Well, I finally bit the bullet and installed my AAM 2.5" test pipes on the Z tonight. Install was nice and easy, but I was worried about the sound. I had read conflicting reports on the sound of test pipes on an NA car, ranging from "sounds like a fartbox honda" to "sounds awesome". Well, I am very pleased to say that I think it "sounds awesome". The only slightest hint of any rasp I hear (I even hesitate to call it "rasp") from inside the cabin, is maybe right about 2k under full throttle, but literally only for like 3 milliseconds, lol. The sound is obviously a little louder than stock, but still more mellow than I was expecting. No drone what-so-ever on the highway.

On the test drive, I pulled into an empty parking lot and let my buddy do a couple of spirited fly-by's while I stood outside and listened, and it honestly sounds great. Zero rasp. I was shocked. Remember, these are non-resonated test pipes on an otherwise completely stock exhaust.

Oh, and as far as the power, butt dyno reports that it does pull a tad harder. Nothing amazing, but not bad for $250. I don't feel any loss in low-end torque at all. Top end seems to have improved. All in all, very satisfied!

If anyone decides to go this route, I'd recommend that you pay a few extra bucks and get quality 2.5" inner diameter pipes, not the smaller $85 Ebay specials.


-Chris

 

I like the review but the question has to be asked. How much of a gain do 2.5" test pipes give over 2.25". If it's only half to 1 horsepower it's totally not worth the price difference.

 

I'd imagine there's more of a sound difference than anything. Most people I hear complaining of rasp use the smaller diameter pipes. I haven't personally heard the smaller pipes on an NA car though so I can't really say.

I would think that the smaller pipes would be more prone to rasp though, without any kind of resonators installed.

 

2.5" test pipes are larger than the stock ~2.25" y-pipe inlets, so it would create a restriction at the inlet to the stock y-pipe.

It seems to me that 2.5" TP's are designed more for 2.5" true dual exhausts, which is about the right size for most F/I applications that are not uber-high HP.

I would be very curious to see a before/after dyno of these, but sounds like it's probably too late for that...

 

I had a friend that dyno'd 12whp more on his 06 on the same day of the test pipe install with the stock exhaust.

 

one year ago you were talking about ur built motor TT car, now this ><. I had TP on stock exhaust. It sounds nice as hell.

 

But were they 2.5"?

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure 2.5" test pipes will make power over stock cats, but I bet it will not make as much as properly sized TP's...

 

LOL, I know, don't remind me!

 

that was me.....and yes it is 2.5..dyno sheets r coming..i will post later

 

Yup, it was soleil... We installed them hehe.

Not to mention... our friend had 2.25" test pipes with the stillen exhaust and lost power... Same day, same dyno.

And somehow I installed Helix test pipes and gained 36whp

I'll start a thread once I get the dyno sheet.

 

thanks greg

 

thanks for the write-up! I have a the same TP's and like them too.

 

Keep in mind that the APS big test pipes are 3.5", tapering down to 3". Sure, it's turbo, but exhaust flow is exhaust flow at that point.

 

I purchased intense power resonated test pipes and hate them, when i let off the gas something rattles and i checked everything 3 times. They sound okay when i shift at 3,000 or 3500, but 4,000 sounds horrible, and i have to stay on the gas through town or else they rattle. I am taking these off ASAP!!!

 

dont take it off...r u running on stock exhaust? if so, its the heat sheild..just strap those suckers down and the problem will minimize...

 

My Strup/Nismo non-resonated combo is f'n LOUD.

 

Mine too

 

sound clip?