The Racing Beat Sport/Race Exhaust for the MX-5 ND offers an equal-part combination of enthusiastic fun and rebellious spirit. For over 30 years Racing Beat has been developing and providing sport-tuned exhaust systems for the Miata/MX-5 application. Racing Beat exhaust components have been recognized by the aftermarket community as high-quality, great sounding, and beautifully-crafted performance upgrades for the Miata. Many of Racing Beat's exhaust components have debuted on Mazda's SEMA Show vehicles, making a statement to Racing Beat's name as a provider of high-quality and proven products.
Sport Tuned Simplicity
Inspired to encompass the true MX-5 driving experience, the Racing Beat Sport/Race Exhaust has been designed to provide an aggressive and exciting exhaust note throughout the entire RPM range. No mechanical gimmicks, valves, tip inserts, etc.. are needed to unleash or dampen the character of the Racing Beat Sport/Race Exhaust; this exhaust will appeal to the true MX-5 motoring enthusiast. True to the ideals of racing principles, we've stripped this exhaust down to only the most critical elements in an attempt to strip away unwanted excess weight.
Produced in Racing Beat's California manufacturing facility, the Sport/Race Exhaust features a MX-5-designed 304-stainless steel muffler canister, inlet and outlet tubing, single-wall tip (with etched Racing Beat logo), attachment hangers, and connecting flange. The muffler canister utilized features a straight-through design for optimum exhaust gas flow and includes a combination of stainless steel and high-temperature ceramic wool packing material for sound absorption. Racing Beat incorporated a Mazda-OE mounting flange on the inlet end of the exhaust to securely capture, retain and seal the stock donut-shaped swivel gasket. The stock mounting studs and retaining springs are retained for use with Racing Beat exhaust.
Weight Savings
Stock system = 20.5 lbs
Racing Beat Race Muffler = 13.75 lbs
This is a 33% reduction in weight over the stock system!
Hanger Assemblies – Keeping it Light
In keeping with the emphasis on the lightweight aspect of the MX-5 ND design principles, Racing Beat adopted a unique approach to the development of the extensive hanger assemblies that were required for this muffler. The ½” OD hangers on the stock MX-5 muffler posed an interesting challenge, if we used ½” OD hanger rod material for the Racing Beat hangers, these hanger assemblies would prove to be unnecessarily heavy. As an alternative, we used lighter 5/16” OD rod material for the lengthy hanger assemblies, and designed a unique ½” OD forged end hanger, which we then mated to the outlet end of each hanger assembly. The design of this hanger end ensures a secure "no slip" attachment with the stock rubber muffler hangers to prevent lateral movement of the exhaust during hard cornering.
Sound Level Testing Results:
Extensive testing and evaluation produced the following comparative results:
Static - No Load Test
Stock Muffler: 81 db (3000 RPM - static), 92 db (5000 RPM - Static)
Racing Beat Sport/Race: 83 db (3000 RPM - static), 93 db (5000 RPM - Static)
Measurements reordered at the rear of the car, 18" aft @ 45 degree angle.
On road testing:
Average city driving produced the following result ranges as measured from within the cabin:
Stock Muffler:
1st-3rd gear city driving (0-40 MPH):
Top/Up, Windows/Up: 65-75 db
Top/Up, Windows/Down: 75-81 db
Top/Down: 75-81 db
Cruising: 5th gear (50MPH @ 2800RPM)
Top/Up, Windows/Up: 73-75 db
Top/Up, Windows/Down: 78-80 db
Top/Down: 81-82 db
Racing Beat Sport/Race Exhaust
1st-3rd gear city driving:
Top/Up, Windows/Up: 75-83 db
Top/Up, Windows/Down: 75-83 db
Top/Down: 75-81 db
Cruising: 5th gear (50MPH @ 2800RPM)
Top/Up, Windows/Up: 74-75 db
Top/Up, Windows/Down: 79-80 db
Top/Down: 81-82 db
On-road Evaluation
The Racing Beat Sport/Race Exhaust produces a tone that is noticeably louder and deeper than the stock system. The increased exhaust note is most pronounced during acceleration, increasing in volume at higher RPMs and engine load. As with most aftermarket exhaust systems, the driver can modulate the sound level depending on driving style - a more aggressive driving style produces a more aggressive tone, a more reserved driving style suppresses the exhaust tone. As with many exhaust notes, low RPM frequencies can be more pronounced in the 2000-1500 RPM range (especially noted in 2nd gear "parking lot" deceleration). The OE exhaust systems are particularly good at suppressing these low frequency tones, but as compared with an aftermarket system they can be restrictive in their exhaust gas flow design and overly conservative in sound level suppression.
Racing Beat: The best sounding ND exhaust?
If you are looking for a deep, aggressive sounding aftermarket system for your MX-5 ND than we believe you'll truly enjoy the Racing Beat Sport/Race Exhaust. The distinctive tone is notably louder by benefit of the straight-through canister design and is best enjoyed by a MX-5 enthusiast that appreciates bringing the true character of the MX-5 to life. This is not a "touring exhaust" and may not appeal to more conservative drivers and/or passengers. Perfectly suited for those that enjoy a more aggressive exhaust note, but without harsh, raspy or obnoxious off-sounds to lessen your driving experience. When comparing aftermarket exhaust systems for the ND take careful consideration to the length and design of the muffler cannister. This critical component is the key to the sound reduction and tone quality of the exhaust. Remember this key factor:
Short Muffler = Loud Exhaust
This a fairy basic principle. As the exhaust passes through a muffler canister the exhaust sound waves penetrate into the sound absorption material within the canister. In a straight-through muffler canister the longer the canister, the better the sound absorption and sound quality output. The canister plays a critical role in reducing the high frequency exhaust tones more commonly described as harsh, raspy, obnoxious, etc... lessening a chance with a run-in with local law enforcement. In our experience 50+ years of making exhaust systems, an exhaust system or muffler with a short, small diameter canister will not reduce these unpleasant sounds as effectively as a longer and larger diameter canister. Yes, common sense does apply in this case. We’ve tested some ND exhaust systems on the market that feature very small canisters (4”-5”) and have found them to be excessively loud and aggressive, especially for daily driven use. The use of sound reducing and power-robbing inserts in the muffler tips is a questionable (and probably illegal) method to reduce the sound level of noisy exhaust.
Suits Mazda MX5 ND 2015-2022
(Note: We have not confirmed fitment with any of the Genuine Mazda rear bumper lips or aftermarket rear bumper bars)