COBB Tuning Gen 2 Mazdaspeed 3 Cat-Back Exhaust Review

[ms3blackmica]

I got my COBB Tuning Gen 2 MS3 Cat-Back Exhaust System fitted yesterday and I couldn't be any happier with product in every aspect.

This system is now back in stock after fixing some fitment issues and it is definitely on the money.

I installed this on my back in no more than 1 hour. Everything from flange design, pipe bends, and all around quality is top notch and exceeds OEM like fitment. Fits like a glove and sounds even better.

I'm not the type of person who likes loud exhausts and I don't like anyone knowing they are about to get smacked around silly on the highway. This exhaust has a super aggressive, deep, and throaty note but is quieter than stock when normally cruising.

I ran the Cobb Gen 1 CBE when I owned a Gen 1 MS3 and decided to do so again with the Pu. I wanted to thank @Evan@COBB; and @Cobb Tuning; for putting in the time and effort into bringing the Gen 2 system back on the market and making it flawless as I couldn't be any happier.

YouTube Short

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[nilashish]

Have you noticed any rattling with this exhaust?

[ms3blackmica]

Originally Posted by nilashish Have you noticed any rattling with this exhaust?

Nope.

Fit like a glove and perfectly centered.

If you are hearing some rattling, get back under there and shake the exhaust and look to see where it is coming from.

[Chuthor]

Mmmmmm that sounds sexy...... this just jumped up near the top of next purchases for my car.

[Ranyard]

yeah but cost vs sound......


several sound just as good for $100 or more less?

[WAMBUSHHHH!]

Originally Posted by Ranyard yeah but cost vs sound...... several sound just as good for $100 or more less?

I mean, that's been the name of the game with CBEs for the genpu's...cost vs. sound, cost vs. gains...in the end, cost vs. quality.

My cobb FMIC was a bit more expensive but the fit and finish was right on. Glad to see they worked out the CBE fitment issues and this exceeded expectations.

[DaUberSchwebel]

Holy shit the cobb box is huge. You could use that as a coffin in a pinch. Any how, sounds great. Glad they are back.

[ms3blackmica]

To me this CBE was worth every penny.

The quality of work supersedes any other CBE on the market that I have seen and I am pretty sure I have seen them all.

[swsmailman]

Saw this on Facebook and love the sound of it, if I didn't have a CP-e DP and wanted to keep the CP-e theme going, I would be tempted to get a Cobb Catback

Also, you earn some brownie points for an actual legit video of you driving around....

[etms3]

I have this CBE going on my car this weekend. Out of the box, the quality of the product is top notch. I can't wait.

[ms3blackmica]

Another cold start video for those interested in hearing.

COBB Tuning Gen 2 Mazdaspeed 3 Cat'Back Exhaust Cold Start - YouTube

COBB Tuning Gen 2 Mazdaspeed 3 Cat'Back Exhaust Cold Start - YouTube

[Cheapspeed]

I was wondering why there wasn't a WOT clip in your video.

Then I saw your sig. (ewg for those on their phones)

When I get a catback I'm considering the cobb since I like the quieter deep tones.

[Finchee]

Is the exhaust sound louder inside the car even with the windows up? I primarily drive with the windows up, that's why I'm asking. I want an exhaust that I can hear when I do rev-match downshifts on normal driving. I'm probably weird in that I don't really want it loud outside the car, I want it loud enough for me to hear inside the car.

[ms3blackmica]

Originally Posted by Finchee Is the exhaust sound louder inside the car even with the windows up? I primarily drive with the windows up, that's why I'm asking. I want an exhaust that I can hear when I do rev-match downshifts on normal driving. I'm probably weird in that I don't really want it loud outside the car, I want it loud enough for me to hear inside the car.

Yes it is still loud enough that you will hear the engine's note inside the car without any problem.

Once you open it up it really sounds amazing too.

[Cheapspeed]

Originally Posted by Finchee Is the exhaust sound louder inside the car even with the windows up? I primarily drive with the windows up, that's why I'm asking. I want an exhaust that I can hear when I do rev-match downshifts on normal driving. I'm probably weird in that I don't really want it loud outside the car, I want it loud enough for me to hear inside the car.

Remove the 2nd cat and a resonator.

[Finchee]

Originally Posted by ms3blackmica Yes it is still loud enough that you will hear the engine's note inside the car without any problem. Once you open it up it really sounds amazing too.

Thanks for the feedback!

Originally Posted by Cheapspeed Remove the 2nd cat and a resonator.

I was tempted to try this but every video I've seen of a resonator delete kinda sounds hollow or unrefined to me. It's just a preference really, I'm sure a lot of people love the sound of a resonator delete. I simply prefer the deep tones you get from CBEs like CS and Cobb.

[doctavus]

Alright this will be Cobb part #3 .

Thanks for the excellent videos sir.

Going to call Plano to see if they have them in stock and fuck money.

[RACER_X]

ok, exhaust install is kicking my ass.

on my cat, instead of just bolts it has long ass bolts w/ a springs

the prob is can get the next hanger (right at the curve) on or get the bolts on, can't get both together.

those longs bolts come out BUT it uses a tiny 13mm bolt and my gun doesn't have the torque to get them off.


doesn;t help i'm working in the garage w/ all 4 corners of the car set 2 bricks high and my fat ass just wedges underneath the car.

found some pics from CBE install thread












would have been so much easier to pay the $80 muffler shop had quoted to do this.........grrr

[RACER_X]

ok, w/ the help of wifey power, we got those long ass bolts off. after that the install was a sinch.

very happy w/ the sound
though daughter says its louder in the back

BUT i'm not happy the right side exhaust setting further in then the left side. vertically they are centered, Ok not great



left



right



i think they should follow CPe's lead and have adjustable end pieces or have the right side built a little longer

yes there is a little room for movement right at the junction of the cat. and the start of this exhaust.

[HawkeyeGeoff]

Yeah my Cobb CBE sits funky in the rear, but I'm okay with it since it sounds soooo damn good!

[neganox]

This Cobb CBE's tips were also off center for me. 15 minutes and 45 bucks at the muffler shop and they got them welded on straight and equal. Exhaust sounds great.

[RACER_X]

Originally Posted by neganox This Cobb CBE's tips were also off center for me. 15 minutes and 45 bucks at the muffler shop and they got them welded on straight and equal. Exhaust sounds great.

I thought about that also

Did they cut the tip off and reweld in the right spot

[neganox]

Originally Posted by RACER_X I thought about that also Did they cut the tip off and reweld in the right spot

They cut the pipes further back so you cant see anything unless the car is in the air.

[RACER_X]

Cry

They cut the exhaust back and had to heat the other side hanger to lower the tip

[ms3blackmica]

I found that changing all my hangers to the urethane ones Cobb sells fixed any all fitment issues.

The exhaust is rather heavy and the urethane hangers do the trick.

[RACER_X]

I have cobb hangers

[Yanahdi]

I had to resort to the urethane hangers thanks to Neganox for hooking me up. Stock hangers were aged like a fine wine (5 years old) and couldn't handle the load.

The hangers should be included IMO, so if anyone's planning on getting this exhaust I'd definitely recommend adding the hangers into your order. Even if you don't use them you may help bail out a local like me in the future.

[BenWhitney]

any kinda of comparison between Corksport CBE & Cobb CBE? trying to decide between the two, love the Corksport sound but obviously Cobb is great quality.

[RACER_X]

So obvious I had to cut my then brand new exhaust to make my tips line up

[MacheteJames]

Is it just me or does this sound exactly like a Focus RS? Not the typical MS3 burble at all. Then, I looked at your sig and saw that you're running an aftermarket equal length exhaust manifold, and it all made sense.