Very recently, I purchased a Vishnu exhaust for my car. I just wanted to write a bit about it and submit a few pics. The system is their standard dump-back (utilizes factory O2 housing), and is manufactured by TaipanXP in Australia. As you can see in the picture below, I ordered mine with a test pipe. You might also notice it has a pretty high "bling factor", as the system is stainless.

The packaging and shipping were perfect. There was enough protective bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts inside the box to cover my living room floor, especially since my dog kept stealing them as I emptied the contents of the box.

Fit and finish are very high quality, and the installation was a snap. There is no place where the exhaust comes into contact with the under side of the car, even when taking the hardest corners.. I can't think of a higher praise to bestow on an exhaust system than that.

Performance is great, and the exhaust emits a nice low tone. There is a resonator inline with the pipe, which prevents droning, but still allows the system to make its presence known with a clear baritone voice under high throttle, removing doubt that the car is modified. I couldn't be happier with the results.


Seth

 

Nice review!

Any reason you didn't go with the standard turbo-back which DOES replace the factory O2 housing?

According to the Vishnu website the factory O2 housing is one of the most restrictive parts of the stock exhaust...I guess I don't see why more people don't replace this part if that is indeed the case.

Is removing it (factory O2 housing) not really worth the gain in performance?

Just curious, especially since you seem very up to date with everything Vishnu, Noize Thanks!

 

I went with the dump back also, b'cuz rumour has it that the signature exhaust will work with the forthcoming stage 2, whereas the turbo-back either won't or has to be modified ... someone from Vishnu pls. feel free to clarify this.

 

According to the Vishnu website the factory O2 housing is one of the most restrictive parts of the stock exhaust...I guess I don't see why more people don't replace this part if that is indeed the case.


Where did you read that. Everything I have ever read says the factory 02 housing is about as good as it gets for a stocker. I have My factory 02 dump sitting on my desk in front of me and its one of the best designs I have ever seen come out of the factory. FWIW, I'm running the standard series from Vishnu that replaces the 02 housing. In hind sight I wish I would have got only the dump back, because when I upgrade my turbo Im gonna have to get a completley new downpipe rather than just a new 02 housing to accomidate the new turbo.

Not to mention when I decide to do my clutch the radiator and everything else has to come back out just to drop the downpipe. When it comes to fit and finish, packaging, and performance though its the best exhaust I've seen for the EVO.

 

Thanks for the replies...

I think I remember the signature being compatable with the upcoming Stage 2 reasoning before, makes sense...

As for the stock O2 housing being restrictive, it says just that on the Vishnu website in the description for the standard turbo-back...unless they recently change it.

I guess either exhaust is good, well made and fits well. The standard turbo-back does sound like more of a hassle for future work on the car...

Maybe someone from Vishnu would like to comment?

 

I talked to Shiv about this. If you're looking to advance to Stage 2 at some point, you'll need either the dump back or the signature. Apparently there is a wee bit of power in replacing the factory O2, but I'd guess its less than 5whp on a car that is Stage 1+ or less. The amount of the work required to swap out the O2 in tandem with the desire to eventually get a Stage II made me decide to go with the dump-back.

 

Any CEL/SES with Vishnu's test pipe?

 

Thanks for researching this for me Noize!

I guess I can't loose with either exhaust...maybe the headaches of installing and future service with the standard turbo-back make the signature look more attractive though. I don't think I'll ever indulge in a Stage 2 setup so that's not really a factor.

Thanks again for your help!

 

Famous last words.

 

Very nice looking exhaust, but that huge bend at the axle scared me away.

 

Putting the 3" mandred bend at the end of the exhaust does a few things:

1) keeps the muffler pointed straight back and not at the JDM angle which most people think looks silly

2) keeps the pipe from smacking against the rear crossmember under hard cornering

3) Makes the engine note quieter with far less drone

4) Results in no measurable power loss.

There are many other, far more significant, design compromises I've seen in other exhaust designs.

My 2c,
Shiv

PS. Thanks for the write-up Seth

 

One of the exhaust systems I had in the past had this problem. There's nothing more frustrating than taking a sharp turn in your $30,000 car and heraing the midpipe smack the xmember.

Anytime. It is easy to give a positive write-up on something this nice. At only $1250, this system represents a marriage of quality and proven power that are peerless in the Evolution aftermarket exhaust market IMO.

 

I will be purchasing one of these quite soon. But I am still wondering with a cat on it what the dB lvl will be?

 

I'm catless and it isn't intrusive. With a cat, it becomes even quieter. If you want more sound emission, look into the signature.

 

Did you need to use the spacers to make it so the downpipe would clear the cross bars?