Test Pipe Bad, Good? Help Please!

[thewoahna]

I was thinking about getting a test pipe for my 1990 Accord. I have a DC Catback system, DC Headers, and a Short Ram intake. Right now I havea Catco "High Flow" Cat but I was thinking about buting a Test Pipe to replace it. Are these worth getting? Am I better off just keeping what I have? I have heard that getting one will reduce Backpressure bigtime, and I have heard that it isnt healthy for your engine to have little or no backpressure. Will adding one hurt my engine? Will it make much or a differance?

Thanks!

[crxlvr]

well it wont hurt ur car too badly, it will reduce backpressure which is good for the car anyway, however the car will be alot louder, and if ur town has a noise law there, you may be hassled for it. the catco is a good free flow cat, but obviously no baffles will let the exhuast gas flow easier to get more power.

[luti]

Backpressure is both good and bad. I know thats confusing, but bear with me. Backpressure helps at low RPM's to get the exhaust gasses out of the cylnders, but hinders performance at high RPM's. That is why headers and exhausts and catalytics have to be purchased and tuned to your specific needs. If you want a street car you want larger than stock diamaters, and a more free flowing system, but not a completly empty system. You won't be able to make it off the line, your car will feel week at the low end. If you are building a race car cut out the cat, if your racing your always using high RPM's and have nothing to worry about. Also, the lack of a cat will make your car significantly louder and make your car that much worse for the planet (ecologically). Please keep your cat in unless your off to the track.

[Tofuboy]

Backpressure is both good and bad.

No true, you don't want back pressure at all time. You can find out more about this issue on the first thread of this forum (let's get technical)

Also, the lack of a cat will make.....much worse for the planet"

True, and the cat will not make that much of restriction for your street car anyway, so please spare the air.

[spotovi]

Unless your racing keep the Cat. You have a high flow anyway. If you need to prove the difference then race a 1/4 mile with and without. You'll see the difference is almost in your head. If you want to drive around worry free keep the High flow Cat, you already made a good choice. If you want bragging rights and a very loud car then go with the test pipe.

Regards,
Spotovi

[CivicRacerX]

Putting a test pipe on your Accord isn't going to make a noticeable difference, other than being really loud. If you have a high-flow cat and the DC Sports full exhaust, you're just wasting your money with a test pipe. Odds are you'll buy it and be pissed when you have no low end in your already torque-impaired Honda motor. Seriously, test pipes are for higher output engines that are truly restricted when using a legal exhaust. It's not worth it on your current setup.