[BWilson263]

I can pickup a new CTS downpipe for $390.00 online. Is there anyone that has it installed and if so how do you like it? I'm looking for a decent downpipe so I can go BM3 Stage 2. What's the difference between a $390.00 downpipe and a more expensive downpipe?

[2022M550i]

In my experience, a cheaper grade of stainless steel (one that rusts quickly) and fitment. Maybe even a thinner tube wall….lower quality cat. Things to consider

[WretchedRefuse]

Does anybody know why catted downpipes (other than stock) smell like fuel? Are there any brands that don't, and what has to be done in order to prevent them from smelling?

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by WretchedRefuse

Does anybody know why catted downpipes (other than stock) smell like fuel? Are there any brands that don't, and what has to be done in order to prevent them from smelling?

It depends...are you running a factory tune? You may be running too rich. Also, an aftermarket high flow cat won't work as well to burn excess fuel going through the exhaust. An OEM cat uses a higher quality honeycomb material and has more surface area to help burn unburnt fuel more efficiently. I personally don't know which brands are better.

Here's a cool vid where you can visualize what's going on in a cat.

[Kriz2fer]

Mine hardly smells.

[WretchedRefuse]

Originally Posted by 2022M550i

It depends... an aftermarket high flow cat won't work as well to burn excess fuel going through the exhaust. An OEM cat uses a higher quality honeycomb material and has more surface area to help burn unburnt fuel more efficiently. I personally don't know which brands are better....

Thanks for the cool video. But if the fuel smell is caused by unburned fuel in the exhaust system, wouldn't a catless downpipe stink far more than a catted pipe? I wonder if maybe some unburnt fuel gets trapped in the honeycomb and liquefies as the engine cools down. But I'm just speculating.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BWilson263

I can pickup a new CTS downpipe for $390.00 online. Is there anyone that has it installed and if so how do you like it? I'm looking for a decent downpipe so I can go BM3 Stage 2. What's the difference between a $390.00 downpipe and a more expensive downpipe?

You'd need to be more specific on which another more expensive downpipe you are comparing it to.

Active Autowerke is more expensive because it uses GESI EPA-approved cats. It won't throw a check engine light. the CTS will throw a check engine if not used with a flash tune

Evolution Racewerks is more expensive because its handbuilt in the US, ER finish quality is second to none

As far as i know, all three uses 304 stainless steel so same quality of metal

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Evolution Racewerks is more expensive because its handbuilt in the US, ER finish quality is second to none

You got that right. Artwork.


.

[BWilson263]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

You'd need to be more specific on which another more expensive downpipe you are comparing it to.

Active Autowerke is more expensive because it uses GESI EPA-approved cats. It won't throw a check engine light. the CTS will throw a check engine if not used with a flash tune

Evolution Racewerks is more expensive because its handbuilt in the US, ER finish quality is second to none

As far as i know, all three uses 304 stainless steel so same quality of metal

You pretty much covered the other brand downpipes. I will be using BM3, so I assume since all are made of 304 stainless steel the CTS should hold up equally well? Unless there's other things I should be concern about.

[Kriz2fer]

If your doing downpipes, I would go catless or leave it stock. Catted downpipes don’t net much gain over stock. It’s a pain to install those. Make it worth it.

[BWilson263]

Originally Posted by Kriz2fer

If your doing downpipes, I would go catless or leave it stock. Catted downpipes don’t net much gain over stock. It’s a pain to install those. Make it worth it.

I thought the install would be the same catted or no cat?

[Kriz2fer]

Originally Posted by BWilson263

I thought the install would be the same catted or no cat?

It is

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BWilson263

You pretty much covered the other brand downpipes. I will be using BM3, so I assume since all are made of 304 stainless steel the CTS should hold up equally well? Unless there's other things I should be concern about.

No concern over CTS, they offer high quality products

[2022M550i]

Originally Posted by Kriz2fer

If your doing downpipes, I would go catless or leave it stock. Catted downpipes don't net much gain over stock. It's a pain to install those. Make it worth it.

100% agree. I would rather do a heads/cam swap on my fox body mustang than do these downpipes….tedious

[BWilson263]

I've decided to go with Evolution Racewerks catted downpipe.

[m7mad]

having tried both I would say go for catless, I tried VRSF catted downpipe and because i didnt want smell but unfortunately they all smell but less than fully catless but not significant. As for power i dont know but I did feel some decrease in performance.

[2022M550i]

That's why you have to pick up something like dragy. Do before and after runs.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BWilson263

I've decided to go with Evolution Racewerks catted downpipe.

Congrats

[BWilson263]

Originally Posted by m7mad

having tried both I would say go for catless, I tried VRSF catted downpipe and because i didnt want smell but unfortunately they all smell but less than fully catless but not significant. As for power i dont know but I did feel some decrease in performance.

Decrease in power from stock or catted downpipe?

[2022M550i]

If you have to go through emissions testing, get a cat pipe. If you don't mind the smell of gas and don't have to do emissions testing, go without a cat. I personally wouldn't want to do all that work and can't stand the fuel smell. Iwould just keep the stock downpipe on…. But I also have to go through emissions testing every couple years

[Kriz2fer]

Originally Posted by BWilson263

Decrease in power from stock or catted downpipe?

They don’t really help. Go catless or stay stock

[m7mad]

Originally Posted by BWilson263

Decrease in power from stock or catted downpipe?

From catted downpipe.