Mazda Mx-5 Mk1 (NA) Exhaust

[Osmoliver]

I have a 1992 NA Mx-5 and my exhaust has started blowing. There appears to be a lot of options out there for replacing it.

I had a quote of £399 from PowerFlow for a custom stainless steel exhaust. This seems a little steep given there's lots of aftermarket options around the £200 mark.

Additionally, I could just replace it with a standard exhaust, but it is worth a little more for something else? Something that sounds better would be worth it in my opinion.

Finally, is replacing an exhaust easy for a driveway mechanic or is it worth paying the labour at a garage?

[Oldandslow]

Luckily there's a lot of good mass produced aftermarket stuff out there. Lot's of choice and it keeps prices low. Depending on when your car was made check the cat length. I think a 92 1.6 was early enough to have the short cat and not be a hybrid with the longer 1.8 cat so a std. off the shelf 89-93 1.6 exhaust should fit.

It is doable on a drive way with stands. Not comfortable but doable. You may require a grinder and start with an empty swear jar as the cat nuts are notoriously difficult to remove. I'd suggest you have a nut splitter and new nuts standing by*. 2 part systems are easier rather than one piece from cat back just for ease of lift and wrangle.

• my first one cost several hacksaw blades and skinned knuckles. The cat ended up removed entirely when studs broke and had to be drilled out and through bolts fitted.

[anonymous-user]

I've had an MX5 Parts twin exhaust for a few years, had it on a 1992 1.6 to start with and now a 1994 1.8, it's still shiny and seems to have survived very well on cars that live outside all the time.

They're very easy to fit if you've got a pair of ramps, and they sound nice and are quite loud. I tried an un-silenced decat pipe on the 1.6 and it was deafening, so don't go that far.

[binnerboy]

I have the moss cobalt one on my 1994 mk1 1.8. Sounds nice and they replaced it under warranty when the baffles collapsed.

[Osmoliver]

Oldandslow - There's almost too much choice! Mine's an early 1.6 so I believe it has the shorter cat. You've completely put myself off from doing it myself, I'll happily pay my local garage. I'm still a little scarred from putting a new roof on the Mx-5. It wasn't difficult, just so time consuming!

Thanks for the replies JimmySuperSix and binnerboy. At the moment, I'm erring towards the Cybox exhaust system. £215 appears to be a decent price for stainless steel with a purchaser's lifetime warranty. Plus it sounds pretty good too! Definitely an upgrade from standard.

[Oldandslow]

Osmoliver said:

Oldandslow - There's almost too much choice! Mine's an early 1.6 so I believe it has the shorter cat. You've completely put myself off from doing it myself, I'll happily pay my local garage. I'm still a little scarred from putting a new roof on the Mx-5. It wasn't difficult, just so time consuming!

Well, putting you off wasn't my intention Just better to be forewarned and have the tools and parts you need.