Mk3 2.0 Sport exhaust help

[saleen836]

Mrs Saleen's mx5 is in need of a centre section and I am struggling to find one for a decent price in truth I am struggling to find one, so far I have been told there are no aftermarket parts available although mx5parts have a stainless steel section for around £240, I am going to give our local Mazda dealer a call in the morning to see if they have any in stock. Have scoured ebay and am now turning to PH for assistance

[saleen836]

Just off the phone from Mazda, the chap in the parts department asked me if I had any heart defects before he gave me the price...£730 :O

[rfn]

Really surprised it needs a centre section - do you know why?
My old mk3 is on 100k now and still on original exhaust (replaced the backbox with a louder one at 70k).
MX-5 parts is probably your best bet, drop them an email if you have any questions they have always been very helpful!
I wonder if Mazda will supply a centre section on its own or if you need to buy the whole exhaust...?

[Riff Raff]

Is there anything in the centre section, like the cat for example?

If it is just a bit of tube, you might be better off getting one of the specialist fabricators to knock you up a section.

You'll find loads of names in the kit car forums.

[saleen836]

The centre section does indeed contain the 'cat', it is an '07 car which had under 38k on the clock when bought last year so at a guess and by looking at the exhaust it has just rusted out through not getting hot enough to dry out properly on short journeys, just waiting for a call to be returned with regards to fabricating a 'bit of pipe'.

[saleen836]

All sorted, got my mechanic to remove the exhaust and weld a sleeve around the holed part, he then took it for an MOT and it failed on front offside tyre having a small buldge in the sidewall
Off to get 2 new Hankooks fitted in the morning and Mrs Saleen will be £198 lighter