Straight Pipe or no Straight Pipe?

[Bruceman]

To get ready for the track this year, I'm doing a few things to hopefully get into the 13's(14.2 last Sep.). I currently have a stillen/ frankencar intake and cattman y-pipe. I am definately doing the cattman catback and ES motor mounts. I've read the posts that claim 11whp w/ the straight pipe, but my mechanic says it will only make me run rich and won't see much improvement from putting it on. Can anyone help me on this? What's the truth? Thanks in advance.

[NmexMAX]

It wont determine what your A/F is.

Where did you see it gaining 11 whp? Link?
Ceasar did a dynow comparison with it I think ... Not sure the gains, but this was on a 4g.

[Nismo3112]

people use test pipes so when they dyno tune using a wideband, so that the stock cat doesn't alter the A/F readings.

[Bruceman]

At custom maxima their dyno slips on a 95 max show an 11.2 hp gain and 7.5 torque gain at the wheels. They claim you won't get a big noise increase or popping.
Hey nismo "sweet flippin napolean clip". Are you trying to tell me that I won't see an improvement at the track with a straight pipe?

[Ceasars Chariot]

i didnt dyno with my 4th gen but i swapped my stock cat and cm test pipe, there was no difference in times. i later sold the thing but am now thinking of buying it again, it looks better than the old rusty stock cat, and is lighter. is way overpriced though.

[Bruceman]

Thanks Ceasar. Your right it lookks nice. If there's not really much of a difference though I'll wait until I need to replace the cat and put in the test pipe. Also any other input you have to offer, ceasar please share; TS ECU? eibachs? 235's instead of 225's. I only went to the track twice last year for a total 6 runs. I know you have a lot more experience at the track, so your advice would be welcome. Thanks.

[wjhaggs]

Will the car pass emissions without this pipe.

[S00NR1]

No, your car will NOT pass emissions -- the straight pipe totally eliminates the stock cat, so it definitely won't.

[Bruceman]

I decided not to go w/ the pipe. I'm waiting on a high flow cat from cattman. Any one else install this. any improvements?

[S00NR1]

Really the only improvements I have seen so far with the Budget test pipe is a very nice exhaust tone -- very low and growling, very much like a 350z.

[I30swimmer]

so you have No resonator and No cat? is it really loud?

[S00NR1]

I do have a resonator but no cat -- and no, it is a very low, quiet tone. You can't even hear it over the intake at WOT....I love it, it really sounds awesome at idle.

[Bruceman]

What catback do you have? I recently installed the cattman and purchased the high flow cat in hopes that it would give it more growl. Having the y pipe and catback didn't have the exhaust note I was looking for. Hopefully I'll have some of the improvement you noticed with the test pipe.

[JClaw]

Headers make all the difference...

[Bruceman]

I want the headers, but I'm gonna have to wait until the fall. I've also heard that the headers create a deeper growl and a noticeable power increase.

[JClaw]

On a VQ30 they don't give much over the Ypipe except sound. But on a VQ35 they free up like 25WHP alone and the sound is

Can't wait to have mine running.

[Bruceman]

I hear ya man. I've heard the same things about the headers. Gotta have em!! Think I could put em on without the misses noticing? Just don't call me rice cause I'm talking about what I don't have yet. lol

[95maxrider]

For $30 or so for a test pipe....I figure you can't lose. I threw one on because I was gonna weld in an electric cutout, but that didn't fit....so I'm still rolling around with the test pipe. At least it saves a few pounds, and I know it isn't hurting performance so.....make your own decision. An aftermarket cat seems pointless to me unless you don't want to swap it out for inspection....