My Review: cp-e catted downpipe

[the_caruch]

I'll try to get pics/ exhaust video up asap.

edit: got a CEL today on the way to work (highway) without even getting it checked i can bet it's saying that my cat is "below efficiency" but is just detecting more emissions since..well.....it IS a high flow cat happened on the last car i owned too after a downpipe.


Just finished up installing the cp-e catted downpipe yesterday on my speed 3. The install was ok...not the best...but ok. Just time consuming , but everything went on great. No bolts were seized (including both o2's) so that made it better. I made sure to put anti-seize on the bolts so any future removal will be easy.

Install

The install difficulty wasn't bad. I'm usually one to pawn this work off to my brother who works on cars for a living but decided to tackle this myself. So while the install has it's "moments" if I can do it, you can too. For me, I'd say this is a 6 out of 10

Things i ran across

The rear o2 connector (the one connected to the wiring harness) I had to break free from the bracket that it was stuck against so the connector would reach to rear o2. Otherwise is was way too tight to fit on in the stock location. the rear o2 bung needed to be about 1/2 inch more up the exhaust to fit without breaking the connector free. (I've heard complaints about this before) It took a while but eventually I got it plugged in.

I also forgot to unbolt the stock downpipe bracket that is bolted to the frame (hence why the downpipe kept getting stuff trying to put it in place). it's a big thick piece of metal, be sure to take that thing out

Don't forget the order of which you remove/re-install things...such as remembering to re-install the intercooler bracket first and then the top manifold heat shield. etc, etc.

LABEL YOUR BOLTS, meaning i put them in separate plastic baggies for each section and wrote on them with a sharpie "heat shield" "downpipe studs" "power steering bracket" it makes for such an easier re-install when you know which bolts are which.

After you unwind the front o2 wire from the clips and spiral holder be sure to bend them flat against the stock downpipe heat shield so they don't get caught everywhere when you are removing it.

Don't get hit in the face with a 14mm socket while under the car when your dad drops it


Quality

Awesome. I bought this used with just a couple hundred miles on it so everything was in great shape. The welds were perfect and everything lined up.

My only complaint is the rear o2 bung is slightly too far down the exhaust.


Performance

Very nice. The SOUND is amazing. I have the HKS hi-power exhaust and it brings a lot more "burble" or rumble out of the exhaust.

Performance is great! I haven't gone the 50-60 miles for the ECU relearn yet but it definitely spools a heck of a lot faster and just feels like it runs through the gears faster even under normal city driving. The sound in the upper RPM's is incredible, you hear the engine so much more and then tone has changed and it just sounds plain mean


Overall

I recommend this to anyone, the install REALLY isn't that bad, but if you are not too good at car work (like myself) devote a day for this job.

[jonnyspeed3]

Very nice review this will definetly be my next purchase.

[faeker]

Originally Posted by jonnyspeed3 Very nice review this will definetly be my next purchase.

good job on rezzing a fucking 3 and a half year old thread that nobody gives a fuck about anymore. fuck you.

[Code Monkey]

[faeker]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

.........this guy..........










has the interior I wish i could do. Bastard.

[twenty5psi]

You should pick up a CP-E Standback for your next mod.