anyone regret getting test pipes?

[monterey]

I'm getting bored and contemplating test pipes. i hate regrets and would rather avoid it if there is a big downside.

[kevin @ eas]

Nothing to regret unless you have a loud rear section exhaust. Test pipes will amplify the tone. You will need a tune to get rid of the CEL from deleting the primaries. A plus about the test pipes is cuts down on the catless smell quite a bit since the secondary cats are still in tact.

[codinge90]

No regrets. I will say though the only thing I would've done differently is if you plan to do test pipes and eventually want to remove your secondaries I think it's better to just go fully catless x pipe to begin with so you can keep your stock x pipe in tact to swap on and off.

[BOOF-M3]

This is exactly what you need.

Gintani X Pipe w/ HFCs and resonators for sale https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1516035

[wyatth]

Similar thoughts from me ... https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1517401

I want a little volume and bark, and the power, but I am worried about (1) smell, (2) too much volume or rasp, and (3) ease of swapping back to the stock cats for emissions testing (and unwilling to spend the $$ on a quality x-pipe).
I wish one of the vendors would make a slightly longer (a matter of inches) test pipe that would provide enough space to clamp on the primary cat later.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by wyatth

I want a little volume and bark, and the power, but I am worried about (1) smell, (2) too much volume or rasp, and (3) ease of swapping back to the stock cats for emissions testing (and unwilling to spend the $$ on a quality x-pipe).

Then you don't want test-pipes. A high-flow cat will minimally hurt power but avoid the annoying rasp/tinny noise associated with test pipes.

[wyatth]

I would keep the stock muffler and secondaries, but still.
The ideal X-pipe to me is probably the Evolve unit, which has a pair of quality HJS HFCs and big resonators. But ... it's almost identical to the stock midpipe with bypass pipes. The secondary cats aren't robbing power, nor do they perform worse as a cat than the HJS units.

[EricSMG]

Originally Posted by wyatth

I would keep the stock muffler and secondaries, but still.
The ideal X-pipe to me is probably the Evolve unit, which has a pair of quality HJS HFCs and big resonators. But ... it's almost identical to the stock midpipe with bypass pipes. The secondary cats aren't robbing power, nor do they perform worse as a cat than the HJS units.

Ha, precisely my thoughts as well.

I am drawn to the Evolve unit BUT don't see how it's any better than an OEM Xpipe with test pipes installed (other than not having an unhacked OEM pipe to put back on).

[BOOF-M3]

I have the Gintani X-Pipe with HFC, same one that Youngh is selling above. Anyone I have ever ridden with asks about it. And at half the price of a new one that's a pretty good deal. You are going to have to spend money if you want sound and performance.

[wyatth]

I’m fine spending money on the perfect solution. But I’m with a Eric, the best solution seems to be Evolve (for me), but the end game is nearly identical to bypass pipes, except your stock pipes remain intact. I’m not sure that makes it worthwhile when bypass pipes shouuuuld be made to allow reinatallstion of the cats.

[monterey]

i screwed up and bought a corsa exhaust from some guy who didn't tell me he chopped off the flanges so i had to weld them on by chopping off my flange on my stock xpipe. I was thinking if i did the clamp on hfc or test pipe it would give me back the sectional exhaust. would there be any benefit to this?

[monterey]

what are some brands of high flow cats with resonators i need to consider other than rogue engineering? Do these ever come up fs in the used market often? Finally can i cut the cats off while it's on the car or does it need to be dropped first? Also is there a sweet spot to do the sever?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by monterey

what are some brands of high flow cats with resonators i need to consider other than rogue engineering? Do these ever come up fs in the used market often? Finally can i cut the cats off while it's on the car or does it need to be dropped first? Also is there a sweet spot to do the sever?

I'm not sure I follow. Cats and resonators are different things. Resonators come after the cats.

A cat converter does act like a small muffler, FYI.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by wyatth

I’m fine spending money on the perfect solution. But I’m with a Eric, the best solution seems to be Evolve (for me), but the end game is nearly identical to bypass pipes, except your stock pipes remain intact. I’m not sure that makes it worthwhile when bypass pipes shouuuuld be made to allow reinatallstion of the cats.

Is evolve a bit less expensive and or sound better than Gintani? I would assume all things would be equal.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by wyatth

I’m fine spending money on the perfect solution. But I’m with a Eric, the best solution seems to be Evolve (for me), but the end game is nearly identical to bypass pipes, except your stock pipes remain intact. I’m not sure that makes it worthwhile when bypass pipes shouuuuld be made to allow reinatallstion of the cats.

They should be but aren't. Disappointing no one has bothered to do this. In the E60 M5 Superspring builds exactly that.

Getting $250 test pipes plus a full OEM xpipe for $250 on the forums gives you a pretty good setup.

[wyatth]

If a local stock X-pipe pops up, I'm all over it.

I don't know how the Gintani x-pipe compares, but I know the Evolve pipe uses quality (and bigger) cats/resonators. Looking at them, I would expect the Evolve pipe to be a little smoother sounding and quieter.

[MPower7]

I am about to install some Rogue Test pipes next week. Can I use the clamps they come with to attach to the cut part of the stock cats in two years when I need to put them back on for smog?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by MPower7

I am about to install some Rogue Test pipes next week. Can I use the clamps they come with to attach to the cut part of the stock cats in two years when I need to put them back on for smog?

No. That's what's being discussed here. No one makes test pipes that can revert back to oem cats to pass inspection or when you're no longer offroad

[MPower7]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

No. That's what's being discussed here. No one makes test pipes that can revert back to oem cats to pass inspection or when you're no longer offroad

Why would that not work? Would I have to weld it back together?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by MPower7

Why would that not work? Would I have to weld it back together?

It doesn't work, no current test pipes allow the cats to go back on the car with clamps.

If you were to weld the oem xpipe you could reattach the cats, but this is not something you'll do every year to pass emissions

[MPower7]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

It doesn't work, no current test pipes allow the cats to go back on the car with clamps.

If you were to weld the oem xpipe you could reattach the cats, but this is not something you'll do every year to pass emissions

I think we are on the same page. To clarify I will remove the test pipes in two years and reinstall the stock cats at the headers. Why does the clamp for the the test pipes but not the cats? Is it too thick where it is cut to be able to re-attach?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by MPower7

I think we are on the same page. To clarify I will remove the test pipes in two years and reinstall the stock cats at the headers. Why does the clamp for the the test pipes but not the cats? Is it too thick where it is cut to be able to re-attach?

I forget the exact reason but it can't be done with clamps.

If you're willing to weld then you'll be fine