MK Sportscars
Flyin' Miata

Flyin' Miata Stainless single outlet cat back exhaust

[9/23/2010] Reviewed by: Mark Kaepplein

Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter

Flyin' Miata Stainless single outlet cat back exhaust, 2.25" ID for normally aspirated 1.8l engine. Stainless catalytic converter, midpipe, and muffler. Comes with gaskets and non-stainless nuts and bolts.

These are beautiful looking products - fit and finish are top rate. It's a shame the attractive tip gets seen because the rest looks great too. My only criticism is that the included nuts and bolts were also not stainless, get some from your local hardware store. Use two nuts so they don't loosen. Mine eventually did between the cat and header - then the metal gasket blew out. My experience is like Matt Bernazzoli's - there is drone on the highway, it is louder than stock, there is more top-end power. With wide open throttle, it definitely sounds sporty, but not deafeningly raspy and loud like a racing exhaust. Fun to open the throttle with my lightweight flywheel, hundreds of highway miles, not so much. Yet, I've kept it for a couple years so far. The cat is not approved for 96-97 cars. The ECU on my '97 took a little time to learn it and the check engine light has stayed off since. While the flanges match up with the exhaust, the inside diameter is 2.5" instead of 2.25" like the rest. Not ideal, but overall performance still exceeded stock. There is obvious carbon in the exhaust tip indicating richness - perhaps due to my cat heat shield being long gone and the cat not being kept hot enough.

I don't want my email given only so spambots don't mine it from your site.

Over 30 minutes to remove completely


Flyin Miata Cat Back, Naturally Apirated single tip

[2/23/2009] Reviewed by: Matt Bernazzoli - Mbernazzoli@hotmail.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter

Flyin Miata ?Thermal Research? stainless steel catback with a resonator.

I was looking for a catback to replace my broken stock system, the weld at the muffler inlet let go. After searching and reading I settled on the FM catback I was looking for a system that would sound a little better than stock but not drone and be annoying like the Yonaka Motorsports stainless catback that I installed on my 1991 was Well I am very unhappy to report that the FM catback does drone to the point that its hard to hold a conversation with my girlfriend in my car while on the highway if I have to pull a hill in 5th gear!! It sounds good outside and strangely from the passenger side isn?t as loud but from the driver?s seat it drones terribly and is going to get replaced with a stock system off of a 1993 as soon as I get the rear 02 sensor bung welded on.

In my honest opinion the FM catback and the Yonaka Motorsports unit that I bought off of Ebay are about identical in fit, finish and sound. The FM exhaust drones like crazy and will make your top up daily driving a lot less fun, now it does seem to have freed up some mid / top end power but then again it could be in my head because it?s a lot louder at wide open throttle / high rpms than any stock system, and don?t get me wrong its a very nice system, but it does drone and was twice the price of my Ebay special that yielded the exact same results. I would love to find a Bosal stainless catback, something a little more throaty than stock but not as irritating at my FM exhaust.

Over 30 minutes to remove completely


Flyin Miata Single Tip 2.5" Turbo Exhaust

[1/8/2007] Reviewed by: Scott Richardson - scootk@gmail.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97

beautifully made product came within 3 days in injected foam box. comes with option o2 bung with plug too.

i love it, gave the car a nice deep rumbling sound. not ricey and loud. turbo spools much sooner now and just lets loose when i drive.

would recommend this product to anyone who is seeking a decent turbo 2.5" exhaust and is looking for that stock sleeper look not jdm look.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely


Flyin Miata Downpipe Mid pipe and Exhaust for 2004 Mazdaspeed MX-5

[11/19/2005] Reviewed by: Stewart Robertson - car_care@sympatico.ca

Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter

2.5" Dia. Hand made polished stainless downpipe , Mid pipe and fully polished stainless hand made exhaust with 3" dia. tail pipe with tip.

Received product in two big boxes (very exciting ). Packaged in injected foam (very nice) no damage at all. I was very impressed with this product, absolutly beautiful. took about 2 hours to install on a hoist. Fit was perfect first time ( unbelievable )

Started car and reved it. Nice sound but not as loud as I thought it would be. Went out for a spin and noticed more power right away and the sounds it made were pure joy. I LOVE IT. Easy to break the rear wheels loose in First or second ( have to be careful ) Turbo spools sooner 3500rpm and car just flys. Too bad she stops going faster at 130mph. ( speed limited ) I would recommend this exhuast to anyone with a Mazdaspeed MX-5 you will love it too.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely


Flyin' Miata Downpipe and Exhaust for Mazdaspeed Miata

[3/22/2005] Reviewed by: moose201@earthlink.net

Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter

Flyin' Miata downpipe and exhaust (midpipe & muffler) for 2004-2005 Mazdaspeed Miata.

Service – Very pleased. The downpipe was on backorder when I ordered it, but it became available on exactly the day FM said it would. They called me to confirm shipping charges and it all shipped that same day. Two big boxes arrived six days later marked Thermal Research. The packaging was excellent, nothing was damaged and installation hardware was included (gaskets, nuts, washers, bolts as well as a replacement bracket for securing the downpipe). Installation – I’ve never installed an exhaust before so it took me longer than I expected but, honestly, it was a lot of fun! I removed the stock muffler and rear cross-brace and loosened most of the midpipe bolts without jacking the car. Used jack stands on the front for the rest of the exhaust removal and installation. The only tool that I didn’t have was a 22mm wrench for removing the O2 sensor from the stock downpipe. Socket set and wrenches took care of the rest. The downpipe bolts were accessible by removing the driver’s side front wheel. They are still a little hard to get to, I couldn’t really fit a socket in there but a ratcheting box wrench did the trick. The downpipe has a nice O2 sensor fitting but I’m not sure why the midpipe had such a fitting as well….it came with a screw-in plug. Fit & Finish – Okay, I know this thing just goes under the car and no one’s gonna see it but it’s almost a work of art to behold. Beautiful, polished stainless steel....it is well engineered and the fit is absolutely perfect. The exhaust tip is a little bigger than I thought it would be but it’s nothing outlandish and looks just right when installed. “Flyin’ Miata” is engraved on the tip. There is a nifty (and burly) hose clamp that allows you to position the tip so it is centered in the exhaust cutout.

Performance – I road tested it briefly last night and drove it to work today. I can actually hear the exhaust now and it is pleasant. Quiet at idle but makes a nice sound when you blip the throttle and as you run through the gears. It is just what I was looking for. The gain in performance is noticeable. The claims of earlier spoolup and additional horsepower are all real. It’s easier than before to break the rear tires loose, definitely has a torquier feel. The car is somewhat transformed. It was fun to drive before, now it is a hoot! I'm very satisfied.

Over 30 minutes to remove completely


Flyin' Miata

[12/21/2004] Reviewed by: Devon Stevens - miataspeed90@hotmail.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

Flyin' Miata NA cat-back exhaust system.

Very good product. High quality, easy to install, perfect fitment, all necessary hardware and instructions included.

A great product, nice low grumbly note. Noticable torque and horsepower difference after about 3500 RPM. Just one more great product to give you an excuse to clean underneath your car. I will definantly buy FM's exhaust again for my future MSM:)

Under 30 minutes to remove completely


FM single turbo exhaust

[11/3/2004] Reviewed by: driftwood mx-5

Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter

FM single turbo exhaust

Installation: Very easy, just remove the flanges and 02 sensors, and replace the pipes. Fit and Finish: Exhaust is pretty. Looks very good. Muffler section rattles against the underside of the car though. I have not yet investigate how to fix this problem. Performance: With a turbo, it sounds really cool.

Other than the rattle, I love it.

Difficult to remove without leaving damage


Flying Miata Turbo Dual Exhaust System

[1/9/2003] Reviewed by: Peter E> Carrier - swamii@maine.rr.com

Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter

Right out of the box, the stainless FM Turbo Duals look like they were machines from a solid block of billet. WIth the correct tool (we used a Snap-On plier-like tool that was made for those funky rubber doughnuts the muffler hangs from) it takes less than a couple of minutes to get the old muffler off. We did a test hang before bolting it up, and we had four hangers for the muffler already and didn't have to add one. FM includes one in the kit, as well as a gasket for the flange. Very easy install in my case.

Louder than stock, louder than the N/A duals from FM. I knew it would be loud, it's made for a Turbo installation (the turbo extracts a lot of energy from the exhaust, including audio energy). Men love it. Women aren't impressed. I really really like it a lot. It's not Harley-Davidson loud, understand, and a lot smoother, rounder sounding once it's warmed up. It has a high RPM rip when the cat isn't up-to-temp. Shouldn't be wailing on it anyways 8+)

Great product. By all means, go with the non-Turbo version that's just a bit louder than stock, very deep, just as impressive looking, if you think the volume of the Turbo exhaust will be too lound on a N/A car. I really love mine.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely


Flyin' Miata Single Turbo Exhaust (99 Rear section)

[4/20/2001] Reviewed by: Russell Rudez - eunosroadster99@aol.com

Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter

Flyin Miata Single Turbo Exhaust - rear section. 2.5" Piping, 3.5" non resonated tip.

At idle, this thing just sounds AWESOME! It just sits there making this low growl. Bit the throttle, growls louder and adds a "blub blub blub" in the tone. Upon accel. this thing just ROARS. Between shifts it makes the greatest sounds. Balls to the wall - it kinda makes a "pop" sound...smooth cruise shifting and it "blubs". Its not too loud, even with the SC. PERFECT. Installed easily, and just looks plain awesome on the car. Its not a big fat tip, not ghetto or anything. Its so purty. Id get another in a heartbeat, but I only need one. Its so shiny too... ...I just cant seem to stop smiling either. For once, I wanted the SC to shut up so I could hear my exhaust...but the SC and FM Turbo exhaust sound great together. I highly recommend picking one up!!

Under 5 minutes to remove


FM N/A 2.25" single tip exhaust

[3/19/2001] Reviewed by: Bill Mercer - williamjohnmercer@yahoo.com

Applicable to: '99 +

polished stainless steel 2.25" exhaust

Everything lined up perfectly! Just unbolt the two nuts holding the muffler and the harder part is removing the 3 rubber hangers. Put plenty of WD-40 on those rubber hangers to get them to slide off without damage. After that, installing is a snap. No leaks and a very high quality product... makes the OEM unit look cheap.

Upon startup didn't notice much of a change. Then I tap the gas just a little and notice a nice deep burble that is just a little more sporty than the stock note. However, once you rev it through the gears there is no mistaking that there is a performance exhaust on the car. It sounds much more open, but definitely is not overly loud or droning. I felt the car revs better in the 6-7K RPM range. Perhaps it is just the wonderful new sound. Whatever the case, it definitely adds to the fun in rowing through the gears! I am also happy that with the top up there is no droning on the highway... in fact, while cruising it sounds very close to stock. In my opinion this is a good thing!

Under 30 minutes to remove completely


Flyin' Miata Turbo exhaust

[3/24/2000] Reviewed by Nathan Ramsey - solomiata91@hotmail.com

Applicable to '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

This is a 2.5" super high flowing catback to be used with turbo systems only...vendor's web site says it's too loud on N/A cars.

Let me start by saying this thing is too pretty to be put under the car. It is all stainless and I could do my hair in the reflection on the muffler. Install was a snap...took less than 45 minutes to remove the old exhaust and install the new.

I have gained about 1 PSI max boost on my '91 with Greddy turbo (also have 2.5" custom downpipe and 2.5" FM high flow cat on the car). Spool up is probably also improved, but I am still kinda babying the car as I am awaiting the arrival of a high pressure fuel pump to cure a bit of leanness.

This thing sounds GREAT! At idle it is quiet but has a VERY nice deep burble...very smooth sounding and deep and throaty to about 3K RPMS then it sings. Really makes the top down experience complete.

Great addition and improvement above most aftermarket exhaust when installed on a turbo Miata...the added .25" or tube diameter and the high flow muffler must really work well. I love this thing.

Over 30 minutes to remove completely


Reviewed by: Ashton Smith - escaport@escaport.com

Stainless Steel exaust specificaly for use with a turbo.

Fit and fininsh are first rate. The size of the piping is extraordinary. My friend's 928 exaust pales in comparison. Good sound. Great Looks. Extreamly well made. Easy to install, except for cutting second pipe hole in bumper. Takes time to line up correctly and needs touch-up paint afterward.

I would highly recomend this product for anyone with a turbo.


Reviewed by: Lee Bohon - TopdownMX5@aol.com

Stainless steel, low restriction, high performance cat-back exhaust system.

As of July 20, 1998, I've had this exhaust installed for about 3 weeks. For a performance exhaust, this system is relatively quiet. As a baseline for analysis, I have an Aerocharger turbo and a stock catalytic converter. These also quieten the exhaust a bit too.

The construction of this product is of high quality. The pipe is 2.5 inches inner diameter and all bends are mandrel bent. The 3.5 inch diameter tip looks very similar to the stock tip, just big and cut at a slight angle. I like the tip as it is big yet retains a conservative appearance.

Installation was relatively easy. I've had my stock exhaust on and off several times so installing the new system was a bit of a no-brainer for me. The new system has hooks welded on to utilize all stock hanger locations.

Performance/Sound: As mentioned before, the sound is relatively quiet in my setup. It is quieter than a Candoo II system but is louder than stock (but not objectionable). I do not hear much of a highway drone cruising along. Under full boost and high rpm's the exhaust sound is very nice and throaty. Aside from audible changes, I now see about 0.5 - 1 psi more in maximum turbo boost. Seat of the pants says a subtle but noticeable increase in torque all across the rpm spectrum.

Bottom line, another quality product from Dealer Alternative. Nice, relatively quiet sound and quality construction.

Under 30 minutes to remove completely


Flyin' Miata NA single tip muffler

[7/15/2000] Reviewed by Daniel Vandeputte - vandeda@nycap.rr.com

Applicable to '99 + 1.8 liter

This is the single tip version of the popular Flyin' Miata duals. It's the naturally aspirated version so it has the resonating exhaust tips.

Excellent product. The tubing is very thick, it almost makes the OEM exhaust tubing look like aluminum foil. Excellent construction and it fit perfectly.

Sounds great. Deep throaty sound without being loud at all. Sounds perfect in the interior. I get nothing but compliments on the sound including my friend with a supercharged Integra GS-R and my friend who's a big Mustang fan. The sound could not match the car any better IMHO.

The muffler is expensive at $350, but it is well worth the cost from the sound and very solid construction. And Dealer Alternative was very friendly to work with.

 Under 30 minutes to remove completely


Back to Product Reviews 29 September, 2010


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