RoadsterSport HELMHOLTZ RACE MX5 Miata Muffler!
2006-2015
Most Fun You Can Have in NC with Your Clothes On!
PART NUMBER: 61-2565
DESCRIPTION
Designed for maximum FUN on otherwise stock NC Gen Miata!
This MX5 Exhaust was designed for RACING and then modified with a big Helmholtz chamber to kill drone so that even street drivers seeking something fun and light can have max fun without drone!
Fits all NC standard bumpers, but not compatible with the extra plastic of the appearance package with rear bumper skirt.
Yes, this RACE exhaust is on the LOUDER side of our choices but what the racers need to know is that max recorded db usually 80 to 83 db at 50 feet....well within all track and autocross limits and low enough that many will run this MX5 exhaust on their daily driver and love it.
Just 15 pounds means this Miata muffler is barely over half the stock muffler weight! How do we do it? By using a higher than normal perforation rate on the straight through super high density core to get maximum sound suppression with absolutely minimal weight and then we add a substantial Helmholtz chamber to knock down over 46 db in the 120-130 hertz range that most would otherwise perceive as drone. This 15 pound Miata exhaust compares with 19 pounds for lightest of our RoadsterSport Miata Duals and over 26 pounds for the factory exhaust.
2024 Update: Now featuring our signature double wall rolled tip for a more 'polished' fit and finish, and comes with a removeable baffle included. See photo below for that latest tip design. Other pics and videos further down will show the old version with the single wall tip, and we'll keep those in here for reference, but all orders placed now get the latest version with the double wall tip. There is no change to the sound, just a visual update.
SHIPPING NOTE...ships factory direct to you, in stock now. All POLISHED stainless steel construction and LIFETIME warranty. Uses stock hangers and connects to either our midpipe or the stock midpipe, but if using one of our upgraded midpipes we suggest you move one of the unused extra thick hangers from the rear to the support of the midpipe. None of our singles are enough muffler for most people with header, this was designed for max fun on otherwise stock or near stock Miata. Proudly made in the USA. Includes mounting gasket and hardware.
BRIAN'S APPLICATION NOTES: Read full installation hints and notes in our forum Installation Instruction Section! The secret is LUBE your hangers well with dish soap so you can get flanges aligned properly, and torque the supplied hardware to NO MORE THAN 25-30 ft/lbs (using more torque will actually bend flange 'ears' in).
Amazing choice on otherwise stock NC, also amazing on a turbo NC. YES, this is the choice on our NC Turbo Racer! Was NOT designed for a normally aspirated car with catless header, just not enough muffler for that. Also, nothing is accomplished in running this Helmholtz muffler with our Helmhholz midpipe. Designed and tuned for NC that is otherwise stock exhaust system. NOT designed for use with performance header, will be totally overwhelmed by the volume of rasp of a car with catless header cars.
Newest video below by Customer Walter Shin.
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Customer Reviews
RoadsterSport HELMHOLTZ RACE MX5 Miata Muffler!
Easy installation and quality muffler. The tone is great with the stock headers/mid-pipe. Not loud or raspy and most importantly, no drone at any speeds.
This the latest of many purchases from good-win racing. First up the build quality is perfect.
Looks great, was thinking the empty space on the other side where the other pipe might look wrong but I'm very pleased with it.
Sound-wise it's very good, not obnoxious at all. Really makes the car sound like it should. The stock exhaust sound is forgettable, very pleased with the upgrade. Thanks
This exhaust is almost perfect, amazing noises on throttle and LESS drone than the stock exhaust while you're cruising. I have a skunk 2 alpha header and its still not obnoxiously loud, keeps the pops between shifts, it sounds wonderful. My only wish is some of that deeper growl stayed with it, but I think that's part of the frequencies being chambered out. (Previous Yonaka exhaust had deep tones but LOADS of drone you almost couldn't hold a conversation in the car) All in all this is probably my favorite exhaust and have no qualms taking this race exhaust on long trips.
TLDR: Great tone, wish it was louder.
I was unsure which exhaust to get but I needed something as the stock MX-5 exhaust is near silent. I knew I didn't want drone, but I still wanted some kick. Decided to get this Helmholtz Race muffler. At first I was a bit disappointed. The exhaust was nearly as quiet as stock and under heavy throttle it had a very bizarre breathy sound. Turns out there was a silencer installed in the tip. After removing that, the tone it made was wonderful! No drone, a bit of bass in the low RPMs. I'd say this is the quietest I'd be satisfied with for an exhaust, but the tone and quality make up for it. I'm betting if I update the mid-pipe or header this will really sing!
Love this exhaust on my PRHT. Everything else is stock and this gives it a good low rumble that wont wake the neighbors under 4k and will start to get loud and racey after 4k and very loud at redline. Even has some small pops and burbles when downshifting at times. Its also somewhat loud on a cold stat, but it quiets down quick. It can have a slight boomyness between 1k and 2k but otherwise no drone! It actually eliminated drone that my stock muffler had with the top up so it's actually quieter when cruising than stock. I got the baffles but I wouldn't bother getting it, doesn't change much. Overall it's the perfect volume and tone with the top down a fairly quiet with the top up.
Exhaust has been on my car for a few weeks now, ran it with and without the baffle. I daily drive my car so it was important I didn't get something I would regret having. I love the tone it has with the baffle in and the top down. You get a nice low growl that I didn't notice with the baffle out.
Top up you can't really hear the growl you just get some louder lower exhaust note, a little drone on decel from 2000 down below 1500rpm. Baffle out, the low bassy drone on decel in low rpm gets a little louder. I still think baffle in, top down is the way to go for sure. The growly subdued tone you get with it just sounds too good. I don't think you gain much from removing it other than volume and a more bassy note to it. Goodwin has a video on YouTube of the race helmholtz where the camera is pointed at the tip and it's a really good representation of the growly note I heard with the baffle in. (Even though the video didn't show one installed) I like the note so much that I've been running top down as much as possible to hear it, even running heat and heated seats on full blast in low 30 degree weather. As a daily driver, even top up with radio on the exhaust isn't intrusive if you don't want it to be. Not loud enough to be obnoxious. Only thing that gets me is the empty cut out in bumper where another exhaust tip should be. Otherwise this is such a nice exhaust note to listen to
Thanks to Brian Goodwin for producing top quality NC upgrade products. I have his clutch, flywheel, all Progress suspension and B6 Bilstein shocks, upgraded brakes, catted header, carb legal midpipe and this Helmholtz race muffler. The sound quality and volume is perfect for this sports car. Thanks Goodwin Racing and Rocky for the suspension and clutch install.
Having read numerous reviews about sound and personal preference, I can totally understand that it's challenging to discuss/recommend sound levels and who may appreciate or dislike a particular note. For me, I've had my NC for a bit less than a year and love it. I previously owned an NA when I lived in Hong Kong and only had some suspension work done there. Back in the US, with garage space and tools, it's a new ballgame.
A big factor for me was the ability to live with a Hard Dog hitch (for various bikes I ride). This system looked to match and for sure, it does.
First - simple install. I did put my car on jackstands as it is somewhat low with an aftermarket suspension, Straightforward removal and install, plenty of room for my hitch. I'd guess that there's plenty of room for most hitches, but I can only speak to the Hard Dog hitch.
Sound, as Brian noted, is likely very personal. I bought the optional baffle and have swapped between the two and love the sound of both. To me, there's not a big difference, and I love the sound of both. To note, I used to run my (older) VW Rabbit GTI with a cherry bomb (straight through post-cat exhaust) and enjoyed that sound, I currently have the baffle installed because I like the look and there's not a big sound difference to me, I could likely have been happy with something louder, but I'm perfectly happy with this,
So - nice job on this exhaust. For those looking for hitch clearance, I can attest to more than sufficient clearance for a Hard Dog hitch. Others, I don't know, but I'd suspect there's plenty of room.
Had the RoadsterSport II Duals on the car from the previous owner. Great sounding muffler, but for my taste its more-bass-and-less-rasp than I prefer.
I am two weeks into daily driving this new single. It exceeds my expectations, giving the exhaust note the angry race-car-theater I want on the loud pedal, but without the low rpm resonating bass. The helmholtz kills those deep tones below 2100 rpm, and leaves the 3-5k rpm range with a smooth raspy note that is perfect. Total exhaust volume may be similar to the RSII, but the bass cutoff and mid-range tone makes it feel like it's far less intrusive. Passengers confirm it's easier to live with around town. A bit of burble on the 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts. Bought the baffle, haven't even tried it, sounds too good as-is.
Very satisfied customer!
Previously had a full 3" exhaust on my Civic Si that I had to design my own helmholtz resonator for since the drone on the freeway (3k - 3.5k rpms) was unbearable, so when I saw that Goodwin sells an off the shelf muffler with a helmholtz attached to it, I knew it was legit stuff.
Have put about 50 miles with this muffler with the car (stock header/midpipe/intake) and can 100% say with confidence that there is no drone at any RPM under partial and full throttle. There is a tad bit of drone from 1.5k -2k rpms off-throttle during deceleration, but honestly its rare that I am in that rpm range. The muffler has a deep tone to it, yet there is no boomy-ness present at all due to the helmholtz resonator. I can also hear the car make pop/gurgle every time I get back on the gas after a shift which is awesome. Definitely go for this muffler if you are going for an "OEM+" sound and want to keep things simple.
I know Brian says this thing is louder and with the top down it is, in a good way. It sounds soooooo smooth. With the top up it almost seems quieter. I have the PRHT and I feel like the inside noise is better now. If you are scared to get this because you are afraid it may be too loud put your fears aside. It is just right. Just for reference my wife calls this car my mid-life crisis car so it safe for those of us with some gray in our beards.
Excellent upgrade from stock, no droning/booming, and the occasional pleasant pops and burbles when shifting. I commute 60 miles daily (helmholtz race muffler, stock header, and midpipe) and I think it is very livable. Highly recommended if you're looking for something 10-20% louder than stock at cruising speeds. The sound is so pleasant, I didn't even install the baffle (sold separately) I got with it. The best part about this muffler is It's quiet when you want it to be and only picks up volume when you punch it!
This exhaust is amazing. Coming from an all stock exhaust to this has completely changed the driving sound, it is much deeper and pleasant to the ear. It is also a good amount louder, but is not intrusive at all. Thanks to the helmholtz chamber, the inside of the car actually sounds quieter than stock at around 2-3k rpms when you are decelerating. In daily driving, the exhaust is subtle and you only notice the deeper tone. When you floor it, it screams and in my opinion, this is perfect.
Fit and finish are perfect. Took about 10-15min to install. My car is all stock besides this muffler and suspension the change in sound is great. It Is not too loud at all and there is zero drone even at freeway speeds. The only thing I would change is to add a rolled tip for appearance reasons, but being a race muffler it would cut down on the weight savings. Huge difference from the stock muffler and highly recommend to anyone looking for a great flowing exhaust with no drone.
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