Becker Test Pipe Review

[ntsantos]

A few people have asked about these test pipes from ebay. They're the lowest priced test pipes so far. The price fluctuates for some reason, but i got my set for $268 before Xmas.

Construction is very similar to the others, however, one section is mandrel bent, so there is one less weld than the others. The flange also has a complete weld instead of just a tack weld like other's.

I used the same O2 spacers from Amazon that everyone else seems to use. I also installed new O2 sensors just for good measure.

My mechanic was able to get it done it 3 hours and only had to drop to tranny a bit.

Here are a few shots:









So my passenger side cat was in very good condition, but the driver side was a different story. Most likely due to an intercooler leak on that side a few months ago.

Driver side:


Passenger side:


Installed:




FAQs:

- Yes it's louder at WOT. Cruising is The same stock. Of course this will differ depending on your current exhaust. I'm running oem S7 mufflers.
- Yes you can now smell fuel, but only from the rear. I don't smell like fuel. With the windows up you can't smell it.
- No rattles at any RPM
- I've only put 20 miles on them, but no CEL so far
- Yes they're worth it
- Did I mention they're louder at WOT?
- My car is a C7 A7, so they do fit even though the ebay ad doesn't list it

Big thanks to Danny at HTL Motorsports for the install!

[Tidi0x]

A few people have asked about these test pipes from ebay. They're the lowest priced test pipes so far. The price fluctuates for some reason, but i got my set for $268 before Xmas.

Construction is very similar to the others, however, one section is mandrel bent, so there is one less weld than the others. The flange also has a complete weld instead of just a tack weld like other's.

I used the same O2 spacers from Amazon that everyone else seems to use. I also installed new O2 sensors just for good measure.

My mechanic was able to get it done it 3 hours and only had to drop to tranny a bit.

Here are a few shots:

[
FAQs:

- Yes it's louder at WOT. Cruising is The same stock. Of course this will differ depending on your current exhaust. I'm running oem S7 mufflers.
- Yes you can now smell fuel, but only from the rear. I don't smell like fuel. With the windows up you can't smell it.
- No rattles at any RPM
- I've only put 20 miles on them, but no CEL so far
- Yes they're worth it
- Did I mention they're louder at WOT?
- My car is a C7 A7, so they do fit even though the ebay ad doesn't list it

Big thanks to Danny at HTL Motorsports for the install!

This is awesome, to see. So just lowering the trans a bit was all that was necessary to get them out? I have been looking to see someone install these. What stage are you? Some people have been wanting someone to Dyno to compare test pipes to headers.

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[ntsantos]

Stage 2ish, maybe 3. Running a 3.4 PR with race file.

[saxon]

Thanks for your review

[Tidi0x]

whos the tuner?

[ntsantos]

EPL

[4Rings3Liters]

Is there a way to tell if cats are going bad other than grey smoke out the back?

[SGR]

A few people have asked about these test pipes from ebay. They're the lowest priced test pipes so far. The price fluctuates for some reason, but i got my set for $268 before Xmas.

Construction is very similar to the others, however, one section is mandrel bent, so there is one less weld than the others. The flange also has a complete weld instead of just a tack weld like other's.

I used the same O2 spacers from Amazon that everyone else seems to use. I also installed new O2 sensors just for good measure.

My mechanic was able to get it done it 3 hours and only had to drop to tranny a bit.

Here are a few shots:









So my passenger side cat was in very good condition, but the driver side was a different story. Most likely due to an intercooler leak on that side a few months ago.

Driver side:


Passenger side:


Installed:




FAQs:

- Yes it's louder at WOT. Cruising is The same stock. Of course this will differ depending on your current exhaust. I'm running oem S7 mufflers.
- Yes you can now smell fuel, but only from the rear. I don't smell like fuel. With the windows up you can't smell it.
- No rattles at any RPM
- I've only put 20 miles on them, but no CEL so far
- Yes they're worth it
- Did I mention they're louder at WOT?
- My car is a C7 A7, so they do fit even though the ebay ad doesn't list it

Big thanks to Danny at HTL Motorsports for the install!

Thank you, this is great! Couple questions:

Just to be certain, what spacers are you referring to?

What’s your thought on the exhaust note on the otherwise-stock exhaust? Raspy at WOT?

Lastly, is the stock exhaust sufficient in flow once cats are eliminated? (at dual pulley boost levels?) I don’t recall seeing this being specifically discussed anywhere, though it probably has.


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[ntsantos]

Thank you, this is great! Couple questions:

Just to be certain, what spacers are you referring to?

What’s your thought on the exhaust note on the otherwise-stock exhaust? Raspy at WOT?

Lastly, is the stock exhaust sufficient in flow once cats are eliminated? (at dual pulley boost levels?) I don’t recall seeing this being specifically discussed anywhere, though it probably has.


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90 Degree Angled O2 Check Engine Light CEL Fix Oxygen Spacer Exhaust Extension - 4 Piece Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1U6I54..._bVsBAbJJS782E

Those are the spacers above.

Slight rasp with stock exhaust. There have been various discussions on exhaust, and the consensus is aftermarket exhaust is pretty much for sound only, no matter how modified your car is. There are a few low 11 second 3.0t cars are running stock exhaust.

[ntsantos]

Is there a way to tell if cats are going bad other than grey smoke out the back?

You'll start getting a "low cat efficiency" CEL as wells as the gray dust ring around the exhaust tip.

[4Rings3Liters]

Would EGTs be higher or anything I can check in VAG com?

[ntsantos]

Would EGTs be higher or anything I can check in VAG com?

There was a very minor EGT difference between the good cat and the bad cat.

[scmtkings4]

Any plans on running cats elsewhere along your exhaust?

[ntsantos]

Any plans on running cats elsewhere along your exhaust?

Eventually, after race season. I'll either weld GESI cats right on the AWE dps, or use JHMs solution if they're competitively priced.

[scmtkings4]

Eventually, after race season. I'll either weld GESI cats right on the AWE dps, or use JHMs solution if they're competitively priced.

Cool, post up pics if you decide to go the weld route. Would be interested to see where you have them placed

[Kiggy74]

Thanks for sharing this. Subscribed as the puff of smoke out my pipes tonight was an ominous sign of things to come.

[maty360414]

can you drop a link where you got them

[ntsantos]

can you drop a link where you got them

I'm not a computer right now, just type in "Becker 3.0T" in ebay.

[kelseysautobody]

Nice review. Interested to see how these will effect your 1/4 mile times. Have you done anything else with the car since going 11.7?

[brs2c]

I've removed cats from a smaller and a larger displacement engine (both stand alone EMS). Neither had much of a gas smell. It makes me wonder if these cars are way rich at idle and low RPM. If that is the case, we should be able have a tuner lean it out, a bit.

[ntsantos]

Nice review. Interested to see how these will effect your 1/4 mile times. Have you done anything else with the car since going 11.7?

I sent my blower back to Jokerz for a re-port, still waiting on it before I hit the track again. I was going to Install the 203mm crank pulley but i stripped the damn hex head screws. I've also been testing with Nitrous with some positive results. Hoping for mid to low 11s without NOS.

[kelseysautobody]

I sent my blower back to Jokerz for a re-port, still waiting on it before I hit the track again. I was going to Install the 203mm crank pulley but i stripped the damn hex head screws. I've also been testing with Nitrous with some positive results. Hoping for mid to low 11s without NOS.

Nice. Looking forward to seeing what it runs.

So you had one of the early ported blowers and you’re sending it back for additional porting? If this is the case I’m interested in how much you gain from it. I have one of the first blowers and now that the Chaos port is out I feel like I’m missing out.

[jazzyjay18]

Any results yet?

[ntsantos]

Any results yet?

Haven't had time to hot the track lately. I will update that I still haven't had a CEL yet! I do get a few readiness values that are out of spec, so it may or may not pass emissions. I'm due for a smog, so I'm going to try it anyway. But not having a CEL with no cats is pretty awesome.

[jazzyjay18]

Did your butt dyno feel a difference after the install?

[ntsantos]

Did your butt dyno feel a difference after the install?

Yes, for sure, especially since I had the bad Cat.

[A.C.]

Yes, for sure, especially since I had the bad Cat.

Do you smell the fumes from the test pipes instead of the cat? Curious if they have the same effect as headers. I know the noise level will increase. I have AWE track with factory DPs.


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[ntsantos]

Do you smell the fumes from the test pipes instead of the cat? Curious if they have the same effect as headers. I know the noise level will increase. I have AWE track with factory DPs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can smell the fumes a lot more from outside the car.

[toastsauce]

90 Degree Angled O2 Check Engine Light CEL Fix Oxygen Spacer Exhaust Extension - 4 Piece Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1U6I54..._bVsBAbJJS782E

Those are the spacers above.

Slight rasp with stock exhaust. There have been various discussions on exhaust, and the consensus is aftermarket exhaust is pretty much for sound only, no matter how modified your car is. There are a few low 11 second 3.0t cars are running stock exhaust.

Do you think these can be installed onto test pipes after the pipes are already installed?

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[GandalfTheIbis]

I smell exhaust fumes with my windows down even with my HFC. I've got a strong nose for that kind of thing though.

[Rodizzle]

My mechanic was able to get it done it 3 hours and only had to drop to tranny a bit.



Big thanks to Danny at HTL Motorsports for the install!

Ntsantos great review ,
I’ve noticed that you’re here locally (bay Area ) . When you say drop the tranny do you mean they actually remove it or just unbolt it enough to give them room.? Also do you mind PM me the average installation cost that you went through? And lastly I’m running AWE touring exhaust I would want get down pipes as well , do you see any conflict I might run it too if with match test pipes on to different downpipes ?

Thanks


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[ntsantos]

Ntsantos great review ,
I’ve noticed that you’re here locally (bay Area ) . When you say drop the tranny do you mean they actually remove it or just unbolt it enough to give them room.? Also do you mind PM me the average installation cost that you went through? And lastly I’m running AWE touring exhaust I would want get down pipes as well , do you see any conflict I might run it too if with match test pipes on to different downpipes ?

Thanks


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The bolts at the bottom of the tranny were just loosened to give a couple inches to remove the cats. I'm running AWE dp, so they fit.

[Rodizzle]

Thanks bud , i think I’m just gonna have to visit that shop and cop me them test pipes after all .


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[jazzyjay18]

Did you do a retune after install?

[ntsantos]

Did you do a retune after install?

No. There's no need for one performance wise. Some tuners may offer a catless tune just to keep the CELs away.

[Rodizzle]

No. There's no need for one performance wise. Some tuners may offer a catless tune just to keep the CELs away.

How are those o2 spacers working for u ? I got my test pipes in but The spaces you link on Amazon or unfortunately not available. I end up picking up different kind. Just waiting for some other parts to have installed the same day.


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[ntsantos]

How are those o2 spacers working for u ? I got my test pipes in but The spaces you link on Amazon or unfortunately not available. I end up picking up different kind. Just waiting for some other parts to have installed the same day.


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They work well. I'm only using the 90deg part, none of the straight extensions. I honestly think you can get away with just a shallow straight spacer, and not get the CEL. I may play around with it later. They're easy to access from the engine bay.

[maty360414]

They work well. I'm only using the 90deg part, none of the straight extensions. I honestly think you can get away with just a shallow straight spacer, and not get the CEL. I may play around with it later. They're easy to access from the engine bay.

Did you try the other ways?

Is the best way still the 90 degree angle without the extensions?

[NohNoh]

I just had these installed also. I noticed a power increase especially during highway driving. I have stock exhaust. I do have exhaust rattle so I’ll have the shop take a look at it when I have them install o2 spacers. I tried using the vibrant straight spacers but it would not fit. I had to get some 90 degree spacers.


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[Rodizzle]

Did you try the other ways?

Is the best way still the 90 degree angle without the extensions?

I couldn’t find the same spacers of the OP , but I bought these
Dewhel O2 oxygen sensor angled extender spacer 90 degree 02 bung extension M18 X 1.5 Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07875QF9V?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf


Iv had them for 500 miles and on the track with no codes !


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