Hello, this is the my first review I ever posted on this fourm.
So if I did anything unnecessary, please correct me!Anyways, here is my review! PLEASE REP ME!
update: Smell has gone done considerably! The growl is also more prominent at 2k now instead of 2500rpm
ORDER AND DELIVERY: 10/10
I order mine CNT testpipes this monday on the CNT website. The ordering process is very easy. Just go online to order it with paypal. Price is 199 shipped. I believe that is the best price you can get now for resonated test pipes. Delivery is more incredible. I ordered it monday morning and it is shipped in the same afternoon. On wednesday, I received the testpipe.
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS: 8.5/10
When i received the box, There was a big hole torn on the box. You can actually see the test pipes through that hole. I dont think they bubble wrapped it enough for the abusive shipping of UPS. Also, I didnt get any CNT racing decals!
Quality: 6/10
I am no where near an expert when at looking at welds. So I can only comment on what I see, so don't quote me on my amateur comments. After comparing the weld quality of the amuse exhaust to these CNT test pipes, I have to say the CNT looks very rough and made-in-China (although i am Chinese) compare to the Amuse. The gaskets provided doest fit the stock y-pipe, so we have to use the stock gaskets again (The top gaskets does fit though).
Performance and sound: 9/10 NO cel
I just installed the test pipes, so I have yet felt a difference in power. Maybe I will feel more difference after the ecu and test pipes settles in. The sound is a bit on the quiet side. Keep in mind I still have the stock exhaust. lol But the sound is definitely more throaty. In fact, it is so throaty it sounds like a very aggressive G35 coupe. I don't know if you guys know the distinctive sound of g35 coupe. But it sounds like that times 5. You almost cant hear anything when it is below 2500 rpm. In fact, I think it is exactly the same as stock below 2500 rpm. But after 2500 rpm, the note becomes very distinct similar to G35 coupe. When it is at 4000 rpm or over, the car is very loud, definitely loud enough to get people's attention. However the exhaust note is not very deep. It is more like an enhancement to the stock note. More throaty, pronounced, louder(grammatically incorrect?) and high pitched. I haven't noticed too much rasp and I love the hissing! When you let off the gas pedal, a very cool hissing sound appears like a blow off valve. I really don't get why people didn't like the sound. It sounds special. Ohh, and the smell.
SMELL: LOL NO cel
MY car smell like cow crap now because of the test pipes. I was being told by my mechanic after the test pipes settle in and burn off the excess metal, the smell will go away. I just really hope that I don't get pulled over before the settling because everywhere I go now, the entire area smells like cow crap.
Overall value: 9/10
What I don't like is the lack of attention to detail in CNT resonated test pipes. The quality looks rough and the packaging doesn't look very assuring.
What I also don't like is the smell. The whole street smells after I drove by. I feel like everyone knows I installed test pipes.
However, if I were to do it all over again, I would still do the same thing. I only paid $200+160(labor) for a product that not only increase performance, but also sound. I was so tired of the stock sound and I definitely prefer the sound with test pipes. The car is definitely more aggressive and exciting to drive than before. For someone like me who can not afford the price of a full cat back exhaust, CNT test pipes is definitely a good value alternative, definitely. CNT resonated test pipes cost 200 shipped, F.I cost 375+ shipping, Berk is $350 and non-resonated.
Despite the roughness of the metalwork of CNT test pipes, I think test pipes is just test pipes, nothing more, nothing less. As long as it fits well and shows performance gains, I think the appearance of test pipes are not important. Would I recommend people to buy CNT test pipes? of course YES as long as people understand test pipes may smell and the metal work of CNT resonated test pipes looks rough.
If there is enough interest, I mite make a video comparing my current set up with Amuse R1000 y-back exhaust. PLEASE REP ME IF YOU FIND THIS REVIEW USEFUL.
Thanks
Kevin
Vancouver BC