I was an early buyer when these things were the rage. Mine lasted 2 years (18K miles) and imploded during a track event (at 145 MPH.) Now I'm part of the $600 test pipe crowd, but have a set of UTR resonated pipes ready to go on this weekend. I put a pair of the UTR pipes on my neighbor's G35 this last weekend and they sound awsome!

My suggestion is that you should avoid these things, but if you already have them and don't flog your car too badly, they will probably last for mild street use. If you autocross or track your car, remove them as fast as you can.

 

So if RT are not reliable what hi flow cats do you all recommend??? BTW do any of you know how some hi flows cats would sound paired with the stock exhaust?

 

Yeah I got the AAM HF cats installed a few weeks ago. The folks over at AAM
are really good people and took care of me. Here is a raw exhaust capture of
my Stillen SS True Dual Exhaust + AAM HF Cats. The audio quality isn't great
though since I used mediocre camcorder. But should give you some idea.

http://www.diamonus.com/myspace/medi...ck_AAM_HFC.mpg

 

Keep in mind that most if not all the failed RT Cats were their Metallic Versions which Random acknowledges and recommends that you do not use these unless you get a good tune. They also offer a Ceramic set which have been problem free to my knowledge. If you do have a problem, Random is pretty good about warranting them.

 

Do test pipes give you a CEL?

 

i HAD it and SOLD it. You will get same hp gain between HFC and test pipe. Same rasp level. I use STRUP testpipe now and happy with it. BTW, here is the cost different:

RT HFC: ~$500-$600
STRUP test pipe: $150

 

I read that people were having problems with the crawford cats too. I also read about people having problems withe the kenetic cats also. So my question is: If they have all been know to have problems ( do the search!), then why do you state one is better than the other? ( this is not an attack, merely trying to pick your brain)

 

BEST SOLUTION: Keep stock. lolz

 

That is not true that high flow cats will have the same amount of power gains as test pipes. You will always gain more power with test pipes becuase they flow more air.

Sincerely Glen

 

...so Nissan installed the mounting bracket for looks?

The HF cat's or TP's are the problem, not the bracket. Your logic is flawed

 

what if you got used RT cats for 170$?

 

I tried test pipes and couldn't stand the noise or raspiness and have been considering HFC's. If RT Cats are going to cause the same problems (I like to keep a low profile) I wonder if it is worth buying the NISMO HFC instead. They are $1250!!!!! Anyone out there have experience with them?

 

I've read thousands of posts on test pipes and HF cats, here, and on the Sentra forums. IMO, there are only 2 real options, the OE cats for stock or lightly modified cars, and quality resonated test pipes for everyone else. I have had both, and can be happy with either.

 

so passing a smog test is optional? OEM are restrictive and TP fail smog tests so the only other option is a HFC if smog testing is in your neighborhood. Ultimate Racing has HFC's and I have not been able to find any complaints on them.....maybe I missed them. I just installed a set and I wouldn't claim to have the ability to measure a 5-10 HP gain from my sphinchter but they seem to help throttle response and low end. They are also 3/8" ID larger than OEM and the catalyst area appears to be about half the length. These two factors alone should help flow. They have a 50,000 mile warranty too.

 

^^^ Smog tests are not optional, but there are MANY ways to pass them with test pipes, depending on where you live. In my state, emissions testing means no OBD2 codes. They don't check your exhaust or do a visual. But even if they did, I would slap the OE cats on for one day and have it checked. Not too much trouble, every 3 years. A lot cheaper than HF cats, they don't wear out, and they have better performance, even if it's negligible.