downpipes

I can't decide on which downpipe to get and i'd like your opinions on which you guys prefer. Titek dp, helix v2 or v3, megan racing dp, invidia v2 or just spend the extra and get a v3.

 

I don't know about Megan, but I'd say whatever you can get for the cheapest out of the others you listed.

 

My Invidia may be for sale. Excellent condition. We can meet up to check it out, lol! I am bored.

 

cheaper is best. They are all the same.....unless you want a showcar.

 

im happy with my helix

 

Erz Wtf!!!!!!!!!!

 

Not question your expertise here, Will, but are we sure that's true? What about fitment issues and weld durability and such? It just seems like the DP has to endure a lot of stress from the temperature and pressure of the exhaust, all while properly holding a seal to the turbo and the catback. I at least know that I plan on springing for a good downpipe and just going with the best mix of economy and flow for a catback when the time comes.

Not trying to be a douchenozzle, just trying to learn here. If I'm wrong certainly tell me.

/threadjack

That said, I know a lot of people run the invidia piece. it can't be all bad, then.

 

the robotic TIG welds on the Helix/Invidia pipes look great and i've never heard of one cracking. Find the cheapest big bellmouth.

 

I love my Helix and have never read anything negative about them.. Plus they can be had for $200 ish used if you look. I'd say keep it to the brands you listed and you'll be fine....

 

i would get an ebay * srs/erz downpipe but i hear about it hitting the firewall or the a/c hose.
and i heard that the helix v3 isn't as good as the v2, quality wise

 

While I agree with the theory and thoughts....why pay $300+(uncatted) or $500+(catted) for a downpipe that the same $89+shipping ebay downpipe will deliver and likely outlast how long you'll have the car? I'm all for saving money and I'm tired of losing the argument...in reality, I am wrong why I try and support the more expensive products when you get the same thing that works the same way for less than 1/3rd the price on ebay.

I mean, its a win win win for the consumer.

Take for example the Prodrive/Bushur intake. Its like $300 or $350 retail from them.

Go to ebay, type in 'WRX cold air intake' and what do you find? the EXACT same piece that does the exact same thing for under $60 SHIPPED. The construction is IDENTICAL. The filters nearly identical. Colors? different. See thread: http://www.wrxatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15164

I mean...I'm all for quality and customer service...but....geez, you cant really compete nowadays. Its sad.

Even when i buy a quality product, then I see an 'imitation' for 1/3rd less I think to myself "there's no way its better." Come to find out later, it is JUST as good.

Now, there *ARE* some products out there that are just not worth it. The BEST example is the Agency Power inlet pipe vs the APS inlet pipe.

I've installed lots of APS pipes. They fit reasonably well, they come with bookooz of hardware and adapters, even the big ass silicon hose that goes from the airbox to the inlet pipe. Its like $300 from most vendors.

The Agency Power pipe...comes with the pipe and a silicon adapter for the pipe to turbo. Thats it. Nothing else. its $200. Fit is horrid. By the time you go get the MAF to inlet pipe silicon tube from Perrin or otherwise and the other hardware you need, you've exceeded the $300 for the APS. Plus you've spent 2x's the amount of time making it all fit.

Internal construction is the only area they are EXTREMELY similar in. Otherwise, they are different and buying the APS is BETTER.

Otherwise, very common mods like TBE's and intakes....cheaper is ultimately better. *shrug*

 

Pretty much 90% of them hit the AC drain hose. About 50% of them hit the transmission crossmember until something is done to move it or you cut the crossmember.

The 10% that dont hit the AC hose usually are HKS DP's or copies of the HKS. The HKS is perhaps the biggest waste of time....however, they have sold so many of them its retarded.

 

had helix on my 02 and helix on my 07......Helix here FTW

 

erz here for $90 never a problem. there are only so many dp designs. save ur cash here and spend the extra on something more worthwhile designs for a DP.

 

yea i guess you guys are right, its just metal piping, nothing intricate like a turbo or injectors etc.

will what do you suggest for the a/c hose if it does touch?

 

i had an ebay downpipe on mine (still on the car, just don't own it anymore), with no major fitment issues. it doesn't hit the drain hose, but the flex section does touch the clip for the o2 sensor that hangs below the transmission crossmember, hasn't melted or anything tho. still working great after 30,000+ miles

 

just leave the hose in its stock location. They'll work out a treaty on their own.

 

Are you looking for catted or non catted? I don't have a cat on mine and I am starting to feel guilty about all the bad things my car is dumping into the air (maybe thats just because I date a bio major...)

 

lol, yea i want to go no cats

 

in theory, perfect combustion does not pollute. However...we all know how often the car is under perfect combustion.

 

ERZ here. No issues with the fitment whatsoever and you certainly can't argue with the price!

 

yea i just got an erz for 102 shipped, i'll put it all in my thread later on!

 

I just installed the Invidia v2 catless. Fit like a glove. Install was still a pain though. Found out after 45 minutes of try to get the stock dp off the it has 2 tranny bolts holding it on instead of the one that on the replacement. It did hit the ac drain line but I've read that thats the norm for most all of them. I just cut it off about 1/4 inch from the firewall. Figured why let it melt and stink when you cut it and solve it from the start.

 

Anyone have experience with the Injen SES DP? I will probably have it installed in a weak or two. A friend is helping me wrap it. It seems like a decent pipe. Has a minimal cat, o2 bung and prefitted adapter for an air/fuel gauge(for when I install meth HA!).