I am trying to find out which would be a better way to go, getting a carsound cat or a test pipe. Which would be better for 1/4 use? Would i burn more oil with the test pipe with the mileage on my care (137,000) or not? Which would be the best to do, i know the test pipe wont pass testing but ill swich the stock cat out with the test pipe when i have to next year, any help is appriciated.... TIA....


[Modified by TeamTooQuick, 6:13 AM 2/6/2003]

 

It depends on what kind of exhaust you have. In my DB2 (JDM 4-1, Testpipe, 2.5in B-pipe, Apexi-Ti muffler) I cant hear. I'm being serious. Under WOT everyone within a 5-7mile radius can hear me. If you have a loud exhaust it will only amplify the sound. For a street car I would just get a carsound. For the track I would use a testpipe (more midrange and topend). HTH.

 

Get a cat. Why would you want to contribute more in polluting the environment?

 

I had my cat hollowed out with ITR b-pipe and Spoon N1. Stock header though. It wasn't that loud. I guess the Spoon N1 is more of a deep sounding N1 opposed to a high pitched 5Zigen Fireball/Apex-i N1 sound.

I knew one of these responses was coming. Don't listen to this guy. POLLUTE AWAY!

JK.

 

The amount of noise is really going to depend on what kind of header you have and kind of exhaust you have. I have a jdm 4-1header,test pipe, and type R catback and my exhaust is really quiet driving around town. It has a slight pingy sound and it will scream when i mash on it but during normal cruising speed the exhaust is very quiet, not much louder then stock. If you have a resonator in your exhaust then your exhaust shouldnt be that loud. Personally, I really like my street setup. I had a friend with just a test pipe on his car and I have heard intakes louder then his car. Just my 2cents

 

one thing ppl never seem to comment on is how bad your car stinks while using a testpipe -- seriously.

don't forget that if you get caught without a catalytic converter, you are gonna be in big trouble, since it's a federal law requiring the use of them -- i'm pretty sure the fine is over a grand.

for track use, i'd say go with it. but, for street use, i would say pass on it -- shitty sound, nasty stank, and possible fines are not worth minimal h.p. gains.

 

There honestly is no reason to running a test pipe naturally aspirated unless you are going full out race.

The cat will help give a LITTLE backpressure to keep your low end torque going, plus you can pass emmissions and you car will be somewhat bearable in noise.

I wouldn't worry about running a test pipe until you go with a turbo. Also, with a turbo, your car wouldn't be half as loud with a testpipe than you would be naturally aspirated.

 

I would go with the properly sized CarSound Cat for a daily driver. The fine is waaaaay to steep if you're running a test pipe.

BTW, the whole backpressure idea is a myth...

 

I sold my testpipe off my Stock header + TestPipe + Apexi N1 Catback, because it was obnoxiously to loud. When i would hit vtec, it would like shatter ears. I could be heard miles away, start and stop. It was cool for one night. I took it off the next. I didnt notices any gains either, just super loudness, and ricey tones.
I was embarassed to drive around with the ricey testpipe..with just my n1, its awesome..i love the tone.

 

My vote goes to carsound why? All of the previous reasons above...primarily the smell and noise would just get to me, I couldnt take it.

 

ehhhh you buncha tree huggers.
when i was Na , i ran the dm 4/1 ,custom test pipe and Apxi N1 full cat back the car picked up and went , it was louder than with the cat , but not obnoxiousm, it was quality sound . . thne it hit vtec and was nutty.
would deff reccomend the test pipe. i made real nice pwoer with my set up and my times were great , so i have no complaints.
Now im turbo , i still dont have a catbecuase it cuts you back tough. . . you might not notice it much when you 1st put the pipe on , but roll like that for a while then putthe cat back on , youll see the differenceright away and be disgusted with the car as long as the cat is back on . . . . I have went thru sooo many set up s , i have a good idea what works.
The highflow cats are nice ,but they dont flowe as freely as they say, and not worth the money whatsoever. Ive ran em before and never liked em.

 

carsound...hehe..mine crapped out after 8 months.

Right now...i have shitty piping, quiet muffler that doesn't flow...but have an exhaust cutout place between the header and cat. When I race...open that up..LOUD and pulls hard..especially high end. On the street...close it...definately doesn't run as well.

-Rod

 

i have a test pipe on right now...i really think im going to switch to a carsound.
however, my comptech header/ test pipe/ and dc sports catback is not very loud...its perfect for me.

its just my conscious is saying "stop fu*king up the environment for ~1 hp"...

 

Im starting to think that mine would be stupid loud and i put the test pipe on with my set up now. I have the comptech header and the tanabe racing medalion cat-back exhaust. With that straight through design kind of exhaust i have i think it would just be really loud. What do yall think about the loudness with my exhaust set up?

 

It'll be loud with that exhaust. I've run a resonated testpipe w/ my comptech header & A'pexi worldsport catback. The sound is far far sweeter than with a cat. It was marginally louder. Anyone that says the HP gain is not noticable is not being very observant IMO, I noticed when I put the cat back on imediately. The stock cat chokes the motor off badly. The smell IS a problem, though it does lessen somewhat over time, or you get used to it.