Enthuza XR for NA chassis review: Ongoing, updates will ensue.

[xjdesertfox]

So I'd like to preface this review with this: I'm a fabricator, and study engineering. I've been around machining and custom metal fab for a good while, and I know quality work when I see it.

So about a month ago I decided I was going to build a custom exhaust for my car using lightweight materials. I was really adamant about having a high flowing, lightweight exhaust system on my car, that had a deep, throaty (HAHA! I said deepthroat) sound. After searching through numerous videos on youtube, this video really caught my attention.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVMFHjrBd5Y

After hearing that, I looked at the enthuza XR system. Looking on the site, I tried to figure out what he was using to get that kind of sound out of the car.

After looking into it, with me buying mandrel bent pipe pieces, flanges, mufflers/resonators, tips, and round bar in order to build my system, I was over the cost of an enthuza setup!

So I called up Jason at enthuza and we talked, I asked him about all the things i'd cover when building my exhaust, welding, bending, materials etc. I was very impressed with his responses and decided to jump in and order an exhaust. Today, my exhaust arrived.

The exhaust was wrapped up very well, but UPS raped the box along the way, there were holes in my box, parts of it were ripped. See the condition of the box when I got it scared me. But, when I opened it everything seemed ok.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/xjdesertfox/20121031_174305.jpg

Everything was fine except for the midpipe being bent in a little on the end where it connects to the axle back. No big deal, threw a pipe expander in it and made it round again.

As I started to unwrap the exhaust I immediately noticed the welds, they were beautiful. All of it was TIG.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/xjdesertfox/20121031_230917.jpg

Heres what it looked like once completely unwrapped.

http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/xjdesertfox/20121031_174720.jpg


Part 2 will be posted tomorrow once I get it on the car ;)

[Gene Rodriguez]

not trying to bag on this or anything but the quality is kind of sloppy thats just me

[The Driver]

I bought an Enthuza for my first Miata back in 2002. Shoot I almost wound up with the company!!! In any event, I'm still using that exhaust today, and still looks as beautiful and awesome sounding as when I bought it!

[xjdesertfox]

not trying to bag on this or anything but the quality is kind of sloppy thats just me

Lol, notsureifsrs.

He sure as hell tig welds better than me, and i'm not bad either...

This is my TIG, and his is for sure better than mine.
http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss35/xjdesertfox/l_a3ec50bbc2bc4dba8937f4810afea1a2.jpg

[wannafbody]

Welds look good to me for being made by hand.

[morr]

Hey that's my NB! Haha. Glad you like your exhaust. The quality, sound, and Jason's customer service are outstanding. I plan to always purchase an Enthuza muffler/exhaust for any future miatas. /butt kissing :lol:

[Gene Rodriguez]

i guess this is why racing beat has such flawless welds since they have a setup jig

http://i.imgur.com/0URps.jpg

[etikoner]

No offence, but I think ARTECH has beautiful hand made welds.

Nothing compares to fujitsubo, though.

But this is a nice piece regardless.

[tanakapz]

artech has better looking welds. i have a pretty old enthuza xr with mediocre welds. they work though, so no complaints here. as long as they penetrate it should be okay :P

although the welds are meh, i love the sound of the exhaust, it's really nice.

[xjdesertfox]

i guess this is why racing beat has such flawless welds since they have a setup jig

http://i.imgur.com/0URps.jpg

Lol, I didnt know racing beat MIG welded their exhaust...Thats a shame that people are paying so much for a mig welded exhaust.


No offence, but I think ARTECH has beautiful hand made welds.

Nothing compares to fujitsubo, though.

But this is a nice piece regardless.

Artech has some ridiculous welding talent, I've seen some of his work.

[xjdesertfox]

Just a quick update. I knew this exhaust would be loud, but i wasnt expecting this loud lol! Got it installed today and have driven a decent bit on it.

A few things I've noticed:

The exhaust note is refined, it doesnt sound like its straight piped.
I lost a tad bit of low end compared to my old exhaust, but no big deal.
The engine revs more freely.
This exhaust sets off car alarms any time you get on it going down the street.
It definitely likes to snap crackle and pop.

Ill try to get an exhaust clip up tomorrow.

[Gene Rodriguez]

racing beat is priced like that for the quality and durability...

plus considering they are a well known company they need a fast production

[I<3flippyheadlights]

I just bought a test pipe from Jason. I love it so much. Only downside? he sent bolts that were too large for my cat back exhaust :P

[Gene Rodriguez]

any opinions on lobster welded exhaust :O it looks coool

[The Driver]

Yeap, the one on my NA just loves to set alarms off!

[morr]

I love the popping sound of these exhausts if you don't downshift, but mine only sets off car alarms in parking garages :lol:

[Blueiii]

REALLY want one of these, however I'm limited to cat-back for my autocross class. edit... this IS just a cat-back, isn't it?!!?!!?!

[morr]

Mine is the car in the OP's first post in this thread. It's just the RacingBeat midpipe and Enthuza muffler. So yes, it's just a catback.

[Blueiii]

Amazing. I will be buying this on my next pay day. Anything else I will need for the install? (Gaskets?) I've never installed an exhaust in a miata before...

[morr]

It's a good idea to replace them. I can't remember if either of mine came with gaskets or not. Exhaust installs are easy though. The toughest part is just getting the nuts loose if they're rusted :lol:

[xjdesertfox]

Mine did not come with a gasket, No big deal I got one from the local oreilly's, they had it in stock.

[atank]

Never had a problem with my XR, love it!

[xjdesertfox]

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/485012_10151300249667284_1894386121_n.jpg

[Blueiii]

I'm a bit confused here... how do the two pieces get connected? I'm assuming the bottom bolts up to the cat, but I don't see a flange or anything that would connect the two? While doing the install, can you please take some pictures and provide details for exhaust idiots such as myself?

[nickpic83]

I'm a bit confused here... how do the two pieces get connected? I'm assuming the bottom bolts up to the cat, but I don't see a flange or anything that would connect the two? While doing the install, can you please take some pictures and provide details for exhaust idiots such as myself?

i believe the one pipe slips over the other and then u use a exhaust clamp and tighten it down

[xjdesertfox]

i believe the one pipe slips over the other and then u use a exhaust clamp and tighten it down


This^ It was the easiest cat back I've put on my car. I've had 3 kinds, and the others have all been more difficult to install or required modification. this needed nothing.

[xjdesertfox]

So, sorry it took so long to get a clip, but my car was down for a trans swap.

Watch this with headphones or good speakers, it was taken with an iphone5 so its not the greatest quality.


http://youtu.be/ALc7RggDdbc

[Thumper13]

morr's clip was my inspiration for buying an XR. I've had it for a while now,no cat,just the RB midpipe. I LOVE IT ! Some of my friends think it's too loud but they are just a bunch of OLD FARTS. I did have two stress cracks after the muffler but was able to take care of them myself. Jason did offer to send me a new bend if I needed it. He's great to do business with.

So while my friends think I'm a seniorized juvenile delinquent I am really happy with the XR. It sounds great echoing off the mountains at The Dragon and The Snake at w.o.t.

[Linga]

Any pics of it installed on the NA?

[Linga]

Question to OP

That is this exhaust correct? http://shop.enthuzacar.com/product.sc?productId=55&categoryId=4

Is this with or without resonator?

[twiztog43]

With