mx5 mk1 exhaust trackday advice

[JackAttack2002]

hello i have a mk1 mx5 that i daily and take on track. its currently got a mx5 parts catback. however im thinking about getting a stainless steel 4-2-1 manifold and a high flow sport catalytic converter from racing beat. however im worried about it being too loud for track. anyone else running a simular setup. my local track is snetterton but i want to get on other tracks aswell.

[brillomaster]

I suspect with a proper sized backbox and sports cat you'll be fine. Especially at Snetterton, which is quite a loud circuit.

You might struggle with a full decat if you ever went that far, but sports cat will be fine.

But when you fit the new parts, keep hold of the old parts just in case you need to revert back. I didn't keep my old boxster exhaust, and I regretted it almost immediately.

[JackAttack2002]

brillomaster said:

I suspect with a proper sized backbox and sports cat you'll be fine. Especially at Snetterton, which is quite a loud circuit.

You might struggle with a full decat if you ever went that far, but sports cat will be fine.

But when you fit the new parts, keep hold of the old parts just in case you need to revert back. I didn't keep my old boxster exhaust, and I regretted it almost immediately.

thank you i wont do a decat as ive done that before and regretted it. i want to keep it mot friendly and i want to insure it.

[E-bmw]

My advice would be to get a metallic sports cat if you can rather than ceramic one, they are much more robust & generally last a lot longer.

[JackAttack2002]

E-bmw said:

My advice would be to get a metallic sports cat if you can rather than ceramic one, they are much more robust & generally last a lot longer.

thank you will take that into considerration

[cronie007]

That setup is usually too loud for many UK tracks. A stainless four two one with a high flow sports cat will push noise up, especially on a Mk1. Snetterton is fairly relaxed, but places like Bedford, Goodwood, or Donington will likely black flag you.

If you want flexibility, keep the standard manifold or add a good quality resonated mid pipe and a quieter rear box. Some people also run a bolt in silencer for stricter days. Daily plus track usually means compromising on outright flow to stay under noise limits.

[SAS Tom]

I’ve got a stainless manifold, no cat, no resonator and an mx5 parts back box and have had no issues even when the V band broke off the mid pipe. The back box is big enough that it doesn’t really make much noise.