Hey guys, in a few weeks, I'm gonna start looking into improving the performance of my max, and so far I've been looking into CAIs and Y-pipes. Now, my questions are:

1) What's the difference between the Warpspeed CAI and PRCAI? anything to justify the extra cost for PRCAI? (and I don't care about the engine bay looks, mine's already pretty ugly )

2) Is there any real justification for paying extra for the stainless steel Y-pipe over the regular one? And which Y-pipe brand has been the most successful for you guys? I know Cattman has some issues right now with collapsing flexes, but what about the others?

3) What kind of shops will install this stuff for me? And how much can I expect to pay for installation? I can't do it myself because I would like for my car to be able to run after the installation, and I don't trust myself.

Thanks.
97BlackMax

 

actually, I have another question:

is the benefit of a CAI much greater than the benefit of WAIs such as the JWT Intake or POP chargers?

 

I have a wspd Y pipe. Works great for me. Big diff in power over 3000 rpm. Even my wife noiticed . Stainless stell wil last longer esp if you live in an area where they use salt in the winters. Wspd also has great customer service. Installation of the Y pipe is easy but for the U joint socket needed to get to the front bolts. I have a JWT intake. No cutting needed. Really either intake is better over stock b/c you get more air in there. Although people with CAI say they've never gotten crap in the intake b/c of the location, I remain skeptical. I'm sure others can offer more info.

 

With all the talk of Y-pipe failures, I wouldn't spend too much on one. If you need one 3-4 years from now because of leak or failure, you won't feel bad about buying a new one. I personally spent just over $400 on mine but were I to do it again, I'd probably get a 304SS Budget pipe.

 

the only failures are from the crap-i mean- cattman flex sections. stillens were fine, wsp were fine, etc. i would the the aluminized Y from wsp for $225.

 

Ok, I've sorta scrapped the idea for a CAI for right now, decided I wasn't into drilling into my fender, and I might just get a JWT intake instead.

But does anyone know where I can get a Y-pipe installed and around how much it would be? Thanks. And anyone had any problems with the Budget Y-pipes?

 

anyone?

 

From all of the posts that I've read on y-pipes, it seems like the Budget Y is the best bang for your buck. Thats why I ordered one today
I think they said they're having a group deal right now for $250 CDN shipped...

As for installation, a friend who works at a shop is going to help me, so my labour is free. Call a local exhaust shop and see how much they'd charge to install one, im sure they'll give you a rough number.

 

Thanks for the info. And I saw in your sig that you had a flowmaster muffler...where'd you get it and about how much was it to put in? (product and installation, if any) I might be interested in a new exhaust system as well, and if I can get a straight "B" pipe and new muffler for fairly cheap, I might consider getting it put on if I get a "Y"...thanks.

 

I just bought the flowmaster at a local parts supplier, Im sure most places carry them. The muffler was about $100 CDN and i think the exhaust shop only charged me about $40 to weld it onto the stock hangers, etc.
The shop also cut the stock resonator out and made me a B-pipe for fairly cheap but I dont remember the exact amount.

 

Sorry for the million questions, but I'm fairly new to a lot of this, but are there any extra gains to a complete Greddy cat-back system compared to a no-name straight "B" pipe and muffler? Also, with the straight pipe, are there any problems (other than being illegal)? Like smell or anything like that? Thanks again.

 

I felt 0 gains using a 'no-name' B-pipe, Ie, a custom catback done by my local speedshop. Go for the b-pipe, I've heard up to 5hp from dat.

 

Unless the greddy system is mandrel bent stainless steel, I dont think there would be any gain from it (maybe 2-3 hp from the mandrel bend and more durability from the SS). I definately wouldnt waste the extra money on it.
I havent had any problems with my straight pipe.

 

thanks i don't plan on having my max for more than about 4 years, so durability isn't too much of an issue on the exhaust

thanks again.