I just joined max.org last night, been lurking for a few weeks. I'm ready to buy a y-pipe, and have read all the search material. I guess I'm just a little obsessive and wanted some feedback on my deductions from the search on Budget vs WSP (Stillen loud and too expensive, and Catman good but too expensive)

Budget - shipped $40-$55 (depending on group deal or not) cheaper for non-mandrel (mandrel not available), looks good, fits perfect, good gains, a bit of extra noise that most don't mind, stainless

WSP - some have had mild fitment problems, $40-$55 more for non mandrel aluminized, $70-$85 more if mandrel bent aluminized. questionable better gains with mandrel bent


I don't care about about SS (live in Mississipi and my car is 6 1/2 yrs old already), I'm concerned about any fitment issues, as I can't do it myself, and don't know anyone in the business (plan on shopping around for quotes), really don't want extra annoying noise at less than WOT, can afford to pay a bit more, but I tend to prefer having more money as opposed to less.

1) Does mandrel really give more hp - some say the WSP pipes vary to < 2" at some point anyway? (if more hp, I'm going WSP mandrel)

2) Does the Budget pipe really make more noise/is it annonying? (if so WSP)

3) Has WSP fixed fitment issues, or has it ever had any? (if so considering budget)

4) Can WSP acutally be contacted (left pager to lady 2-3 wks ago and e-mailed 1 1/2 wks ago with no response)

All input appreciaeted, sorry for long post - I have 96 5-spd with JWT popcharger, FSTB, tokiko/eibach, borbet H Potenza 225/55/16

 

1. it might make a very slight difference. i wouldn't make a big deal out of it.

2. it growls a little and is still silent at part throttle. slight hiss sound, again barely noticeable.

3. my budget pipe fit perfectly.

4. i called budget and jeff@budget hooked me up that minute.

 

I have a warpspeed mandrel bent aluminized Y pipe and I love the gains and had no fitment issues. Give Dan or Dallas a call you will not be dissappointed.

 

I agree, as for your concerns.... fitment should not be a issue, the mandrel will give slightly higher gains, not a lot though, and Dallas is great. Try to call there 866 # again, they are always helpful, but very busy, they get 100+ emails a day, and I doubt budget does. That should tell you something.

 

I will give you a little more info on the performance and noise of the Budget pipe after next weekend.
I am going to do some stock runs tomorrow and then get the pipe installed next week and then I am going back to the track to test.
I have heard of noise problems from all pipes as well as no noise from all pipes.
Price is the kicker Warpspeed is 225 for mandrel bent aluminized steel, Budget is 170 for non-mandrel bent 304 Stainless.
I don't think there any decision for me because I live about 1/2 hr from Budget and they install for free. I am also going to get the Budget Cat-back it is going to sell for around 250 and should be in production soon.
I have had difficulty getting hold of Warpseed as well, seems they are always busy.

 

tyrotrader, No pressure to buy from us, but I do have a clarification to your posting. There is no way our y-pipes vary in length. ALL are welded in a jig. It has to fit or we don't sell them. Try this e-mail address if you have difficulty getting ahold of Dallas.

bmfjeep@direcpc.com

To quote him" I have been busier than a one legged man in a kick fight"

Dan WSP

 

Thanks all for the input.
Correction, I just noticed that Dallas did e-mail me back after a week or so. He recommended the b-pipe fix also ($75 with resonator) - not sure if this is worth 2hp? (any better estimates?). He also quotes 18-20 hp with their y-pipe. The Budget Pipe looks like a very good option (especially if you get free installation), but I'll probably go with WSP for a little better performance and quietest ride (not for patriotism as my car was made in Nagasaki (or some other N-city), JPN

Any feedback - subjective or objective on adding the b-pipe? ie pain to install/little return, or easy install with measurable gain?

 

I am getting my Budget Y pipe installed on Monday. Will let you know how it feels and sounds.

 

Cheaper. More money for other mods
Stillen and Cattman - Paying 80% for the name.
They all rust. Period.
The gain for "Mandrel" bent is minimal.
NO fitment problems. Mine lined right up perfectly. Included all gaskets.
Barely any noise (if you have a CAI you wont hear it at all, specially if you keep the stock exhaust)
A$$loads of power.
Extremely nice sales personnel.
You can get ahold of them.
(just because someone has alot of phone calls or emails doesnt mean they have a better product)

Just my .02

 

all i have to say is dallas and dan have been great in helping me, and i have never heard of any sensible disadvantages in the warpspeed pipe.

oh, yeah...how does 4 YEAR RUST THROUGH WARRANTY SOUND?!

just spend the money and get the warpspeed!!

 

budget all the way. 175 for stainless steel? trust me its worth it regardless of where u are why would u buy a pipe lasting u like 3 years? no question you wont even feel the difference between mandrel and non. take advantage of the free shipping and currency difference!

 

Sorry, have to stick with warpspeed here. It kicked @ss when I put it in, non fitment issues. Buget? I though they were the ones with fitment problems, I dont think they have a lined flex section either. So even though I have only had one its a good one, and i'll stick by warpspeed.

 

budget y pipe, im on a money issue so that was a big deciding factor, and when everything is compared to bang for the buck, budget has never had one fitment issue, and has gains like all the rest.

i will not say anything about warspeed cuz i never have had experience with them, but its gotta be saying something when EVERYONE talks about about great the service is, and they are willing to fix any problems that might occur. its up to you, but like i said, if money is an issue, budget is the answer.

 

if u really want to save money - i say go for the non mandrel bent aluminized steel pipe from WSP - the slight differences in the bends shouldn't make too much of a big deal when it comes to exhaust flow..........and u wont have to worry about rust since the aluminized pipes come with 4 year warranties

 

This is for the third generation ypipes but the people at budget stopped making y pipe for us because they was having trouble making them. He would not sell me a pipe because he didn't know when or if they were going to resolve the issues. Even though this is for third gens, for me it causes doubt in all their work.

On the flipside of the coin, warpspeed has been noted for its customer service but i ordered my y pipe from them a little more than 2 weeks ago and it hasn't arrived yet. I emailed them and they told me that they were back logged with prototypes. Granted he replied with in a few hours of my email, it would make sense to notify customers if their orders aren't going to be shipped in time.

Warpspeed better quality, budget better price. Everything is up in air.

 

In my search I noted that the budget website has the pipe dyno'ed with a budget cat and synthetic fluid at 176.3 hp http://budgetexhaust.com (click on maxima parts and then dyno), WSP on link from earlier thread posted 164 hp (a gnats hair better than catman). From what I've heard the cat back should have added more that 5-8 hp at most. Are dyno's really that inconsistent, is there more than meets the eye? I also noted a link to another maxima site that did an "upclose" look at the budget pipe that was fairly favorable (forgot where link was).
http://www.geocities.com/breaux124/dyno.html
Anyway, seems hard to guess the gains on the budget is less based on this.

Any thoughts on getting the b-pipe fix?

I look forward to the followup after y'alls installs

 

hmm... well, I don't have a pipe myself at this particular moment, but, I have friends that do and here's the result

1) Greg has Cattman, and it's a really good pipe from what I understand, I've heard him race w/ it and it sounds really good, no hissing noises or anything, so if you have the $$$ then get that (paying mostly for name)

2) Shaun aka SudZ (that posts 24x7 ) has Warpspeed and I saw the pipe, it looks good, and I don' think he had any fitment issues, don't remember at least, BUT he definatly has hissing sounds coming from the pipe, he doesn't mind that kind of noise but it is definatly there. one way that I noticed that is comparing it to budget one on mark's car (bellow) the same day.

3) Mark aka iwannabmw has Budget, he ordered it not even 2 months ago, no fitment issues that I know off, and when I was in the car the pipe sounded very similarly to the Cattman's pipe that Greg has and had no hissing sound

conclusion: Get Budget Y-pipe

Vinipux


p.s. these are my personal observations, so don't jump and say that your warpspeed doesn't make any noise, when you have 2 cars next to each other w/ the same mods and listen to them then you can say something

 

come to think of it, i really don't know how loud of a sound you describe as "hissing." my pipe is barely audible. all you hear is more burble from the exhaust. it's still silent at cruise with the stock exhaust. as for the bees in the can sound, i don't know how that's supposed to sound. all i can say is whatever sound is coming from the pipe (hiss or bees) you can only hear reflecting off a cement wall less than 5 ft away, under throttle with your window wide open and foot to the throttle. you can't go wrong with the budget pipe in my opinion. it works just fine.

 

website reads 275 dollars, wsp does it for 225, or am I missing a group deal with budget?

 

they are located in canada, so convert that into american dollars and that's your $175 shipped

 

Did you get your install today? Are you a happy cat? Do let us all know of your impressions.

 

You have stock exhaust? Did you notice any change in sounds after adding the y pipe??

 

Actually the deal is much sweeter now, the T-304 Stainless Steel is now $175 US. This is not on the website yet it hasn't been updated but it was posted here by Budget and they will quote you that over the phone as well. If you are close enough to drive they will install for that price as well.

 

I ordered mine from Dallas at warpspeed last week. I personally feel completely comfortable with paying a little more just on the merits of customer service. Dallas was very forthcoming and honest when we spoke on the phone. Granted, it is pretty difficult to get him on the phone right now, but once you do you will not be dissapointed. I have also spoke briefly to his sister, and she seems to be from the same mold. I personally know the downfalls of dealing with companies that have decent products but terrible customer service. I also know from personal experience that customer service is probably what separate the men from the boys. So far, I have nothing but good things to say about warpspeed. The products may be similar, but the customer service is totally different. I know that Dallas is dedicated to the Maxima crowd and has been for a long time now and that in itself means a great deal to me.

BTW, dyno results can be quoted in all sorts of different lights. When it's all said and done, actual real world performance is what really counts. Ask around and see who is happy with theirs and who isn't, that is probably a better measure of overall performance than just dollars and cents. I am willing to bet that if there was ever a problem with my Y that Dallas and warpspeed would do the right thing.

 

I agree with you on that, I will be ordering a WSP Y-pipe in a month or so...

 

If you can't get them on the phone or get them to answer emails, I hardly call that customer service unless the definition has changed since I went to school. I ordered a CAI and waited two months and then cancelled the order and it took me over 3 weeks to get the order in because no one would answer the phone.
Each to their own.

 

Either way, we all should be very grateful for Budget. Competition is good. Ex. There was no ~$200 Warpspeed Y-Pipe until Budget came along.

 

I can't wait to get my tax return. Decisions, decisions.

 

That's kinda odd because they answered both my emails and phone calls. I guess if you had that experience with them then you don't have the best taste about them in your mouth. Fortunately I got a response to both my inquiries and as a matter of fact got a follow-up call just yesterday to tell me the status of my order.

 

Maybe they changed their operation in the last couple of weeks, because I made numerous phone calls, left messages etc. I got the phone to answer once, I placed my order, then after two or three more weeks I queried and got a response from Dan who said they were behind etc etc. After 6 weeks I tried to cancel my order, same thing no response, left messages, no replies, finally I send another email saying to cancel my order. I still don't know if its cancelled or not because I haven't heard. I am not badmouthing WSP this is just my experience. I know they are busy, I hear that all the time, but if you are too busy to answer phone calls and emails then business is going to suffer.

I called Budget this morning and got Jeff on the phone after 3 rings.

 

We are updating our website currently to a shopping cart style site which should help with ordering. We hope to have it up and running in about 3 weeks and are working on it now.

I know we miss a few calls, there have been a few that I just could not make out the number and some that talked so long when they left the number the machine had quit recording.

I was looking at the aluminized steel non mandrel bent Y pipe that I have on my Maxima the other day, it still looks like it did the day I put it on more than 10 months ago, even with an unlined flex section there is still no hiss or bees in a can sound (design tweak from 11 months ago)(we only sell lined ones, real quiet and better flow rates).

Those of you that put on 304 stainless are going to notice your once bright shiney pipe is now tobacco brown. If you spent the money to polish it, polished tobacco brown. That is one of the bad things about stainless, it discolors with heat and also work hardens, which means heat makes it harder and more brittle. Those are the main reasons we sell almost 95% of our Y pipes in Made in USA aluminized steel and back them up with a 4 year no rust through warranty.

Thanks again, we appreciate all of your support and enjoy talking with the many of you that call and those that we meet at the local dyno meets. I just got off the phone with a Maxima owner in Germany needing a system so there are a few that do get through.

Dallas