[tjbuggy2b]

Did a search around the forum and couldn't find anyone talking about it. Wondering if there is any benefit to choosing a downpipe that has a heat shield. Thoughts?

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

Did a search around the forum and couldn't find anyone talking about it. Wondering if there is any benefit to choosing a downpipe that has a heat shield. Thoughts?

I was looking into two options previously, 4.5 inch sports cat with heat shielding or 5 inch without any heat shielding, the heat shielding would help reduce heatsoak a bit i would imagine. i=I decided to opt for the larger 5 inch sports cat for the better flow, and a turbo heatshield. There is no current supplier of a 5 inch sports car with heat shielding that i know off as you are restricted space wise already with the 5 inch pipes

You could also fit a turbo heatshield and/or a turbo blanket to help keep that radiant heat contained better

[tjbuggy2b]

That's what my debate is, as well. Currently looking at this one from ApexBuilt.

I messaged them on directly to try to find out what makes theirs worth $1200 vs VRSF, which they advertise get's the same HP increase (with tune.) My interest in the ApexBuilt DP is that it's a 300 cel, vs 200. They also make a 400 cell for a little more money. If I can get the same horsepower without more emissions, then why not? But I'm not paying over twice as much to do it.

They both guarantee no CEL. So, I really want to know what, if anything, makes theirs worth the extra cash. Edit: Oh, nevermind. It's because it's titanium. I just noticed that in the description.

They don't list the diameter but it looks like it could be a little larger than 4.5".

[mike@x-ph.com]

If you are not tracking the car, save your money and skip the heat shield

[Info@mad-us.com]

No need! The b58 is shielded around the downpipe area already and it has plenty of room to breath. Removing the factory cat which traps all the heat will greatly reduce the temps. Like mentioned above unless you are a dedicated track car you will notice no difference.

[tjbuggy2b]

Ok, cool!

Honest opinion, is there any reason to purchase anything except the VRSF DP?

Things I may be interested in....
More horsepower.
Deeper exhaust note.
Less raspy exhaust note.
Higher cell count.

[buddyboy]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

Ok, cool!

Honest opinion, is there any reason to purchase anything except the VRSF DP?

Things I may be interested in....
More horsepower.
Deeper exhaust note.
Less raspy exhaust note.
Higher cell count.

My VRSF sports cat lasted 3 years, before it no longer passes emissions tests. So i have a 5 inch Osprey performance sports cat to go on soon . so the cheaper cats do not last forever. Will a downpipe twice the price last twice as long? No idea

[tjbuggy2b]

Oh dang! I don't have emissions in my state but some states do.

[tjbuggy2b]

Originally Posted by buddyboy

My VRSF sports cat lasted 3 years, before it no longer passes emissions tests. So i have a 5 inch Osprey performance sports cat to go on soon . so the cheaper cats do not last forever. Will a downpipe twice the price last twice as long? No idea

This puts a 300 or 400 cell cat back in my consideration. I would have to assume that if it had closer to OE cell count, that it wouldn't burn out as fast.

[buddyboy]

i think the OEM cell count is 600-800

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by tjbuggy2b

Ok, cool!

Honest opinion, is there any reason to purchase anything except the VRSF DP?

Things I may be interested in....
More horsepower.
Deeper exhaust note.
Less raspy exhaust note.
Higher cell count.

MAD is the better option in my opinion, it's got a higher quality finish, better pricing, and better support.

[tjbuggy2b]

Originally Posted by buddyboy

i think the OEM cell count is 600-800

Oh, lol. Still, logically might still be true.

[WretchedRefuse]

The catalyst doesn't participate in the chemical reactions used to burn off pollutants, so the catalytic converters should in theory last forever. In reality, the catalyst deposited on the cell walls will fall off and/or decompose over time, resulting in the gradual decline in the catalytic converter's ability to remove pollutants. A higher quality catalytic converter would presumably be better constructed to slow down the loss and decay of the catalyst. I'd also expect that a higher-cell converter will last longer than a lower-cell model simply because it has more catalyst to start with.