Better Quality: Challenge Street X-Pipe or Fabspeed X-Pipes?

[blackbeast535]

I'm looking at both systems with the secondary cat delete:

Challenge Street X-Pipe or Fabspeed X-Pipe 2ndary Catbypass Pipe with Resonators.

There is a $300 difference between the two systems. I would like to get feedback from people that have either one of these systems.



Thanks,
Dwayne

[IMG]

I have the Challenge on my car and i love it,from weld,fitting and sound.its an awesome piece.

[Raptor251]

No exp. with either product but I do have the Fabspeed mufflers and they are built with amazing quality, I would expect the x pipe to be no less

[Nate@IND]

Challenge all the way. They also offer more X-pipe options. I personally like the street option because it leaves the primary cats intact.

[Moxie]

Look here - http://gtbperformance.gostorego.com/...or-e9x-m3.html

Get the Akra with adapter for $2330 - You can upgrade to the full Akra later if you choose. Notice it comes with the adapter.

[MJM]

I have the Challenge "Street" X-Pipe coupled with the Akra Slip-on on my 2011 E90 so I can have a great sounding (and looking exhaust) with no drone and still pass State Vehicle Inspection.

[blackbeast535]

MJM - did you do the X-Pipe at the same time as the Akra? If not how much louder/deeper did it make it?

[MJM]

MJM - did you do the X-Pipe at the same time as the Akra? If not how much louder/deeper did it make it?

Yes I did because I listened to a couple of M3s with just the Akra Slip-on and they were too quiet for me. The Challenge "Street" X-pipe brought the sound up another 25% or so, it's no where near as loud as the "Race" versions or a full Akra EVO. It is just right for me, louder, classy sound without being too loud!

[blackbeast535]

Great thanks!

[kpayne8980]

I just installed my challenge street x-pipe last week and I like it very easy to install great sound. I have stock rear section and it sounds like a beast.

[Singletrack]

I like the clamps on the Challenge better. It is nice though that the fabspeed, with extenders, will stop the cat inefficiency DTC for thousands of miles though. So with the latter, you should not need to modify the ECU. Of course, if you are planning to do this anyway, then who cares.

[kitw]

I've run both the Challenge and the Fabspeed. They're both great products that work and fit well. The early Fabspeed pipes were not as nice (with the off the shelf x section) but the newer ones with the more gradual crossover, fit perfectly.

Both are modular, the Challenge with a bolt / nut flange and gasket, the Fabspeed by using a clamp on option that works with stock primary cats or Fabspeeds high flow cats.

Fabspeed:
- Cheaper
- fits great
- high flow cat option
- doesn't replace as much of the stock piping (I'm not convinced the hydroformed sections are a restriction, but they are ugly)

Challenge:
- replaces all of the funky bends
- catless option (Challenge's high flow cat version requires replacement of the entire unit, since it moves the only cats down where the secondaries are)
- more expensive
- gaskets will need to be replaced if removed often (although are a lot less likely to leak than a clamp solution)

However... I'm not quite sure why anyone would spend the money when the turner test pipes are so much cheaper and give more power, etc. For the price of the Fabspeed new, you can buy Turner Test pipes and a Delet-R from Akrapovic to keep the CEL off. Yes, it won't pass inspections, since OBD-2 readiness won't ever complete... But, you can always get a tune.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. I ended up with the Turner Test pipes on my cars. (only on the track of course.

[Zzhou]

Originally Posted by Nate@IND

Challenge all the way. They also offer more X-pipe options. I personally like the street option because it leaves the primary cats intact.

Quick question. Wt about AA x-pipe with HFC, I have their exhaust so I think I would just pair it up.

[Grail05]

im not sure which one is more but i say CHALLENGE.... i have seen the quality and built on the challenge and its just pretty really damn good...

BUT LIKE KITW SAYS...

turner FTW....

[ModBargains III]

I highly recommend Fabspeed. I've had experience with Challenge before and their products first hand, and I don't have anything negative to say about their x-pipes, they make a great looking item, but personally for me, I like Fabspeed along with it's price too just because I know that what they make, is top notch.

You can't really make a bad decision on either company, but if you want to save a couple bucks, I would say Fabspeed.

[tom @ eas]

Agree with IND.

we've installed a ton of Challenge X-pipes with the quality and fitment of the pieces seen, it's highly recommended. Next to Akrapovic, Challenge has some of the best fitting X-Pipes on the market today.

[kpayne8980]

Yes All axle backs will fit AA x-pipe

[blackbeast535]

TTP would be the most ideal but not convenient for emissions purposes. I would have two remove the TTP's and weld the primaries back on to pass. From what I understand, you can not clamp the primaries back in which is a deterrent to that setup.

The appealing part about the secondary delete is install it once and forget about it.

[Black Gold]

^^^^^

Right, but deletin the secondaries produces zero power, so I'm not certain what the benefits are.

Turner test pipes are the best solution in my opinion. There are no fitment issues, and the power is fantastic and the sound is great.

[rod1]

So do you have to re-weld them back on to pass emissions?

[kpayne8980]

I feel a difference in performance when I deleted my secondary cats. I
Am happy with the gains and sound difference.

[blackbeast535]

I think they do need to be welded from reading other TTP threads. There is not enough surface area for the primary cat to be clamped.