3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

which downpipe ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-04-04, 01:21 PM
  #1  
Rotary Freak

Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
M104-AMG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: FL
Posts: 2,857
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
which downpipe ?

I just purchased a completely stock 1993 Touring, and I believe my pre-cat is clogged, so I'm ready to spring for a downpipe and Y-pipe.

Is it worth spending $299 for a name brand downpipe (e.g., Greddy, Pettit), or are the $99-$125 stainless-steel downpipes on Ebay just fine ?

TIA,

:-) neil
Old 11-04-04, 01:32 PM
  #2  
RX-7 Bad Ass

iTrader: (55)
 
DaleClark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 15,399
Received 2,438 Likes on 1,509 Posts
I've done quite a bit of digging on this subject prior to my car's purchase.

Really, the Ebay downpipes fit and work OK. The only gripe I could find is you might have to do a little grinding on the downpipe to comfortably fit the bolts or nuts that hold it to the turbo - that's about it. All downpipes are pretty much identical in basic design, so I doubt one would flow better than the other.

The HKS downpipe has probably one of the better fits to the car - it's really designed well for easy access to the bolts and everything. But, it does have the weird "gooseneck" to clear a right-hand drive steering column. In theory, that could hurt flow, but I've yet to see proof that it's the case. I've installed one, and it really did fit and bolt on quite easily.

Personally, I would go with an Ebay downpipe then spend a few extra bucks to have it Jet-Hot coated.

Dale
Old 11-04-04, 02:23 PM
  #3  
The one
iTrader: (5)
 
Jason's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 3,862
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
The ebay downpipes are not a great fit and you will have to do some grinding. I have a couple here at the shop if you want one CHEAP.

Jason
Old 11-04-04, 02:39 PM
  #4  
The Laser Man

 
akiratdk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: GLENDALE, CA
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
just get the hks and be happy with it..... it works great.
Old 11-04-04, 04:50 PM
  #5  
Belligerent MoFo

 
vchacon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: So. Cal
Posts: 622
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd say get an HKS downpipe. I installed one and with it's 'slimmer' end it was still a PITA to get the nuts on on that last stud. This is supposed to be the easier one to put on.
Old 11-18-04, 03:14 PM
  #6  
Rotary Freak

Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
M104-AMG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: FL
Posts: 2,857
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
What about the JDM downpipe from Mazda ? It has no pre-cat, but has all the heat shields.

Are they ok ?

:-) neil
Old 11-18-04, 03:17 PM
  #7  
STi Boxer power!

 
Scrapiron7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've got the M2 downpipe. Supposedly one of the best fitting and easier to install.
Old 11-18-04, 03:23 PM
  #8  
I am so smrt.

 
Enconsiderate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bricke
I've got the M2 downpipe. Supposedly one of the best fitting and easier to install.

i got the same! very east to install!!!
Old 11-18-04, 03:38 PM
  #9  
Power Trippin'

iTrader: (4)
 
SpeedKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Land of The Quick
Posts: 3,129
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by bricke

I've got the M2 downpipe. Supposedly one of the best fitting and easier to install.
Good luck finding one now; M2 is no more.
Old 11-18-04, 03:41 PM
  #10  
Full Member

 
I3oostedCubes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Isn;t the HKS DP the one with the crimp in it?
Old 11-18-04, 04:39 PM
  #11  
PREDATOR

iTrader: (1)
 
CANRX7GX's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 966
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
My personal opinion is to buy one used off of another forum member.
Old 11-18-04, 08:53 PM
  #12  
Full Member

 
gambit023's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by akiratdk
just get the hks and be happy with it..... it works great.

YES!!! get the HKS. You will be able to re-use the stock studs and nuts. It's a pain in the *** to get those hex bolts to fit on some of the aftermarket DP's.

I had a In-House brand and it didn't fit right (made by a reputive shop but not disclosing their name due to continued business). I needed to buy those damn hex bolts cause the pipe diameter around the flange did not leave enough room for the stock nuts. To make matters worst, when i got everything bolted up to the manifold the other end of the DP didn't line up to the stock cat!!!

I returned it for a HKS. This unit works fine and fits like a glove.

HKS is made out of mild steel. That was the only reason i went with the in-house brand that was made out of stainless. However, now that i think about it, i don't think i'll ever "wear" through the damn thing anyway.
Old 11-18-04, 09:16 PM
  #13  
Where has my $ gone?

iTrader: (12)
 
MakoRacing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bay Area, Cal/Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,654
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 2 Posts
I got the ebay dp, and it went on with little grinding. Well worth the money IMO
Old 11-18-04, 09:22 PM
  #14  
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
 
Zer0 Cylinder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: here.
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
i have a m2 im getting ready to sell...who wants it.
Old 11-18-04, 09:44 PM
  #15  
Senior Member

 
snagalittle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: ava mo
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
i have a ss dp 100$ and you can have it
Attached Thumbnails which downpipe ?-mvc-855s.jpg  
Old 11-18-04, 09:48 PM
  #16  
Speed Mach Go Go Go

iTrader: (2)
 
GoRacer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: My 350Z Roadster kicks my RX7's butt
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
My first was Corksport. There was about a 2" gap from turbo to DP flange. They wanted me to fix it. I don't want to relive that story. So anyhow, next was HKS. I originally had problems but I have to admit it was not the DP. I had aftermarket studs from previous owner and a bad gasket. There is one corner that was too tight for a socket and I grided down the wall around the hole. It may not have been such a problem with the smaller OEM studs and nuts. Fitment is excellent "with" OEM studs an bolts with HKS. I had mine heat coated as well. It looks stock, so no problems with visual. Easy to squeeze in and remove because of shape. The only drawback I have is my Border Racing Burnout exhaust is about 3 & 1/4" and the HKS DP is 2.5" I wonder how much louder it would be with 3" DP, since I allready set off alarms just starting my engine. Allthough, it is pretty damn funny setting alarms off while I cruise down every street.

Last edited by GoRacer; 11-18-04 at 09:54 PM.
Old 01-03-06, 07:47 AM
  #17  
It Just Feels Right

 
mibad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Southern Maryland
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Bringing this back from the dead. I have a crappy ebay downpipe that I bought cheap from someone. The holes in the flange don't line up and it's an inch too short. It's on there, but it's def leaking exhaust at the cat. The general concensous seems to be HKS. Does anyone have experience with Gotham Racing's DP? Bonez?
I want something that fits well for a decent price.
Old 01-03-06, 12:08 PM
  #18  
What's your point ?

 
CantGoStraight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Gainesville, Fla.
Posts: 3,573
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've used both the Ebay one and Pettit. Pettit uses the stock stud/nuts on all but the bottom left (it came with a cap bolt) and I've had no issues with either. In fact the Ebay one worked as well with the cap bolt in that position as well as with the Pettit Pipe. Just my $0.02
Old 01-03-06, 12:31 PM
  #19  
Lives on the Forum

 
DamonB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Dallas
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 7 Posts
Originally Posted by mibad
Does anyone have experience with Gotham Racing's DP? Bonez?
I want something that fits well for a decent price.
The Bonez from rx7.com fits nicely.
Old 01-03-06, 12:56 PM
  #20  
Full Member

 
ReadyKW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Arroyo Grande, CA
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Try SMB from Australia. They make an HKS style for RHD but its all stainless and they use a 3.5" that tapers to 3", or a full 3.5" if you want. I also have a new Pettit DP that I will sell for $150.
Old 01-03-06, 01:23 PM
  #21  
Time or Money, Pick one

iTrader: (37)
 
silverTRD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Torrance, ca.
Posts: 3,353
Received 154 Likes on 125 Posts
what size is the M2 out of curiosity?
Old 01-03-06, 02:48 PM
  #22  
Rotary Freak

Thread Starter
iTrader: (8)
 
M104-AMG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: FL
Posts: 2,857
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by M104-AMG
What about the JDM downpipe from Mazda ? It has no pre-cat, but has all the heat shields.

Are they ok ?

:-) neil
I have installed a JDM OE downpipe for the last year. It fits EXACTLY, because it is an actual Mazda part, and does have a nice heatsheild.

The nice thing, it looks STOCK, because it is STOCK!

I got mine from Shane of RotaryWorks.

:-) neil

http://www.rotaryworks.com




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:07 AM.