Kracka

iTrader: (49)

I have a Mil.Spec ported throttle body and couldn't be happier. Their quality and customer service is top-notch. If I were ever going to run a HFC their 100-cell is the only clear choice IMO.

Kracka

iTrader: (49)

I completely disagree. Yes, AMS makes nice stuff, but you pay a hefty markup for their name. I've had a Megan o2 housing on my car for over 2 years as have numerous other cars with no issues. As long as you research before you buy and know what you're actually getting, the lower-priced parts can match and sometimes even exceed the higher priced big names.

JDW1479

Kracka,

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the welded pipes will probably work for the 8s and 9s due to the turbo being up front in the engine bay. Maybe the 8s and 9s receive for airflow across the downpipe reducing the heat load.

As for the X, everything is crammed in the back of the engine bay, possibly reducing air flow, raising temps, which could play apart in the broken welds.

Kracka

iTrader: (49)

I don't believe that. No matter how you cut it, its underneath the exhaust manifold attached to the turbo. I even have mine behind a heatshield holding in even more heat. The only potential airflow its getting its coming from the radiator, but when you think about it the X has the scoop designed to cool the turbo area and my guess is the undertray was designed in conjunction with that scoop to help draw air through that area. I understand that Goofy was having issues with that one certain brand, but have there been any reported failures of Megan's? MAP's? ETS'? Or are you just generally classifying things as either AMS or junk?

scheides

iTrader: (10)

Hey guess what! The AMS downpipe has welds on it too

I've had a cheap megan/buschur o2 housing (ceramic coated) on my evo8 for 2.5 years now, I was skeptical at first too, but at the time I put it on, people were saying how no one were having issues, and now 30+ months later I have yet to hear of one failing, or even cracking.

I call BS. Links to said failures please.

goofygrin

iTrader: (5)

I've broken 2 of the UR pipe (both times were at or soon after a track day). Another guy on here broke his UR o2 housing. Another guy here in Dallas broke the T1R pipe (welded). A few UR test pipes have split or fallen apart as well. ETS has had at least one of their X welded manifolds crack.

The pipe listed above is a much poorer design than the AMS pipe and I guarantee it will make less power simply due to the size of it's outputs from the turbo. The AMS pipe you can put your kid's head in it. That welded one is much, much smaller.


The biggest issue here is that an o2 housing on an 8/9 is about a 6" piece. It has the downpipe bolted onto it and gets some flexibility due to that. The pieces for the X are almost 3' long and have very little support until you get to the hanger for the cat/test pipe. I personally believe that this is the cause of most of the welded pieces -- the exhaust is able to move way too much.

For most people a welded o2 housing for the X will likely be just fine. But I can attest to the fact that ANY cost savings goes right out the window when you have to replace a broken one. Even with the part replaced under warranty (UR replaced both mine) it's a cast iron ***** to replace them and you have, what I say would be a 75% chance of breaking or stripping a bolt which means you then get to pull the hotside of the turbo off (which makes replacing the o2 housing look like a walk in the park).



ETA: here are the pictures from both instances of my o2 housing cracking: http://mpghead.com/evo/o2/


ETA2: UR has also redesigned their o2 housing to look more like the AMS housing (i.e. where the flex section is). This might impact it's ability to handle stress: http://mpghead.com/evo/urhousing.jpg

Kracka

iTrader: (49)

This isn't necessarily true, a 3" o2 housing has been found to lose power compared to a 2.5" on a 8/9 stock turbo setup, and I'm willing to bet those findings would hold true on at least the smaller stockframe turbos if not the larger ones as well.

Thanks for the pics. I wonder if UR is using a low quality steel (maybe too thin?) or if their welds aren't fully penetrating?

Manifolds and o2 housings are two totally separate issues; even the nicest welded tubular manifolds crack. I'd personally never run anything but a cast exhaust manifold since it is them carrying the weight of the turbo, o2 housing, and downpipe.

goofygrin

iTrader: (5)

I think it's a combination of design, poor pipe cutting and really poor welding. I still have one of the cracked UR pipes if you wanted to take a gander at it. You can see the jagged pipe cutting and the super thin welds on it.

Honestly the UR piece came out fully 9 months before the AMS one and I wanted it THEN (I got one of the first ones). I'm not sure that if I had to do it again if I'd have waited or not though.

Kracka

iTrader: (49)

It's Canadian, that's the problem here

goofygrin

iTrader: (5)

that actually cost me an extra $60 on the first one cracking. I had to pay expediting shipping (had an event) in order to get it to me in less than 10 days. It sucked.

scheides

iTrader: (10)

You need to take a slight step back from this mentality of bigger = better, because like Kracka mentioned, it is not always true, and the o2 housing is one of those places.

Great pics, sorry the UR one cracked. I'd honestly trust the megan one, it is only the o2 section so it is less likely (imo) to see the same stress some of the other units see. Also, Megan != UR, maybe MR's welds or pipe stock is better? Who knows. That UR has a LOT of welds on it though, I honestly wouldn't trust it either (but they do make power!).

goofygrin

iTrader: (5)

I'm twice burned so twice shy. I'll keep pushing people to the AMS one (until it fails). And like I said, most people would likely be fine with the welded ones... but I personally can't recommend them any more. Given the amount of broken welds on all UR products I can't recommend them at all any more.

Kracka

iTrader: (49)

That's stupid; companies should actually stand behind their products and get you back on the road ASAP. When I had my Comp clutch failure they overnighted a new kit which I was very impressed by.

Hassan!

I called UR few days ago and asked them about this problem (Cracking) They said the new ones doesn't have this problem anymore, Actually i won't trust them and I'll buy AMS DP although i live in Canada

andrewzaragoza

iTrader: (6)

As with any part it is best to research first and get reviews on specific parts before purchasing. my o2 housing is actually the buschur which is basically an ebay copy of megan. and as kevin pointed out for the 8 & 9s it would be wise to make the merge hole a bit larger. for the 10s i think the major advantage of the ams o2 downpipe is that its a cast part which helps keep the temps in and in turn helps with under hood temps.