So, I bought the SSAC exhaust for my B5 S4 (review)

**urndway** · 01-25-2014 01:15 PM

Well, my cats decided to give up after 121k miles. Can't really complain I guess. Since I couldn't justify spending $1200 on new cats and I am not required to go through emissions testing, I decided to put on a full turbo back catless exhaust system. After checking around, I couldn't believe the cost of some of the pieces available. I couldn't justify paying over a grand for some welded together stainless pipes. So, I came across the SSAC website and contacted them about their tip downpipe, resonated rear exhaust setup. They were very quick to respond to emails and once I saw the price, it was a done deal.

After putting in my order, I received the pipes quickly (less than 10 days from China).

The review:

Shipping: Quick!

Quality: Very nice looking stainless setup. Welds were pretty good and looked good as well. I found a few slag points inside that I broke or filed off but that's proof of welding penetration. The exhaust came with 02 extenders and gaskets which you cant beat for the price.

Fit: I was not one of the lucky ones that got a system that bolted right up. It took some adjusting and readjusting to get it to fit. In fact, I still have it slightly hitting somewhere but its very minor. What I am extremely happy about is that the tips of the muffler extend beyond the bumper. This helps to keep the sound from transmitting back into the cabin.

Sound: I hate loud droning exhaust. Let me repeat, I HATE loud droning exhaust systems. When I started the car, I was shocked at how much louder the exhaust is than factory. It's not extremely loud but after 14 years of quiet it came as a shock for some reason even though I know without cats the exhaust has to be louder. After getting the car on the road, the exhaust sounds much nicer than I thought it would. It is very sporty without being obnoxious, best of all NO DRONING AT ALL. Even coasting, pulling negative vacuum, there is no drone at all. I can carry on a normal conversation with a passenger without having to scream...nice.

Performance: She definitely has some new get up and go now. Wow what a difference, it is like a entirely new car. Loving it!

All in all, I cannot complain about this system what so ever. In fact, I would say that this was a great buy for the price. Yes, there were fitment issues but for the price if I had to cut pipes and reweld the system to make it work, it would still be worth it to me.

Pictures attached (sorry I don't have more, camera died):
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...psfbe422da.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps225721ff.jpg
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps88a8a1ca.jpg

**gmdiluca** · 01-25-2014 05:14 PM

Very happy with my SSAC TB for what it costed. Sounds great, I always get compliments. Although right now I have a leak which was most likely caused by driving over a broken up cement block on the road one night.

**kingkhalilz** · 02-15-2014 08:14 PM

Are there any gains for the true 3" with downpipes for a rs6 type build? Or will smaller ones suffice??

**LINDW4LL** · 02-15-2014 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by kingkhalilz

Are there any gains for the true 3" with downpipes for a rs6 type build? Or will smaller ones suffice??

I think even 2.5" downpipes are overkill, honestly. But the 3" are so cheap, that there's no point in getting the 2.5".

**kingkhalilz** · 02-15-2014 09:27 PM

Also thinking that the exhaust manifold is such a bottle neck that if the cats are gutted from a stock exhaust i cant really see the stock exhaust even killing the flow. Any thoughts??

**DxC** · 02-15-2014 09:29 PM

the exhaust manifold isnt the bottle neck. the turbo is. you see tial cars running stock manis putting down 600+whp.

**LINDW4LL** · 02-15-2014 09:41 PM

Think about it. There are 1000whp Supras, most run 4" downpipes. That's a 3.XL engine.

Even with 2.5" downpipes you have a combined 5" of exhaust for a 2.7L engine. That's ridiculous to think it would be a bottleneck at any power level.

**kingkhalilz** · 02-15-2014 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by LINDW4LL

Think about it. There are 1000whp Supras, most run 4" downpipes. That's a 3.XL engine.

Even with 2.5" downpipes you have a combined 5" of exhaust for a 2.7L engine. That's ridiculous to think it would be a bottleneck at any power level.

Stock is 2.25 I believe. Thats 4.5", your saying that stock exhaust wont be a bottle neck. Gutted cats of course. ^piggies FTW

**VAGlover** · 02-15-2014 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by kingkhalilz

Also thinking that the exhaust manifold is such a bottle neck that if the cats are gutted from a stock exhaust i cant really see the stock exhaust even killing the flow. Any thoughts??

It has resonators which do restrict flow. The larger the better generally. Less back pressure and more flow.

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**kingkhalilz** · 02-15-2014 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by VAGlover

It has resonators which do restrict flow. The larger the better generally. Less back pressure and more flow.

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I apologize if i wasnt clear. I understand the resonator and the cats are no bueno. Im referring solely to the piping size.

**VAGlover** · 02-15-2014 10:42 PM

Well the larger the pipe diameter the more flow.2.5 inch is fine for up to stg3 power. generally. It is def ok to take 3" dp/tp to 2.5" exhaust system

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**kingkhalilz** · 02-15-2014 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by VAGlover

Well the larger the pipe diameter the more flow.2.5 inch is fine for up to stg3 power. generally. It is def ok to take 3" dp/tp to 2.5" exhaust system

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The exhaust gas can only flow as much as the smallest diameter will allow it. Thus being the exhaust manifold. Does anyone have any factual evidence of stock exhaust size vs a larger exhaust size. Neglecting cats and resonators.
DxC makes a strong point. According to all the information in this thread seam stock pipe sizing should be all that is necessary.

**VAGlover** · 02-16-2014 04:28 AM

Yes but the closer the turbo is to the larger diameter piping the better. A 2.25" stock cato a 3" exhaust system will not free up that turbo spool.

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**kingkhalilz** · 02-16-2014 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by VAGlover

Yes but the closer the turbo is to the larger diameter piping the better. A 2.25" stock cato a 3" exhaust system will not free up that turbo spool.

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Couldnt really understand what your trying to say. Sorry

**JDM EJ1 95** · 02-17-2014 06:49 PM

There is no need for anything over 2.5 inch down pipes on these cars.
Even 2.25 would be able to handle more power than most anyone will make in these things

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**kingkhalilz** · 02-17-2014 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by JDM EJ1 95

There is no need for anything over 2.5 inch down pipes on these cars.
Even 2.25 would be able to handle more power than most anyone will make in these things

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So basically piggies are the win for performance?? Wont 3 inch dp help spool? Not argueing with you, because not many cars have 6" of net exhaust size lol

**oppositelock** · 02-17-2014 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by LINDW4LL

Think about it. There are 1000whp Supras, most run 4" downpipes. That's a 3.XL engine.

Even with 2.5" downpipes you have a combined 5" of exhaust for a 2.7L engine. That's ridiculous to think it would be a bottleneck at any power level.

Two 2.5" DPs don't have as much cross-sectional area as a 5" DP, or even as much as a 4" DP. Two 2.5" pipes could fit inside one 5" pipe, with room to spare.

The area of two 2.5" pipes is 39.27 sq in.
The area of a single 4" pipe is 50.27 sq in.
The area of a single 5" pipe is 78.54 sq in.

If it takes 50 sq in to flow enough exhaust for 1000 whp, then it takes 35 sq in to flow enough for 700 whp, on a Supra, at least. Obviously quattro eats into that a bit, so call it 600 whp.

In the end, you're right that 2.5" DPs should be enough for all but very few balls-out setups out there.

**TTAvant** · 02-18-2014 05:52 AM

so does everyone buy these direct from SSAC, or is the majority of the crowd purchasing off ebay? I've seen these exhausts and down pipes on ebay, but I'm not sure if its the SSAC or some other generic. I'd rather get something that at least other people have had success with.

**Jmills** · 02-18-2014 09:42 AM

I bought mine off SRM. 2.5" DPs went in easily as DPs do usually but the catback had to be extensively modified/adjusted to fit. Sounds awesome now though.

**JDM EJ1 95** · 02-18-2014 11:33 AM

FYI I see cars making 1200+ whp through 3 inch down pipes every day. twin turbo V6's with much more displacement

Hell we make 1600whp through true 3 inch dps

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**kingkhalilz** · 02-18-2014 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by JDM EJ1 95

FYI I see cars making 1200+ whp through 3 inch down pipes every day. twin turbo V6's with much more displacement

Hell we make 1600whp through true 3 inch dps

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Why we all upgrade them then?? We like the sound?

**EMF614** · 02-18-2014 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Jmills

I bought mine off SRM. 2.5" DPs went in easily as DPs do usually but the catback had to be extensively modified/adjusted to fit. Sounds awesome now though.

I second this. DPs installed flawless but the catback is leaking in 3 different places for me. I plan on getting it welded over the summer.

Also, I got mine from project b5 and was very happy with the shipping/communication

**JDM EJ1 95** · 02-18-2014 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by kingkhalilz

Why we all upgrade them then?? We like the sound?

Not saying it's a bad thing. But it's definitely not.needed for a standard stage 3 setup. I bought them when I was still running a 2.7t because either way. It can't hurt..

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**kingkhalilz** · 02-18-2014 08:12 PM

Yeah decision will have to come later on. Don't want a bad dalla to hp ratio if you know what i mean. We will see thanks folks. If i do decide i want them, i will probably do ssac.

**EvilSmurf** · 02-20-2014 05:49 AM

Originally Posted by LINDW4LL

I think even 2.5" downpipes are overkill, honestly. But the 3" are so cheap, that there's no point in getting the 2.5".

There is one point, and thats the 3" is much more difficult to fit "perfectly". We all know that the SSAC can have suspect fit and the 3" amplifies that IMO

**Aggv** · 02-20-2014 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by EvilSmurf

There is one point, and thats the 3" is much more difficult to fit "perfectly". We all know that the SSAC can have suspect fit and the 3" amplifies that IMO

x2

**m_haiser** · 02-20-2014 10:19 PM

just ordered SRM DPs and magnaflow catback :D

**bombermon** · 02-22-2014 07:04 PM

ssac fitment sucks

**kingkhalilz** · 02-22-2014 09:21 PM

Interesting how there are so many mixed reviews, i wonder if the company even has tolerances for any of the downpipes. Just weird how the reviews are so mixed.

**james 408** · 02-22-2014 09:26 PM

law of diminishing returns. you're talking about a differential in pressure between engine side and exhaust side of the turbo. the less restriction the better generally. but you're talking 5-10 horsepower difference at best over the 2.25" piping.

everything posted on here has a difference of opinion. reason: none of us have played and tuned both and compared. we're just opinionated fucks.

**kingkhalilz** · 02-22-2014 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by james 408

law of diminishing returns. you're talking about a differential in pressure between engine side and exhaust side of the turbo. the less restriction the better generally. but you're talking 5-10 horsepower difference at best over the 2.25" piping.

everything posted on here has a difference of opinion. reason: none of us have played and tuned both and compared. we're just opinionated fucks.

I agree may be true only 5-10, but the graph is more important to me. Anyone logged the change in spool after changing just dp's???

**Aggv** · 02-23-2014 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by kingkhalilz

Interesting how there are so many mixed reviews, i wonder if the company even has tolerances for any of the downpipes. Just weird how the reviews are so mixed.

It could also be that not everyone on an internet car forum has the same opinion of what fits well, and what doesnt.

All i know is if i was SSAC i would be sending Thank You cards to 034/ARdesigns/AWE/Milltek/APR and whoever else is still selling downpipes for a 14 yr old car at over $1,000. As a consumer it sucks that our only choices are some crap built as cheap as possible which may or may not fit, or buying pipes which are roughly 1/5 the value of the entire vehicle...

14 yrs later, piggies are still the best option.

**S4gasm aka LOTR** · 03-26-2014 08:33 AM

SSAC might have the most confusing product page website i've ever seen. I'm liking their price and quality, but holy hell that website gives me a headache.

Are all of their downpipes gutted? I would assume so, but again the site is confusing.
Does anyone run their full exhaust with gutted DP's, gutted cats, and resonated muffler? Is it too loud? I don't want it to be obnoxious.

**Dutch865** · 03-26-2014 09:58 AM

^ this hahah I had the same exact reaction to their site. Took me about a half hour to make some sense of it.

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**kbS42001** · 03-26-2014 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by S4gasm aka LOTR

SSAC might have the most confusing product page website i've ever seen. I'm liking their price and quality, but holy hell that website gives me a headache.

Are all of their downpipes gutted? I would assume so, but again the site is confusing.
Does anyone run their full exhaust with gutted DP's, gutted cats, and resonated muffler? Is it too loud? I don't want it to be obnoxious.

I have the older DP's (w/ olive clamps), no cats but resonated mid pipes and the dual mulffler cat back. Its quiet around town but is nice at WOT. I may eventually delete a muffler to gain a little volume.

**S4gasm aka LOTR** · 03-26-2014 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by kbS42001

I have the older DP's (w/ olive clamps), no cats but resonated mid pipes and the dual mulffler cat back. Its quiet around town but is nice at WOT. I may eventually delete a muffler to gain a little volume.

Interesting, thanks. Dual muffler, is one of them just a cat? Or 2 separate mufflers in line?

**nthusiastt** · 03-26-2014 10:51 AM

Absolutely love my SSAC. This is the single 1 with stock dp's.

After installing the DP's to make it essentially straight pipes + 1 muffler the shit is so fucking loud w/ backfires pops and gurgles.... andddd, I love it

I need to make a video of it now that the dp's are on.

**topquarkpc** · 03-26-2014 11:00 AM

nahaaaaice....

**urndway** · 03-26-2014 11:43 AM

I have straight pipes with two mufflers and my system doesn't backfire, pop or gurgle which I'm kind of glad of. I'm too old for that on a daily driver.