Sprint

iTrader: (10)

before i blame my Warpspeed Y pipe.. i was hoping that you could offer me a couple suggestions...

I have for modifications, PR Cold Air Intake and Warpspeed Y Pipe..

my problem is i am not getting much power after 4500 rpm.. it seems to drop..

my cousin has a 97 5spd with a stillen y pipe and at high speed he just starts to walk away from me.

I have 83k miles now..

Plugs and Fuel Filter were changed at 70,000 miles..

the engine feels hot, however the temp gauge is normal a little below half..

Any suggestions would be appreciated

SWEETSOUND2001

iTrader: (30)

Could it be that there is a loss of power due to the cold air intake because the air velocity at high speed decreases as it goes through long cai tubing?
BrianV switched back to stillen intake and he says his top end went back up. CAI does have more midrange gains however.

Dahnryman

i think hes on to something

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

I switched my CAI to short setup and still no difference

Dahnryman

guess you could buy the stillen and well the warpspeed?

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

i seriously want to change my y pipe.. but i wanted to hear any suggestions daniel might have before i make that change

Daniel B. Martin

I have very little knowledge of these mods, so I'll answer as if your engine was stock.

Your engine makes good power at low rpm but gets weak at high rpm. This could be caused by a partially clogged air cleaner filter or an obstruction in the exhaust system. Either problem interferes with the engine's ability to "breathe" and this would be more noticeable at high speeds.

The air filter should have been replaced at 60K miles. An obstructed exhaust might be revealed by an intake manifold vacuum test or an exhaust system backpressure test.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

Thanks Daniel.. after speaking with medsonic i am leaning towards the exhaust obstruction theory.. any more information you can provide on diagnosing this would be great

Daniel B. Martin

I found several bits of advice for diagnosing an exhaust obstruction. Each is given here with the source. Some speak of the Catalytic Converter being plugged because that is the most common cause of an obstructed exhaust system, but the problem could also be a crushed pipe or a defective muffler.

From http://www.misterfixit.com/cat.htm

You can do a vacuum check at idle and then at 1500 RPM. If the vacuum is say 21 inches at idle and like 15 inches at 1500 then the cat is likely clogged.


From http://www.ghg.net/fastlaw/vacuum.html

Blipping engine speed ... Quick drop to zero then return to
normal reading indicates that the Muffler is clear.
Blipping engine speed ... Slow drop of pointer then slow return
to normal reading indicates that the Muffler is choked or blocked.


From http://www.turbotektoys.com/_TipsDisc/00000007.htm

Connect vacuum gauge, run car at 2500 RPM. If the converter is plugged, the vacuum will slowly drop. A one minute test is plenty of time.


From http://www.2carpros.com/topics/catcon.htm

To test for a plugged converter, drill a small hole in the exhaust pipe right before the catalytic converter. Install a temporary hose fitting and attach a long rubber hose and a 0 to 10 pound pressure gauge. With the gauge inside the car, drive up a hill or accelerate and read the pressure. Normal is 2 to 3 pounds, restricted 4 pounds or higher. The drawback to this method is the small hole will need to be welded shut after the test; a minor job if you have a welder.

Sprint

iTrader: (10)

Thanks for all your help Daniel

GTRBlkMax97

iTrader: (1)

Flip the switch and hit that NOS button and he shouldn't walk on you

breaux124

iTrader: (1)

Does your Warpspeed Y-pipe still sound like a loud weed wacker? I've been trying to get mine fixed or replaced, but no luck.

I've quit trying to talk to warpspeed and I'm going to buy a cattman Y-pipe.

SC99MaxSELmtd

I believe all three pipes - WS, Stillen, and Cattman have problems with the flex section. It sounds as if the one to go with is the one with the best customer service to fix the problem. I'm going with the Stillen based on sound, since i believe quality and hp gain is about equal in all three.

breaux124

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, but most Y-pipes have bees in the can, which I've personally heard. My flex section had an actually leak, which makes it loud at all speeds. It's easily heard even over my CAI.

deezo

iTrader: (3)

I was going to say the same thing.

Sprint: Talk to BrianV.