My findings on test pipe...
07-02-2006, 04:00 PM
#1
My findings on test pipe...
Before when I was going to buy a test pipe, people were telling me it was not a good idea, or that it will make my car sound alot louder, etc. My stock cat was bad... well I think it was, but its very rusted, and looks like shiet. I have stainless steel y-pipe and cat-back so I wanted something shiny in between them, and not this huge thing of rust connecting them. I know your prolly saying who cares no1 see's under the car, but for my own good it bothered the hell outta me just knowing there was something so rusted under there.....
Now I am not trying to get people to buy test pipes or anything , and I discourage people from using test-pipes as it is harmful for the enviornment, but I thought I would educate anyone that may be interested in a test-pipe.
Anyways to my findings:
I installed this test pipe: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stain...spagenameZWD1V I didnt get it off ebay, but I got it off a member here on the org, and it is the same exact thing. Taking off my old cat was easy, as i had new bolts on both sides from doing my y-pipe last year, and my cat-back just a month or 2 ago. Once that was off I noticed there was no nuts with the bolts that I got, so I had to go and buy some. I also later found the bolts were too big, and would not allow for proper fitmet of the test-pipe. After buying some smaller bolts and nuts I got the test pipe on good enough to drive. There is a small tiny leak but ill worry to fix it later.
Once I got it on I started the car. I was suprised what I found. My exhaust tone was not really changed at all.... It may have gotten a tiny bit deeper and louder... but not enough for me to agree when people say a test pipe makes your car alot louder. BTW I have a greddy sp2 cat-back and a budget Y-pipe prior to doing this test pipe. So for anyone who says it will make your car louder, I cannot agree with you, as I notice no change in my exhaust tone. The test pipe I got was like adding another resonator. So getting rid of a cat and putting the resonated test pipe in did not produce any real exhaust tone changes.
Now your wondering how bad does the exhaust smell? We have all smelled cars with no cats, they smell awful to some and good to others. But point being you can smell easily when a car has no cats. However in my case, I did not smell that smell. I had to sit behind my car for a good while to finally notice that smell... tho very faint it was. I thought the car would reak bad with no cat, but it does not. You really have to sit behind the car for some time with no wind around to notice the car has no cats. I was very happy with this because I thought it was going to smell bad.
Since I have not had my test pipe on long enough yet I cannot say, but can assume that my bumper will probably get black. However a weekly carwash will keep that from turning my bumer black around the exhaust pipe. So I aint worried about anything there.
Now for emmissions. Most people are worried about failing emissions with a test-pipe, and this may indeed happan but it all really depends on where you live. In IL they just scan your car for codes, and if you dont have any you pass... I have not taken my car for emmisions but when I do I will further back this up.
Butt dyno? People say adding in a test pipe adds no HP. Tho it may not I can honestly feel my car being more smooth at WOT. Its like I may have not added any HP but I made that dyno graph more smooth... ya know what I mean? Im sure this is just my mind thinking this because I expect to feel more power after replacing something... but nontheless I cannot say if it truly added power or speed for the 1/4. I will run my car very soon at the track, and see if I can beat my last time with y-pipe only. Tho this wont be very accurate either because I have not ran my car at the track with my new cat-back, so my new times will be test-pipe + cat-back
Thanks for reading this. Hope it helps anyone with questions on test-pipes.
Now I am not trying to get people to buy test pipes or anything , and I discourage people from using test-pipes as it is harmful for the enviornment, but I thought I would educate anyone that may be interested in a test-pipe.
Anyways to my findings:
I installed this test pipe: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stain...spagenameZWD1V I didnt get it off ebay, but I got it off a member here on the org, and it is the same exact thing. Taking off my old cat was easy, as i had new bolts on both sides from doing my y-pipe last year, and my cat-back just a month or 2 ago. Once that was off I noticed there was no nuts with the bolts that I got, so I had to go and buy some. I also later found the bolts were too big, and would not allow for proper fitmet of the test-pipe. After buying some smaller bolts and nuts I got the test pipe on good enough to drive. There is a small tiny leak but ill worry to fix it later.
Once I got it on I started the car. I was suprised what I found. My exhaust tone was not really changed at all.... It may have gotten a tiny bit deeper and louder... but not enough for me to agree when people say a test pipe makes your car alot louder. BTW I have a greddy sp2 cat-back and a budget Y-pipe prior to doing this test pipe. So for anyone who says it will make your car louder, I cannot agree with you, as I notice no change in my exhaust tone. The test pipe I got was like adding another resonator. So getting rid of a cat and putting the resonated test pipe in did not produce any real exhaust tone changes.
Now your wondering how bad does the exhaust smell? We have all smelled cars with no cats, they smell awful to some and good to others. But point being you can smell easily when a car has no cats. However in my case, I did not smell that smell. I had to sit behind my car for a good while to finally notice that smell... tho very faint it was. I thought the car would reak bad with no cat, but it does not. You really have to sit behind the car for some time with no wind around to notice the car has no cats. I was very happy with this because I thought it was going to smell bad.
Since I have not had my test pipe on long enough yet I cannot say, but can assume that my bumper will probably get black. However a weekly carwash will keep that from turning my bumer black around the exhaust pipe. So I aint worried about anything there.
Now for emmissions. Most people are worried about failing emissions with a test-pipe, and this may indeed happan but it all really depends on where you live. In IL they just scan your car for codes, and if you dont have any you pass... I have not taken my car for emmisions but when I do I will further back this up.
Butt dyno? People say adding in a test pipe adds no HP. Tho it may not I can honestly feel my car being more smooth at WOT. Its like I may have not added any HP but I made that dyno graph more smooth... ya know what I mean? Im sure this is just my mind thinking this because I expect to feel more power after replacing something... but nontheless I cannot say if it truly added power or speed for the 1/4. I will run my car very soon at the track, and see if I can beat my last time with y-pipe only. Tho this wont be very accurate either because I have not ran my car at the track with my new cat-back, so my new times will be test-pipe + cat-back
Thanks for reading this. Hope it helps anyone with questions on test-pipes.
07-02-2006, 04:40 PM
#2
i have had a test pipe on my car for a few yrs now and i have no issue wth it.
and i never wash my car and i dont have anything near a blk stain on my bumper. the only two issues i have with this is that my car back fires alot when its cold and on hot days ata light i can smell my exhaust but i like the smell so i dont care
and i never wash my car and i dont have anything near a blk stain on my bumper. the only two issues i have with this is that my car back fires alot when its cold and on hot days ata light i can smell my exhaust but i like the smell so i dont care
07-02-2006, 04:42 PM
#3
Good to hear some positives come from this. Or atleast no negatives, anyway. Still not something I'd personally do (I have a shiny y-pipe and cat-back with a rusted cat as well, and yes it bugs me), but good info nonetheless.
07-02-2006, 07:47 PM
#6
Did the one you get have the 2.25 inlet and 2.5 out? If so it is probably flowing worse than a stock cat, although probably better than a clogged cat.
I have seen many of these on eBay and have always seen mismatching diameters, some have O2 bungs some don't, seems like a crapshoot.
I have seen many of these on eBay and have always seen mismatching diameters, some have O2 bungs some don't, seems like a crapshoot.
07-03-2006, 07:20 AM
#7
The test pipe I run has an 02 bung.
In reality, i dont think the gains are that great, and mine does smell. The tone was a bit louder, not much but just a tad bit deeper.
Ive had it for quite some time now. I originally put it on after my cat failed. I drove with it for over a year before going back to a cat. convertor.
When I went boosted, I put the test pipeback on.
In reality, i dont think the gains are that great, and mine does smell. The tone was a bit louder, not much but just a tad bit deeper.
Ive had it for quite some time now. I originally put it on after my cat failed. I drove with it for over a year before going back to a cat. convertor.
When I went boosted, I put the test pipeback on.
07-03-2006, 07:35 AM
#8
i have a test pipe but no bung so i havent installed it yet. i have one in the greddy sp2 but its sized for the 97 bung and not the 95 bung, i wish i could use it...
udienow be careful breathing all that exhaust haha
udienow be careful breathing all that exhaust haha
07-03-2006, 07:55 AM
#9
Originally Posted by BEJAY1
You gonna install a resistor or something to avoid a P0136 code or similar? I'd hate to run around with the MIL on all the time.
Originally Posted by Fr33way
Did the one you get have the 2.25 inlet and 2.5 out? If so it is probably flowing worse than a stock cat, although probably better than a clogged cat.
I have seen many of these on eBay and have always seen mismatching diameters, some have O2 bungs some don't, seems like a crapshoot.
I have seen many of these on eBay and have always seen mismatching diameters, some have O2 bungs some don't, seems like a crapshoot.
Originally Posted by chillin014
udienow be careful breathing all that exhaust haha
07-03-2006, 07:57 AM
#10
00vi Equipped.......
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 187
Originally Posted by udienow
Before when I was going to buy a test pipe, people were telling me it was not a good idea, or that it will make my car sound alot louder, etc. My stock cat was bad... well I think it was, but its very rusted, and looks like shiet. I have stainless steel y-pipe and cat-back so I wanted something shiny in between them, and not this huge thing of rust connecting them. I know your prolly saying who cares no1 see's under the car, but for my own good it bothered the hell outta me just knowing there was something so rusted under there.....
Now I am not trying to get people to buy test pipes or anything , and I discourage people from using test-pipes as it is harmful for the enviornment, but I thought I would educate anyone that may be interested in a test-pipe.
Anyways to my findings:
I installed this test pipe: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stain...spagenameZWD1V I didnt get it off ebay, but I got it off a member here on the org, and it is the same exact thing. Taking off my old cat was easy, as i had new bolts on both sides from doing my y-pipe last year, and my cat-back just a month or 2 ago. Once that was off I noticed there was no nuts with the bolts that I got, so I had to go and buy some. I also later found the bolts were too big, and would not allow for proper fitmet of the test-pipe. After buying some smaller bolts and nuts I got the test pipe on good enough to drive. There is a small tiny leak but ill worry to fix it later.
Once I got it on I started the car. I was suprised what I found. My exhaust tone was not really changed at all.... It may have gotten a tiny bit deeper and louder... but not enough for me to agree when people say a test pipe makes your car alot louder. BTW I have a greddy sp2 cat-back and a budget Y-pipe prior to doing this test pipe. So for anyone who says it will make your car louder, I cannot agree with you, as I notice no change in my exhaust tone. The test pipe I got was like adding another resonator. So getting rid of a cat and putting the resonated test pipe in did not produce any real exhaust tone changes.
Now your wondering how bad does the exhaust smell? We have all smelled cars with no cats, they smell awful to some and good to others. But point being you can smell easily when a car has no cats. However in my case, I did not smell that smell. I had to sit behind my car for a good while to finally notice that smell... tho very faint it was. I thought the car would reak bad with no cat, but it does not. You really have to sit behind the car for some time with no wind around to notice the car has no cats. I was very happy with this because I thought it was going to smell bad.
Since I have not had my test pipe on long enough yet I cannot say, but can assume that my bumper will probably get black. However a weekly carwash will keep that from turning my bumer black around the exhaust pipe. So I aint worried about anything there.
Now for emmissions. Most people are worried about failing emissions with a test-pipe, and this may indeed happan but it all really depends on where you live. In IL they just scan your car for codes, and if you dont have any you pass... I have not taken my car for emmisions but when I do I will further back this up.
Butt dyno? People say adding in a test pipe adds no HP. Tho it may not I can honestly feel my car being more smooth at WOT. Its like I may have not added any HP but I made that dyno graph more smooth... ya know what I mean? Im sure this is just my mind thinking this because I expect to feel more power after replacing something... but nontheless I cannot say if it truly added power or speed for the 1/4. I will run my car very soon at the track, and see if I can beat my last time with y-pipe only. Tho this wont be very accurate either because I have not ran my car at the track with my new cat-back, so my new times will be test-pipe + cat-back
Thanks for reading this. Hope it helps anyone with questions on test-pipes.
Now I am not trying to get people to buy test pipes or anything , and I discourage people from using test-pipes as it is harmful for the enviornment, but I thought I would educate anyone that may be interested in a test-pipe.
Anyways to my findings:
I installed this test pipe: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stain...spagenameZWD1V I didnt get it off ebay, but I got it off a member here on the org, and it is the same exact thing. Taking off my old cat was easy, as i had new bolts on both sides from doing my y-pipe last year, and my cat-back just a month or 2 ago. Once that was off I noticed there was no nuts with the bolts that I got, so I had to go and buy some. I also later found the bolts were too big, and would not allow for proper fitmet of the test-pipe. After buying some smaller bolts and nuts I got the test pipe on good enough to drive. There is a small tiny leak but ill worry to fix it later.
Once I got it on I started the car. I was suprised what I found. My exhaust tone was not really changed at all.... It may have gotten a tiny bit deeper and louder... but not enough for me to agree when people say a test pipe makes your car alot louder. BTW I have a greddy sp2 cat-back and a budget Y-pipe prior to doing this test pipe. So for anyone who says it will make your car louder, I cannot agree with you, as I notice no change in my exhaust tone. The test pipe I got was like adding another resonator. So getting rid of a cat and putting the resonated test pipe in did not produce any real exhaust tone changes.
Now your wondering how bad does the exhaust smell? We have all smelled cars with no cats, they smell awful to some and good to others. But point being you can smell easily when a car has no cats. However in my case, I did not smell that smell. I had to sit behind my car for a good while to finally notice that smell... tho very faint it was. I thought the car would reak bad with no cat, but it does not. You really have to sit behind the car for some time with no wind around to notice the car has no cats. I was very happy with this because I thought it was going to smell bad.
Since I have not had my test pipe on long enough yet I cannot say, but can assume that my bumper will probably get black. However a weekly carwash will keep that from turning my bumer black around the exhaust pipe. So I aint worried about anything there.
Now for emmissions. Most people are worried about failing emissions with a test-pipe, and this may indeed happan but it all really depends on where you live. In IL they just scan your car for codes, and if you dont have any you pass... I have not taken my car for emmisions but when I do I will further back this up.
Butt dyno? People say adding in a test pipe adds no HP. Tho it may not I can honestly feel my car being more smooth at WOT. Its like I may have not added any HP but I made that dyno graph more smooth... ya know what I mean? Im sure this is just my mind thinking this because I expect to feel more power after replacing something... but nontheless I cannot say if it truly added power or speed for the 1/4. I will run my car very soon at the track, and see if I can beat my last time with y-pipe only. Tho this wont be very accurate either because I have not ran my car at the track with my new cat-back, so my new times will be test-pipe + cat-back
Thanks for reading this. Hope it helps anyone with questions on test-pipes.
Thats a high flow cat.
07-03-2006, 08:51 AM
#12
Originally Posted by maxgp1029
Thats a high flow cat.
07-03-2006, 09:56 AM
#13
Originally Posted by udienow
What is? What I show is not a hi flow cat... a kid could stick his whole hand through the pipe... theres nothing inside of it.
When I looked at my cat there wasn't ONE passage blocked and it's 2.5 through so I think it flows well. Just compare the test pipe or HF cats to the OEM and gains are what 1hp maybe? If you fit smaller tubing, especially at the inlet it is RESTRICTING flow, not a very complex idea.
I imagine since you said it was all rusty and everything that you probably did have blockage and you probably are making more power than the bad cat. I think you would be under or just equal to a clean OEM cat.
07-03-2006, 10:37 AM
#14
Originally Posted by Fr33way
In the eBay link it has 2.25 inlet, that's why I mentioned it.
When I looked at my cat there wasn't ONE passage blocked and it's 2.5 through so I think it flows well. Just compare the test pipe or HF cats to the OEM and gains are what 1hp maybe? If you fit smaller tubing, especially at the inlet it is RESTRICTING flow, not a very complex idea.
I imagine since you said it was all rusty and everything that you probably did have blockage and you probably are making more power than the bad cat. I think you would be under or just equal to a clean OEM cat.
When I looked at my cat there wasn't ONE passage blocked and it's 2.5 through so I think it flows well. Just compare the test pipe or HF cats to the OEM and gains are what 1hp maybe? If you fit smaller tubing, especially at the inlet it is RESTRICTING flow, not a very complex idea.
I imagine since you said it was all rusty and everything that you probably did have blockage and you probably are making more power than the bad cat. I think you would be under or just equal to a clean OEM cat.
If you think that the OEM cat flows better then a straight pipe your crazy.
Now the gains from the straight pipe wont be much over th OEM cat, around 1hp if that like you stated before. The oem cat isnt as restrictive as some might think. Due to the two precats in the oem Y pipe the OEM cat is made to be less restrictive.
07-03-2006, 10:40 AM
#15
hmm u got me there... i didnt think it really was 2.25 inlet but it says it right there... oh well its fine not like im boosted or nuttin. The thing was price for me. Hi-flow cat is over 100 bucks, I got this shipped for 35 bucks. But I still cant believe you when you say the stock good cat flows as good if not better then the test pipe... sorry...
07-03-2006, 12:11 PM
#16
test pipe with stock exh will throw code. With a ypipe and test pipe, it will no longer throw code. Same as aftermarket intake + test pipe (no code vs code with test pipe only). It's not that hard to trick the OBDII system
07-03-2006, 12:55 PM
#17
Originally Posted by Flava_24/7
If you think that the OEM cat flows better then a straight pipe your crazy.
Now the gains from the straight pipe wont be much over th OEM cat, around 1hp if that like you stated before. The oem cat isnt as restrictive as some might think. Due to the two precats in the oem Y pipe the OEM cat is made to be less restrictive.
Now the gains from the straight pipe wont be much over th OEM cat, around 1hp if that like you stated before. The oem cat isnt as restrictive as some might think. Due to the two precats in the oem Y pipe the OEM cat is made to be less restrictive.
I don't think it would flow any measurable amount better than an OEM cat in good condition. The whole thing is a moot point anyway
I'll just say this, I appreciate the original posters review of something I was curious about myself.
07-03-2006, 01:20 PM
#20
Originally Posted by Fr33way
Did the one you get have the 2.25 inlet and 2.5 out? If so it is probably flowing worse than a stock cat, although probably better than a clogged cat.
I have seen many of these on eBay and have always seen mismatching diameters, some have O2 bungs some don't, seems like a crapshoot.
I have seen many of these on eBay and have always seen mismatching diameters, some have O2 bungs some don't, seems like a crapshoot.
07-26-2006, 12:10 PM
#22
Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 34
I got a free test pipe along with my Y-pipe from budget and was wondering if it was worth it to put it on. I currently have no problems with my stock cat and figured i should just stick with it until it does go or i get bored. Should I just put it on while I am down there? And also, do you think I will have any problems passing inspection in NJ?
07-26-2006, 12:47 PM
#24
Originally Posted by MaximaSE96
the thing on eBay is just a mini resonator....see how it bulges out....a true test pipe is just a piece of pipe with flanges on it....the bulge is proll a perforated mini resonator
Mine doesn't even have an 02 sensor bung welded in...I gotta get that done.
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