Hello. Anyone know any online places where i can order a testpipe for a 02 I4 coupe? I checked various sites but i cant seem to find any. Plus, how much will they go for? I saw one on ebay for 90 plus 15 shipping, but id be insane to pay that much.
Thanks.

 

www.testpipe.com or any custom exhaust shop can make one.

 

you may want to get an o2 sensor simulator as well since you will get a secondary o2 sensor check engine light with a test pipe. I recommend a carsound cat over a test pipe for an obd2 vehicle...

 

i recommend getting a high flow cat with O2 sensor plug in. that way, its street legal and u can pass inspection..

 

Im not trying to contest but why is carsound cat better? if i do get the testpipe, im planning to swap it with the stock cat everytime i do a smog check, since smog check is only once every 2 years in CA.

 

several things:

2 o2 sensors
with a test pipe the 2nd o2 sensor is going to trip since it cant detect anything diff than the first...meaning the cat has failed to the ecu.
i dont know about you but i personally am sick of the check engine light being on all the time (i have an egr problem)

changing it out is a pain in the ass unless you have a lift. the bolts tend to rust quite quickly and between rust, dust, heat and humidity its pretty much a hassle to do no matter what....but doing it while laying on the ground is worse...

 

oh i see.

several questions.

1. When the check engine light is on, nothing of the car is being harmed right?
2. Does the high flow cat come with the o2 sensor plug in and all that?
3. How will the gains differ between a testpipe and a hi flow cat?
4. which brands of hi flow cat are the best? Im thinking random technology...

Thanks.

 

1. nope, its just annoying to have the yellow light on the dash all the time.

2. You would need to talk specifics with the seller of the cat.

3. Similar. If i had enough money right now I would get the right cat for my accord and get on the dyno with the test pipe AND the cat to show the diff...but with one car broken down I have higher priorities.

4. I am partial to Carsound. They tend to be as good as other brands or better and are usually cheaper...I actually have an account with a distributor that sells Random cats though...

 

how are the gains different between stock cat and hi flow cat? noticeable when in wot? or only noticeable on a dyno chart?
Thanks for the help dude.

 

i dont want to speak beyond what i know myself.
my experience is limited to an h22a accord with a stock accord cat, later switched to a test pipe.
and an h22a civic that was open header switching to a full cat back with high flow carsound cat.

the h22a accord felt like it was choking at high rpm, the switch to a test pipe got me better high end power as well as a lot more buzziness to my exhaust. still pretty quiet though (apxi dunk)

the h22a civic...open header was weak on the bottom end, screamed up top. i put the exhaust and cat on....bottom end felt a LOT better. high end felt unaffected too.

speaking from others knoweldge....i ahve been told as much as 5-7 hp from a test pipe or high flow cat. you should feel it a LITTLE by the butt.

The way I see it a test pipe is $40 or more. It doesnt sound as well, the car isnt designed for it, and there is always the risk of getting caught.
with a test pipe and getting fined.

with a cat you have nearly the same power gains, the car is designed for operation with a cat, and you are at no risk for fines....cost is $60 and up...