Question for you guys with Test Pipe.

When its time for DEQ, do you guys put your CAT back on before you go, or do you just go for it with the TP still on? Assuming there is no CEL of any kind.

I'm due for new tags this year, I don't have CEL.

Thanks!

 

I am interested too

I just got the HKS and I have been thinking about going with a test pipe too

 

We dont have DEQ here Brandon

 

Brian -

I recently DEQ'd my car and swapped the cat back in. I forgot to watch and see if they were able to see my cat from being lowered or not. As far as I could tell, as long as you don't have a CEL and they can't tell that you don't have a cat, then you are fine. I am thinking if you are real low where the mirror can't get a good angle, or you have the test pipe that can fit the cat cover on, then you're good. Personally, I think it's just safer to spend a little time to swap them out. Don't know what they would do if they caught you running a test pipe, but iirc the fines are pretty steep for not having a cat.

Brandon -

HKS + TP is pretty awesome. It's amazing how much of a difference in sound you get. I didn't really notice it until I removed it to DEQ. HKS alone reminds me of a V6, but HKS + TP is aural pleasure It is a little raspy when the engine is cold, but once it warms up, it's a great sound.

 

Having used a test pipe on my S2000, I feel compelled to ask you, "what for?" You won't gain any power. You can get to more-or-less the same quality sound you're looking for with a cat in place. And it's not good for the environment. My two cents. Maybe it seems cool. With the turbo, I needed the breathing ability, and even the high-flow cat I bought seemed to restrict the flow. But unless you're tracking the car AND running big boost, removing the cat won't do anything beneficial to the driving experience.

 

I guess I will just play it safe and put the cat back on.

Regarding the "what for?" question. I've actually debated using the TP for a while. I went from TP >> CAT >> TP. Having a TP definitely made a huge difference even only at 7psi in Vtec land.

I realize that the question "what for?" comes up a lot throughout the forums when it comes to mods. I think majority of the s2k population whom don't track their car, but still mod is because its just a hobby. Test Pipes has been dyno'd to show gains, and I after switching it on and off myself, I am sure I like the TP on much better.

 

Everyone's got to make their own decisions about these things, and you've every right to make yours. I guess for me, however, after having gone this route, I wouldn't do it again. The dyno's just the dyno, and unless you're tracking the car or going to the dragstrip, a few HP difference isn't meaningful. But I've no claim to the moral highground on this one -- I ran a test pipe for 3 years...

 

Yeah, but most mods don't affect other people. Defeating the emissions controls does affect other people. IMO, that's the difference.

 

You're right. I'm sorry; I must have missed your posts in all the threads selling the TP's. Also the Muscles car guys really like to run straight pipes too on their daily driver, maybe we should say something there too.

 

[QUOTE=S20004ME_PDX,Oct 8 2007, 09:32 AM] You're right.