Racing Beat Exhaust System Review - Mazda Restoration Project

Mazda Restoration Project

Adding a new exhaust system to our Mazda Miata. We selected the Racing Beat for our new high performance upgrade. The DIYer can complete this in a day, no problem.

Racing Beat High Performance Exhaust System - Mazda Miata Restoration Project

One of the items that we set out to do was to increase the performance of our 1991 Miata. One of these perfomance enhancing improvemetns was a new tuned exhaust system. The DYIer can do this in your garge in a day without a problem. Racing Beat was the system we choose for the upgarde. We purchased the Racing Beat 4:1 header, Racing Beat Power Plus connector pipe and the Racing Beat Power Plus Muffler.

We choose to keep the noise level of our Miata conservative so we choose the Power Pluse Connector pipe. This pipe has a sound dampaning resonator already installed. If you want a little louder sound to your Miata you have the choice of the Sport Connector Pipe. The secret to an successfull install is to make sure you soak ALL the bolts with a rust releaser. We used PBBlaster for our rusy connections. Now we soaked all of the bolts on our Miata 2-3 times a day for 3 days. All of the bolts released without a problem. You do not want to break off any bolts in the block trying to get your header off. This would not make for a good day. And this is not an easy repair if you do. So take your time and spray early and spray often.

We first removed our heat shield, which is not replaced after the new header is installed. Then after soaking down all of our bolts, for days, started to removed the old exhaust. Remember to be careful of the O2 sensor that is threaded into the old header down pipe. This gets removed after you release the header from the block. Now you will have access to get at easily. Also there is a water pipe that runs under the old header and is fastened to the engine using one of the bolts holding the header to the block. The water pipe had an O ring on the end of it. Be careful not to damage this O ring. We damaged ours and had to order a new one from the Mazda dealer. The universal O ring kits do not have the O ring of the proper thickness for this connection not to leak when you start up the car.

The Miata has an system of pegs and rubber mounts that supports the exhaust system on the car. This system is pretty cool. None of those nasty u-bolts around pipe or connectors. We soaked these connectors down with good old fashion dish soap. This allowed the connectors to be release without damage to the rubber hangers.

After removing the old exhaust pipes we set about removeing the header. Now it will look like you cannot get the old one out of the engine bay. But after a few choice words and taking my time the old header came right out from underneath the car. The new header went in without an issue. Racing Beat has done a nice job here. All of the peices went to gether without a problem. The those rubber hanger being soaked down with dish soap the new pegs went in the hanger with no problems at all. We did need to pickup another exhaust gasket when we reattached the catalytic convertor to the new pipes but this was more of a safety issue on our part. Take your time and this install is a snap.

Once installed the new system looks great due to the all stainless design. The sound is very pleasent yet has a tone of power. We noticed the power difference right away. We are very happy with this product. Check it at at Racing Beat's Website.

Racing Beat Exhaust System