HF Cat vs Test pipes on my new Z

Æon · 06-01-2015, 11:07 AM

Hi all. I'm brand new here. Just picked myself up a Red 2009 touring with sport package with 77,000 KM for around $20,500, which is pretty low here in Canada. I had just purchased myself a 2009 GTi six months before, and I was loving the little turbo hatch, but I just needed to get a RWD, 2 seater, utterly impractical car while my life still allowed me to do so. It was either before I had kids, or once they were in college, so I chose the former! I may have to sell it in a year once I get my presale condo build, so any minor mods I do will have to have "value" in mind.

I do have a question, though, before this thread gets moved...

I've been reading around here and it seems like the most important mod for performance from stock is to put in a HF cat or test pipes. Since we don't have emission restrictions here anymore, and considering the price difference, I think I'll opt for the test pipes. That way I can keep the cat and pop it back in if I want. Is there any other advantage to the HF cat instead?
Can anyone recommend one brand of test pipes over another, or does it even matter?

Thanks

Stealthrider2 · 06-01-2015, 11:22 AM

Go with the Fast Intensions resonated test pipes. They sound amazing and they will not trip any sensors like many other do. Another good brand is the ARK.

Æon · 06-01-2015, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealthrider2

Go with the Fast Intensions resonated test pipes. They sound amazing and they will not trip any sensors like many other do. Another good brand is the ARK.

Awesome, thanks! Now, if they do trip the sensor for some reason, is there a workaround, like a sensor bypass plug that's easy to install?

wanker · 06-01-2015, 12:54 PM

Go with a quality HFC. Test pipes are toxic and disgusting.

kenchan · 06-01-2015, 12:57 PM

AE AE ae Ae aE

how the hell did you glue A and E together?

Æon · 06-01-2015, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanker

Go with a quality HFC. Test pipes are toxic and disgusting.

Please explain?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

AE AE ae Ae aE

how the hell did you glue A and E together?

Alt codes (146), or a Scandinavian keyboard.

kenchan · 06-01-2015, 01:20 PM

なるほど！

jpkirk · 06-01-2015, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

AE AE ae Ae aE

how the hell did you glue A and E together?

like this ...

Æ

wanker · 06-01-2015, 03:29 PM

[QUOTE=Æon;3215400]Please explain?

Explain? Test pipes eliminate the catalytic convertor, so there is no emission control. Test pipes are intended purely for track purposes.

I realize modding is fun and we're all looking for more HP, but simply Google LA smog photos from the 50s to appreciate why catalytic convertors are a good thing.

Æon · 06-01-2015, 03:47 PM

Ok, sure.

So if I have to choose between a high flow cat or a new intake, the cat would be the better one to replace?

jaedub · 06-03-2015, 01:40 AM

HFC will definitely yield way more more power than the intake. Honestly, after market intake doesnt have significant gains. Getting a HFC means better and more aggressive sound too.

bbermann · 06-03-2015, 08:00 AM

[QUOTE=wanker;3215559]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Æon

Please explain?

Explain? Test pipes eliminate the catalytic convertor, so there is no emission control. Test pipes are intended purely for track purposes.

I realize modding is fun and we're all looking for more HP, but simply Google LA smog photos from the 50s to appreciate why catalytic convertors are a good thing.

It is my understanding that test pipes also allow your exhaust to have a pretty fowl smell while the HFCs still clean things up?

So, even if you aren't too concerned with the world heath in general, you might care if your ride stinks?

Anyway, I have the Berk HFCs and Stillen Gen3 intake and it seems to give good flow and a nice sound bump up front as well as in back. The intake growls and the cats hiss a bit...the car just sounds a little pissed off...in a good way.

Have fun with your new Z!

FPenvy · 06-03-2015, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanker

Go with a quality HFC. Test pipes are toxic and disgusting.

[QUOTE=wanker;3215559]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Æon

Please explain?

Explain? Test pipes eliminate the catalytic convertor, so there is no emission control. Test pipes are intended purely for track purposes.

I realize modding is fun and we're all looking for more HP, but simply Google LA smog photos from the 50s to appreciate why catalytic convertors are a good thing.

sill tree huggers.

go TPs OP.

more POWAHHHHHHHH!!!

also stick to fast intentions products regardless of HFC or TP choice. best product on the market and their customer service is most certainly best in the industry

njobe89 · 06-03-2015, 08:24 AM

TP's give more power than HFC. however, i have tp's and now my bumper is starting to turn a little yellow.

2011 Nismo#91 · 06-03-2015, 08:29 AM

Most cost effective mods:
K&N Drop in air filters.
Axle back exhaust or washer mod or used Nismo H-pipe type exhaust.
Test pipes.
Under drive pulley (personally I won't do this one)
And look in the private classified sections of good deals.

06-01-2015, 11:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Æon Base Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 19 Drives: 2009 370Z Touring Rep Power: 9	HF Cat vs Test pipes on my new Z Hi all. I'm brand new here. Just picked myself up a Red 2009 touring with sport package with 77,000 KM for around $20,500, which is pretty low here in Canada. I had just purchased myself a 2009 GTi six months before, and I was loving the little turbo hatch, but I just needed to get a RWD, 2 seater, utterly impractical car while my life still allowed me to do so. It was either before I had kids, or once they were in college, so I chose the former! I may have to sell it in a year once I get my presale condo build, so any minor mods I do will have to have "value" in mind. I do have a question, though, before this thread gets moved... I've been reading around here and it seems like the most important mod for performance from stock is to put in a HF cat or test pipes. Since we don't have emission restrictions here anymore, and considering the price difference, I think I'll opt for the test pipes. That way I can keep the cat and pop it back in if I want. Is there any other advantage to the HF cat instead? Can anyone recommend one brand of test pipes over another, or does it even matter? Thanks

06-01-2015, 11:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Stealthrider2 Base Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Reading Posts: 65 Drives: "11 Black Beauty Rep Power: 11	Go with the Fast Intensions resonated test pipes. They sound amazing and they will not trip any sensors like many other do. Another good brand is the ARK. FPenvy likes this. __________________

06-01-2015, 12:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
wanker Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 443 Drives: 2011 370Z S/T A7 Rep Power: 2901	Go with a quality HFC. Test pipes are toxic and disgusting. DavidZ370 and Memphis370Z like this.

06-01-2015, 01:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	なるほど！ jaedub likes this.

06-03-2015, 08:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
njobe89 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2014 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 5,227 Drives: 2013 370z BS 6MT Rep Power: 174283	TP's give more power than HFC. however, i have tp's and now my bumper is starting to turn a little yellow. __________________ 2 plus 2 times 2 = ? ... hint, it's not 8 Stillen CBE, Stillen Gen 3, TP's, Uprev tuned - 324whp/264tq

06-01-2015, 12:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	AE AE ae Ae aE how the hell did you glue A and E together?

06-01-2015, 03:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
wanker Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: San Diego Posts: 443 Drives: 2011 370Z S/T A7 Rep Power: 2901	[QUOTE=Æon;3215400]Please explain? Explain? Test pipes eliminate the catalytic convertor, so there is no emission control. Test pipes are intended purely for track purposes. I realize modding is fun and we're all looking for more HP, but simply Google LA smog photos from the 50s to appreciate why catalytic convertors are a good thing.

06-01-2015, 03:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
Æon Base Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 19 Drives: 2009 370Z Touring Rep Power: 9	Ok, sure. So if I have to choose between a high flow cat or a new intake, the cat would be the better one to replace?

06-03-2015, 01:40 AM	#11 (permalink)
jaedub Track Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 906 Drives: 2010 Black 370Z MT Rep Power: 304	HFC will definitely yield way more more power than the intake. Honestly, after market intake doesnt have significant gains. Getting a HFC means better and more aggressive sound too.

06-03-2015, 08:29 AM	#15 (permalink)
2011 Nismo#91 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 2,381 Drives: slowly Rep Power: 33858	Most cost effective mods: K&N Drop in air filters. Axle back exhaust or washer mod or used Nismo H-pipe type exhaust. Test pipes. Under drive pulley (personally I won't do this one) And look in the private classified sections of good deals.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Resonated Test Pipes vs Non Res. Test Pipes	4TthAnnyZ	Intake/Exhaust	33	01-24-2015 07:40 AM
FOR SALE - Z1 Motorsports 350Z--370Z HR SS Test Pipes (aka Down Pipes)	leilaamurray	New Forum Member	1	10-10-2012 08:12 PM
Long Tube Headers vs HFC vs Test Pipes vs Art Pipes	NickD	Intake/Exhaust	16	06-30-2012 02:24 PM
ARK PERFORMANCE USA : Looking for Local auto Test fitters for ARK test pipes	TeamARK	Southern California Region	3	06-12-2012 01:15 PM