My '96 has a horrendous exhaust rattle - I did the rubber mallet thing and
it seems to be coming from the cat, the front resonator, or both... hard to
tell. The PO put a Flying Miata system on, I think a catback (front
resonator is not rusty, stainless?, dual-tip not-rusty muffler is labeled
Flying Miata) so I'm thinking the cat is my most likely culprit. I can't
tell if it's stock or not, no labels visible.
I've read thru the review section but a lot of those products don't seem to
exist any more, I can't find them. Any suggestions for a replacement cat
source? Low-$ better and quieter better - I'm not really concerned about
performance and this Flying Miata system is louder than I like anyway.
TIA for any help.
miker
Christopher Muto - 11 Aug 2008 19:12 GMT
www.rockauto.com has a universal cat for as little as $37, but that may need
some work to install.
or www.finishlineperformance.com (miata-engine-exhaust) for the oem mazda
for $140 (free shipping if over $150 so pick up a couple of oil filters or
new washer jet nozzels - the ones for the tribute are nice).
> My '96 has a horrendous exhaust rattle - I did the rubber mallet thing and
> it seems to be coming from the cat, the front resonator, or both... hard
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> miker
miker - 13 Aug 2008 16:39 GMT
> or www.finishlineperformance.com (miata-engine-exhaust) for the oem mazda
Ok, an update.
That vendor has a cat that looks just like the one on my 96, but it says for
90-93. (The other cat available is 2000-up.) Geez, can't they make one for
90-95 and one for 97-08? ;)
Anyway, it looks just like mine but I also looked at the gaskets they sell
and infering from the choices, it suggests the 90-93s have a different front
and rear flange (different gaskets), and the 96 gasket is different than
either of those (same gasket front and rear).
Have I got this right? If so, I still haven't found a cat for a '96 then...
miker
Lanny Chambers - 13 Aug 2008 17:24 GMT
> Have I got this right? If so, I still haven't found a cat for a '96 then...
Pick up the phone and call Tommy Grimes at Finish Line Performance.
Tommy knows more about Miata parts than anyone in the known universe.

Signature
Lanny Chambers
St. Louis, MO
'94C
Christopher Muto - 14 Aug 2008 05:50 GMT
acording to miata.net they are different... this statement regarding na and
nb differences...
"Exhaust manifold all the way back to the muffler is completely different.
Also, there are differences between the NB manual and automatic exhausts.
They are not interchangable."
like lanny said, call finishlineperformance.com. they don't list everything
on the web site and are very helpful.
>> or www.finishlineperformance.com (miata-engine-exhaust) for the oem mazda
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> miker
Christopher Muto - 14 Aug 2008 07:24 GMT
flyin miata has a aftermarket one for $199. probably should call them to
confirm that it is direct fit...
http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4503&parentid=0&stocknumber=06-76000
> acording to miata.net they are different... this statement regarding na
> and nb differences...
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>>
>> miker
Christopher Muto - 14 Aug 2008 07:26 GMT
never mind. that one is not street legal for 96/97.
> flyin miata has a aftermarket one for $199. probably should call them to
> confirm that it is direct fit...
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>>>
>>> miker
Zog The Undeniable - 12 Aug 2008 06:48 GMT
> My '96 has a horrendous exhaust rattle - I did the rubber mallet thing and
> it seems to be coming from the cat, the front resonator, or both... hard to
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> source? Low-$ better and quieter better - I'm not really concerned about
> performance and this Flying Miata system is louder than I like anyway.
Are you sure it's not just the heatshield burning through and coming
loose? You can strap it up with some wire (not plastic coated!) to keep
it quiet. Heatshield rattle is normally at 3500rpm.
miker - 12 Aug 2008 13:18 GMT
> Are you sure it's not just the heatshield burning through and coming
> loose? You can strap it up with some wire (not plastic coated!) to keep
> it quiet. Heatshield rattle is normally at 3500rpm.
I banged on the cat with my fist and a rubber mallet, and also tapped around
with my fingers looking for heat shield issues. Nothing seems loose and the
rattle 'sounds' like it's coming from inside, not exterior. My worst rattles
are around idle, especially the higher idle with the AC on.
BTW, I found it instructive to mallet not only on the side of the cat and
resonator but also at each end in a direction lengthwise to the pipe. That's
what made me think it could be just the cat and not the resonator.
miker
miker - 15 Aug 2008 16:05 GMT
My local dealer quoted me $536 for a new cat. <thud>
www.finishlineperformance.com had an oem cat for $140, but only for 90-93. I
spoke with Tommy who, as described, knows his stuff. He said Mazda even
issued a part number for a 94-97 cat but for some reason haven't made it
available. He suggested I check...
Moss Motors www.miatamania.com, who could supply my '96 with a Jackson
Racing hi-flow for $200 or a generic for $110. Reading the Miata.net reviews
makes the JR sound a) loud, and b) short-lived, while the Moss generic
seemed ok; so I've ordered the generic and gaskets for $137 total (shipped).
The Flyin Miata catback *shouldn't* be rusty/rattling inside if it's really
stainless, so once the system is apart I'll bang on it again to confirm it
was the cat before replacing any more.
Thanks for everyones help/suggestions!
miker
lailaigogo - 21 Aug 2008 01:11 GMT
Paintings, prints and two Sinitic porcelain figures of the Immortal
were also for selling.Asiatic porcelain and Canton ware, textiles an
decoration 'guild wars gold
(http://www.ugamegold.com/c_Guild-Wars/)provided good choices fro
Songster Designer Superior Subject of Chatham, who was new to the sho
and was making sales crud
--
lailaigogo
miker - 22 Aug 2008 00:54 GMT
> Paintings, prints and two Sinitic porcelain figures of the Immortals
> were also for selling.Asiatic porcelain and Canton ware, textiles and
> decoration 'guild wars gold '
> (http://www.ugamegold.com/c_Guild-Wars/)provided good choices from
> Songster Designer Superior Subject of Chatham, who was new to the show
> and was making sales crude
Ah, Grgcipio! I recognise you thru your human shell. Your command of the
Northern hemisphere spoken communication has indeed progressed! My
congratulations.
Oh, and Nylncrth has asked you contact him by fifth eye modulation as soon
as practical. But you know him - prynew up his barwwuy as usual! <)
Urqfb
Nylncrth - 22 Aug 2008 01:12 GMT
> Oh, and Nylncrth has asked you contact him by fifth
> eye modulation as soon as practical. But you know
> him - prynew up his barwwuy as usual! <)
>
> Urqfb
In clear? You actually published this _in clear_? Did you think I was
not monitoring this channel? Your imprudence matches your impudence,
Urqfb!
Laugh now, but in thirty-two phases, who will be laughing? Good day,
sir.
Nylcnrth
miker - 22 Aug 2008 15:00 GMT
> In clear? You actually published this _in clear_? Did you think I was
> not monitoring this channel? Your imprudence matches your impudence,
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Nylcnrth
Ulllallaaalaaallaaarp! Oh Most Excellent, I flagelate my tenticled
extremities in rapture at your presence! Please accept my most fervant
apologies... I only added commentary directed at your Sphericalness as
typical Earth venicular so as to lull their spies into quiescence. Naturely
no disrespect was intended! Why, only the other olb I was indicating to
Blrbrth my deep admiration of your besting of Glarbnorpth at last cycles
Yyanwrth... um, I assume my invitation for this cycle still stands,
Circumferal One?
Yours faithfully in increasing vector,
Urqfb