Top Speed Bypass pipes initial impression

[F1GP]

Has anyone had a successful install with this most recent batch of pipes? I'm sitting on two driver side pipes & waiting on replacement parts in transit which will hopefully resolve this issue.

[Jittsl]

Couple of things here.

Firstly, I hate to say I told you so but.... I had exactly the same issues with these pipes a few weeks ago and got treated like I was a fool for even suggesting that there was something wrong (by several, but not all, people)- check back through the posts.

Second, just because a shipment from China brought in a few months ago worked fine does not mean they will on a new shipment. Having done business in China a few times I can almost guarantee that Honest Johnny doesn't deal direct with the "manufacturer". In fact there are probably several layers between him and the umpteen dozens of Chinamen who own a welder. If profit is his solE motive (as I suspect it is) then he'll be simply chasing down the cheapest source with little regard for quality or fit.

Lastly, as several people advised me - what are you complaining about it was cheap so what did you expect!

I would advise all people dealing with Che or John (or whatever his name is) to be very careful and very firm. As far as he is concerned simply not fitting is not a good enough excuse for him to give a full refund. In my case it cost 25% + shipping in both directions. Although as a couple of people suggested to me - it wasn't much money so what am I complaing about. I guess they are right. Why shouldn't he profit from supplying crap that doesn't fit - this is America, the land of opportunity.

[sgt brad]

fwiw, i am willing to wait it out a bit and see where this goes. there have been many who have given positive comments on the pipes, both headers and bypass. this batch certainly seems to have problems. we will see where this goes. i agree that paying anything for something that doesn't fit as advertised is malarky. i read your thread and am not sure where it went off the rails.

[Kenny Boxster]

Update: I just finished installing my pipes yesterday. The driver's side went on without a problem but I noted that the passenger's side required some adjustment in order to make it fit. Overall it feels I have gained 5-7hp at a conservative stance, and exhaust note is more colorful at full throttle. I was sent out a pair of duplicate passenger sides, but got the correct set last Friday.

[delubozparts]

Originally Posted by Kenny Boxster

Update: I just finished installing my pipes yesterday. The driver's side went on without a problem but I noted that the passenger's side required some adjustment in order to make it fit. Overall it feels I have gained 5-7hp at a conservative stance, and exhaust note is more colorful at full throttle. I was sent out a pair of duplicate passenger sides, but got the correct set last Friday.

Kenny,

If possible will you please post some installed pictures on the forum ?

Thank you !

Che

[dagdisco03]

Received mine quickly delivered on Saturday. Installed them by Saturday night and drove 100 miles Sunday. I see no issues with the over all fit. Bend to the factory U pipe to the muffler was off by half the tube width but nothing I couldn't just pull into place by hand. The pictures from the original poster are a full aftermarket system the factory CATs have heat shields and look nothing like what is pictured.

Nothing rubs and I'd say they follow the original path very closely.

The little adapter pipe I'm not sure about. It works but I wish it was all one pipe to the flange. I have a small leak on each side on that adapter pipe that I still need to mess with to seal up.

Overall for the price can't beat it tubing looks nice it was packed great.

For my car with 109K this helped out low end power all the way up to red line feel better. Throttle feels like it has better response. I felt my low end under 2K RPM feels better leaving from stopped. That surprised me I was expecting that I would lose power in the low end. I'm not sure if it has to do with the mileage and my old CATs?

Sound: Just enough for me very mild increase in sound I'd say it brings the exhaust sound up to even with the intake sound. I can hear the muffler now but just the slightest bit.

[shadrach74]

As it turns out I did receive 2 left [driver's] side pipes. Before I had verified that this was the case, Che, having read this thread, sent me an email with instruction if there was an issue. I called and they are shipping the correct pipe to my mechanic with a return shipping label for the duplicate left pipe. I'll report back as things move forward, but so far, Topspeed is doing everything they can to make things right.

[dagdisco03]

Here are a couple pictures before and after install. Hard to see much but figured I'd share since there is so much back and forth on what works. To install I only removed the 3 nuts on the flange, 2 nuts sliding coupler and 2 nuts on the hanger off the muffler. Repeat the same on each side of the car. I did not remove the muffler or anything else. I did remove the wheel for easier access to the flange nuts.

Stock

Stock

Top Speed

Top Speed

[Karl Nettgen]

I thought I should check my pipes before install after reading these posts and just found out I have two passenger side pipes.

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by dagdisco03

Received mine quickly delivered on Saturday. Installed them by Saturday night and drove 100 miles Sunday. I see no issues with the over all fit. Bend to the factory U pipe to the muffler was off by half the tube width but nothing I couldn't just pull into place by hand. The pictures from the original poster are a full aftermarket system the factory CATs have heat shields and look nothing like what is pictured.

Nothing rubs and I'd say they follow the original path very closely.

The little adapter pipe I'm not sure about. It works but I wish it was all one pipe to the flange. I have a small leak on each side on that adapter pipe that I still need to mess with to seal up.

Overall for the price can't beat it tubing looks nice it was packed great.

For my car with 109K this helped out low end power all the way up to red line feel better. Throttle feels like it has better response. I felt my low end under 2K RPM feels better leaving from stopped. That surprised me I was expecting that I would lose power in the low end. I'm not sure if it has to do with the mileage and my old CATs?

Sound: Just enough for me very mild increase in sound I'd say it brings the exhaust sound up to even with the intake sound. I can hear the muffler now but just the slightest bit.

What you're experienced was correct. The secondary cats are extremely restrictive (400 to 600 cells depending if they share the same part as a 996). Therefore, by reducing a significant amount of back pressure, along with weight, your vehicle should have definitely felt more responsive.

[stateofidleness]

Ill weigh in. I bought mine shortly after Che announced they were available for the 2.7L's. I got them promptly and in great condition. My car went into the shop for 7 months for a Tiptronic replacement (seriously.. 7 months), but I installed these myself once I got it back. The install was pretty simple and did require adjustment. This was expected as I've done the Che muffler install prior to this a while back and saw all the exhaust "pieces" that needed to be aligned just right. After getting it all buttoned up, the sound is awesome, the weight savings are awesome, the look and quality of stainless is awesome, and the install was like a 3/10.

Im sorry for those that are having issues with the latest pipes being sent out. So as not to appear as if I'm taking sides here, I would just say that they were definitely worth the price and do require some minor adjustments as there's a lot of parts that have to line up just right.

[AndyA6]

I followed this thread 'cause I have the Fabspeed pipes. I know they are way more expensive but the installation took maybe 30 - 40 minutes with no issues whatsoever. Just sayin'

[Homeboy981]

I installed Top Speed's Cat Delete this weekend and IT IS butt dyno APPROVED! I love 'em! They give you a low growl at idle and seem to make the exhaust less restrictive. Can't wait to get the Full Cat Back Exhaust system now!

I understand a few members got sent TWO OF THE SAME SIDE, here's is the definitive way to tell the difference (just in case it happens again)…

This pic shows all the parts the Top Speed Cat Delets come with (the exhaust tubes are facing the wrong side - see how easy it is to do).


When you have the CORRECT PIPES…they will look like this when you rotate ONE OF THEM 180 degrees. Notice that the 3-bolt flanges DO NOT line up! That is how you know you have 2 DIFFERENT PIPES and they ARE CORRECT.


Here is a close up shot of the CORRECT PIPES with ONE ROTATED:


And here is 30 pounds of garbage….(but I'll sell them to pay for Cat Deletes - if anyone needs them)


Make sure you do a "dry fitting". Kenny rightly advised me to loosen the U-Bolts near the back muffler (hit them with PB Blaster FIRST).

Lightly connect the 3-bolt flange, loosen, and then work on getting the back to fit. It was a little off at the muffler but once worked in to place, it bolts up without a problem.

You know how when you blow your nose when you have a cold? For the first minute afterwards you can breathe….that is how my car seems to feel now, "uncongested".
Seems like my Box got rid of the "cold" and CAN BREATHE AGAIN!

My car is 30 lbs. lighter and more responsive at higher RPMs!

[Kenny Boxster]

[2000boxster986]

Glad your fit worked out well Kenny.... This thread is sort of turning into a catch all for these pipes. Hopefully that is ok with everyone. So, after all of the fitting and communications on these pipes I'm not so thrilled with the outcome. I just took the box for a run and at idle and low rpm is sounds good So, I put my foot in it a bit... Not sure what I was expecting but it sounds like a pumped up 4 banger. Loud, and not even a pleasant loud, just loud! I'm guessing it's the Pedro mod on my exhaust so I'm going to plug those 1" pipes and see how it sounds. The Pedro mod has its place with a stock setup just not with these pipes installed. Anyone else care to comment on their overall impression of the exhaust note's of these pipes?

[sb01box]

Originally Posted by 2000boxster986

Glad your fit worked out well Kenny.... This thread is sort of turning into a catch all for these pipes. Hopefully that is ok with everyone. So, after all of the fitting and communications on these pipes I'm not so thrilled with the outcome. I just took the box for a run and at idle and low rpm is sounds good So, I put my foot in it a bit... Not sure what I was expecting but it sounds like a pumped up 4 banger. Loud, and not even a pleasant loud, just loud! I'm guessing it's the Pedro mod on my exhaust so I'm going to plug those 1" pipes and see how it sounds. The Pedro mod has its place with a stock setup just not with these pipes installed. Anyone else care to comment on their overall impression of the exhaust note's of these pipes?

it is after all just a straight pipe. I would suspect that you would get the same "sound" with secondary pipes from other mfgs.

[Kenny Boxster]

Originally Posted by 2000boxster986

Glad your fit worked out well Kenny.... This thread is sort of turning into a catch all for these pipes. Hopefully that is ok with everyone. So, after all of the fitting and communications on these pipes I'm not so thrilled with the outcome. I just took the box for a run and at idle and low rpm is sounds good So, I put my foot in it a bit... Not sure what I was expecting but it sounds like a pumped up 4 banger. Loud, and not even a pleasant loud, just loud! I'm guessing it's the Pedro mod on my exhaust so I'm going to plug those 1" pipes and see how it sounds. The Pedro mod has its place with a stock setup just not with these pipes installed. Anyone else care to comment on their overall impression of the exhaust note's of these pipes?

All mid pipes will do this- it is just a hollow metal tube. I am almost at a loss of words loud when you complain of it being loud when you put your foot on pedal! I am not trying to sound harsh but perhaps you should drive a hybrid if you want something not loud.

[2000boxster986]

Thanks Kenny for the hybrid suggestion. I'm not quite at that point as yet. Maybe next year . Maybe 'loud' was the wrong word. Maybe I should have said 'noisy'. Not a nice noisy more like just a blowing noise. I've had plenty of V8's with headers and nice exhaust so no I'm not hybrid ready. Yes, this is a straight pipe situation for the 1" muffler bypass but the muffler should be picking up most of it. It just wasn't want I expected. So that's what I shared. I'm after a subtle sports car sound, which is prob something I won't get with the boxster flat six. But, I'm learning here. this is my first Porsche. I posted my thoughts and experience only because this topic is open and the pipes everyone wanted are now available. I shared my install hoping someone with similar fitment issues would benefit from it. So in the same light I shared my disappointment as well. but, you learn and move on. That's a good thing. Sorry if my post offends anyone but it was just that, a post expressing an experience. I'll think twice next time and stick to solid issues. Cheers

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by 2000boxster986

I'm after a subtle sports car sound, which is prob something I won't get with the boxster flat six. Cheers

Really? What did you drive before? 6cyl engines have about the sweetest song this side of a V12. The straight and flat 6's are the best of the breed. With the flat having the most unique engine notes of all IMNSHO... If you are not happy with sound of your flat 6, it is a failure to mod properly or a failure of personal taste. Even a box stock Boxster has a pleasing if not understated exhaust note. I am a fan of Pedro, but not his exhaust mod. It seems pointless and is essentially a self inflicted exhaust leak. I would expect it in the world of fart can Hondas, but not on a Porsche (I know you bought it that way). Keep the bypass pipes and try fitting a standard 986 exhaust or attempt to plug the "leaks" in yours. I think you'll like that much better.

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by Kenny Boxster

All mid pipes will do this- it is just a hollow metal tube. I am almost at a loss of words loud when you complain of it being loud when you put your foot on pedal! I am not trying to sound harsh but perhaps you should drive a hybrid if you want something not loud.

I did the Crios mod a.k.a drilling a ¾" hole in through the back of the muffler and with the Top Speed Cat Deletes - it sounds G-r-r-reat! Not too loud! Is there such a thing? Harleys and other "road furniture" go around without being muffled but IF a car or sportbike tries that it's too loud? O.K. maybe that is a bit too much…but short of that, as long as there is performance to be gained!!!

Now this has me thinking about headers and a cat back systems so my box can GROWL on the PROWL…as we are hunting down F-150s!