Hey guys,

I had a couple of questions concerning some mods I'm thinking about adding to my 2003 OZ Lancer. There really isn't a scene of any kind around my area or any mechanic shops that have been interested in talking with me about things I could do to beef up my Lancer. Thanks for any advice/input.

I've heard or read somewhere that the Lancer has 2 catalytic converters and this is bad. I saw on RRM's website they sell a Road Race High Flow Cat (aka Testpipe). Could I have a shop take off one of my catalytic converters and put this in its place?

Next, if I were to have the 'Testpipe' added, then could I also add Magnaflow cat back exhaust system that I've seen a lot of people discussing on here?

Next, my lancer is an automatic and I'm not quite sure what I can add to it in terms of a cold air intake. I've seen two different ones on RRM's website and wanted to know which would be good for my car. AEM Cold Air Induction Kit or the Road Race Short Ram Induction Kit. What are the pro's/con's of each?

The last question I have is about the RRM Piggy Back ECU (Automatic). Ok let’s say I’ve added intake and exhaust and I want to add this mod. Will I benefit any from it without having a bunch of other mods?

These seem like the 3 easiest things I could add without spending a huge chunk of money on a turbo.

Thanks very much,
mechtn

 

ok hi and yea i feel ya on the shops...umm suprising you might find someone in the area who might be interested in the challenge but check out their work 1st
yes lancer has 2 cats
dont know about the test pipe
auto to put in CIA you would have to just relocate the battery since there is not enough room or go for the SRI....i have heard that with the work and the gain between the 2 i would go for SRI
and the ECU would be better with the mods on it 1st but that just me

 

well, good luck tryin to get any shop to replace the second cat on your car. its too much of a liability for them, seeing as how its illegal. but its not hard to do at all, so i would suggest you do it yourself. and as for the piggyback, it will work great with whatever mods you have, it just gets better with the more mods you have. but it sounds like youre off to an awesome start, good luck!

 

So you can have a testpipe and a full catback exhaust system both installed at the same time? I'm not interested in the legal aspects, just wanting to know if it can be done and would have more power than just a catback exhaust alone? Also can anyone comment on the sound of a testpipe? I'm not wanting to have a real loud car running down the street.

Thanks,
mechtn

 

I think you'd be better off with headers (removes the primary cat) rather than a TP. TP gains are generally low compared to other "stage 0" mods and yes, there's the legality (won't pass emissions and if your state does visual inspections, it won't pass that either). Then there's the sound. Most folks notice a "tinny" or "Ricey" sound fron their exhausts with the TP installed. A good friend had the first JIC titanium catback for the lancer and with his testpipe he says it was unbearably loud around town and sounded like someone farting in a coffee can. We have both since gone back to the catalytic converters (with headers installed) and noticed an increase in low end power and we like the deep, almost growl, that the exhaust has now.

However, if you REALLY want a TP, I'll sell you mine

 

The first cat is in the stock exhaust manifold. This is removed with a header (RRM, RMR, RPW, Kamikaze). The second cat is below the car just in front of the catback piping. This is removed with a highflow cat (I have one for sale! ) or a testpipe (RRM, custom). Keep in mind that these are two totally different things. A testpipe is straight piping where a highflow cat has some filtering material in it still. No shop will take off a working cat because it's illegal to tamper with a non-failing device like that. Best bet is to do it yourself. There's lots of how-tos for both testpipes/highflow cats and headers and it's a fairly straightforward install.

Yes, you can add the Magnaflow or any catback onto your exhaust after a testpipe install. The testpipe has a flange on both sides so any catback designed for the Lancer will bolt right onto the outlet side of the testpipe.

I don't think any CAIs will fit an an auto due to the difference in size between the auto/manual engine bay. For short rams, I only suggest RMR's because it uses the stock air dam and also has a functional heatshield around the filter element.

You should benefit from the ecu regardless of how many mods you have or don't have. It alters your a/f ratio to give power so it's not dependent on any other factors other than you running premium gas at all times. This, along with all mods stack on top of one another to provide more cumulative gains. For example, getting just a testpipe isn't gonna do anything for you if you have restrictions ahead of it (stock intake and header) and after it (stock catback).

You're right on these mods giving you the most bang for the buck outside of turbo. I'd say it's a tossup between the header and piggyback as to what will give you the most gain. RPW's header/downpipe was dyno'd with a 17whp gain and that's hard to argue. One last suggestion I have is to look beyond RRM for aftermarket. They have very good products and service, yes, but you'd be cheating yourself by limiting your own market to just them. Good luck!

 

since we're on this topic, i believe mechtn would like to know also, has anyone passed emissions test with the test pipe on? i'm planning to buy my magnaflow cat back in a couple weeks and debating to stay with the test pipe or go back to the stock cat... the only reason i would stay with the test pipe is because taking off the sensor is a pain in the @**!!! i actually cut and reattached the wires for the sensor when i installed the test pipe... so opinions could help us both thanx!

 

it will not pass with teh test pipe bc is isnt even a hi flo cat, all it is a straight pipe that replaces teh catylitic converter so it will now pass emmissions.

 

yeah, its not a HIGH FLO-Cat aka test pipe... those are 2 completly different things..

 

according to RRM though the header will pass emission as long as there is no visual test involved

 

all you gotta do is put the stock heat shield over it.

 

lol forgot that you could attach it... dont have emissions round here though so it dont really matter

 

^^^yeah, me neither!

 

I think we were talking about the test pipe not passing a visual inspection.... maybe I missed a post

 

you could probably put the stock heat sheild over the test pipe too. just gotta find a way to keep it from movin around.