HF Cat vs Test pipes on my new Z

Æon

Hi all. I'm brand new here. Just picked myself up a Red 2009 touring with sport package with 77,000 KM for around $20,500, which is pretty low here in Canada. I had just purchased myself a 2009 GTi six months before, and I was loving the little turbo hatch, but I just needed to get a RWD, 2 seater, utterly impractical car while my life still allowed me to do so. It was either before I had kids, or once they were in college, so I chose the former! I may have to sell it in a year once I get my presale condo build, so any minor mods I do will have to have "value" in mind.

I do have a question, though, before this thread gets moved...

I've been reading around here and it seems like the most important mod for performance from stock is to put in a HF cat or test pipes. Since we don't have emission restrictions here anymore, and considering the price difference, I think I'll opt for the test pipes. That way I can keep the cat and pop it back in if I want. Is there any other advantage to the HF cat instead?
Can anyone recommend one brand of test pipes over another, or does it even matter?

Thanks

Stealthrider2

Go with the Fast Intensions resonated test pipes. They sound amazing and they will not trip any sensors like many other do. Another good brand is the ARK.

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Æon

Awesome, thanks! Now, if they do trip the sensor for some reason, is there a workaround, like a sensor bypass plug that's easy to install?

wanker

Go with a quality HFC. Test pipes are toxic and disgusting.

kenchan

AE AE ae Ae aE

how the hell did you glue A and E together?

Æon

Please explain?


Alt codes (146), or a Scandinavian keyboard.

kenchan

なるほど！

jpkirk

like this ...

Æ

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intake | exhaust | wheels | tires | suspension ... um ... stock, do speed stickers count?
intake | exhaust | TE37 SL | RE-11 | suspension ... um ... do speed stickers count? Signature under construction

wanker

[QUOTE=Æon;3215400]Please explain?

Explain? Test pipes eliminate the catalytic convertor, so there is no emission control. Test pipes are intended purely for track purposes.

I realize modding is fun and we're all looking for more HP, but simply Google LA smog photos from the 50s to appreciate why catalytic convertors are a good thing.

Æon

Ok, sure.

So if I have to choose between a high flow cat or a new intake, the cat would be the better one to replace?

jaedub

HFC will definitely yield way more more power than the intake. Honestly, after market intake doesnt have significant gains. Getting a HFC means better and more aggressive sound too.

bbermann

[QUOTE=wanker;3215559]It is my understanding that test pipes also allow your exhaust to have a pretty fowl smell while the HFCs still clean things up?

So, even if you aren't too concerned with the world heath in general, you might care if your ride stinks?

Anyway, I have the Berk HFCs and Stillen Gen3 intake and it seems to give good flow and a nice sound bump up front as well as in back. The intake growls and the cats hiss a bit...the car just sounds a little pissed off...in a good way.

Have fun with your new Z!

FPenvy

[QUOTE=wanker;3215559]sill tree huggers.

go TPs OP.

more POWAHHHHHHHH!!!

also stick to fast intentions products regardless of HFC or TP choice. best product on the market and their customer service is most certainly best in the industry

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324whp/258wtq AAM Tuned |F.I. NonRes CF CBE/NonRes TestPipes #373|UpRev Tuner|Akuma Motorsports Intakes|Z1 34 Row Oil Cooler

njobe89

TP's give more power than HFC. however, i have tp's and now my bumper is starting to turn a little yellow.

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2 plus 2 times 2 = ? ... hint, it's not 8

Stillen CBE, Stillen Gen 3, TP's, Uprev tuned - 324whp/264tq

2011 Nismo#91

Most cost effective mods:
K&N Drop in air filters.
Axle back exhaust or washer mod or used Nismo H-pipe type exhaust.
Test pipes.
Under drive pulley (personally I won't do this one)
And look in the private classified sections of good deals.