I have the 1st gen WSP ypipe, non-mandrel bent one. I ordered a new lined flex section from WSP which supposed to be better. I took the new flex section to a local muffler shop to have it install. I'm no welding expert, but even I can tell the welding wasn't really good. The ypipe had a buzzing kind of sound to it. Sounded like something was leaking out, air I suppose. I took some header wrap and wrapped the two spot where it was welded. The buzzing sound decreased, but it's still there. I wondering could this affect boost? The car feel strong, but not as strong as I thought it would feel. Comments? I'm thinking of getting a new ypipe.

 

It could be an air leak , if you are planning on keeping this Y-pipe i would bring it back to the muffler shop that welded it ...

 

sounds like my problem. listen to it closely and see where the buzzing is coming from. mine is from the gasket between the cat and y-pipe. a new gasket you fix mine easily but if yours is where the flex was welded then you need to have a shop re-weld it.

 

Cumalot, put your car on jackstands or get her up on a hoist. Look for any small holes on the welds, flanges. If there is black soot, you have a leak. The new lined flex section should be very quiet. Makes me think you have a leak. You can always start her up while on hoist, it should be pretty easy to pinpoint problem then. Good luck.

Dan WSP

 

if your thinking about any more HP.. PM sx7r he has a y-pipe that would help you greatly

IF you want another

But you could easily fix the flex section of this one. and yes exhuast leaks = lost HP

 

Thanks. I should have sent my ypipe to you guys to have the flex section installed. Doh!

 

Now that I think about it, when I put the header wrap on the welds, there was some black stuff on it. I thought the welds suppose to look like that. Great...

 

What is your question Mike? What do you mean 'affect boost'? An exhaust leak won't affect your performance in any way if that is what you are asking.

 

It doesn't affect performance? Are you sure?

 

I don't understand why it would affect performance either. It's an emissions issue, that's for sure, but a performance issue? Why would it be?

-Sryth...
__________________________________________________ ____________________________
'98 SE 5spd, Pebble Beige, PRCAI, Stillen Y, Stillen FSTB, ACT clutch.
Pacesetter STS to be installed this week!

 

Pretty sure. If anything, it might help! It's just like having a more free-flowing exhaust. It's more of a problem as far as pollution (if your leak is before the cat) and sound - but not affected/decreased performance.

 

An exhaust leak will most definitely affect performance if it is near an O2 sensor. Outside air can leak in (as well as exhaust leak out), and if the sensor detects it, the ECU will think the engine is running lean and correct the situation by enriching the mixture to the point that the engine can run very rich, causing poor idling, loss of power and bad gas mileage. Happened to me on two of my cars.

 

Removing the ypipe completely may help in the high end, but exhaust leaks defintely hurt performance. They basically create turbulence and decrease the overall velocity of the rest of the exhaust that isn't leaking (especially with boost). The best comparison I can make is trying to drink from a straw with a hole in it.

Regarding the WSP flex sections they are great. I have no reasonator, and my exhaust is still quiet with no "tinny" sounds or bees.
-hype