aFe Takeda Cat-Back - Mazda3 Hatchback, Polished Tips

Mazda3 hatchback Takeda cat-back with polished tips

The aFe 49-37015-P Takeda cat-back fits the listed 2014-2018 Mazda3 hatchback gas 2.0L and 2.5L applications. It uses 2.5-inch mandrel-bent 304 stainless tubing, MIG welds, a 304 stainless muffler and a mitered merge collector. Two 4.5-inch polished 304 stainless clamp-on tips carry laser-etched Takeda logos. The original exhaust must be cut.

Key Features

• Selected aFe part 49-37015-P.
• Hatchback only; no sedan approval is inferred.
• 2.5-inch 304 stainless tubing with MIG welds and a 304 stainless muffler.
• Two 4.5-inch polished 304 stainless tips; exact related-tip listing gives 2.5-inch inlet and 7-inch length.
• Uses factory mounting locations and retained rubber isolation mounts.
• Cutting is required; the brace-completion gap must be resolved before work.

Fitment

The exact manufacturer table lists 2014-2018 gas 2.0L and 2.5L, with an explicit hatchback-only restriction. The full exact-part named table confirms all eight original groups and restores Touring for 2017-2018. Every row is conditional on hatchback body and the correct listed engine; no sedan, turbo, later generation or unsupported year is inferred.

Specifications

What's Included

• The 49-37015-P kit includes one muffler 05-145984, mid-pipe #1 05-145985, mid-pipe #2 05-145986, Y-pipe 05-145987, one driver tailpipe 05-145988, one passenger tailpipe 05-145989, five 2.5-inch bands 05-41061, two M10 cap screws 03-50493, two M10 flange nuts 03-50189, one new gasket 05-46420 and two selected polished tips 49T25454-P07. Other finish rows are alternatives, not six extra tips.
• Retain factory rubber isolators, original cut-mid-pipe attachment nuts, factory crush-style gasket and original O2 sensor. The new Y-pipe gasket is a distinct supplied seal.
• The guide calls for tip band attachment but does not separately assign additional tip-band part numbers or quantities. Confirm actual supplied tip fasteners rather than inventing extra loose clamps.

About aFe Power

aFe Power develops application-specific intake, filtration, exhaust, cooling, tuning, suspension, drivetrain, and truck-performance components supported by product testing and documented installation requirements.

Related Parts

• Exact selected manufacturer hatchback application and cutting requirement
• Complete selected 24-step guide, bill and original-pipe cutting image
• Own linked intake-plus-cat-back dyno with stated limitations
• Full exact-part named application table
• Shop cat-back exhaust systems

FAQ

It is a muffler-equipped 304 stainless cat-back with two polished tips for the listed Mazda3 hatchbacks. Cutting the original exhaust is required.

No. The exact manufacturer explicitly restricts this system to hatchback models. Named trim matches do not override body and engine restrictions.

one muffler 05-145984, mid-pipe #1 05-145985, mid-pipe #2 05-145986, Y-pipe 05-145987, one driver tailpipe 05-145988, one passenger tailpipe 05-145989, five 2.5-inch bands 05-41061, two M10 cap screws 03-50493, two M10 flange nuts 03-50189, one new gasket 05-46420 and two selected polished tips 49T25454-P07. Other finish rows are alternatives, not six extra tips.

Cutting the original exhaust is required. The selected guide removes the factory mid-pipe first, secures it in a vise, then marks 2.5 inches from the hanger rods next to the catalytic converter using reference image 1. Cut and deburr the removed pipe, then refit it with the original two nuts. Confirm the actual illustrated hanger reference before an irreversible cut; this is not a measurement from a converter weld or a new-pipe trim.

The complete selected 24-step guide removes both center braces but never prints their reinstallation or final disposition. Obtain the correct aFe and vehicle-service completion instructions before disassembly; this omission does not authorize operating with braces absent, and no invented selected-manual restoration step is presented.

Retain the original O2 sensor, reinstall it and reconnect its harness as step 19 specifies. Reuse the factory crush-style gasket at mid-pipe #2, while using the separate new supplied gasket and M10 hardware at the Y-pipe. No sensor delete or coding procedure is authorized.

Align the complete system with safe clearance, then tighten evenly front to rear. Use 40-45 ft-lb only for appropriate bands, with correct separate O2, brace, flange and tip settings. Retighten all clamps and hardware after 50-100 miles.

The primary claims up to +5 hp/+7 lb-ft. Its own linked 2018 Mazda3 chart compares a red Takeda intake with PDS plus cat-back run against blue original intake/original exhaust, so it does not isolate the cat-back. At 4,167 rpm the differences are +5.30 hp (102.32 versus 97.02) and +6.68 lb-ft (128.96 versus 122.28). Separate maxima differ by +0.32 hp (127.68 at 5,970 versus 127.36 at 6,160 rpm) and +3.25 lb-ft (129.12 at 4,190 versus 125.87 at 3,210 rpm). Baseline February 14, 2020 10:46:58 AM SAE 0.99 and modified August 24, 2020 7:55:46 AM SAE 1.03 have different dates and conditions. Both specify 2,500-rpm start, third gear and Sport mode; blade fan is printed only for baseline. Exact engine size, selected MPN and tip finish are not identified by the chart. No isolated exhaust, every-engine or finish-specific gain is guaranteed.

Installation Instructions

1. Confirm aFe 49-37015-P against the exact vehicle and installed equipment. Inventory the actual components and follow the selected manufacturer instructions and current vehicle service requirements.
2. Resolve the omitted center-brace completion instructions with aFe and the exact vehicle service information before work. Cool the vehicle, use specified support positions and independently support the original exhaust. Leave the new joints loose until alignment.
3. The guide removes two center braces, then the original muffler and four hanger rods. Listed 12, 10 and 14 mm values are tool sizes, not torque settings. Retain all original brace hardware pending the confirmed completion procedure.
4. Unplug the O2 harness under the rear splash guard and release its frame clip; retain the original sensor. Remove the factory mid-pipe and its hanger rods.
5. Cutting the original exhaust is required. The selected guide removes the factory mid-pipe first, secures it in a vise, then marks 2.5 inches from the hanger rods next to the catalytic converter using reference image 1. Cut and deburr the removed pipe, then refit it with the original two nuts. Confirm the actual illustrated hanger reference before an irreversible cut; this is not a measurement from a converter weld or a new-pipe trim.
6. Install the muffler, mid-pipe #1 and mid-pipe #2 using the supplied 2.5-inch bands. Reuse the factory crush-style gasket at mid-pipe #2.
7. Install the Y-pipe with the supplied new gasket and two M10 screw/nut pairs. Fit one driver and one passenger tailpipe with factory rubber isolators and supplied bands, then the two selected polished tips.
8. Reinstall the original O2 sensor and reconnect its harness. Complete the confirmed brace and vehicle-service requirements before operation; the printed guide omits that completion step.
9. Align safely clear of wires, hoses, brake lines, body and tires. Tighten front to rear with appropriate band torque of 40-45 ft-lb and correct separate fastener settings. Check and repair leaks, lower safely and retighten all clamps and hardware after 50-100 miles.

California Proposition 65 warning: this product can expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm.