Where to find de-cat pipe?
Discussion
I am trying to locate a de-cat pipe but don't want one with the canister on it. A used one would be good and a used one in the US would be great! Otherwise can anyone direct me to a retailor that sells these? Anyone know how difficult it would be to have an exhaust shop make one in stainless?
Thanks
John
94 S4
www.skynetworks.gotdns.com
Thanks
John
94 S4
www.skynetworks.gotdns.com
Htown said:
I purchased a Quicksilver test-pipe from...
http://foxvalleymotorcars.com/
Craig
How much did they get you for it?
Jim
jk1 said:
How much did they get you for it?
Jim
I can't quite remember how much it was, it's been a few years...What I DO remember though was my reaction when opening the package....I paid how much for pipe bends!? If I had to do it again, I would have had it made locally. I had the Motoconcept rh exit sports exhaust at the time, and it was WAAAAYYYY TOO LOUD....like import racer loud. Now I have the factory downpipe gutted with Neil Micklewright's exhaust...sounds much much better.
Craig
Anyone know if the oem flanges/connections are common? I imagine that may be a problem if I were to have one custom made.
John
94 S4
www.skynetworks.gotdns.com
John
94 S4
www.skynetworks.gotdns.com
techspy said:
Anyone know if the oem flanges/connections are common? I imagine that may be a problem if I were to have one custom made.
John
94 S4
www.skynetworks.gotdns.com
No, they are not special....
one of the hundreds of shops that carry flanges...
http://burnsstainless.com/Hardware/HeadFlanges/headflanges.html
Craig
I have seen the turbo flange available in stainless from some of the suppliers. Sorry I don't have them bookmarked/handy right now, but I know they are made. Maybe Burns Stainless or one of the turbo parts suppliers. It isn't that odd ball, really. I have the CAD work done to have them waterjet cut except for the bevel, which I would have to cut on my lathe. If I recall, the turbo flange was in the U$40-60 range in 1/2" 304, wherever it was I saw them. I don't know about the other side that connects to the muffler (after the EBPV). Haven't taken mine off to draw it out. Elbows in 304 for this might run $40 each. I haven't priced them in a while. You would need 2 or 3, and some straight. And the end of the tube that goes up against the turbo itself has a bell on it to fit inside the flange bevel. I hadn't figured out a way to do that in my shop with my existing technology. Plus you will need at least one 304 O2 sensor bung (OEM has 2) at maybe $5-10 ea.
The real costs in this are legal liability arena. I don't want to start a discussion on it, but whoever sells these has to cover their back side six ways from Sunday with disclaimers, etc., and even at that there is still substantial risk. The EPA shut down all the "test pipes" 20 years ago. I certainly would not want to be in the middle of that one.
So, add up all the costs, throw in the risks, add a reasonable profit margin (or there is no point in it) and if the total comes to three bills, there you go.
Dr.Hess
The real costs in this are legal liability arena. I don't want to start a discussion on it, but whoever sells these has to cover their back side six ways from Sunday with disclaimers, etc., and even at that there is still substantial risk. The EPA shut down all the "test pipes" 20 years ago. I certainly would not want to be in the middle of that one.
So, add up all the costs, throw in the risks, add a reasonable profit margin (or there is no point in it) and if the total comes to three bills, there you go.
Dr.Hess
Just have one custome made. ~$125 in parts. It is just 2.5" piping, but it flanges out to 3.5" at the turbo and the catback (Neil Mickelwright catback exhaust I have). Flanges I used were thick 3.5" 3-bolt flanges.
And they are called "off road pipes" now.
>> Edited by NJGSX96 on Wednesday 24th August 00:53
And they are called "off road pipes" now.
>> Edited by NJGSX96 on Wednesday 24th August 00:53
Is a straight pipe vs. a good hi flow cat (Random Technologies, etc.) really that much better?
Also, what about the environmental impact? I know, I know...
My Honda recently failed emissions with a NOx of 2000 parts (1200 allowed).
I replaced the cat with one from Summit and it went down to 38!!
I'm willing to lose 2 HP for a car that runs that much cleaner.
Just a second opinion...
Lucas.
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Also, what about the environmental impact? I know, I know...
My Honda recently failed emissions with a NOx of 2000 parts (1200 allowed).
I replaced the cat with one from Summit and it went down to 38!!
I'm willing to lose 2 HP for a car that runs that much cleaner.
Just a second opinion...
Lucas.
Been a few years since I followed MR2 world, but I recall that people who tried it on the dyno reported no difference between no cat and a stock OEM Toyota cat in good condition, at least on the turbo cars. Now, a 16 year old English cat is a different story.
While I didn't dyno it, I had a straight through exhaust on my 20v and went to a cat with an actual muffler. I couldn't tell any difference by seat of the pants. I could hear the radio after the change, though, and the wife didn't demand ear plugs to ride in the car.
Dr.Hess
While I didn't dyno it, I had a straight through exhaust on my 20v and went to a cat with an actual muffler. I couldn't tell any difference by seat of the pants. I could hear the radio after the change, though, and the wife didn't demand ear plugs to ride in the car.
Dr.Hess
karmavore said:
Is a straight pipe vs. a good hi flow cat (Random Technologies, etc.) really that much better?
In the Esprit it does "feel" faster and it "seems" to spool quicker. I have no real data, other than it is a little louder, to back that up though.
When I had my 1996 Eclipse GSX, it had a full 3" exhaust with 3" high flow cat. I switched to a 3" test pipe and noticed no gain, heard little difference but that next week at the track I ran almost 2MPH quicker in the 1/4 mile, consistently with no other changes. I was able to back those results up week after week.
Other than that, biggest benefit to removing the catcon is the ability to run race gas. Race gas + fuel tuning = ability to run more boost!!!! Too bad the Esprit isn't as easy to work with. I am sure I could wire up a piggyback to adjust fuel but it would be pointless with the boost limit in the ECU.
Pardon my ignorance of the Esprit but if you just want to decat, cant you pop down to advance or napa and get some straight pipe, a couple of band clamps and just cut the cat out of its pipe and clamp in the straight section. It would be a lot cheaper (<$50) than fabricating a whole new section from the turbo through to the cat back.
If you get the decent band clamps from napa that are about 2" wide thin sheet metal that as you clamp it down somewhat moulds itself to the pipe you can get a good seal as they don’t rely on clamping one pipe onto the other to seal, but rather seal themselves onto each pipe.
If you get the decent band clamps from napa that are about 2" wide thin sheet metal that as you clamp it down somewhat moulds itself to the pipe you can get a good seal as they don’t rely on clamping one pipe onto the other to seal, but rather seal themselves onto each pipe.
Well here is my train of thought. I would think that it would help lower spool times and help with lag. I would think there would be less heat in that area too. Thats why I am intersted. If it does make a noticable difference, then I will start looking at the high flow cats available. I have to have a cat in my state, so running permantly with a test pipe is not an option. I want it to be easily replaced with stock fittings. I do plan on some track days and if there is an advantage, I would like to have it. I dont want to cut anything or modify the oem flanges etc. That has been another reason I didn't want to go with another cat just yet. But, being that a test pipe is going to be so expensive, maybe I will just go with a hi flow cat as the next step. From what I remember, I can get one of those for about the same price..correct? So that brings me back to the flanges. So it sounds like they are not that unique and may be found at a local exhaust shop? If so, what hi flow cats do you guys recommend that will fit in the space provided?
Thanks
John
94 S4
www.skynetworks.gotdns.com
Thanks
John
94 S4
www.skynetworks.gotdns.com
viperdave said:That's a nice solution if the cat is junk already but I wouldn't want to cut up a good one. Last time I checked (3 years ago), a factory cat was $750.
Pardon my ignorance of the Esprit but if you just want to decat, cant you pop down to advance or napa and get some straight pipe, a couple of band clamps and just cut the cat out of its pipe and clamp in the straight section. It would be a lot cheaper (<$50) than fabricating a whole new section from the turbo through to the cat back.
Yes, I mean leaded 116 octane. Nothing like pumping 30psi of boost! Look for the bluish/gray tailpipe and sweet smells! 100, 102 and 104 unleaded is good for cars with catcons. Did you notice any gain from running the 104 luke? I was thinking of picking up some Sunoco 100, just to see what it does in a WOT log.
Fef, that is the same pipe I have. It is a nice piece! Mine was the first prototype he made.
www.databurstpc.com/host/lotustestpipe.jpg
www.databurstpc.com/host/lotustestpipe1.jpg
www.databurstpc.com/host/lotustestandstockcatpipe.jpg
Fef, that is the same pipe I have. It is a nice piece! Mine was the first prototype he made.
www.databurstpc.com/host/lotustestpipe.jpg
www.databurstpc.com/host/lotustestpipe1.jpg
www.databurstpc.com/host/lotustestandstockcatpipe.jpg
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