Top Speed Bypass pipes initial impression

[Steve Tinker]

I fitted a set of test pipes to my 2001 S Boxster last January with no problems at all. After saying that, I had fitted Che's headers a few weeks before, again with only minor adjustments to the fixing holes (they were slightly too small). I cannot comment re fitting the pipes to the standard headers.
However, when fitting the pipes, I started off loosly bolting the flange on to the header section, but no way could I get the other end of the pipe lined up with the muffler. The secret is to push the test pipe into the muffler and THEN adjust & connect up the 3 bolt flange end, pulling up the gap slowly & evenly with the bolts.
Of course, there could still be a problem with your particular pipes (or the wrong ones ordered / sent), but I must say I am very happy with my purchase from Che.....

[sgt brad]

Houston, we have a problem. I have two identical pipes as well. No way these will work. Going to post in the for sale thread.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by sgt brad

Houston, we have a problem. I have two identical pipes as well. No way these will work. Going to post in the for sale thread.

My pipes are not identical. They appear similar, but they are certainly different. This is not to say they will fit, but I'm going to reserve judgment until we attempt to match them up to the car. Why would you try sell them as opposed to sending them back? At that point you're just kicking the can down the road to someone else. If mine don't fit, Che will be the first to know and his handling of the situation will be detailed here. Similarly, if they do fit, I will also detail the particulars here.

[sgt brad]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

My pipes are not identical. They appear similar, but they are certainly different. This is not to say they will fit, but I'm going to reserve judgment until we attempt to match them up to the car. Why would you try sell them as opposed to sending them back? At that point you're just kicking the can down the road to someone else. If mine don't fit, Che will be the first to know and his handling of the situation will be detailed here. Similarly, if the do fit, I will also detail the particulars here.

I meant that I would be posting in the for sale thread for che to see. Unfortunately my laptop is down right now so I cant download pics.

[sb01box]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

My pipes are not identical. They appear similar, but they are certainly different. This is not to say they will fit, but I'm going to reserve judgment until we attempt to match them up to the car. Why would you try sell them as opposed to sending them back? At that point you're just kicking the can down the road to someone else. If mine don't fit, Che will be the first to know and his handling of the situation will be detailed here. Similarly, if they do fit, I will also detail the particulars here.

Shadrach74,
looking at your very first photo, it looks like you have two left sides. I arranged the pipes just like it is in your photo and I can only get this. see how the top pipe's flange is resting on the side, but the other pipe is resting on a tip of the flange.


when I arrange my set with the tubes flat and with the end pointing away from each other, a side of the triangular manifold flange is almost flat to the surface. I believe once installed, a flat feature of the flange is the bottom most part of the connection.



I've been doing some additional look-see. (measured, but very subjective.)
1) since the pipes are "symmetrical about the engine, you can check for symmetry.
2) resting the bottom side of the flange on the table, and with carpenter's level on the surface of the flange, proping up the pipe end till the flange was vertical, the bottom of the pipe end was 3-3/4 and 4.0 inches above the bench
3) with the pipe resting in what will be it's installed orientation, see photo above, the measurement from the top tip of the flange to the top the middle of the pipe end was 20 inches for both.

I need to stop playing with them and start the installation

[Jittsl]

Be careful. If you start to install them they become used (acording to honest John). Used product does not get full refund.

[sb01box]

Originally Posted by Jittsl

Be careful. If you start to install them they become used (acording to honest John). Used product does not get full refund.

I understand.
that's the main reason for doing "incoming inspection"
I'm going to take one of the secondary pipe off the car and do the same measurements (if I can) and as a minimum, will do side by side comparison before getting the pipes anywhere near the car.
thanks for the warning
Tad

[sb01box]

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

I fitted a set of test pipes to my 2001 S Boxster last January with no problems at all. After saying that, I had fitted Che's headers a few weeks before, again with only minor adjustments to the fixing holes (they were slightly too small). I cannot comment re fitting the pipes to the standard headers.
However, when fitting the pipes, I started off loosly bolting the flange on to the header section, but no way could I get the other end of the pipe lined up with the muffler. The secret is to push the test pipe into the muffler and THEN adjust & connect up the 3 bolt flange end, pulling up the gap slowly & evenly with the bolts.
Of course, there could still be a problem with your particular pipes (or the wrong ones ordered / sent), but I must say I am very happy with my purchase from Che.....

I just received a set and am planning to install it this weekend. purpose is to see if the rattle is from the secondary cat (hoping it's not the primary cat).
a question on installation. It is my understanding that the engine/transmission is one piece when assembled. and that the header, mid pipe and the muffler bolts to the engine head and to the back plate of the transmission. as such, there is no need for bellows-like pipe section to absorb the differential movement that is present in autos with the muffler hanging from the chassis.
with this design, the test pipe bends should be such that the pipe just drops in and working the three screws/bolts at the flange will only induce stress into the exhaust system and worse to the head. this I believe is not good- and should not have to be done.
Is the assumption that when the pipe gets hot, it will auto-align and adapt and such the stress during assembly will be "eliminated" and all is fine from there on?

[shadrach74]

Steve,

I have 2 sets of TS test pipes at home waiting to be installed. The second set is slightly different from the first. I hope to install this weekend. I am hoping that I can make some combination of what I have work properly. I will post pics this weekend and send the unused pipes back to Che.

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

I have 2 sets of TS test pipes at home waiting to be installed. The second set is slightly different from the first. I hope to install this weekend. I am hoping that I can make some combination of what I have work properly. I will post pics this weekend and send the unused pipes back to Che.

Hi Shad,

Make sure the ones you put in look like this when you lay them out BEFORE installation. (they are laid out backwards in the photo FYI)

You should be able to do this with ONE SIDE to ensure you have the correct bends…


See how the FLANGE IS DIFFERENT? That IS PROOF POSITIVE you have the CORRECT PAIRS.

Good luck with the install. The best way to not have a problem with fitment is to mount loosely and then, once everything is "in the air" torque it down good and tight. Drive it long enough to warm up and then re-check tightness.

There will be some added sound and low end torque increase but your car will definutely 'breathe easier'. So will you!

Enjoy!

[shadrach74]

Hey Homie,

I definitely have 2 sets of left and right pipes. The Flanges are oriented correctly, but the bends vary somewhat from pipe to pipe...

Originally Posted by Homeboy981

Hi Shad,

Make sure the ones you put in look like this when you lay them out BEFORE installation. (they are laid out backwards in the photo FYI)

You should be able to do this with ONE SIDE to ensure you have the correct bends…


See how the FLANGE IS DIFFERENT? That IS PROOF POSITIVE you have the CORRECT PAIRS.

Good luck with the install. The best way to not have a problem with fitment is to mount loosely and then, once everything is "in the air" torque it down good and tight. Drive it long enough to warm up and then re-check tightness.

There will be some added sound and low end torque increase but your car will definutely 'breathe easier'. So will you!

Enjoy!