(Newbie question...)

I've been looking into puttng a test pipe onto my '88 Turbo S and am baffled by the prices because it appears to be just a plain piece of pipe - why are they so expensive?

I just talked to a local muffler shop and they said they could fabricate a "cat eliminator pipe" (their term) for about $50 - is there an issue with taking them up on their offer?

Also, if I do put this pipe on are there any other adjustments that need to be made?

Thanks much.

 

Actually this is a good topic. I cant understand why it costs so much to replace the catalytic converter with a straight pipe.

I understand that the cat and down pipe are one unit, but it is only straight through pipe. Right now i just have my gutted out cat, but am looking for a straight pipe to replace the unit.

But what it really does comes down to is putting down the bucks and getting a nice unit, free of leaks.

 

The reason is that you replace the entire pipe...ever looked at it?

It's like buying a cat-back exhaust without the muffler...but more complicated...

Still, it should be cheaper...but hey...I picked up a used Bursch 2.5" pipe for $100..I'm happy.

 

I had a local shop replace my whole exhaust ( not the DP ) for $300 ( 3" ) 2 7dB resonators

 

the TPs are expensive because of the wastegate tie in, mandrel bending, 3" and the polishing (which is pretty useless). Many also come with slip fit joints to add a hi flow CAT if you need to later....but yes, they are overpriced. If you don't want 3", your local shop appears to be giving you a good deal!

 

just goto a hardware store,buy a 3" pipe and go and weld it for $20.

 

But what about the wastegate dump pipe?

 

couldnt you just cut your old wastegate dump pipe and conect it into the new custom exhaust?

 

i would think you could use a porta-band or saw-saw and hack off the section containing the cat... and then have a muffler shop flare the ends, make an intermediate piece, and clamp or weld it in place - but lets look at why most people buy "test pipes" - it's all about improving exhaust velocity, right? adding hacked-in stuff while eliminating a source of minor restriction (the cat) might disrupt flow enough that it would completely override any gains made by ditching the catalytic converter. so frankly, the aftermarket cat pipes not only eliminate the cat, it's all about getting a "smoother" (which translates into faster) flowing exhaust...

someone corret me if i'm wrong, but also, aren't the factory downpipes made of some strange double-walled stuff like the factory cat-back, and the down-pipe, etc etc?? i assume that would complicate fabricating your own "bypass section" - wouldn't it suck to have the shop, who wouldn't know this unless a) they were VERY 951 savy, or b) you told them, cut it, and then realize, oh, hmmm. darn, we can't work with this afterall - guess you'll be without your car for a while and have to order a downpipe anyway?

i think you get my point(s)

 

(oops double-post)

 

why cant you just let the wastegate dump to the atmosphere insted of having it tied into the exhaust?

 

Dan, wouldn't that be rather noisy? And you will want to have it exit somewhere else than straight under the car... even if you're not necessarily throwing flames out of it, it would really suck to have exhaust fumes in the cabin all the time you're on boost

edit: the evil #666 post... muahahahaa

 

It is not exactly a "weld in a piece of pipe" issue. If you bolt in a whole new piece, you can always go back to stock for emissions, or if you want to sell her. Also, trying to find the cheapest way to mod these cars often will cause you more headaches and $$$ than doing it right the first time. Here's some pics of what you get for your $225 (or whatever..)
<img src="http://home.earthlink.net/~ninefiveone/testpipe.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://home.earthlink.net/~ninefiveone/pipes.JPG" alt=" - " />
The beauty of this mod is you will shed about 20LBS, if not more. Plus, If you start tweeking the engine, fire out the tailpipe is not uncommon. Then again, the enviro's may give you some lip.

 

Dan - I'm curious; who makes the pipe pictured above and where can you get it?
Thanks.

 

I think that is a Bursch test pipe. Here's a discussion from days past about sources, sizing, etc..

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=001333" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=18;t=001333</a>