Test Pipes

[TristanT14]

Whats every ones thoughts on getting test pipes to replace the cats? I will be going dual pulley soon. Any recommendations on which set of test pipes to go with (please include a link). Also would you guys think its better to have the cats replaced the same time I am getting DP installed or should I wait until my cats are done?

[curr0138]

After DP I went with eurocode test pipes and installed magnaflow highflow cats on my Borla downpipes for lower EGT where the oem piggy resonators would have been. The setup has held up quite well for the last 7k miles and sounds nice.

CEL went away after APR’s dp testpipe file.




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[Jake@JHM]

Whats every ones thoughts on getting test pipes to replace the cats? I will be going dual pulley soon. Any recommendations on which set of test pipes to go with (please include a link). Also would you guys think its better to have the cats replaced the same time I am getting DP installed or should I wait until my cats are done?

Have have some in stock and ready to ship: https://jhmotorsports.com/exhaust-race-pipes-version-2-stainless-steel-2-5-jhm-for-b8-s4-s5-q5-sq7-a7-3-0t.html

Cats don't last long on these cars once you get to a certain power level. However we also have a solution for that which puts the cats further downstream if you still want cats: https://jhmotorsports.com/exhaust-downpipe-x-pipes-with-high-flow-cats-jhm-for-the-b8-s4-s5-3-0t-and-4-2l-fsi.html

[chilort]

Test pipes make the exhaust very raspy sounding. If you already have an aftermarket exhaust with rasp then it will only get worse (maybe quite a bit worse).

The factory cats fail on unmodified cars. I probably wouldn't drop the coin until they actually did bite the dust (or spew platinum dust out the back) but that's just my view. If you have to pass strict emissions then you're probably stuck with some kind of factory or factory replacement cat (which will fail again). If your state/location has less strict emissions controls then you can probably get away with something else.

I have JHM test pipes and live in a state without emissions checks. I still installed MagnaFlow HFCs quite a bit further downstream from the factory location because I didn't like the smell on my daily driver (I have older carbureted cars if I feel like smelling that smell). I used 90* O2 extensions on the downstream O2 sensors to keep the CEL off. Again, depending on what your state/area checks when they do emissions then this might work. I have a B8 and the car shows that the cat efficiency is bad but that doesn't make it throw the CEL.

Ideally, we'd have an aftermarket cat option that can live with the stock location but doesn't seem to be the case at the moment.

Installing the test pipes isn't cheap because of what needs to be done to get to everything to even pull the old cats out and put the test pipes in place. Not every tuner currently offers the option to code out for a lack of cats so keep that in mind too. And what might sound like a good exhaust note to you now might not sound so good with test pipes either.

[TristanT14]

Honestly I have no idea what you just said other than the exhaust sounding worse since I already have one on. I have AWE Touring with non res downpipes. I am good with emissions I know ill be able to pass even catless. What I don't understand are these o2 censors and CEL light. I honestly just want DP and the power it comes with but I am confused on everything else that comes with this. I need help either way and need as much information as people can give me.

[EAFLO88]

I bought the Becker Test Pipes off eBay and they’re great quality with zero issues thus far. To battle the rattling sound, I installed Magnaflow 11385 in place of the baby resonators and that solved that issue. I also installed the following spacer to eliminate the check engine light.

90 Degree Angled O2 Check Engine Light CEL Fix Oxygen Spacer Exhaust Extension - 4 Piece Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B1U6I54/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VWNVBb265FVD4

[chilort]

Test pipes go in place of the cats. The O2 sensor that checks to make sure the cat is operational shows that the cat isn't operational (because it isn't there). If you are going with an APR DP tune then they can code out the CEL. Other tuners don't do that. So, if you're going with a tune other than APR you will need to use 90 degree spacers to keep the ECU from turning on the CEL for the lack of cats.

Some states/locations check the emissions with visual inspections and OBD. If the cats aren't in the factory location then you'll fail visual inspection no matter what the OBD shows (this is a reason along with cost why some people have tried knocking out the cat material in the factory cats rather than using test pipes).

Without a factory style cat in the factory location it is very hard to full fool the ECU these days. I said earlier that I was failing efficiency and that's wrong. The efficiency is right but it is the warmup that I'm failing with spacers. But that's not enough for the ECU to turn on the CEL for the B8. The B8.5 might be different.

[TristanT14]

Test pipes go in place of the cats. The O2 sensor that checks to make sure the cat is operational shows that the cat isn't operational (because it isn't there). If you are going with an APR DP tune then they can code out the CEL. Other tuners don't do that. So, if you're going with a tune other than APR you will need to use 90 degree spacers to keep the ECU from turning on the CEL for the lack of cats.

Some states/locations check the emissions with visual inspections and OBD. If the cats aren't in the factory location then you'll fail visual inspection no matter what the OBD shows (this is a reason along with cost why some people have tried knocking out the cat material in the factory cats rather than using test pipes).

Without a factory style cat in the factory location it is very hard to full fool the ECU these days. I said earlier that I was failing efficiency and that's wrong. The efficiency is right but it is the warmup that I'm failing with spacers. But that's not enough for the ECU to turn on the CEL for the B8. The B8.5 might be different.

Honestly I have no idea what you said other than my car sounding worse with an exhaust on it plus these. I have an AWE Touring with non res downpipes. I am a noob with all this stuff to be honest. I’m confused on the o2 censors as well. I really don’t want a CEL bc I already have an airbag light on and it’s already annoying. Any information is really helpful to me as I don’t know much about this.


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[Jamen]

Have have some in stock and ready to ship: https://jhmotorsports.com/exhaust-race-pipes-version-2-stainless-steel-2-5-jhm-for-b8-s4-s5-q5-sq7-a7-3-0t.html

Cats don't last long on these cars once you get to a certain power level. However we also have a solution for that which puts the cats further downstream if you still want cats: https://jhmotorsports.com/exhaust-downpipe-x-pipes-with-high-flow-cats-jhm-for-the-b8-s4-s5-3-0t-and-4-2l-fsi.html

Will the downpipes with Cats pass CA Smog (stock ECU)? Also how much more life will these get at stage 2 compared to stock cats

[awwturbo]

Here's some advice. If you can't do the research or understand what happens when you go to DP and above power levels, don't do it. All you are going to be doing is tossing money at the car blindly. Trust me on this and just do stage 2 and maybe do water/meth injection. Hind sight 20/20, I wish I never went DP. My car on stage 2 100 octane file with meth and 93 octane fuel was so much more faster than GIAC's DP 93 octane file.

[Gkit19986]

Here's some advice. If you can't do the research or understand what happens when you go to DP and above power levels, don't do it. All you are going to be doing is tossing money at the car blindly. Trust me on this and just do stage 2 and maybe do water/meth injection. Hind sight 20/20, I wish I never went DP. My car on stage 2 100 octane file with meth and 93 octane fuel was so much more faster than GIAC's DP 93 octane file.

Wouldn’t a stg2 ,100 octane and meth be logically faster than DP 93 octane ? I’m going DP next week and for $ 500 plus cooling isn’t a bad deal.

[awwturbo]

Wouldn’t a stg2 ,100 octane and meth be logically faster than DP 93 octane ? I’m going DP next week and for $ 500 plus cooling isn’t a bad deal.

Yes it would be faster. But I was running 93 octane fuel with the 100 octane stage 2 file with meth. Very little to no timing corrections with the meth.

[Grumby21]

i was curious if stage 2 dual pulley can i get away with hfc or must i go full cat delete. here in delaware they just do computer and brakes and thats it no sniffer im just scared allittle that some people say if it's louder then stock or louder then most cars they they might do a sniffer but i dont think they do or have yet to hear anyone local that has had them do it. like there are loud early 2000 gto's with large rear wheels driving on the road loud as hell but have there stickers.

[Gkit19986]

Yes it would be faster. But I was running 93 octane fuel with the 100 octane stage 2 file with meth. Very little to no timing corrections with the meth.

So the meth was really used to cooling measure, I'd think it would produce higher number. I think if you ran DP, plus meth and you it wasn't as fast then I'd be concerned .

[awwturbo]

i was curious if stage 2 dual pulley can i get away with hfc or must i go full cat delete. here in delaware they just do computer and brakes and thats it no sniffer im just scared allittle that some people say if it's louder then stock or louder then most cars they they might do a sniffer but i dont think they do or have yet to hear anyone local that has had them do it. like there are loud early 2000 gto's with large rear wheels driving on the road loud as hell but have there stickers.

You can go with hfc's. The ideal location would be farther down stream in the downpipes to reduce the chances of heat from the engine cooking them with DP. But most people go catless test pipes. and as an FYI, with out proper modification to your exhaust system on test pipes, it sounds absolutely horrible.


So the meth was really used to cooling measure, I'd think it would produce higher number. I think if you ran DP, plus meth and you it wasn't as fast then I'd be concerned .

I went with IE's double pulley file last week and am running the 100 octane file. It is beast! If I was running the 93 file I would just stay stage 2 100oct with the meth. The car is smoother in the low range. Depending on the meth mix you gain the benefits of higher octane plus cooling the charge. I'm sure if I ran a higher meth percentage like say 70/30 I would have no timing corrections at all. But I run Snow Performance's Boost Juice which is 49/51.

[Grumby21]

You can go with hfc's. The ideal location would be farther down stream in the downpipes to reduce the chances of heat from the engine cooking them with DP. But most people go catless test pipes. and as an FYI, with out proper modification to your exhaust system on test pipes, it sounds absolutely horrible.



I went with IE's double pulley file last week and am running the 100 octane file. It is beast! If I was running the 93 file I would just stay stage 2 100oct with the meth. The car is smoother in the low range. Depending on the meth mix you gain the benefits of higher octane plus cooling the charge. I'm sure if I ran a higher meth percentage like say 70/30 I would have no timing corrections at all. But I run Snow Performance's Boost Juice which is 49/51.

but if i push it further downstream i would still have the inevitable failure no matter what

[chilort]

but if i push it further downstream i would still have the inevitable failure no matter what

They are failing because of heat. The stock location is nearly okay for stock (some are still blowing out) setups. If you move cats down stream you move them away from heat (the exhaust gasses cool the further they go at a decelerating rate). Exhaust gasses can only get so hot (before causing other problems) even with higher power levels. So, no, there is no inevitable failure once placed down stream (though I'm not sure we yet know exactly where that spot is but at $100 each for MagnaFlows I was willing to give things a try). You'll just never pass a visual inspection and, depending on the depth of an electronic check, some OBD checks.

[Grumby21]

They are failing because of heat. The stock location is nearly okay for stock (some are still blowing out) setups. If you move cats down stream you move them away from heat (the exhaust gasses cool the further they go at a decelerating rate). Exhaust gasses can only get so hot (before causing other problems) even with higher power levels. So, no, there is no inevitable failure once placed down stream (though I'm not sure we yet know exactly where that spot is but at $100 each for MagnaFlows I was willing to give things a try). You'll just never pass a visual inspection and, depending on the depth of an electronic check, some OBD checks.

i do like the catless aspect of not having to worry about the cat itself but worried a little with smelling gas in the car when i start it up. i commute 33 miles one way and i dont want to have to worry about smell the drone/noise i could careless. but open to suggests from others about catless vs hfc further downstream. so far all we have is ignition tube with catless and would love to hear more about catless in a daily driver aspect

[SIQ5]

I am late to the thread but curious why taking out the factory cats, putting in test pipes, and using a catted x-pipe makes you fail emissions. Do the high flow cats not do the job that the state requires?

[killer_s4]

Because the cats are after the o2 sensors so they stay in a not ready state.

[wes8398]

Suffice to say that O2 spacers aren't ideal.
Would it not be feasible to get o2 extensions and have bungs welded in appropriate locations?


Oh, and OP... You should really show at least some signs of doing some legwork yourself. People here aren't going to just spoon feed you every little detail that you should know. Do some searching. Inform yourself. Or... Throw money at your tuner of choice, and leave it up to them.

[SIQ5]

Suffice to say that O2 spacers aren't ideal.
Would it not be feasible to get o2 extensions and have bungs welded in appropriate locations?


Oh, and OP... You should really show at least some signs of doing some legwork yourself. People here aren't going to just spoon feed you every little detail that you should know. Do some searching. Inform yourself. Or... Throw money at your tuner of choice, and leave it up to them.

Cool. Fuck everyone. Everyone should know everything. Oh wait, this is a forum of like minded individuals that may have questions. Have a another drink bro.

[wes8398]

Cool. Fuck everyone. Everyone should know everything. Oh wait, this is a forum of like minded individuals that may have questions. Have a another drink bro.Easy there big fella. Don't wanna sprain a finger with your Warrior-typing.

I was being quite friendly in my suggestion to OP, actually. And nowhere did I say he, or anyone, should already know it all. That would defeat the existence of this forum. I simply said that he (or she) should do some of their own leg work. This is'nt exactly a brand new topic that's never been broached in this community before.

Judging by your lack of comprehension, and overzealous reaction to what you THOUGHT you read; I'm inclined to request you to take your own advice... But let your poor keyboard recover by putting it away for the rest of the night. [emoji1782]

[TristanT14]

Cool. Fuck everyone. Everyone should know everything. Oh wait, this is a forum of like minded individuals that may have questions. Have a another drink bro.

Mood, there have been some very helpful people on this forum when I had mt S4. Then there were the people thinking I wasn't doing research whilst asking questions.. Asked questions on things that were either not in a thread already or on things I did not understand and couldn't find answers for. Thankfully with the help of others I was able to understand everything I needed, I went catless, smell wasn't too bad except for windows down and at a light. Hated the wayit sounded.If anyone is reading this and thinking of going catless for Dual pulley.Do it! Wrap the test pipes in exhaust wrap and the rest o your exhaust too if you would like. I had wrapped test pipes with awe non res touring that I wrapped in exhaust wrap all the way to the mufflers and it sounded way better compared toa car with the same setup just not wrapped. Stil wasnt fond of the it as it was still raspy just not unbearably raspyy.

[Jake@JHM]

Our cats are for the smell and sound reduction since they aren't 50 state legal (no performance option is). Although most states/counties only require to have some sort of catalyst to pass, or run these to prevent the CEL and have readiness pass: https://jhmotorsports.com/j-style-oxygen-sensor-restrictor-fitting-vibrant-performance-with-adjustable-gas-flow-inserts-t304-stainless-steel.html

[WillS4]

Our cats are for the smell and sound reduction since they aren't 50 state legal (no performance option is). Although most states/counties only require to have some sort of catalyst to pass, or run these to prevent the CEL and have readiness pass: https://jhmotorsports.com/j-style-oxygen-sensor-restrictor-fitting-vibrant-performance-with-adjustable-gas-flow-inserts-t304-stainless-steel.html

Hey Jake,

I'm running the AWE touring and sound is perfect...prob is I'm going to cook the cats, esp with the ported SC I'm throwing on top of the DP 57/194 and 100octane map. The only review I've seen has the JHM solution on top of the AWE touring being much louder....any recommendations for how I can have a quiet AWE sounding exhaust that my wife won't give me grief about?

Thank you,

-Will

[Jake@JHM]

Hey Jake,

I'm running the AWE touring and sound is perfect...prob is I'm going to cook the cats, esp with the ported SC I'm throwing on top of the DP 57/194 and 100octane map. The only review I've seen has the JHM solution on top of the AWE touring being much louder....any recommendations for how I can have a quiet AWE sounding exhaust that my wife won't give me grief about?

Thank you,

-Will

Will,

Our Baffled/HFC Downpipe setup is great at keeping the noise down while cruising around. Very wife friendly, especially when paired with AWE Touring.

HERE: https://jhmotorsports.com/exhaust-high-flow-cat-downpipes-with-integrated-baffle-system-jhm-for-the-b8-s4-s5-q5-sq5-c7-a6-a7-3-0t-and-4-2l-fsi.html


** INTEGRATED BAFFLE SYSTEM VERSION **

The Integrated Baffle System Version of our JHM HFC Downpipes are for those who are looking for a quieter exhaust system. The baffles have been designed and strategically located in the downpipes to reduce unwanted drone and rasp (Depending on your catback, results may vary). We used popular exhaust systems for our trials (AWE Touring & Track) along with our JHM Race Pipes and were able to get the interior noise down to just 70db while cruising at 70mph in 6th gear at 2500RPM with the JHM Baffled Downpipes. That is 10db quieter than the AWE Touring and 15db quieter than the AWE Track systems WITHOUT the JHM Baffled Downpipes installed. During our testing, at 70db we heard more road/tire noise than exhaust. Note: The main purpose of the Integrated Baffle System is to combat unwanted drone and take the edge off rasp.


https://youtu.be/pD5OnMAWvTE

[SIQ5]

Jake, have you ever had one of your HFC fried by a crackle tune?

[Jake@JHM]

Jake, have you ever had one of your HFC fried by a crackle tune?

We have been selling catted downpipes for a few years now and have not had any reports of failure. However, a crackle tune won't promote longevity with any sort of catalyst and should be done at your own risk.

[WillS4]

Thanks Jake..will be ordering. Exactly what I needed.

[Jake@JHM]

Thanks Jake..will be ordering. Exactly what I needed.

Thanks for the support [up]