so i just bought a 2005 mazda3 s manual sedan with 50k miles and the sales guy said a brand new exhaust was installed and when i looked at it there was no exhaust tip and it looked very small in diameter. then we had him put it on a lift so we can see underneath and the whole new exhaust was installed but i dont think it is oem, it seems very narrow, like a exhaust you would see on a 1.8L engine, i would think this exhaust would be a little bigger. what is the stock exhaust diameter for this car? i hope this exhaust they installed is not a smaller diameter than the oem exhaust, that would cause so much restriction. if the stock size is 2.25", is that the smallest size most cars have? and as for installing a exhaust tip do you think this one should work? does this one work with multiple diameters since it says designed for custom installation? http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Det...50042+2042001#

 

oem exhaust systems can come smaller but yes 2.25in is the correct oem size. The link you provided only goes to a store locator, cant see the actual pic

 

ok so since my mazda3 has no exhaust tip i was able to measure the tailpipe diameter and its 2 inches. wtf?! what is the oem tailpipe diameter w/o the tip on, can anyone measure theres to see if its normal for the tailpipe to be 2 inches, and im pretty sure the whole system was the same size as the tailpipe from when i looked at it on the lift. does anyone know where i can get the oem exhaust tip and will it fit since my pipe is only 2 inches?

 

if i can get to my shed i will

 

that'd be awesome man.

 

heres some pics of the exhaust if this helps

 

yeah its missing the tip that does look like the correct size, im kinda snowed in so i cant reach my shed yet, its almost gone though. It does not look oem but that may not be a bad thing as long as its done right and has the right muffler, res, cat and bends. Ill see if i can find a underside pic and you can see if it looks exactly the same.

 

I just measured mine and the tubing at the tip measures a bit over 2"... not quite 2-1/8" (54mm.)
However, that is NOT the actual diameter of the exhaust tubing but of a small piece of pipe lap welded to it that has the stainless steel "appearance tip" spot welded to that.
The diameter of the tubing right out of the muffler is actually closer to 1-7/8", approx 47.6mm.
These are not completely accurate measurements done w/a tape measure not a caliper.

For a tip you will most likely need to sleeve one, as the original is. All the tips that I have found use a 2.5" inlet or larger. A 4" fills the bumper void perfectly, but a 3" is factory.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...mString=search

My Vibrant system w/4" tip.

 

how will the tip fit if the tailpipe is 2 inches and all the tips are 2.5" or larger? and what do you mean by "sleeve"?

 

"Sleeving" is slipping and welding a larger piece of pipe over a smaller one, in your case to accommodate the new tip. That is how the original tip is installed on the OE exhaust.
It could be a straight piece, such as a 2-1/8"x 2-1/8", or using a reducer, such as a 2-1/8"x 2.5", which is probably what will be necessary in your case.

Your existing tailpipe will have to be cut back a few inches, then a reducer will be welded on w/the larger 2.5" size facing out or backward, then the new tip will be installed.

See?

Be sure the new tip extends out past the bumper cover and is not "tucked in," or the heat fromt he exhaust could melt the plastic. If that happens, and I have seen it happen, you will smell it in the cabin of the car. It doesn't have to extend too far. Refer to the picture of mine to give you an idea.