Header Wrap on Test Pipes
 

So I really dont like my CNT test pipes, the poor build quality shows as they hiss worse than any test pipe ive ever heard and sound "tinny" far too often. Im gonna pick up another set from a better company and was thinking about wrapping them in header wrap to reduce unwanted noise and hiss further.

Has anyone ever wrapped resonated test pipes? What was your impression? How much header wrap did you need?

Will affect the sound absolutely zero.

Really? Ive heard that wrapping a test pipe will virtually eliminate rasp if you have it, so i figured it wouldnt hurt. Oh well

A buddy of mine wrapped his HFCs and claims less hiss from it, but there's no real way to tell. If you've got the wrap already why not? It's not going to hurt anything other than the smell.

Well the hardest decision for me now is if I should try another resonated test pipe or should i just get the ARK HFCs

From what I've read, the ART Pipes are about the only test pipe that doesn't have the rasp that everyone hates.

Mine has boat loads of rasp, but that's just one of the many noises it makes that you wouldn't want in your DD haha.

If you hate the pipes that much, a better choice is new pipes. And then after that look at wrapping them.

Well im def getting new pipes, either FI resonated test pipes, or ARK High Flow Cats (also resonated)

I have the ARK Grip V2 exhaust so im leaning towards spending the extra on the HFC's but i dont want to lose too much power.

Lol how would a pipe change the noise? A 2.5" straight piece of pipe isn't going to sound any different then anyone's else's. HOWEVER, test pipes that have Helmholtz resonators like the arts or an inline resonators will change things. I wouldn't sell them, I'd fix them.

I have long tube headers like shovelman and the rasp was horrible! I added some Helmholtz in the X pipe right where it bolts to the header, so basically they're installed close to where the arts would be in their test pipe. 90% of the rasp went away! I still have 18x4" inline resonators and the mufflers which are like 18x5" resonators. I don't think inlines do as much as Helmholtz's. I plan to remove the inlines and mufflers and see what it sounds like. Then I'll add Helmholtz to the rear like the motordyne CBE if I don't like it. If I still don't like it I'll add the 18x4" inlines back in.

I disagree, different material and thickness, combined with bend placement and weld quality, changes the way they sound.

They're all 304 SS 16 gauge. A weld isn't going to change anything. If it did FI would sound like **** being tack welded on the outside with the gaps in between.

Im really surprised -- my CNT resonated TP's were awesome.

A bigger Y pipe might contribute to it.

Also, what I'm annoyed by is the hss or rasp on coast down -- is that what you are talking about, because mine never did that although my unresonated TP's did.

Maybe an exhaust leak? That will greatly affect sound, especially when the pipes are cold.

Oh yeah they hiss MUCH louder than other TP's ive heard

Wow

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Again not possible. A test pipe is a test pipe is a test pipe, period! The others you've heard I can promise had different CBE's attributing to more or less hiss and more or less rasp/loudness. A local club here has about 20+ regular guys with Z's, G's, 2dr, 4dr and guess what? Not one has the same setup! Until you have a car with the same CBE and swap out a non resonated test pipe/Helmholtz, you cant say someone's 2.5" straight through 304ss TP sounds different than another's.

Are you sure of this?
I have heard many different TP with the same exhaust and you can tell a very good difference, especially the lower RPM range. Metal is metal, but some companies cheap out on certain parts and "claim" certain materials while also blending & mixing other things in.

I would agree that if 2-3 companies all made TP with the exact same supply of material it should sound the same but there are differences between TP.

Yep sorry bud, but youre full of ****. Ive heard someone with the exact same exhaust, but a different brand of resonated test pipe, and my hiss is way worse than his. Just because its 304 SS doesnt mean it cant be thicker or thinner, welded improperly, or have the resonator in a different location.

Positive. I've had everything and all are 304ss from china to usa. While the metallurgy might not have the exact same tolerances, its close enough that it isn't going to do anything and all 100% not magnetic. I've also cut almost all of them making my own setup, adding cut outs etc. they're 16 gauge 100% of the time. Only OEM uses 18 gauge from subi, to nissan, to mercedes.

If you've heard a difference I'd get your ears checked. 20 inches of pipe all the way at the front of a motor and exhaust setup isn't going to be able to tell anything, again while they're all 304ss 16 gauge. People that think like this also have a butt dyno that thinks everything adds 10hp and they can feel it without a doubt haha. Nonsense.

Clearly you can't read because you just said a different brand of resonated test
pipe. Go back and read closer. We're not talking about RTP.

Seems like the OP's question was very specifically talking about RTPs.

^ yep. Thanks synolimit, but your opinion is not valid. Please use this as an appropriate time to stop trolling my thread and walk away.

Lol, waste your money, keep the venders in business. :tup:

I just installed motordyne art pipes on mine and there is still a rasp. sounds like an angry rattlesnake or a busted *** trumpet around the 3k rpm range

I have the Ark Grip exhaust and FI resonated test pipes. There is no rasp and the setup is quite loud. I added DC Sports headers and it got louder but still no rasp. A tiny bit of hiss can be heard outside the car when really getting on it, but it sounds bad-***.

I had some megan test pipes on there for a while and she got a bit raspy around 4k rpm

I can only hear the rasp INSIDE the car. On the outside it doesnt sound near as bad. The rasp has actually seemed to die down a bit. Its like I just hear the air being forced out.. more like a puffy hiss vrs a rasp now.