[Subtech Downpipe Review]

On 12/02/2012 at 5:54 PM, Scotte said:

Downlow on the Downpipe.

Yesterday Dave from A1 Exhaust in Glenfield (09 441 4635) put a high-flow cat converter into the end of the Subtech downpipe. The result is fantastic. The car is a lot quieter. It is louder than stock, but actually sounds really nice, much nicer than the stock sewing machine sound. The engine sounds deeper and there is a smooth whoosh when you put the power on. It just sounds fast, not loud. It also feels a bit smoother to drive. Nicer.

Its a win/win situation, I was noticing running a cat-less exhaust would be a bit smelly when you pulled into the garage. Un-catted exhaust smells terrible. No wonder - its full on lots of toxic gasses! Now the exhaust hardly smells, the cat converts most of it to CO₂.

I reckon driving without cat converter is a bit of an up-your's to this planet we live on and considering how good some of the hi-flow ones are there no excuse to do it. If you're want to gut your car of cats think about it and realise exactly what you're doing - aggressively polluting the air quality, which if you live in Auckland is definitely an issue! There are so many car's belching out S*** in this city, its disgusting!

Dave did an excellent job. He used an Autobend Oval hi-flow cat and put it at the end of the downpipe before the flex-joint. Hence the second half is the exhaust is still factory. If ever necessary, for whatever reason the old downpipe can be refitted at any stage to return the to factory spec.

The cat actually sits in the exact position of the second cat on the factory pipe. Just after the second O2 sensor. The O2 sensor has gone back into the exact factory position as well.

I actually believe this is how the product should have been sold in the first place, or at least have a price option for it. It would make it more expensive, but i think some people would be willing to pay for it, just for the way better sound alone.

The overall result of this downpipe now is awesome, heaps of extra power with a nicer sound. The car is so much more driveable, especially when you are just cruising, it has so much more down low torque. If you've got one or thinking of getting one i would recommend the retro-fitted hi-flow cat.

 

Hey mate, just wanted to let you know that I got quite inspired by this post. I did the same - Subtech Downpipe, but I'll be putting in the high-flow cat, and then getting a road tune. Did you end up doing a tune on yours?