Upgrading Exhaust.... which part first?

[Neofolis]

I'm already thinking about my next modding, even though I don't have my last order yet. As I have the PG SRI and turbo inlet on order, I'm thinking I should do some exhaust upgrades next. Being in the UK and faced with strict emmisions laws, I would want to keep my cat's, so I assume I would need a highflow catted downpipe and a catback or dual catback exhasut, but, assuming I don't do both at the same time, which should I do first?

I'm guessing, as many people just put the test pipe or the downpipe in, then I should work from the turbo back, but if that is the case, would it not be sensible to upgrade the turbo manifold first, then the downpipe, then the catback?

 

[zinger002]

well if the DP is a 3 inch piece, and the stock is what... 2.5?? having them mate properly would be the restrictive spot right. i would say keep saving up and get it all at once. that way you only need to be under the car once.

 

[Super Shredder]

youll get performance from a single exit 3inch catback, just buy a good resinator and a good muffler.

 

[Neofolis]

Thanks for your comments. I eventally want to have the full CP-e system with 3" Downpipe and highflow cat and the Dual catback, although I may have to go for the single catback if the budget won't stretch that far. I doubt if I will be able to afford everything in one go, unless I wait a long time, especially as shipping US to UK is likely to be a hideous price on big, heavy metal pipes.

I guess I wanted to know which is the most restrictive area, so I could replace that part first. I notice though that I may have a problem, because the downpipe ships with either 2.5" flange to fit the stock catback or 3" to fit a 3" catback. Does this mean that if I buy the downpipe first, it would need to be replaced anyway when the 3" catback is fitted or could I use the downpipe with the 3" flange and adapt it down to the 2.5" stock catback? The same applies the other way round, I guess, can the 3" catback be adapted to the 2.5" stock mid pipe?

I see a lot of people just fit the test pipe, but I assume that is purely to remove the restriction of the second cat.

 

[tunersteve]

Yeah, the test pipe is a great, mild, short term solution for an exhaust upgrade. The Magnaflow is a mild CBE, but the gains aren't really there, since it's a 2.5" exhaust (stock goes down to 2 1/4 at the split). The CP-e and Corksport are 3" exhausts which really open it up.

I'd probably buy the test pipe dependent on your eventual plans. If you're gonna go 3", then go ahead and get the 3" TP.

 

[Neofolis]

From what I understand the downpipe replaces the front and mid section, which includes both cats, is this correct. If this is the case wouldn't a downpipe render the test pipe useless?

I have another issue with a test pipe, which is that I don't want to have to take it out each year when my car emissions are tested, I know it's only four bolts, but I am unfamiliar with any kind of mechanical work and generally useless at that kind of stuff, not to mention not having tools or any off road parking, let alone a garage/workshop.

I do intend to improve my practical knowledge of cars, but at the moment it is very limited.

 

[tunersteve]

From what I understand the downpipe replaces the front and mid section, which includes both cats, is this correct. If this is the case wouldn't a downpipe render the test pipe useless?

I have another issue with a test pipe, which is that I don't want to have to take it out each year when my car emissions are tested, I know it's only four bolts, but I am unfamiliar with any kind of mechanical work and generally useless at that kind of stuff, not to mention not having tools or any off road parking, let alone a garage/workshop.

I do intend to improve my practical knowledge of cars, but at the moment it is very limited.

Depends on the downpipe. The CS one doesn't replace the 2nd cat. The CP-e one does.

Realistically, the test pipe is one of the easiest mods you can do to your car. You really should look into doing this, with a set of ramps you can do it in 15 minutes easily.

 

[Neofolis]

Assuming the performance gains are similar between each of the 3" dual catback systems, I would really want to do the CP-e all the way. I have spent much of the weekend watching YouTube clips of different exhausts on the speed6 and I love the way the CP-e system sounds.

I know it will vary with other mods and the different environments and sound quality of the YouTube clips and the recording hardware, but every time I heard the CP-e pipes, I preferred them.

So, assuming I am definitely going for the CP-e downpipe (with highflow cat) and dual catback, is it worth installing either part first or just waiting longer to do the whole thing together.

 

[cpspeed6]

I'm thinking of going the same route as well, emissions laws exist here also.
Now there are 4 options for Wideband bung on CP-E's order page, which do i pick?