I just installed my new 5Zigen Catback exhaust system, and I can't help but smile. I have this stupid grin on my face when the car is at idle now. It sounds really nice and deep.

My first impression.

The piping and muffler are of first rate quality and construction. The welds look perfect, the piping was coated with a high temp paint and the overall looks of the system were THE BEST IMO when compared to other systems on the market.

The system bolted right up after removing the stock catback system. Get some WD-40 and you can also get by with the stock jack if your thin like me. Unbolt the center pipe from under the car and spray the rubber hangers with WD40 and slide the hangers off the car. The bolts are pretty easy to get off too, but I can't remeber the size off hand. It took a while for the burning smell to dissapear but it did after a while. This is just some paint and such burning, nothing new to a new exhaust. Installed, there is a resonator that in some pictures looks like it will have a clearance problem with the ground. It does not. It is at the same level of the muffler. Also I can't tell you if the system will fit with the rear diff pretector as I don't have one.

The sound at idle again is a nice low rumble. At WOT, there is no noticible noise from the exhaust. In fact, I think it is just as loud as the stock muffler. Boost comes on a little earlier, and the pull from 3rd and up is a little better too. This is all from my buttometer. Heck if anything, it sounds faster and looks nice.


Now there is a little thread in the factory forced induction (http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=99493) section on the piping diameter. Basically people measured the piping and didn't get the 3" as advertised. They were measuring 2 5/8". Either they were measuring from the inside diameter which is BTW the wrong way, or they have a crap ruler. The diameter is measured from the outside of the piping. Even if the systems fails to make it to a full 3" there is no way in hell the stock turbo will outflow this systems piping. We are already getting a slightly larger pipe with this system and a free'er flowing muffler, what more could you ask for? It's all about bitching for some. Just be happy you have one for the price you got it for. I DID NOT MEASURE IT MYSELF Reason being, it's not necessary. it's larger than stock and will flow better than stock, I can't complain. I don't plan on upgrading my turbo either. If I did that, I would have got a turbo back system to begin with.


So to cap it all off, it's a great priced system that will serve it's purpose for most. It does improve power to my buttometer, but like I said earlier, if anything "it sounds faster." It also looks really nice, not too flashy but there for show if needed. I got mine for 525 shipped. But you can get it now for around 475 +25 for shipping.

would the exhaust clear if u have a rear diff protector?

I love my 5Zigen Exhaust, now I need to find a downpipe that would bolt on easily!

Originally posted by djerickd
I love my 5Zigen Exhaust, now I need to find a downpipe that would bolt on easily!


Yeah me too. A new discovery is that it's getting louder. At first I was amazed at how quiet it was at WOT. But now it's getting deeper and louder.

scoobysports will bolt on directly to the 5zigen exhaust

joe

Does Scoobysport have a cat built into the pipe? I haven't been able to find any good pics.

I just installed the 5 zigen after work today. Definitely high quality and definitely a breeze to do. Took me about 45 minutes.

All I used was a floor jack and the stock jack (since I don't have stands)... 14 mm for the rear section and a 14 mm and a 12 mm for the front section right where the cat meets up with the B pipe (maybe wrong label???- dunno) Only 4 hangers to remove.

Didn't need any wd-40 and all the bolts came off realy easily (only 1100 miles).

Like Mitch said... just start with removing the rear section the the B-pipe... reverse for install...

I am used to the sound of a inline 4 and hearing the boxter cofiguration made wondering, is that right??? But then remembering what it sounded like at idle with the stock exhaust... made me grin ear to ear!

Definitely 3" piping but don't think it [tip] is near the 80mm (Dunk size???) but I was never aware it was suppose to be that large.

Not sure about missing the Dif protector but I am assuming since it follows the same path as the stock exhaust, there shouldn't be any issues... I might have to go pick one up to put on just to satisfy my curiosity.

ONE QUESTION::: Mitch, you may be able to answer this... cat to b-pipe... Mine didn't fit in "snuggly"... I feel no leakage but it seemed a bit weird that the flanges didn't touch... anyone else have that or is it just me??? spring/bolts tightened too...

Only thing I am waiting for this year are my wheels... A carton arrived at the port today!!! Woohoo!!!

SHAMELESS PLUG:

Thanks to Shawn at Project D aka AUTOIMAGING for working with me on the exhaust... I guess timing is everything... If you call there or go there - talk to Shawn or else you may get a bad first impression... :D Personally, I am glad that I talked to him in person... plus he and his wife both have nice rides - !!!

ONE QUESTION::: Mitch, you may be able to answer this... cat to b-pipe... Mine didn't fit in "snuggly"... I feel no leakage but it seemed a bit weird that the flanges didn't touch... anyone else have that or is it just me??? spring/bolts tightened too...


If you tighten the bolts at the same time, the flange will seat properly. If you tighten one side at a time, you risk getting leaks. Now, I tightened mine the best I could and there was a gap. I am not worried at all. Now after a week you should go back under the car and recheck all the bolts. Then after a month, do it one more time. You should be set after that.

Thanks Mitch...

Makes me feel better knowing that it is seated properly... I will check it next week... Even after a day... it has become a bit deeper and louder...

me likes! :D

u guys gotta get the scooby downpipe to go with this exhaust...omg!!! :D :D i cant help but smile even wider. perfect fit and damn the power increase is substantial. direct bolt on. no cats in the scooby downpipe either. now im just waiting for the front midpipe and im done with the exhaust

also the exhaust is louder with the downpipe installed. the rear diff will not fit over the exhaust without cutting it a little bit

joe

Love it too! The sound caught me off gaurd coming from the Acura camp. I love it. Nice and deep. I think it sounds like a nice v-twin bike(no harley) Ducati or Suzuki TL. Thumpty thump thump. Joe, how does it work without the o2 sensor?Isn't there a o2 sensor in the down pipe? I looked at the section just after the downpipe and it look like it could be fabbed easily with a high flow cat and bung for o2 sensor.

Originally posted by Tex-WReX2
Love it too! The sound caught me off gaurd coming from the Acura camp. I love it. Nice and deep. I think it sounds like a nice v-twin bike(no harley) Ducati or Suzuki TL. Thumpty thump thump. Joe, how does it work without the o2 sensor?Isn't there a o2 sensor in the down pipe? I looked at the section just after the downpipe and it look like it could be fabbed easily with a high flow cat and bung for o2 sensor.


There is a o2 sensor and you will more than likely get a CEL with a downpipe. But there is a fix for it if you do a search. I think all it involved was a capacitor and a 1M ohm resistor.

I am also looking into 5zigen fireball, hks hyper or Apex N1.
How long do you think 5 zigen would last?
My roomate's friend in Canada has a performance shop and he said 5zigen would be good for 6 months? is this true? cuz I really like 5zigen fireball, my friend had it on his celica and it sound so nice. But again, I have to get the bigger tip for turbo application.

I guess we'll all find out in 6 months won't we? THe exhaust is too new to tell. But from what I can see and know about the piping and muffler, I think it will last a lot longer than that.

Those of you who has got the 5 Zigen exhaust upgrade, notice gas mileage changes?

Originally posted by hkwan
Those of you who has got the 5 Zigen exhaust upgrade, notice gas mileage changes?

Not sure, I'm sure most that installed it now have a heavy foot :) And I crashed mine the same night I installed it... ouch!

I haven't noticed any significant loss of gas mileage... I am sure there is some but pretty insignificant.

Durability wise, I hope it lasts me through the winter... I live in the road-salt capital of the world.

Dealer said it had a double coat of protectant so it should last. Not sure about the exhaust packing though. I think the interior components of these mufflers would go before the external... just my opinion...

Also, California's climate is significantly different than Canada... I wouldn't worry so much if I lived in California unless I lived in the mountains... :)

MITCH - wrecked your car??? :confused: Sorry to hear that. You alright? Car totalled? If so, getting it replaced? Sorry to ask the questions... if you have a thread already on it... just let me know which one...

Originally posted by hYYpeRX
MITCH - wrecked your car??? :confused: Sorry to hear that. You alright? Car totalled? If so, getting it replaced? Sorry to ask the questions... if you have a thread already on it... just let me know which one...

I was alone and not hurt. The car was driven home after a tow truck pulled me out of a ditch :( But the car has so far as of today over 3k in damage. roughly two more weeks and it'll be done

Originally posted by mitch808


Not sure, I'm sure most that installed it now have a heavy foot :) And I crashed mine the same night I installed it... ouch!


That sux! I just crashed this past sunday:(

Actually on my third tank since the install. Today I did get 325 out a full tank. That is my best yet. I did drive about 15 miles with the gas light on. I kept thinking of that Seinfield episode with Kramer and the Volvo guy.

has the burning smell gone away yet?

I installed my turboxs muffler (and the rest of the stage 1 kit) today and when i drive it smells like burning hair. yechh.:confused:

Give it a few days it goes away. It took about 5 hours of driving in a weekend to get rid of it on my car I think.

Where is the best place to order from?? Who has the best price??

evolutions is selling their used one for 450 in the vendors classifieds. dont miss out on that one!

joe

But, others are saying you can get it for about 500 New. Where would that be from???

SAme place. Call Chad at Evolution Racing Sports

Check with Shawn at AutoImaging...

http://www.autoimaging .com

I know I got mine right when they came out and he gave a hell of a good price... (better than the initial group buy prices) but... talk to him and he'll set you up with an i-club discount.

Cheers!

Is the whole system stainless, or is it just mild steel with a protective coating? I'm looking into an exhaust, and the 5zigen seems to be a great bargain, but I'm wondering if that's just because it isn't stainless. Being in upstate NY I doubt non-stainless would survive the winters, even with a coating.

Is the whole system stainless, or is it just mild steel with a protective coating? I'm looking into an exhaust, and the 5zigen seems to be a great bargain, but I'm wondering if that's just because it isn't stainless. Being in upstate NY I doubt non-stainless would survive the winters, even with a coating.



Just the muffler is stainless... the rest is a portected mild steel. Living in Minnesota, we have to deal with tons of salt... so, we will see how this stands up. I've had other exhaust systems for my previous car and it stood up and it was just piping from the muffler shop... not even coated and it seemed to stand up pretty well.

Just have to make sure to spray underneath the car when you go and wash it. Should last... at least one winter :rolleyes: