A few downpipe questions for MSP owners

[Professor MSP]

I have read the "How To" pertaining to the installation of a downpipe (or midpipe) for the MSP along with the numerous other threads associated with this topic. I am nonetheless left with a few unanswered questions.

(1) For those who have done the installation themselves, is it possible to use, say, Rhino Ramps, to raise the car and install the downpipe, or does the car need to be lifted higher than that to get underneath?

(2) For those running a downpipe with a high-flow catalytic converter, do you use a MIL eliminatior? (I was told that one is not required in this case, but feedback from your own experience would be more valuable to me).

(3) If you do not use a MIL with the high-flow catalytic converter, has a CEL come on?

Thanks for you assistance. By the way, I have found this board to be of great help in understanding, as well as improving, my MSP.

 

[prospeed]

1. if you can get your car on ramps then should have enough room.

2.i have been running the apex dp with cat for about a month and no cell.
no need for mil elimintator

 

[SuperSpud]

hey prospeed, how do you like the apex with cat? you are like, the only person I have seen that is running one with the cat.. can you still tell any gains? give me some details... does it have an 02 bung after the cat?

 

[prospeed]

i am sure the gains on the catless one are better but i wanted to have cat for the legall issues. the o2 sensors are in the correct spots and you will not need any mill eliminator. there is a notible gain in power and with an aftermarket exhaust it made it a bit louder.

 

[SuperSpud]

cool. I was going to just get the dp with cat, and leave the rest of the exhaust alone for a while.. do you have a catback as well?

 

[KyRaceFan]

downpipe questions are my favorite.

 

[prospeed]

yes i have the spool 2.5 with hks hi-power. sounds really good but not to loud.

 

[yellerandahalf]

downpipe questions are my favorite.

Umm dude, not trying to flame you, but what was the point in saying that? I mean it didn't exactly contribute to the discussion. haha

On the other hand, would would a dp with cat void the warranty on the mazdaspeed? Don't reply if you don't know, I hate people just saying, "yes, i think so. I have no prior experience in this area and my opinion is worthless. So yes."

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

yellerandahalf: It depends on what fails on the vehicle to determine if it is under warrenty. For ex: If your downstream O2 sensor fails and you have an aftermarket cat. I would deny the warrenty, but if your swaybar clunks I would still provide the repairs under warrenty. Keep in mind every dealership is different and how you approach your dealership counts alot also.

 

[jersey_emt]

Yes, a lot of people treat their dealers & service departments like s***, and wonder why they get treated the same way when something goes wrong.

 

[BLU BY U]

question? if you put in the dp and leave the stock exhaust, will this cause any problems?

 

[marashka]

"question? if you put in the dp and leave the stock exhaust, will this cause any problems?"
it will throw a CEL if you run with no cats for sure, gotta get the eliminator from apex.

 

[BLU BY U]

"question? if you put in the dp and leave the stock exhaust, will this cause any problems?"
it will throw a CEL if you run with no cats for sure, gotta get the eliminator from apex.

? let me refrace, if you put in the apex dp with a high flowcat and leave the stock exhaust, will this cause any problems at all?

 

[BlkZoomZoom]

No it won't cause any problems, however you won't be getting the full potential of the exhaust upgrade.

 

[Professor MSP]

BlkZoomZoom:

In your assertion that BLU BY U "won't be getting the full potential of the exhaust upgrade," is that because

(a) he was intending to leave the stock exhaust in place when he installed the downpipe, or because

(b) he was intending to use a downpipe with a high-flow catalytic converter, or

(c) both.

If both, then which is the more limiting factor, the high-flow catalytic converter on the downpipe, or leaving the stock section beyond the cats in place when the downpipe was installed?

Thanks

 

[Dr.Sound]

dont forget that MSP has a midpipe, IE silenser.
it's also resticting.....
getting a good midpipe with stock Racing Beat muffler will yeild better gains.

a midpipe can be made for under $50

 

[velokid]

I was thinking about getting the Apex DP with a high-flow cat as well, and replacing the rest later.

Stupid question: is a turbo back exhaust the same as the DP plus everything behind it?

 

[funnylittlman]

The Apex'i I heard was straight back w/o any cats and it was loud w/ the Spool Cat back. IF I were to do any DP upgrades, it would be with the cat in order to pass VA emissions. I would keep the Silencer b/c I HATE that loud drone and keep the stock Racing Beat Catback. The new DP should alow the turbo to spool a little quicker and be less of a restriction, but for every day driving it would be GREAT.

 

[Dr.Sound]

^ exactly what funny said

DP is a great upgrade, even if u have the stock silenser and muffler.
makes turbo spool much earlier and faster, gives u that deep tone without droning out everything else. it's worth the money........if u dont mind occasional backfire

 

[funnylittlman]

I might look into essential speeds w/ the cat or Apex'i 's w/ the Cat. No MIL eliminator for me b/c I like to pass emissions