Axle-back exhaust

[Tyler1303]

Hey, I was just trying to find info on axle-back exhausts.
What's the difference between that and a full exhaust? Is an axle back exhaust the same as a "fart can"?
Do I gain any noticeable horse power or any other performance change, or is it just the sound?
Thanks alot!
Tyler

[zakman]

well i have never heard of an axle-back exhaust but im assuming its a "fart can". Which will do absolutly nothing fo rhorsepower or performance gains. It will how ever give you that sweet tin can sound i bet. If you want any even slight gains you need a catback exhaust at the very minimum, which will be a bigger diametre pipe and in some a resonator delete and a higher flow exhaust.

[bluemazda3]

axle back? lol yeah def sounds like a fart can..

[Default User]

typically, an exhaust sytem is made up of 5-7 components
Headers, straight pipe, cat, resonator, more pipe, muffler, tip
(Some cars will have 2 cats)
each piece has its own flange that makes it easier to replace each part (and IMO wekens the entire exhaust system)

Option 1 (most expensive) The Cat-back - is a 1 or 2 piece system that runs from the cat straight through to the tip, often deleting the resonator. Usually has mandrel bends that maximizes air flow.
Option 2 (less expensive) An Axle-back will be a 1-2 piece system that runs from the resonator (right before the rear axle) all the way through to the tip. Usually has mandrel bends that maximizes air flow. The resonator is used to minimize the sound.
Option 3 (Cheapest mod) A fart can is usually a universal muffler that is welded on the existing piping after the OEM bends through the axle replacing just the OEM muffler. The OEM Muffler pipe use "accordian" bends that do nothing for airflow

Then there is option 4 - which is purchasing each piece individually and welding them together to make a full 1-piece system.

[Tyler1303]

Thanks a lot! My friend is a mech. and he recommended the axle back. But the axle-back would do nothing for performance, just give it the richer sound, depending on which brand/one I buy? Doesn't do anything but that?
Thanks again

[Thrizzl3]

Cat-back is sooooo worth it!

[WingZero_]

I have a Racing Beat Axle Back on my 2010. They are good for some noise and a little performance, but not as much as a catback. I don't regret my purchase, I can always add a midpipe down the road. You don't see any "real" gains from exhaust until you add a header and remove a cat though.

[Default User]

I can always add a midpipe down the road. You don't see any "real" gains from exhaust until you add a header and remove a cat though.

or opt for a hi-flow cat

[WingZero_]

Yeah I forgot that one.

[iGOzoom]

Cat-back is sooooo worth it!

+1.. you'll never get the roar you want unless you get a full cbe.

[FLIPDADY]

If you're looking for one I might be parting my year and a half old MS3 stock cat back that's modified to fit the 04-09 sedans.

[Tyler1303]

Thanks for the feedback, I was doing more research and it said that you can't order just an axle back exhaust for most Mazda 3s? Apparently its pretty much one piece and I'd have to cut my exhaust and weld on the axle back? I was looking on eBay etc and couldn't even find any axle back for a mazda 3? Any suggestions?

[stevenma188]

If you are looking for more sound, you can just do a resonator delete.

If you are looking for performance gains, get a proper CBE.

[Tyler1303]

I'm pretty Much mostly looking for noise..but don't want to risk voiding warranty, so if I need work I would have just been able to rebolt on the old one easier. So any other suggestions? Can I get a nice deep sound from just a can? I don't want it to sound high or anything at all.

[Default User]

I would delete the resonator first

[iGOzoom]

If your looking for sound just go straight pipe no box. My buddy has it on his GTI, first he went with a CBE wasn't loud enough then went straight pipe and you can hear him from a few streets away. Its also cheaper to go straight pipe, it only costed him $85 including labour from Quick Muffler near Dufferin and Lawrence area in Toronto. I have a magnaflow cbe and it to me it seems that its more quiet now then when I got it, I'll probably be doing straight pipe as well closer to spring/summer time.

[shu5892001]

you have a 2008 right? Why don't you just buy a vibrant exhaust system, which is a catback exhaust with a highflow cat. IMO the sound is perfect, not too quiet as there is the high flow cat and its also best bang for the buck (priced around 500) cuz you get a full header back system which gives one of the highest gains (beside the HKS, which deletes a cat).

[Tyler1303]

When you guys installed your exhaust did u have any problems with your check engine light coming on? Heard that was a problem once in a while

[zakman]

i went with the speed accessory exhaust and love the thing. I am looking into a high flow cat just for a little extra gain and sound but besides that the whole catback system is fantastic. love the sounds and the easy bolt on set up. it added some nice little torque gains. ANy of the systems from mazda, vibrant, borla, magnaflow hks etc are all fantastic and for what you want will all do the trick and more. U wont be disapointed with any of them.

as for the engine light i havent heard of anyone with problems. they are designed for the car and the application so there should never be any problems.

[p-o-g-i]

When you guys installed your exhaust did u have any problems with your check engine light coming on? Heard that was a problem once in a while

If you get a check engine light after getting a full cat back or axle back exhaust installed, then it's time to find a new mechanic. It's not like installing an intake. It shouldn't be an issue........

[Default User]

If you get a check engine light after getting a full cat back or axle back exhaust installed, then it's time to find a new mechanic. It's not like installing an intake. It shouldn't be an issue........

unless they forgot to add the breather filter before the flux capasitor.



.




LOL

[stevenma188]

Some people have had CELs come on after an exhaust install. They just need to reset the ECU to fix that problem so it can learn how to deal with the change in exhaust backpressure. Either that or people get an engine back exhaust (header and CBE) that deletes the first Cat without properly relocating the o2 sensor.

[shu5892001]

Some people have had CELs come on after an exhaust install. They just need to reset the ECU to fix that problem so it can learn how to deal with the change in exhaust backpressure. Either that or people get an engine back exhaust (header and CBE) that deletes the first Cat without properly relocating the o2 sensor.

+1 just reset ECU

[vinamack]

I think I read somewhere that Axle backs do add some performance (albeit very little) as it has less restrictions at the end due to larger pipes. Not sure if its 100% true but something to consider.

[Default User]

I think I read somewhere that Axle backs do add some performance (albeit very little) as it has less restrictions at the end due to larger pipes. Not sure if its 100% true but something to consider.

true

but increasing/larger pipe size is only as good as the in/out size of the Hi-Flow cat.
its the catalytic converter that draws most of the power away from an exhaust system.

keep in mind - higher velocity cat, increase pipe size, header, muffler, resonator delete - ALL of these changes will increase the noise level (=ricey)

[vinamack]

true

but increasing/larger pipe size is only as good as the in/out size of the Hi-Flow cat.
its the catalytic converter that draws most of the power away from an exhaust system.

keep in mind - higher velocity cat, increase pipe size, header, muffler, resonator delete - ALL of these changes will increase the noise level (=ricey)

ugh, i hate the raspy ricey sound. I wonder what combination and brand of exhaust system will give me a deep tone. Like the sound from a G37. love that deep tone.

[p-o-g-i]

ugh, i hate the raspy ricey sound. I wonder what combination and brand of exhaust system will give me a deep tone. Like the sound from a G37. love that deep tone.

+1

Love the sound of G35's/ G37's and WRX's when they accelerate :)