k4nx

So ive searched and searched and havnet been able to find anything.

I dont know much about cars, but im still learning. Can someone please explain to me what the differenct between cats and test pipes are. I see test pipes are straight through and cats have like a "bubble" in the middle of the pipe, what is the difference for?

Thanks
-adrian

99atlantic

iTrader: (1)

hfcs - vrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom
test pipes - *fart* *fart* *fart* *fart* *fart*

k4nx

heh not only the sound though, sum1 give me a good explanation please

99atlantic

iTrader: (1)

http://www.howstuffworks.com/catalytic-converter.htm

davidv

iTrader: (2)

High-flow catalytic converter. Similar to the OEM catalytic converter, but not as restrictive. Not guaranteed but most likely will pass emissions tests.

Test pipes. Just as you mentioned: an empty piece of pipe.

zman2

iTrader: (12)

Unless FI, leave cats on your car.
With test pipes you can smell your exhaust and it is bad for the enviroment.
With FI, you can gain 40 rwhp w/o your cats.

DG350Z

iTrader: (1)

TPs = half the price and more power (more than the 1-2 peak whp than some people claim, its a significant diff across the power band) but they have some smell and some rasp.

HFC = more expensive, heavier, more restrictive, dont smell, might pass emissions.


Choice is yours...i went with TPs cause I wanted a more raw sound / better performance...and they were 100 bucks.

Mike Wazowski

iTrader: (113)

But you WILL lose low end torque and sound like a broken honda!

Hotwire

Get resonated TP's...you'll be ok.

DG350Z

iTrader: (1)

Ive never heard a honda that sounds like my car. Or a broken one for that matter.

ObZeZZed

My HFCs from Crawford kept cracking so I got UT-R resonated test pipes and they are loud and somewhat raspy but not like a broken Honda it actually sounds real mean but much louder than HFCs it sounds more like a Z from the Japanese GT than an American street. Feels better than HFCs so far, no noticeable torque loss so I dont know what thats all about but at the same time I am breaking in a new engine and tranny so I am babying it. I will give my butt dyno results after I hit 1500 miles but so far it feels more powerful then before from stop to 4000rpm(low end, havent driven over 4000rpm yet) and rev matching seems easier as the throttle is more responsive now, I dont know if its the pipes that did it but when I blip my throttle the tach moves instantaneously and its quicker and climbs higher then before when tapping the peddle with the same force. I am happy with the change but the sound is not for the meek or timid.

350izzle

Depending on where you live.....straight pipes baby!!!

ObZeZZed

Just to avoid potential confusion:

Straight Pipes=Test Pipes

Zincognito

iTrader: (2)

Trust me, i didnt think it was possible until i put test pipes on But i will remove them once i get back home. I might try HFC and see how that sounds. i can care less about emissions since i dont have to worry about passing every year.

ObZeZZed

HFCs definately retain more of the stock sound and I understand that Nonresonated test pipes are very raspy but the resonated ones I got are not that bad. I think it sounds like a monZter. HFCs sound much less agressive though.

When Need for Speed was at a recent Dyno run taking test audio samples to find a Z for their next game, they seemed alot more impressed with the carz that had Test pipes then HFCs, as far as I can remember, and that combined with Rickdogg having the most N/A power that I have seen and running test pipes I tend to lean toward test pipes(RESONATED) but the sound is not for the meek or timid.

Blurr350z

iTrader: (1)

I agree. All of the above complaints about test pipes have been NON-resonated ones. I have Labree resonated and believe me, it doesn't sound like any broken honda. I was driving it around my college campus for the first time today, and it turned many heads. The sound is incredible, and only gets better as the RPMs climb. Labrees are expensive ($395), but well worth the money. As for the smell, I duno, it doesnt really bother me. I've smelled worse exhausts before... Ill just leave it at that.

Vote = Test Pipes (resonated)

Zincognito

iTrader: (2)

where can i find resonated pipes at online??

SponGer

iTrader: (1)

What brand did you go with and how do they sound with the Borla?

froggy

iTrader: (1)

Hi ObZeZZed, where can I get those UTR resonated test pipes ?

Don't tell me to look on ebay...or mynismo (momentarily closed),

Thank you

tbaggs

iTrader: (8)

test pipes....smells good