Zoom Zoom....
Nope, haven't gotten the Mazdaspeed 3 yet. I DID, however, score a Nismo header for about $200 before shipping, with the cat. Yeah, yeah, I know, cat breakup, etc, but down here they will ding you on inspection without that cat. I failed one year because my add-on fogs didn't turn off automatically when I turned on my highbeams! Had less mileage on it than my original manifold, so why not, I figured.
I can definitely tell the increase, as long as i'm above 3000 rpms. Bigger kick when the secondaries kick in, of course, but I can definitely tell. Nowhere near as loud as that d@mn Stillen header was. When I got my catback redone, I left all the resonators in, because I knew I'd be getting another header, and wanted to not be quite as obnoxious. Actually, as it turns out, it's a little louder growl under the hood, but exhaust-wise, I can't tell much difference! That dynomax muffler is really handling it's own, to the point where I'll probably take out a resonator.
Is it worth what it costs new, $700 or so? Hell no. But for the price I paid, and peace of mind during inspection (and no CEL) it's well worth it.
I DO need to put some header wrap on it though, I don't like it as close to the alternator as it is.
Pics forthcoming.
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