Top Speed Bypass pipes initial impression
 

My bypass pipes arrived this week for $189 shipped. I will drop them by my shop while they do the RMS, IMSB and other work this week. I plan on doing a dyno test in the future to see if there is any difference at all... My primary reason to install these is weight savings as well as removing a major heat source (secondary cat) from the vicinity of my CV boots.

This kit includes the pipes, gaskets, clamps, and other hardware needed for installation.
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The quality of the materials is as good or better than I would expect for this price point. There are some marks from the manufacturing process as well as some minor pitting here and there, but for the money, I think the materials are satisfactory.

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The quality of the welds appears to be adequate. While the finish could be a bit better, we are talking about less than $200 here, I am pretty happy with it.
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The proof will be in how easily it bolts up to my 3.2. I will report back as things progress!

Cheers!

Ross

I bought a pair too. Let's see how this goes.

I would also be interested to hear your impression and install process. I just sent Che an email and will report back how they handle everything.

I have a 03 Boxster S and here is my problem.

After I received my order on Friday, I took the box straight to an exhaust shop to get it installed.

The first exhaust shop said the angle and shape of the piping was incorrect, but I wanted a second opinion because it was a small mom and pop shop and based upon reading the forums, I knew there would be some slight modification that needed to be done.

So today, Saturday, I took it to another shop to get their opinion. Again, they said there is no way these pipes will fit. There is 2 problems with these pipes. The angle of the pipe is incorrect and also the shape of the pipe is also wrong. If you look at the stock setup on a 2003 Boxster S, the pipe from the primary cat to the exhaust should angle upwards towards the trunk, top speed's pipes are nearly flat with only a very slight angle at the flange.

The second problem is the shape is also wrong. See attached pictures. When it's lined up with the factory flange, the end of the pipe is pointing towards the end of the bumper.

more pictures...

My confidence is fading. While the pipes are reasonably constructed, it means little if there not properly designed. I was concerned from the outset given the feedback of other buyers. While I don't know the exhaust system well enough to say whether mine will fit just from looking looking at the pipes, but I will say that the angles look quite sharp compared to my mental picture of the rear pipes. Stay tuned...:confused:

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.....

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.

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?

shadrach...
You are correct, the two pipes are different lengths - as are the Porsche originals when you remove tham and look at them side by side.....

sb01box...
When I fitted the test pipes, the gap between the 2 flanges was quite small say 5 - 10mm (1/4 - 1/2") which pulled up easily. I guess if I had pulled and pushed the pipes out of the muffler entry by hand, I could have possibly closed the gap - as it was I was tired and just used the 3 bolts to slowly pull the flanges together.
I rechecked the bolt / head stud tenioning last month after 3,000km and there ware no signs of leaks, cracking or metal fatigue that I could see.

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.

Steve Tinker,
my concern, after reading this and "other" thread is that the angles were off. in your case it sounds like the pipes were little short, but the header flange and the pipe flange were parallel and needed to be brought together.
the "suspension" that the muffler attaches to should allow for forward movement of the muffler to accommodate 5 to 10mm gas.
were the gap the same on both sides?
thanks in advance

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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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.

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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

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

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.

Hi ohhh my,

The photo of the secondary and the muffler does not looks to be an '03 OEM flavor (that I am aware of). As a minimum, shouldn't there be a U-tube that connects the secondary cat pipe to the muffler and is held by a double pipe clamp?
the photo of the flanges (header and the pipe) definitely shows different wear. the exhaust header and it's flange is lot more "aged"

added new info.
I'm in the process of installing the topspeed pipe. Sprayed penetrating oil and while waiting for the chemical to do it's job, tooks this photo and made some measurements.
the photo is of the secondary CAT on the left side. You can see the left rear tire and the last plastic screw holding the bumper skin as well as the U-tube.
the center of the dual clamp (this should be the end of the secondary pipe) is (on my car 01 2.7L) one inch towards the front of the car with respect to the screw and about 2.5 inches in toward the center of the car from the same screw.
also measured from the aluminum heat shield to the center of the secondary cat body and this was about 2.5 inches as well. on my car, the OEM pipe does bend significantly towards the tire and the fender.

I'm not trying to contradict or start an open argument. Hopefully, this forum is here to exchange information and doing so will be to member's overall benefit. I have gained lots of knowledge from the Forum/Members
Regards,
Tad

supposedly correct pipes are on their way. i will let everyone know how it goes. it may still be a while before install though.

For anyone received These Test Pipes in same side, Please contact us immediately we will provide exchange plus provide UPS Return shipping Label. My apologies for the Inconvenience :o

Kenny,

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

Thank you !

Che

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.

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.

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
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Stock
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Top Speed
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Top Speed
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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.

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

How can a company that makes after market parts not pair the components in the boxes properly?:confused:
Seems they would have a slight amount a quality control before shipping something out the door..
puzzling...:confused:

Good to hear Danger I was definitely expecting the placebo effect response. And I felt this livened up the bottom, mid and throttle response significantly. I was pleasantly surprised that's for sure. I was expecting more noise and slightly less power. More noise was quieter then I expected and power was butt dyno approved :D

Thank god mine were right I didn't even check each side before the install. I pulled one from the box and said these look good I'm happy and started to pull the car apart. I would have found out the hard way after getting the second CAT out I unwrapped that pipe.

Anyone getting exhaust leaks with these pipes?
 

I've heard of one exhaust leak with these at the small pipe connection. Anyone else experiencing this? I'll be installing these soon and am just curious if I should get some muffler paste to add to the joint. Thanks.

PM received, correct set replacement on the way along with FedEx return shipping Label. My apologies for our glitch on shipping dept. :o

well i received the second package yesterday, but won't get to open it until sometime this weekend or early next week. hopefully we have everything sorted out this time.

brad

Finally got my pipes installed yesterday. Initial impression is the car sounds raspier and there's a slight increase in volume especially around 4000rpms and up.

It took 3.5hrs for my shop to do the install. It was longer than expected because they initially ran into some issues last week with rusted/fused bolts and then the discovery that I was shipped two left pipes. Yesterday they completed the installation but had some minor issues with the pipes lining up perfectly. They ended up trimming the pipes to fit properly.

Despite these issues, I'm pretty happy and the price can't be beat.

Two questions though...is it normal to have a burnt smell after the cat-bypass pipe install? Does this eventually go away?

The smell is likely do to penetrant residue and residuals from the pipe mfg process. It should dissipate after a few heat cycles.

Glad to know it went well. Do you notice any difference in drive-ability, power. power curve...seat of the pants measurements?

my pipes were identical. call topspeed and they are sending another pair

The car feels a little peppier, but it's probably due to the fact that I'm now upshifting at higher revs and driving more aggressively to enjoy the new sound.

Some bypass pipe fitment issues and a workaround...
 

Received a left and right pipes from Top-Speed with no issues. Overall quality appears to be good. However like others mine did not fit as well as I was hoping. I had to do some mods. Some of the proper fitment was hampered by the exhaust modes already done to the car before I bought it. I think it's called a Pedro exhaust mod etc... The Pedro mod has the 1" pipes welded to the U tubes and not the muffler inlet. So, they were unmovable, otherwise I might have been able to tilt the U tubes down for a better fit with the hardware received in the pipe kit.
I wound up using 1 3/4" ID x 2" OD reducers and 2" stainless flexible muffler pipe to get everything to work and to assure nothing was overstressed. I don't particularly like muffler clamps and bendable pipe for exhaust mods but check out the pics below. It's a solid fit and there are no leaks. I'm running stock manifolds with pre-cats.
I don't have the car off the rack as yet but did start it up and it sounds good.