Pros and Cons of a testpipe...

[Auditude2.0T]

I have a testpipe siting at home. My last 2 cars both had testpipes and I was beyond happy with the benefits it presented. This time though I have a brand new car and I'm not sure it's the pros outweigh the cons. I'm pretty sure I'm going to install it eventually but I want to hear what you all have to say.

The reason I went with the testpipe was for the large performance gain when combined with APR Stage 2.

Pros: Big power gain, great sound, louder (positive IMO), better pull through the rev band, no cel with APR

Cons: bad smell, pollution..

Can a testpipe do any damage to the car compared to running a stock cat?
If I run a testpipe with no software for a few weeks, besides getting the cel will the car run crappy or damage anything? reason I ask is I want to put it in now and the software release is March 1st

[bigblue]

I don't think it would run crappy as the secondary o2 only tells the car that the cat isn't doing its job... the primary o2 does all the work for air/fuel mixture. I'd prolly just toss it on and enjoy for a month.

[Auditude2.0T]

I don't think it would run crappy as the secondary o2 only tells the car that the cat isn't doing its job... the primary o2 does all the work for air/fuel mixture. I'd prolly just toss it on and enjoy for a month.

That's what i was thinking aswell.. Just a cel but no negative effects or influence on drivability..

[bigblue]

Lol besides the smell... I'm pulling my testpipe out for a new 034 high flow cat because my car smells so bad and my exhaust tips are always black as hell.

[Auditude2.0T]

Lol besides the smell... I'm pulling my testpipe out for a new 034 high flow cat because my car smells so bad and my exhaust tips are always black as hell.

Lol it smells good ;)

[bigblue]

I have charcoal cabin filter and it doesn't help. Plus I drive around with windows down all summer.

[B8_RDC]

I just ordered a testpipe but going to modify it with Magnaflow cat. Used a maganaflow on my old grand prix with excellent results. I hear all the cats on existing pipes are junk.

[bigblue]

How are you going to make that fit? its not a straight piece of pipe? Its angled so you would have to install a cat between the downpipe and the rest of the exhaust.

[B8_RDC]

How are you going to make that fit? its not a straight piece of pipe? Its angled so you would have to install a cat between the downpipe and the rest of the exhaust.

Hacking up the testpipe to add quality HFC from magnaflow. The metallic spun core is approx 3" long so should fit between the two existing bungs. Parts arrive Fri. will create separate post if works out and doesn't set CEL. The PN i used is popular with the Porsche crowd and has some 3rd party flow data that looked promising.

[k9lovr]

I have an HFC and my tips still get very black

[dracolnyte]

i cant handle the smell... heard it was cancerous too

[fredjones]

I painted my chrome tips black, now I don't have to worry about soot buildup

[naemcivic]

I for one is a big fan of the Test pipe, I enjoy every aspect of it; from the power gains it provides, instant spool up, lower EGT and last but not least the smell of unfiltered 94 octane + WMI along with the after-fire/backfire loud shot-gun pop on a WOT 2nd-3rd shift which would potentially keep unwanted tail-gaters off my butt. The only thing which would keep me away from another test pipe would be the soot it shoots out against the wall of my parking spot, I have now put a card board there to keep unwanted soot off the wall.

[naemcivic]

I have a question for the OP, did you run Test pipe with a catback exhuast on your your B7? Did it drone? I am considering on purchasing the AWE downpipe or the Neuspeed 70mm exhaust from Eurocode.

[Ryan_T]

I can never do a testpipe due to the smell. Not crazy about smelling it on other people's car, so I won't subject others and myself to it.


I get why people do it, though.

[naemcivic]

i cant handle the smell... heard it was cancerous too

hey Ken, I sacrifice smoking to install a test pipe on my ride. Hopefully I lower the chance of getting Lung cancer. Isn't that a good enough of a reason to quit smoking. lol

[Ryan_T]

Oh definitely. As long as it's somebody else getting the smoke.

[promoda]

I have a TP and it only smelled for the first couple of weeks, but now no smell no smoke? and in regards to the 02 censer when I installed my stage 2 chip they programmed it so that it doesn't come on any more... my only complaint is the sound it makes, it should more throaty...

[ThePiombino]

I have an HFC and my tips still get very black

+1

[SykoraA4]

Running a test pipe will not do any damage to your car. and the cel from the secondary won't do anything either. Have you guys seen our testpipe/hfc option?


click here for more info

It's got a few cool features that set it apart.
Optional third o2 sensor bung available for Wideband applications
Included threaded J-pipe for 100% CEL Free Operation.
304 Stainless Steel Machine Finished Eccentric 4” to 3” Reducer reducer matches with exhaust turbine outlet.
*Optional 300cell HFC flows 600 CFM's

I have the b7 version in my avant, and I can personally attest to the benefit of the reducer. (I had an ebay tp prior to putting in the RAI unit) it feels much smoother, especially as the revs climb.

[Jacon]

The smell goes away after awhile

[fredjones]

The smell goes away after awhile

This is wishful thinking. I had a testpipe and the smell never went away. Maybe you just get accustomed to the smell and it does not bother you as much.

[TonyD]

Jeez I never knew the smell was that bad. I had a test pipe for 3 years and only noticed the smell when I was standing behind my car. Even then it wasn't that strong of a smell.

[audi10a4]

How bad is the smell?

[SykoraA4]

I hardly ever smell it.

[fredjones]

I guess I have to agree with all you guys that noticing the smell is very subjective and user dependent. Just may not bother some folks. But the advertisers chiming in with their opinions are not exactly an unbiased source, they are trying to sell a product.

[TonyD]

He already has the product. I'm not trying to sell anything. I just thought it was weird that so many are bothered by the smell. When I had it on my B6 A4, it was only slightly noticeable when I'd stand behind my car while it was on.

[NickZag]

The smell can't be much worse then the 383 Stroker in my 69' Camaro lol

[piotrowr]

The smell goes away after awhile

You're just use to the build up in you nasal cavity and lungs ;)