Any interest in the return of the MindTrain exhaust system?

Kentetsu · 03-18-2009, 08:08 AM

Here's the scoop. I've always loved this exhaust system ever since I saw/heard it in person for the first time. Not to mention, it would be great if Racing Beat actually had some competition. So, I emailed the sales dept. at Kickyride (the original retailer of the system) to basically beg/plead them to start production up again, and to tell them that the system is still highly respected:

Hello. My question is in regards to the MindTrain exhaust system that
used to be offered through this site. It is my understanding that it has
not been available for some years now, and I was wondering if there was
any possibility that it might someday return.
The system is still in use on many cars, and the majority of owners love them. A lot
of RX7 owners are currently wishing that they could find one of these
systems, and even the used ones (when you can find them) sell like
hotcakes.
If there is no possibility of you returning this product to the market,
could you possibly give me some details on it? I don't know if you
actually manufactured the system yourselves, or simply marketed it, but if
there is any way to get access to it once again we could make a great many
people happy.
Thank you for your time and consideration...
Sent at:3/11/2009 3:42:59 PM

The response:

Hi Ken,

Unfortunately, we did not manufacture the exhausts. If we did, I guarantee they'd still be readily available. Mindtrain pretty much called it quits a couple years ago. I spoke to the owner then and he had just retired and decided to shut down mindtrain. At the time, he only had a few pieces left which are definitely gone by now. Maybe, if enough interest can be found, I'll look into manufacturing some of the pieces but from what I learned in 2006, there was a minimum of a 25 piece order to justify a production run for 1 part. That's what made it difficult to revive certain applications a few years ago. I'll let you know if anything develops this year.

Thanks,
Mike
Sales/Tech support
www.kickyride.com

So there you have it guys. I am not personally in the market for one at this time, but rather wanted to make this attempt for the general benefit of our community....

Here is a clip from Perfect Circle's car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43EE9BmCXQw

.

Kentetsu · 03-18-2009, 08:10 AM

More info on the system, by Jim Rothe (very nice article) http://www.jimrothe.com/mazda/exhaust.html where he compares this to the RB...

Here's a little snippet from the article:

"Mindtrain has many systems for 1st gen's, including racing and streetable exhaust systems. True to their word, their exhaust systems use a larger diameter piping than others, including Racing Beat. That should make for a slightly more free-flowing exhaust. (Laws of diminishing returns apply here, so I can't say that there's really more power on tap than with another manufacturer's exhaust system. But MT claims their system has more flow potential, and that seems reasonable.) The tubing is a very heavy gauge steel -- certainly the thickest I've ever seen on either a car or a truck. The "Big Throats" muffler is also the coolest looking muffler I've seen on any 1st gen RX-7, with large, twin chrome tips. (That was in '97. Current Mindtrain mufflers have polished stainless steel tips.) These qualities will probably be the same on all of their various exhaust systems."

"This is such a heavy duty exhaust system that I'm sure that it will be the last one that this car will ever need. (I've since transferred this exhaust system from my old '84 to my current '85, and every component is still absolutely rock-solid, with only slight surface rust. This is the rust-belt Northeast, you know.) Considering the system's longevity, it was money well spent."

P71 · 03-18-2009, 08:38 AM

The car in that YouBoob video sounds an awful lot like mine.

BlkNBluRX7 · 04-06-2009, 12:05 AM

Is Kickyride still around? I haven seen Mike around for years

Kentetsu · 04-07-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlkNBluRX7

Is Kickyride still around? I haven seen Mike around for years

Yep, Mike is the guy I've been in contact with. I sent him the link to the discussion taking place on the evil forum, and he replied with thanks and said that he will be checking on it.

www.kickyride.com

Joecoolly14 · 04-06-2009, 02:19 PM

I wouldnt mind trying to get a hold of a streetable system, I have the RB street port and its quite nice not to loud and sounds great.. I wonder if theres a significant weight difference or for that matter a difference in overall HP gain

PercentSevenC · 04-07-2009, 10:46 AM

I don't know if I'll be doing another streetable NA RX-7, but if I did, I'd definitely be interested in a Mindtrain system for it.

Jeff20B · 04-07-2009, 12:20 PM

Count me out. The one car I worked on that did have a mindtrain was noisy at idle, tended to drone, and the construction quality was a little lackluster (thinwall pipes, boinger rated flanges and gaskets, varying diamaters of pipe used). One of the glasspacks was installed backwards and the gaskets were all disintegrating (obviously not rated for rotary use). No exhaust leaks, but was plenty loud enough in the middle of the car to turn me off of mindtrain. Out the back is was ok sounding. I wouldn't use a mindtrain on my own vehicle unless I had no choice. For me it's RB or custom.

I sold the system to someone who put it to good use, so it went to a good home. If I come across another I'm sure I'd list it for sale as well.

Kentetsu · 04-08-2009, 01:10 PM

Jeff

How sure are you that what you had was a genuine Mindtrain system? Any chance it had maybe been pieced together using some additional substandard parts? Your description goes against everything I've read, and the one system that I've seen in person does not match your description either.

Jeff20B · 04-14-2009, 04:43 PM

It really looked a lot like the mindtrain systems I've seen online. It also did tend to sound ok outside and behind the car. It only sounded dumb in and under the car. That's why I sold it.

A guy named Ben (on the forum; he's one of the Bens who've posted within the last year) bought it and really liked it. He posted a vid saying how quiet it was (showing the rear of the car). It really did sound ok in the video.

I don't miss it. I'm glad it went to a good home.

RotorDad · 05-01-2009, 02:32 PM

i have a Mindtrain / DP exhaust sys. on my FC sounds great in my opinion

JShiz · 05-01-2009, 03:21 PM

That's a nice sounding exhaust. I'll be in the market for one by the end of summer

junkyard racer · 01-18-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JShiz

That's a nice sounding exhaust. I'll be in the market for one by the end of summer

Myself included. I had a RB system and liked it...but would also consider something else.

*edit* just saw the orig date of this thread. I am guessing that this system is not coming out anytime soon.

fire85gslse · 02-14-2010, 12:35 PM

I have a full mindtrain setup and think that due to the quality in order to reproduce it fully of to make it even better the system would cost alot more than most want to spend in order for someone to make money off it.

Teenwolf1393 · 11-14-2009, 09:50 PM

thats the type of sound ive been looking for, for my gslse

03-18-2009, 08:08 AM	#1
Kentetsu RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 530 Rep Power: 18	Any interest in the return of the MindTrain exhaust system? Here's the scoop. I've always loved this exhaust system ever since I saw/heard it in person for the first time. Not to mention, it would be great if Racing Beat actually had some competition. So, I emailed the sales dept. at Kickyride (the original retailer of the system) to basically beg/plead them to start production up again, and to tell them that the system is still highly respected: Hello. My question is in regards to the MindTrain exhaust system that used to be offered through this site. It is my understanding that it has not been available for some years now, and I was wondering if there was any possibility that it might someday return. The system is still in use on many cars, and the majority of owners love them. A lot of RX7 owners are currently wishing that they could find one of these systems, and even the used ones (when you can find them) sell like hotcakes. If there is no possibility of you returning this product to the market, could you possibly give me some details on it? I don't know if you actually manufactured the system yourselves, or simply marketed it, but if there is any way to get access to it once again we could make a great many people happy. Thank you for your time and consideration... Sent at:3/11/2009 3:42:59 PM The response: Hi Ken, Unfortunately, we did not manufacture the exhausts. If we did, I guarantee they'd still be readily available. Mindtrain pretty much called it quits a couple years ago. I spoke to the owner then and he had just retired and decided to shut down mindtrain. At the time, he only had a few pieces left which are definitely gone by now. Maybe, if enough interest can be found, I'll look into manufacturing some of the pieces but from what I learned in 2006, there was a minimum of a 25 piece order to justify a production run for 1 part. That's what made it difficult to revive certain applications a few years ago. I'll let you know if anything develops this year. Thanks, Mike Sales/Tech support www.kickyride.com So there you have it guys. I am not personally in the market for one at this time, but rather wanted to make this attempt for the general benefit of our community.... Here is a clip from Perfect Circle's car: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43EE9BmCXQw . __________________ "Learn from the past, or it will become your future...." '85 GS 12a + LSD/Sterling carb/Respeed coilovers/Respeed front swaybar/Respeed adj. rear spring perches/Illuminas/Bilsteins on rear AutoX vids @ http://www.youtube.com/user/Kentetsu1

03-18-2009, 08:38 AM	#3
P71 RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: WA State Posts: 651 Rep Power: 18	The car in that YouBoob video sounds an awful lot like mine. __________________ Michael Pinto 2008 PDXCGP Drag Racing Season Champion 83 RX-7 GSL; 12A/5-Speed, Red/Red; 100% Stock - 16.072@83.39 01 CV Police Interceptor; 4.6 SOHC V8/4R70W, Dk Blue/Grey; K&N FIPK/RP Oil/Optima/Superchips/Flowmaster 40's/2.5" cat-back - 14.854@92.37 Read my Rx-7 Build Thread! http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...ed=1#post70955 Get on the new RCC 1/4 Mile ET List! http://www.rotarycarclub.com/rotary_...read.php?t=368 Vote for the ROTM! http://rotarycarclub.com/rotary_foru...play.php?f=125

04-06-2009, 12:05 AM	#4
BlkNBluRX7 I NEED PARTS!! Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 20 Rep Power: 0	Is Kickyride still around? I haven seen Mike around for years __________________ 1985 GS "UNNAMED" 1983 GSL "THE TURD" 2008 Honda Fit JDM TYTE YO!!

05-01-2009, 02:32 PM	#11
RotorDad Big Ugly Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 591 Rep Power: 17	i have a Mindtrain / DP exhaust sys. on my FC sounds great in my opinion __________________ *Boosted Big Body On 335's* PS3 ID: Rotordad 1986 Mazda RX7 GXL - Street ported 13BT, Haltech, 62mm, ect. 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 - Eagle, Wiseco, Cobb, ect.

02-14-2010, 12:35 PM	#14
fire85gslse RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Middle TN Posts: 1,029 Rep Power: 19	I have a full mindtrain setup and think that due to the quality in order to reproduce it fully of to make it even better the system would cost alot more than most want to spend in order for someone to make money off it. __________________ I own A few Rotaries and Yes, I have a rotary problem. (SELLING OFF All my parts) 79SA(Respeed Car),93 FD (tweakit)

03-18-2009, 08:10 AM	#2
Kentetsu RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 530 Rep Power: 18	More info on the system, by Jim Rothe (very nice article) http://www.jimrothe.com/mazda/exhaust.html where he compares this to the RB... Here's a little snippet from the article: "Mindtrain has many systems for 1st gen's, including racing and streetable exhaust systems. True to their word, their exhaust systems use a larger diameter piping than others, including Racing Beat. That should make for a slightly more free-flowing exhaust. (Laws of diminishing returns apply here, so I can't say that there's really more power on tap than with another manufacturer's exhaust system. But MT claims their system has more flow potential, and that seems reasonable.) The tubing is a very heavy gauge steel -- certainly the thickest I've ever seen on either a car or a truck. The "Big Throats" muffler is also the coolest looking muffler I've seen on any 1st gen RX-7, with large, twin chrome tips. (That was in '97. Current Mindtrain mufflers have polished stainless steel tips.) These qualities will probably be the same on all of their various exhaust systems." "This is such a heavy duty exhaust system that I'm sure that it will be the last one that this car will ever need. (I've since transferred this exhaust system from my old '84 to my current '85, and every component is still absolutely rock-solid, with only slight surface rust. This is the rust-belt Northeast, you know.) Considering the system's longevity, it was money well spent."

04-06-2009, 02:19 PM	#6
Joecoolly14 The Newbie Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: south west florida Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	I wouldnt mind trying to get a hold of a streetable system, I have the RB street port and its quite nice not to loud and sounds great.. I wonder if theres a significant weight difference or for that matter a difference in overall HP gain

04-07-2009, 12:20 PM	#8
Jeff20B Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 215 Rep Power: 18	Count me out. The one car I worked on that did have a mindtrain was noisy at idle, tended to drone, and the construction quality was a little lackluster (thinwall pipes, boinger rated flanges and gaskets, varying diamaters of pipe used). One of the glasspacks was installed backwards and the gaskets were all disintegrating (obviously not rated for rotary use). No exhaust leaks, but was plenty loud enough in the middle of the car to turn me off of mindtrain. Out the back is was ok sounding. I wouldn't use a mindtrain on my own vehicle unless I had no choice. For me it's RB or custom. I sold the system to someone who put it to good use, so it went to a good home. If I come across another I'm sure I'd list it for sale as well.

04-08-2009, 01:10 PM	#9
Kentetsu RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 530 Rep Power: 18	Jeff How sure are you that what you had was a genuine Mindtrain system? Any chance it had maybe been pieced together using some additional substandard parts? Your description goes against everything I've read, and the one system that I've seen in person does not match your description either.

04-14-2009, 04:43 PM	#10
Jeff20B Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 215 Rep Power: 18	It really looked a lot like the mindtrain systems I've seen online. It also did tend to sound ok outside and behind the car. It only sounded dumb in and under the car. That's why I sold it. A guy named Ben (on the forum; he's one of the Bens who've posted within the last year) bought it and really liked it. He posted a vid saying how quiet it was (showing the rear of the car). It really did sound ok in the video. I don't miss it. I'm glad it went to a good home.

05-01-2009, 03:21 PM	#12
JShiz ZOMG WTF BBQ!!! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mobile, Al Posts: 280 Rep Power: 18	That's a nice sounding exhaust. I'll be in the market for one by the end of summer

11-14-2009, 09:50 PM	#15
Teenwolf1393 Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 49 Rep Power: 0	thats the type of sound ive been looking for, for my gslse