Getting AEM Cold Air Intake and I already have the test pipe not installed. I'm just wondering, should I go ahead and install the test pipe too? I read stuff about losing back pressure and torque, but definitely gaining loudness. Let me know your input.

 

i believe you will loose back pressure...hence the loss in hp and torque...and gain nothing but loudness...a car with header and exhaust....will have a loss of back pressure giving you a crappier low-end...but you top end will be good ...depends on what you really want to do

 

Got my intake installed but not my test pipe. WHY? u ask... cuz my shop is bogus. I go to this local tuning shop, who used to hook it up with my mods for cheap up until recently. But that's another story.

Mainly...they "couldn't" put in my test pipe because it's emission illegal. I was all ready to put it in. Is this shop bogus or is this why many people on the forums just put it in their self cuz of this problem? I thought if it's your ride, u can decide on whatever the hell u want to do .

 

Fro-

Just because it's your ride doesn't mean you don't have to abide by state laws. You can do it yourself (it's about as easy as an undercar install gets), but you will not pass a state emissions test if you are tested (which I think you are in IL, not sure). That's why they won't do it, because they take on that liability.

 

Baloney,
Our Lancers have 2 cats'. Remove the back one and throw ona test pipe and yo will pass emissions just fine. Even if they still do the antiquated vaccumm in the exhaust test it will pass just fine.
That shop is bogus.
I bet thise idiots didnt even realize you had 2 cats' on the car.

 

I was assuming he had already put in an aftermarket exhaust manifold (header) if he was going with a test pipe. If you haven't, Corona is correct.

 

Brah,
You need to go back....show them both cataltic converters, smack them in that back of the head, and have them throw on that test pipe...you will notice a huge difference at gears 3 and 4. HUGE.
But once you get headers, kencope is right...you will need to override the O2 sensor.
My set up for the longest has been a short ram, test pipe and racing exhaust and I've loved it. Have for the last 2 years.
Supercharger and 4-to-4 header next!
I'm afraid that when I move to Maryland I am going to run into the same "Corporate-mummies" mentality with tuner shops. Its like that in Connecticut as well. I have to go down to the old neighborhood in NYC to get all my tuning done no questions asked. God I pray Maryland tuner shops let me live. I am going as far as to drive up to Staten Island (from Maryland) to get my Supa'C installed.
Sorry for bogarting the thread! My bad!
GO tell them:
Install My Test Pipe BEATCH!

 

Nah man...i've gotten to the point that I will never go to that shop ever again. They were a new business before, and they hooked it up. Now they rollin more dough, they think they can jack up prices. You would think it's the opposite, but these guys are whack now. Install prices are through the roof. I'm gonna shop around for a better shop.

In terms of passin emission...shooot I didn't know u could pass emissions with just the stock headers. Well I was gonna keep my pipe until i get headers, and 1) not getting headers soon 2) no emission testing till next year for me

 

You sure the header cat is enough to pass? I heard that cat was only there to cut down cold-start emissions, and that only the second cat is really needed to pass (as long as your car is warm when tested).

 

the shop is right for not installing it. it is a liability issue. its not hard at all to install, 4 bolts and an O2 sensor. i have it on right now and i would recommend NOT putting it on. what you have heard is correct, you will lose back pressure and torque, but you will gain high end horsepower. and for me, i hated the sound until it set in after a couple thousand miles. and luckly for me, theres NO emissions testing where i live, but i wish i could put the stock cat back on, too bad i sold it. so i would leave it off unless you go FI.

 

so you have no header... i would try just putting on the test pipe without header and see how it pulls. i did it putting headers first then pipe and lost mad low end torque. i jus put rrm piggyback in and that helps a little bit but u also have sound issue.

 

Well some people like the louder sound...I'm loving the sound of my CAI combined w/ my catback without the test pipe. And i can't complain about the power . I thinking of headers next for performance mod, but will I pass emissions with my stock cat?

 

yeah, that sounds always nice. you shouldnt have to worry about emissions with just a header, as long as you have your second cat still on.

 

FINALLY found a performance shop that'll install my test pipe. This a real performance shop, unlike that wanna-be one I went to who didn't want to install it. I'm going there tomorrow to get it installed and readjust my exhaust somehow so it'll fit through the opening of my Kenstyle rear bumper.

 

u shouldnt be paying someone to install that you should DIY.. it will save u money plus it takes like 5 seconds