If you even think you might eventually go turbo, save your money and use the stock exhaust mani. Even good headers won't provide that much extra power.

 

Thanks everyone; this was the input I was looking for. I was not impressed with the factory manifold's collector when I first saw it. I wanted to budget for a new header in the initial build and this header seemed to be they only aftermarket header that bolted in the factory location allowing the use of Cord's custom exhaust. I did not realize this was an "ebay" header otherwise I would not have raised the question.

The FI upgrade is outside my budget for the initial build. It seems I'll be running the stock hardware for a little while.

Regards,

Miguel

Catfish Build Blog

 

To be honest the design doesn't look bad. It seems like the 4 to 2 long collectors then finally to one has given the best gains NA. The problem with long flange or the 4-2 -1 headers is that they simply extend the exhaust too far back to where it would normally reside, which is under your right foot.

We're making some final frame tweaks that should allow a free-flowing header with very few bends that heads straight out to the side exhaust. The header will be available, and will be specifically designed for a free-flowing side exit exhaust. For naturally aspirated, this custom header will be best.

The Catfish will come standard with a connector pipe between the stock header and the side pipe; this would be comparable to a performance setup, but isn't optimal. I'd consider it an exhaust to use while you get the rest of the car dialed in and figure out what kind of engine modifications you'll be doing. Again, the best exhaust will have a turbo attached to it, IMO.

BTW, love the build blog! I'll be checking that regularly. Let me know if you have any questions as you go along.

 

Brings new meaning to the advice of buying a donor car in great shape. If I were anywhere but the west coast I'd be flying here anyways to buy my donor. **** rust.

 

I was really shocked when I picked up the car by the amount of rust. Had I been able to inspect it beforehand I would have waited for another donor. But to ship one from the west coast, or to drive one over from there...yeah that's a big no. For me that would be an extra $2k. But to each there own.

 

Great news about the K-member design that will allow installation of a lot of different power plants. I hope you can make a K24 fit as I think that would be a great NA option for this beast!

 

I think that will be a stupid option. Why would you go to that much trouble for a modest increase in power over an F20C?

 

I assume you are talking about this post.

It would be because a K engine is 1/3 the price of an F, makes way better low and mid power, and has a much bigger market for sweet performance parts.

 

The K member is being finished in CAD now, and will undergo FEA prior to production. It's intended to be lighter and stronger than stock, and be packaged in such a way that it will allow more room for exhausts and oil pans.

In that way it's somewhat modular; it could be used with an LS, 5.0 Mustang, F22C, 13B, K24, or whatever else you want to throw at it. Since it has more room, is stronger and lighter, why not?

As such it has direct application to any Miata swaps.

 

Your right the k24 is a stupid option.

 

I am right. For the cost of a K motor with a good head, plus an S2000 transmission, plus adapter plate/ flywheel/ clutch solution, plus motor mounts, plus custom driveshaft, plus engine management, plus custom header/ modded F20 intake manifold you could have built a mild turbo BP and gone faster for much less effort.

I'm hardly an engine swap hater, but a K swap is ************, not a 'better' option.

 

This ain't politics...everyone can actually be right. Well, except the guy who just adds NOS.

 

Got some good press today:

Bauer Catfish is a Miata-based trackstar in the making [w/videos] - Autoblog

Track Day Bauer Catfish Officially Debuts

The real news is that I just got back from a short trip to see my suppliers in Asia, and we've got partz. Get ready for some cool new stuff that will debut with the Catfish, and will fit Miatas as well.

 

The shirts came out nice

 

Dayum!!! Of all the places to get tagged, Der Weinerschnitzel had to be the place.

At least I'm headed to Laguna Seca.

 

Ack!

I don't know how you can stand to eat in that feculent grease-pit.

 

That's the thing!!! First time I show my face in a "Der" is 15 years and I get busted!

 

I have been in exactly one of them in my entire life.

I went in mistakenly assuming that they served actual wiener schnitzel. I was immediately hit by a wave of grease which suggested to me that they were probably even deep-frying the soft drinks. I left immediately.

 

Weiner snob...