Here is my first product review, I'll try to be as thorough as possible. I've included photos of what I think was most important (sorry for low quality and not including more, I forget to take pictures).
EDIT: added a youtube sound clip, scroll down a bit!
For some background, I've installed many aftermarket exhausts on vehicles as a professional auto technician, everything from inexpensive eBay systems, to $1500+ "higher end" systems.
What I installed on my roadster:
Cobalt Cat-Back system ~$275 after shipping
eBay "test pipe" (high flow cat replacement) ~$75 shipped
other vehicle info: Stock 1992 1.6L with stock manifold and downpipe
First impressions:
Looks great! Very shiny and appears like it will resist rust, welds are even and look great, everything seems to be good quality, the exhaust tip is quite large and not really to my taste, will be replaced shortly.
Installation:
Straight forward, included all necessary gaskets and new bolts, cut off/remove old exhaust and bolt on the new pieces.
The bolt holes allow some adjustment, and it aligned pretty well underneath the car and easily reached all of the factory rubber hanger positions. I did run into 2 issues with rubbing and rattling against components. I'd first like to mention this could be an issue with using the test pipe, and not necessarily the Cobalt exhaust, but the test pipe was also of high quality and fit well.
Issues 1: Exhaust tip was rubbing against the factory tow hook support and rear bumper, I heated up the pipe at the curve post rear muffler, and bent it outward slightly.
![Image]()
Issue 2: Upon acceleration the exhaust would rub at the left rear axle drive flange, I first loosened the bolts and adjusted the system down as far as I could. I may have been able to do just this, but to be sure I heated the pipe around where it was rubbing and gently squeezed with the vice to crush the area a little flatter.
Clearance Before
![Image]()
Rubbed Spot
![Image]()
Clearance After
![Image]()
Sound:
This is probably most important to people, so I'll be as descriptive as possible, please keep in mind this is a 1.6 with factory manifold, downpipe, and aftermarket lightly muffled test pipe.
It's not quiet, but it is not really loud. I haven't noticed anyone turn to see "who has the loud exhaust". The tone is pretty low, it does not sound like a bunch of angry bees in a coffee can. I think it is pleasant and sporty, but it does drone slightly under partial load around 3-4k going up hills and such. With the top down on the highway it is noticeable but not overpowering. At idle it is quiet.
If you search Cobalt Exhaust Miata on youtube, the videos are pretty much what you can expect for sound.
Installed:
![Image]()
I hope someone will find this helpful, I will update in several months on durability, please ask any questions you might have.
EDIT: added a youtube sound clip, scroll down a bit!
For some background, I've installed many aftermarket exhausts on vehicles as a professional auto technician, everything from inexpensive eBay systems, to $1500+ "higher end" systems.
What I installed on my roadster:
Cobalt Cat-Back system ~$275 after shipping
eBay "test pipe" (high flow cat replacement) ~$75 shipped
other vehicle info: Stock 1992 1.6L with stock manifold and downpipe
First impressions:
Looks great! Very shiny and appears like it will resist rust, welds are even and look great, everything seems to be good quality, the exhaust tip is quite large and not really to my taste, will be replaced shortly.
Installation:
Straight forward, included all necessary gaskets and new bolts, cut off/remove old exhaust and bolt on the new pieces.
The bolt holes allow some adjustment, and it aligned pretty well underneath the car and easily reached all of the factory rubber hanger positions. I did run into 2 issues with rubbing and rattling against components. I'd first like to mention this could be an issue with using the test pipe, and not necessarily the Cobalt exhaust, but the test pipe was also of high quality and fit well.
Issues 1: Exhaust tip was rubbing against the factory tow hook support and rear bumper, I heated up the pipe at the curve post rear muffler, and bent it outward slightly.
Issue 2: Upon acceleration the exhaust would rub at the left rear axle drive flange, I first loosened the bolts and adjusted the system down as far as I could. I may have been able to do just this, but to be sure I heated the pipe around where it was rubbing and gently squeezed with the vice to crush the area a little flatter.
Clearance Before
Rubbed Spot
Clearance After
Sound:
This is probably most important to people, so I'll be as descriptive as possible, please keep in mind this is a 1.6 with factory manifold, downpipe, and aftermarket lightly muffled test pipe.
It's not quiet, but it is not really loud. I haven't noticed anyone turn to see "who has the loud exhaust". The tone is pretty low, it does not sound like a bunch of angry bees in a coffee can. I think it is pleasant and sporty, but it does drone slightly under partial load around 3-4k going up hills and such. With the top down on the highway it is noticeable but not overpowering. At idle it is quiet.
If you search Cobalt Exhaust Miata on youtube, the videos are pretty much what you can expect for sound.
Installed:
I hope someone will find this helpful, I will update in several months on durability, please ask any questions you might have.
