So... I have what looks and weights like an HKS 3inch downpipe vs what looks and weights like an ebay SS downpipe.

HKS: Picture # 1.
It weights 10.5 to 11 lbs
Mild Steel
3in inlet and 3in outlet

Generic (MEGAN RACING) Downpipe: Picture # 2
It weights 5.5 to 6 lbs
Cheap Stainless Steel?
3in inlet 3in Outlet.

I would like some feedback regarding what you guys have used and what you would recomend. My car sees approx. 150-200 miles a month and 2 autocrosses. I run in ASP.

Im looking for reliability first and power second.

 

IIRC, the O2 sensor position on the megan piece is almost unworkable. HKS all day.

 

HKS makes a great DP the fit and build quality is outstanding

 

Looks like HKS all the way...

 

Happy Independence Day Peruano lol

And HKS all the way.

 

HKS also has the mounting bracket at the downstream end and is wrapped. Of those two no question IMO.

 

If I was you I'd go with an LHD aftermarket one. All the JDM brand names are designed for an RHD car, therefore are restricted size/flow wise as they have to be smaller to fit past the steering rack on an RHD car. You'd get better flow off a DP that uses the extra space in an LHD to its advantage .

Also mild steel & double the weight isn't ideal..

 

The hks. Same one i have in my fd. Dont worry at all about any ''restrictions'' with the rhd downpipe. Although its shaped funny, im sure it moves just as much air.

 

A smaller diameter (In places) exhaust with more curves flows just as well? Not to mention the sharp exit angle...If you say so

If you're going to use a JDM pipe, get a FEED, Revolution or Maxim Works. The FD deserves better than mild steel imo & these three pipes are larger diameter, therefore less restriction.

 

YEP the HKS does restrict flow but not enough to worry about unless you're building an autocross car and need every little bit of power and if that's the case go with the M2 pipe my favorite...............but good luck with the installation

FEED etc.... are all over priced JDM fancy pants parts hehe and don't flow as well as the M2 which is the only true 3 inch flange to flange DP I know of

Back to the question at hand megan VS HKS and HKS takes it with ease. It's mild steel, it's heavier and it flows less BUT the build quality is excellent (thick piping, great fit, THICK flanges and it's nice and quiet) and you won't have any issues installing it or exhaust leaks after 10k miles. Bottomline it's a great street DP

 

I agree with you, was just pointing out there are better solutions out there, push for greater & all that

Regarding the pricing, they're all pretty cheap & similarly priced over here, I wouldn't know US pricing - You'd pickup a FEED pipe for $160 here.

If you are limited to just those two options, I'd also take the HKS. But if I was buying a DP myself, I wouldn't buy either

 

Surely the LHD downpipes won't fit an RHD car?

 

Correct, I was talking hypothetically. As if I was in the US & owned an LHD car

We are lucky enough to have the master cylinder, steering column/linkage & turbos on the same side of the engine

 

DAMN the JDM traders here sell them for 500 plus...........

I agree any of the JDM pipes with the flat walled pipe would restrict flow so no arguing that but in this case the build quality trumps the flow in my opinion.

 

Edit

 

Build quality = HKS

 

I have the megan, I just added another O2 bung because the one they installed is way too close to the turbos. It burned up my O2sensor.

 

I'm gonna stick with hks... And I'm closing the thread. Thank you everyone for your input.

 

The Megan works fine if you are using it with their midpipe. For the price of the HKS DP you can get both a DP/MP. Although dont run a midpipe on the stock ECU.

 

HKS all day! good quality fits great, good position of O2 sensor and lines up good with stock or highflow cat!!

 

Definitely HKS for the great quality and fitment.

 

As mentioned above, I like the bracket at the downstream end....which the HKS and some others have. It mounts to the transmission housing. Without it, everything is suspended from the DP/turbo flange bolts to the first hanger which IIRC isn't until you get to the upstream end of the cat-back. IMO that's alot of weight and a big span, And I suspect that much harder on the flange gaskets at both ends of the DP over time.

 

what is the reason of not running a mid pipe on stock ecu ?

 

Not enough restriction and results in boost creep which = kaboom

 

ok coo, so if I just install the DP for now I should be fine?