I just installed my Racing Beat cat-back exhaust. The first day it arrived, I was surprised at how large (and shiny) it was, as this is my first car to tune. The quality is superb and all supplied materials are of excellent quality.

I found the best jacking points to be a little bit in front of the rear tires, on the black metal lip. I believe these are the stated jacking points in the owners manual. The job would have been a little easier if the front was also raised, but my car did not clear the ramps, so we left the front on the ground. After only 6000 miles, the exhaust bolts needed some lubrication until they were finally coaxed off. Silicone lube for the rubber bushings was a plus, as the directions stated. Don't worry, I was pretty rough on the bushings and no tear or wear

What I did was bolt together the resonator, gasket, and S-pipe, then have my help hold up the rear of it while I connected the gasket, resonator and cat. It was supported by an extra jack (unusable - very old) while we put up the muffler section. Getting that last gasket to fit between the S-pipe and muffler was not the most fun, but with patience it can be accomplished easily.

My only problem with the installation was that the stock gasket cannot be reused, as said in the directions. I bought another gasket like the ones supplied for $2.75 at my local auto parts store. The directions say to reuse the stock gasket, but the new pipe is too large, and I feared it would leak.

After completing the install, I turned on the car and checked for leaks - none. When turned on and in very low RPMs the car has a nice deep roar, or rumble, to it. It is very quiet between about 2-3000RPM, then it starts to pick up noise, but never excessively loud. I was also impressed with the performance, expected to gain 5WHP and 5WTQ. In the mid- and high-RPMs I could definitely feel the extra pull, but maybe it was just my *** dyno

Overall the system is of exceptional quality and very well worth the cost. Thanks to Mitch for hooking me up. A big 2 thumbs up for the system. I can't wait to complement the exhaust with my Injen CAI in a little bit.

 

nice man...

What type of tip does it have? Is it the older solid type or the newer one that looks "layered"? I kind of like them both, and especially the stock look of the newer ones...

 

Sweet!! I just got my exhaust yesterday and I am going to install it on Sunday. I haven't looked at the directions, you say I need to get another gasket? I have three in the kit, one is smaller than the other two. Where does the smaller one go?? What size did you get for the extra one, and large one or small one? Which way did the resinator go, short pipe facing front or rear? Sorry for all the questions, I could hardly sleep last night with excitment. This is also my first car to tune, and I"M ADDICTED!! Any other info that you might think will help, let me know. BTW, I love my AEM!!

 

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=17796

 

Thanks shumax, I used some of your pics to aid in my install, too. As for the resonator if you can't tell, the fatter section is closer to the S-pipe. If you piece it together you will see that is the only way it could go because the flanges are angled differently. My kit only came with 2 gaskets, both large I assume. If yours came with a third, then I guess you should use it. I simply took one of the gaskets and had it matched at my auto parts store.

 

My tip is one solid piece, not sure how to describe it. It does not have the stock layered look, and looks different than shumax's.

 

Car needs to be cleaned, I know!

 

Thanks for the info, I didn't get to install it, my frieds wife had the flu and he had to take care of the kid. Oh well, it is cold. Should be warmer this weekend, I'll have to put it in then.