Test Pipe to Borla - Advice?

[M_Duch]

Hey guys,
I have a rather technical question to ask you.
Given the significant gains (and inexpensive part) of deleting a 2nd cat paired to a CBE, I would really like to invest in a race pipe.
I am actively looking to pick up a test/race pipe to compliment my 2.5 Borla CBE.
My options for purchasing a pre-fabbed 2.5 race pipe are limited, this will most likely the one I pick up.

http://www.mandrelexhaustsystems.com/servlet/the-89/00-dsh-09-FOCUS-fdsh-MAZDA3-FRONTPIPE/Detail

According to the emails sent back and forth I was assured this was a DIY job, with all the equipment provided and the exhaust hangers pre-welded.

I was hoping to poll the members here on a few issues I feel I may encounter

1. Since the Borla is made to fit on top of the stock exhaust, will this cause restriction where the cat back meets the 2.5 race pipe? (Given the cbe reduces to 2.25 - see pic)
- If this is the case, is it worth it to bring it to an exhaust shop, cut off the thinner portion of the cbe and get the race-pipe and CBE welded together? (FYI - No emission testing in Quebec)

2. Has anyone here have DIY experience with a pre-fabbed race pipe and a cat back which didnt include a cat-delete pipe?

Any knowledge you can drop on me would be greatly appreciated!

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2783/montral2012010600021.jpg

[M_Duch]

Well guys, I finally got this done professionally. (www.rawtekinc.com)
Cost me 125 + tax (Cdn) took the guy 45 minutes, to measure, fab up a flanged 2.5inch diameter T304 test pipe, chop off the tapered portion of the borla and weld the new part in.
Before
http://www.fmvperformance.com/forum_items/gallery/104950-240312195706.jpeg

After
http://www.fmvperformance.com/forum_items/gallery/104950-240312195943.jpeg

To be honest, I had been wanting to get this done for the performance gains. But now, in retrospect, the performance gains are minimal, noticeable, but minimal nonetheless. You can feel (and hear) the difference in the higher RPMS, like + 4500 and maybe with a little tad of added peppyness all around.
The biggest advantage I feel is the sound, wow was I surprised at how great the borla sounds without the second cat. Even the shop guys were surprised at how good it sounded. I feel like its quieter at idle, but louder at WOT in the higher RPMS. I have yet to get any "popping" other members have gotten, but I think that this is due to the fact that the Borla has 2 resonators, while some other CBEs have only one.
If other members are curious about doing this, Id say go for it, but in my experience, the benefit lies more so in the sound than actual performance gains.

[thanu31]

yep i feel the same results.

But i get the pops frequently, more when downshifting at low rpm

[Bosshammy]

yep i feel the same results.

But i get the pops frequently, more when downshifting at low rpm

noob alert... the popping is it harmfull to the car or what? looking at doing this maybe..

[M_Duch]

No, it's not.

[Kiyomi]

noob alert... the popping is it harmfull to the car or what? looking at doing this maybe..

just backfire pressure, and unburnt gas.

[M_Duch]

But i get the pops frequently, more when downshifting at low rpm
I tried going about downshifting at low rpms, and still get no pops lol. Do you think it has anything to do with your vibrant headers?

[thanu31]

I don't have my header installed yet...:)


not sure about the pops lol.. give it some time?

[doughboyr6]

i had the same set up and loved it. the sound is so raw but not obnoxious. it was still smooth and deep but throaty at the same time. gawd i miss my 3.

[thanu31]

:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=COWoMTx2VpI

[M_Duch]

Awesome sound clip. +1.
Zero riceness lol
Maybe its because I never hear my own car from the outside but I feel like mine isnt as loud as that, and I have an SRI (which is louder than a CAI). But my idle sounds exactly the same.

[stevenma188]

Heard Thanu's setup in person the other day. I APPROVE! :chuckle

[doughboyr6]

thanu's soundclip sounded a lot like my previous setup....it was a beautiful sound

[terapr0]

an SRI is not louder than a CAI. Any noise generated is from the air entering the circular filter. Assuming you're using an identical filter, they sound the same. Only difference being the tip of the SRI is closer to the driver, not hidden away in front of the engine....

[joeN]

are you running it catless?

[thanu31]

yes straight pipe = catless

[stevenma188]

Nope. Thanu, you still have the cat in your header.....for now...

[thanu31]

Nope. Thanu, you still have the cat in your header.....for now...

oh yea, except that
for now..lol

[joeN]

another question do you pass emissions, and can you smell a difference like would a cop be able to tell

[Kiyomi]

another question do you pass emissions, and can you smell a difference like would a cop be able to tell

they dont have to smell it, they could bring out the long stick with a mirror at the end to check under ur car. :D

[thanu31]

i can smell it when im close to it or rev hard, and i turn off the car right away when i get pulled over lol

[M_Duch]

+1
I can def smell the car a bit more after I pull into my driveway after a long drive.
I was just recently pulled over in fact, left it idling while waiting for the cop to do her business, never looked twice.
Therefore, I have 0 concerns regarding the test pipe and cops. For the most part, it seems quieter especially at idle, other than in WOT, than it becomes even louder.

[M_Duch]

Update:
- Zero drone on the highway
- Still no popping regardless of driving style (downshifts, cruising, high-rpm shifting)