TopgunZ has a point. The only benefit to switching to test pipes would be if you went with resonated test pipes. Should mellow the sound a tiny bit

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Test pipes can be had so inexpensively it may not even be worth the effort to gut them. Any slight fitment issues will get resolved when the X-pipe is cut to add cats.

Yeah for us they can. He lives in Australia where he would need to pay for shipping and import taxes.

I wouldnt worry about resonated test pipes as the mid pipe cats will take out the rasp.

Exactly topgunZ! Just gut those cats. I know In some areas they use a mirror to check for the catalytic converter for emissions so test pipes are not a option for everyone.

Oh yeah =) Good point.

forced induction can kill cats, especially if the tune isnt spot on. i would just ditch the cats and do resonated test pipes if you can get away with it in your area.

if the boost goes down a little with test pipes, thats how you know they are doing their job. thats the good type of boost loss.

Had a ~550rwhp capable Z32, and was part of the Z32 crowd for many years before moving onto Z34. Can probably count on one hand all the cases of exploded cats due directly to the F.I. fact, as opposed to Z34 platform where it seems to be way more common. Which like said earlier makes sense, can't have Cats so close to an F.I. motor.

Ended up, ordering these:

https://conceptzperformance.com/mega...z34_p_7318.php

They looked alright, and value was good. Can't for the life of me justify some 250+ USD just for some short test pipes because of a brand name.

Where I live though, Cats are crucial, and even if they do almost jack sh*t, at least they're there when the cops peek under, plus those TP's I picked up give the appearance of Cats with that 'resonated' chamber (which looking at it I know it can't do much). So, also picked up two 3" IN/OUT Cats. Should be able to take the Vortech @ 10 PSI + TG's A2A kit happily all day.

Any chance you can do a dyno before and after the cat installation? I'd love to see how these impact the performance...

Yes, I would expect the factory cats on a factory turbo car to hold up to being turbo better! After-all, they have to warranty that. Cat failures on turbo converted vehicles is much less of a surprise.

Actually, not a bad idea... chances of getting pinged without Cats for a week or two is tiny. I'll wait till these TP's show up, which is like 6-10 days I was told, whack them on, Dyno, then get the 3" Cats welded in and Dyno after.

Awesome!! Really looking forward to the results.

Cats are in. Just waiting on TPs, should be here tomorrow or Thursday. :tup:

Test Pipes are in. Going in this weekend.

Nice looking test pipes. I have been thinking I need to get a set with flex sections.

Which cats did you end up going with? Magnaflows?

Sub'd for sound clips once those Megans are on :tup:

Naively sold my ART pipes and want to grab a cheap set of resonated pipes for the time being. Probably these or the 1320, which are probably exactly the same except for $10 1320 comes with O2 extensions.