance on stock turbo, but the ricer in me loves hearing it lol

I've heard the same that @speedfreak44; said HPFP is a definite upgrade ASAP

I wanted to get a used catback, but after shipping and packaging charges were considered it was only slightly cheaper then buying new. I have all the basic mods already and decided to splurge for the exhaust, I see it as the cherry on top for our cars.

What a cat-astrophe!

CBE
 

The CBE was the last mod I installed and I picked up a used Cobb in the for sale section.

The real question is if i was talking about a pet or exhaust component