ok, so on www.suprastore.com it says the test pipe adds 12hp. and its only like 70 bucks. does anybody have a test pipe and felt that much of a difference or is it bullshit?
test pipes
- Thread starter big idealist
- Start date
I had one and yes compared to the stock cat it adds good hp and higher rpm power band. I have change to a high flow cat made by titan motorsports because of emission testing. It is very simular performance but I lost a little high end.
dang... i didnt think it would make that much of a difference... so for straight up performance test pipe... and when you need a emissions test... keep the stock cat around 
Im getting a BIC Performance test pipe to go with the intake and downpipe that Randy made for me. But its definitely a good idea to keep the stock cat around for those once a year emission tests. I dont know about the states but in canada the first thing the inspector does before running the emissions is checks to see if there is a cat. If there isn't you get a ticket and you cant test your vehicle.
in my town... the one i live in... i know the guy that owns his shop... and haha i went to him for inspection and he just simply asked me... ya think itll pass? haha i said idk prolly... and he just signed some papers! haha pretty sweet livin in lil towns sometimes
big idealist said:
here there's less leeway. The state crackdown involves running the car with an exhaust sniffer, on camera (checked weekly by inspectors). Not as easy to get around anymore here.
But yes, test pipe is best for performance, cat is the only way to pass emissions, hi flow cats are almost comparable to a test pipe, but actual data sheets are lacking to show equivalency
dang... but what do you mean by data sheets are lacking to show equivalency?? sorry if i sound dumb but that made me lost...
big idealist said:
there aren't many dyno or time sheets to show that a test pipe makes more power than a high quality hiflow cat (random technologies), but it's assumed that the performance edge is given to the test pipe, due to it's design (straight pipe, nothing to hinder flow), whereas the cat has either ceramic or metal inside to block some flow while converting gasses to less harmful ones
it is a slight difference if ANY between the T pipe and a good high flow. Maybe it was just the weather change. HAHAH turbo cars with older turbos love colder weather
Never really worried about emmision laws...didn't think we still had em, lol. Here in Florida (miA) we have no such things...threw away the cat to la basura..no worries about the test pipe.
big idealist said:dang... i didnt think it would make that much of a difference... so for straight up performance test pipe... and when you need a emissions test... keep the stock cat around
Exactly.
Go to a local muffler shop, have them weld a straight piece of 3" metal pipe to two 3" flanges and you've got your test pipe. It's cheaper too. Just have them up your car up on a lift, take off cat, keep it, have them measure the new length needed from the down pipe to the cat back, weld, install, done. Congratulations, you now have a test pipe and saved money over buying one on the internet. :sarcasm:
starscream5000 said:
they cant do that around here. you need to tell them that your exhaust that you bought needs to be x" inches longer, and you need a pipe to extend it.
With a downpipe and a catback, its foolish to not have a high flow or a testpipe.
Or at least for the back Cat, do what I did. Take it off and gut it. Usually a hammer, long pole (probably 2') and 1/2" thick. I just knocked all the craps outta mine, and the front one since it has the long pipe off the back and the bend off the turbo up front, I let my brother have it and he cut the flange and bent it to the side as he then knocked all the crap out and welded it back for me.
I know not as great as a test pipe or whatnot but it's cheap.
I know not as great as a test pipe or whatnot but it's cheap.
cat doesn't hurt you and it saves the person behind you from smelling raw fuel when you go into boost...
hmmm sooo a test pipe is prolly the most hp... and cheap... but high flow cat would save some trouble, how much for one? arent they expensive? cuz i think i would save myself money and just get the test pipe