I'm a bit confused.. I always thought that, TECHNICALLY, the term "downpipe" was the pipe that went from the *TURBO* to the *CAT*.

If it's a pipe that goes on an N/A car, it's NOT A DOWNPIPE, but a "midpipe" or "race pipe" or "straight pipe" or something... Or, if off the block itself, a header. am I wrong?

-Tesla

 

Thats pretty much the way I think of it too.

 

Mid-pipe, race pipe, or straight pipe are all names for a cat replacement.

The term Down Pipe is used as a part of the exhaust that connects to a manifold or Turbo exhaust at the engine. It retains what ever part actually connects to the engine. So for a NA the down pipe connects to the factory exhaust manifold.

But you are correct that a header attaches driectly to the engine, generally replacing the exhaust manifold and down pipe (or pre-cat) section with multiple exhaust runners that are tuned into a single pipe at its flange.