ok I really didn't want to start another thread about this but I have just gone through 10 pages of test pipe/hfc pages and get such mixed reviews with all of them....this is what I am looking for....I just put a Nismo exhaust on my car, and I also have a jwt popcharger...i love the sound of the nismo just wanted a little more power and a little more sound...i definately do NOT want any type of rasp...I hear Crawford sounds good with nismo exhaust but then i hear Ultimate Racing HFC are the best also Labree resonated test pipes are the best....Can someone help me pick the right HFC or resonated test pipe for me? Crawford? Labree? Ultimate Racing? Helix?

 

From what I have figured out as far as some things go.

Crawford sounds sweet, with like no rasp.

Helix are crap.

Labree are louder than Crawford maybe even too loud and cost $$$.

Ultimate racing not sure don't care.

One thing is no matter what ya get they will end up cracking anyway. I have not found a single TP or Cat that 100% people agree on in regards to rasp no rasp and overall quality.

If I was gonna buy anything because somebody had a gun to my head I would probably get Crawfords but they have their own problems too something like ghetto rigged brackets they retro fitted to old units with.

I was in the same boat as you with the Nismo and PC'er and I finally decided they were just too many issuses with all of them for one reason or another.

 

what are your takes on kinetix HFC's? I have them but haven't put them on yet cuz I need to make brackets for them so I want to know if they're good and that would help me and also would help pearlwhite_z as well

 

If you are interested in passing a visual emissions test, go high-flow catalytic converters.
If you are interested in performance, go test pipes.

 

very true ... that's the reason while my uncle told me to buy the HFC's in the first place ... but TP's make better performance and is wayyyy louder. but if you do wanna pass emissions test, go for HFC's. it would be a pain in the *** to have to un-install your TP's every time just to get a inspection.

 

^Unless you know a guy or a shop that can pass your car...

I haven't brought a car in for inspection for a while now. Neither mine nor my brother's cars.

 

In the case of fitments - check out he Fast Intentions line a www.fastintentions.com - The architects of the Labree products, left and opened their own shop well over a year ago.

Also - resonated testpipes would be the only way to go, for minimizing rasp potential. As far as CATS, go for the 300 cell metallic. They will last FAR longer than any ceramic, specially for NA applications. Fast Intentions does have a 400 Cell Ceramic as well.

Also, the burnout/breakup issue for CATS really is more prevalent in highly modified or FI's cars. If you plan on going deeper in your mods or FI, pay for the solution once and go Metallic.

One last item re: Testpipes - you will smell, and so will most others around you, the unburnt gasses that CAT will burn instead, and only sacrifice about 1-3 HP by going with CATS.

Rick

 

i have R/T High Flow Cats

It brought my Borla to life, and i think cats will do the same for your Nismo. They do cost about 5x what test pipes do, but you can pass emissions and have a no rasp diet. Some say my R/T cats are known to fail, but i haven't had any problems with them after 25k. (i think its mainly FI/SC applications and people addicted to octane booster who destroy them)

I like cats over test pipes, because i think test pipes can bash the sound of a high quality exhaust. Everyone has a different opinion on the boards on what's good and what isn't. Find something in your budget, and of medium/good quality and you'll find what your looking for.

 

I have the older Kinetix TP's on my car. Yes they do rasp a little at about 3k, but I dont think its that bad. They do not have brackets, I have put about 3k on them so far, and have not had a problem. I have a stock exhaust with them as well.
I gained over 1mph in my trap speed, so it was well worth the $80 I paid for them from a member here.

 

well since you're in FL you don't need to worry about passing any inspections, so that is not a factor in the decision. a friend has the nismo with kinetix hfc and it sounds pretty awesome. i hope to be running the nismo with my kinetix resonated tp soon, and if you hadn't bought that nismo exhaust i could have given you a review now! with my rtps and the injen exhaust i do have a little rasp, but don't know if that'll carry over to the nismo.

 

I have unresonated test pipes on the car now with the nismo, not liking it.

Ordered Ultimate Racing high-flow cats, should be here next week.

 

armitage please let me know how you like them...i would appreciate it, and everyone else thanks for the pointers....i do live in florida and do not need to pass emissions but like i said before i hate rasp and i heard a couple z's around me that sounded like total crap...i really do not want to ruin the nismo sound...i know that if i get any test pipe it HAS to be resonated if not i must go with a high flow cat...keep the information and opinions coming, thanks everyone

 

Thank you Rick. Like I said in another thread SHOW me this is not true. But pearl........ since you already have one piece of the puzzle (the catback) look for someone that has the nismo and see what they are running. It's a balancing act. You try to push too much flow through and you'll get BUZZ like a ****. Just because T.P. "A" works great with catback "A" doesn't mean it'll work good with "B". Forget all that you have read and start looking at peoples mod lists and ask them and if they have found one that didn't work with the Nismo and what did work for them. If you're really lucky to find someone that you can meet with, even better. What sounds "Awesome" to me might be like "WTF" to you. Take your time and you'll save money for other mods instead of re-doing the same one!!! Hope it helps.