moburki

I'm very happy with my speedtech x pipe. Quality built (to order). No CEL. Nice change in sound. As far as install, it's probably the most painless exhaust work I've done on any car. Pretty easy. Get yourself an O2 socket adapter.

spreeleon

awesome, does the speedtech come with the o2 socket adapter? If not i assume they sell it?

im just worried about rusting of the bolts on stock cats.

moburki

It's a special tool available at any auto parts shop. Just makes easy work out of r&r of the O2 sensors. Google it for a picture. Here's the xpipe
[img]webkit-fake-url://962e0ad3-88d0-4fe7-a94e-deb34bf86d71/imagejpeg[/img]

spreeleon

awesome thank you!

Gbug

Moburki, do you mind commenting on the "nice change in sound?" Speedtech advertises that their x-pipe gives a higher pitched exhaust note, but it would be great to hear a real-world opinion. How's the sound different from stock at lower revs (<4k), and then higher up in the rev range? Thanks!

moburki

I noticed a deeper tone at idle immediately. I am on stock mufflers still. Definitely more sound out of the car at higher rpms with the hammer down. I would call it a wail? Really nice to hear as the stock set up made no noise at all it seemed. However, I think the change would be more significant if I had my mufflers modded with bypass (fister or gundo). I have no noticeable change at sedate driving speeds, including highway. If windows are down, around town there is a pleasant "howl" if you hold gears just a little longer like 4-5 k. Summary: not a huge difference but a nice improvement over stock sound.

AndrewK996

I'm thinking about getting the Fabspeed 200 CEL cats as well. Has anyone in California tried using 200 CEL cats and and passed the smog check?

gnochi

If you're in CA and it's not the stock cats, you won't pass visual regardless of tailpipe sniffer and OBDII results.

No comment on whether cracking the cats open and replacing the element will let you sneak through.

sullyd

I just installed FVD brombacher exhaust: 996 sport catalytic set (200 cell), muffler sport quiet version,
I am moving to CA in a month.

This exhaust won't pass CA emissions?

sullyd

I went to this exhaust because my stock CAT was rattling and failing. Since it was failing, I read on some forums that it would therefore be acceptable to have 200 cell cats. Any idea if this is true?

gnochi

Unfortunately, as far as CARB is concerned, it doesn't matter at all whether the upgraded cats are good or not. The sniffer test is secondary to whether you have OEM or approved-aftermarket cats in the car.

It's a horribly corrupt organization full of morons *at best*.

While you're still out-of-state, I advise getting the cat elements in your OEM tubes replaced, on the off-chance you need to go to a STAR station after you move. That way you can swap cats and you'll pass visual.

DeanClevername

I've had the NPP 200 cell cats on my car for more than 2 years/25K miles and they've been great. I have the crossover pipes, but they also sell an x-pipe. I bought through Maxspeed Motorsports.

Originally installed them with stock muffler cans and it added enough sound that I could finally hear the exhaust. Now I have Fister/PSE modded cans and it is perfect. No drone, just great sounds with the windows up (how is should have sounded in the first place). Sounds really aggressive with the windows down.

I don't have any external video, but I do have gopro footage from inside the car with the windows down at autoX last weekend. It will give you a sense of the sound type, that said it sounds so much better and complex in person. I may also have old footage with a bumper mic of the stock cans + 200 cells. LMK and I can post a link to either one.

spreeleon

thank you for info! Yes if you could please post the gopro footage from inside the car i would appreciate it!

Gbug

Thanks for the feedback

vandersmith

TopGearUK. Funny name, solid stuff. I have their headers and x-pipe with high flow cats on my 4S

Best bang for the buck