I am NOT a tree hugger (can I say that?). Let me get that out of the way.

Do you think it is ethical to drive around with a straight pipe?

I often get frustrated when I see an old beater makes a lot of smoke and smell. I am very sensitive to this because I have a migrane problem that sometimes starts after driving behind or around one of these idiots. I look at the driver and obviously he/she looks like he doesn't give a $hit about it.

Now I have driven behind more recent sportscars, with or without apparent modifications, and sometimes I can tell what comes out of their pipe is nasty polluting fumes. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have always associated that with having straight pipes.

Flame away if you like. I am not criticizing anyone here, though I know many of us never consider how polluting our engienes get as long as the last 0.001 hp is juiced out of it. I accept that. Living in a big city like LA, every 2 minutes someone steps on your toes and annoys you, so I have no problem annoying my fellow citizens with a few puffs of SMOG!!!(I too had a modded GSR once.) Do what you like. There are so many other things brought to us by people around us that are hundred times as annoying and harmful. I am asking this question because I am curious. Because in the past 3 years I don't remember anyone on this board ever look at tuning their engienes and its consequence on the air they breath. Forget the environment, just the air.

Anyway, please don't take this personal and get side tracked. I want us, not people, just us the H-T community to get a feel for this issue.


[Modified by Cyberorth, 1:40 AM 4/13/2002]

 

I put this here because ITR board is one of the two HT boards that I read. I know the members here and I feel more comfortable. I know it probably belongs to Members' corner, but it isn't the first OT post here, so what the hey.


[Modified by Cyberorth, 1:45 AM 4/13/2002]

 

I agree with you. Car with test pipes smell like ****. Not to mention most sound sh!tty too.

Mattj

 

Count me in for "Straigh Pipe(s) belong on the Track/Strip."

I too, get annoyed following behind old trucks and beaters and smelling the fumes. Even RATEDR's ITR gets on my nerves...that car stinks!


[Modified by iloveracing, 12:32 PM 4/13/2002]

 

I'm not trying to be a dick but who cares what it sounds like or smells like. as long as you get a decent amount of FWHP out of a 45 dollar piece of piping

 

straight pipes own - just ask Johnny Tran - my view------> I don't really care too much for the smokiness, but the noise is even worse

 

Noise? I didnt notice it any louder with a straight pipe after having a hi-flow cat. But the stinkyness does get annoying.

 

neither am I, so when I bought my used 98 R and it came with a test pipe along with the stock cat, I threw the TP on to see what diff it would make.

true, the car makes a bit more power with it on and the sound is not much diff from stock(which I liked). I disliked the CEL light on the dash being constantly on, but what convinced me to go back to the cat was waiting at a drive through window, idling. the smell was overpowering... imagine the poor guy behind me waiting in line, getting gased to the max cause some fool in front of him wanted a few more FWHP! come on...

I decided I could live without that HP if it meant having a car that didn't have obnoxious fumes/smell coming out of the pipe. besides, I still need to learn to drive this thing with the power that it does have.

 

Why just straight pipe morals?

What about other aftermarket parts? There are a lot of car parts out on the market that specify "For track/off road use only."

One reason that I don't mod my car's engine is because I care about my fellow man. Plus, I do care about the environment. I am not interested in high horsepower/torque numbers. I am interested in keeping my engine clean, running efficiently, and smoothly, more than anything else. I didn't buy a race car, I bought a well handling $20,000 Integra. I never intended in making my car a race car.

I think that for some, engine building/modifying is something they love doing. And some don't care about smog/air pollution. That's fine. I don't judge. Eventually, the only way to be happy is to find a balance.

I am ready to be flamed.



[Modified by 2001 Integra GSR, 1:58 PM 4/13/2002]

 

This is exactly what I am talking about. I am talking about a hobby ( of modifying STREET cars) that adversly affects others, and oneself and one's family.

If I have a test pipe in my car, I wouldn't brag about it. I'd try to hide it. I would be concerend that my friends and family think that I don't care about them. It is almost like throwing trash in the ocean. Many of us would look around to see if anyone is looking first. Like pouring your used oil down the toilet. Not exactly something you would be proud of.

Lots of people who don't know or care about any other aspects of Honda cars buy Hondas because of the company's position and initiative regarding emission. You and me with our test pipes and the other smoking idiot that I mention above simply cancel out thier intention and their effort. Except that the idiot guy doesn't know any better and but you and me know and also drive HONDA.

I hope you realize that 'test pipe' is just an example of what you can do to your car to make it environment UN-friendly. I don't have a personal grudge about 'test pipe.'


[Modified by Cyberorth, 5:03 PM 4/13/2002]

 

Until they get all diesel trucks off the road - I have no concerns about running a TP on my car. There is nothing more unpleasant than sitting in traffic and have a nice big truck or school bus pull up beside you and blow black smoke into your window.

 

I kinda like the exhaust smell, but I used to drive a Karmann Ghia that reeked of it.

But I would not run a test pipe on my current car. My car needn't be an LEV, but I don't want it to pollute more than necessary either. I'm willing to sacrifice that 2hp.

 

race cats are nice but for the money there is no comparision to a TP.....plus you don't have to have a CEL if anyone wants to know how to fool the O2 IM me...also if you have the JDM collector you need either a test pipe or race cat anyway.

 

so just because other ppl don't care about the environment, you wont care either??? ....wut kind of logic is that??

I'm not a tree hugger either but the carbon monoxide that comes outta your car with a test pipe is very toxic

If anybody wants a test pipe to gain several hps, that's just sad cause there are many better ways to do it

 

This is a topic that I feel very strongly about. In my opinion, it is the wrong thing to do. Where I live, one can easily get away with it, but I choose to run a cat. Also, modern diesels are much cleaner than a late model gasoline car running a test pipe. Ive been behind quite a few TDI VWs in traffic and didnt notice anything.

 

Yes, VW and BMW Diesel cars are clean, but ever been behind a dualie pickup, or a Suburban? Those things pollute like crazy. Not to mention the thousands of semi trucks, dump trucks, etc running around spewing thick black smoke. I dont understand why someone would give such a **** about a Honda with a testpipe, yet does nothing about anything else that pollutes 1000x more. If you are going to preach about Catalytic converters, dont just preach here, go do something about the vehicles that really do pollute. Im sick of hearing all this BS from people who claim to care about the environmant and blah blah blah, go do something about it and stop writing about it on the internet.

 

I don't like test-pipes. Yeah, it stinks getting behind TJ's and/or Ken's ITR's. IMHO, 2HP is not worth the polluting the air we live in.

 

I'm against all "straight pipe" usage on anything but a racetrack. Especially in smoggy *** Southern California.

I come down from a nice day of snowboarding, and can't seem to see the city below me. All I saw was a layer of thick never-ending smog covering the horizon. Nasty.

 

I used to run a TP before I got my Hy-tech header, I went to a carsound cat because I want to atleast try not to pollute. Also, here in Utah if a cop pulls you over for modded exhaust and notices your testpipe, its a $2000 fine. Not worth it in my opinion, I will stick to running my testpipe on the track and my cat on the streets.

Of course, if YOU choose to run a testpipe on the streets I wont preach to you about it, but when you get a ticket at the street races, I will point and laugh.

 

heheh..... i like throwing my cigs on the ground or out the window to **** off all those politically correct people that live in cali; i think a testpipe is just bad taste though... i especially love blowing smoke at people who cough while walking by or sitting near me. -rob

 

I agree w/ you, Cyberorth. I'm not a tree-hugger, but I'm still environmentally aware. That's why SUVs **** me off so much. In terms of pure, unadulterated waste, they take the cake.

I'd still feel guilty about running a testpipe, too. I think the whole notion of fuel-efficient, clean performance is pretty damn appealing. The pollution thing is everyone's problem, unfortunately. Even more unfortunate are the millions of people who could give 2 ***** about it.

Oh yeah--smokers **** me off for way too many reasons to even list--sorry 680.

 

I am very happy to see that many more people share my views than not.

This is good.

 

Will

 

**** you and your blowing smoke on people who don't like it. Come do that to me and a smack down is what you will get

Opps that is unless its coming our of one of your RooR's lol


[Modified by Solo2Vtec, 10:02 PM 4/15/2002]

 

ill admit i kinda care about the environment to. like people leaving water on...but ive had a jdm 4-1 +tp for about 2 months now....yes it smells , but i only notice it when i get out of the car.. it doesnt really bother me..i dont know what people are complaining about...i say people can do what they want to their rides.just dont rice that **** out....ole well life goes on..lol