Well today I finally got around to installing my Megan Racing down pipe. So far I'm loving it, and I'm glad I decided to get it. On to the review

After reading numerous posts about the DP/MP combo I decided to get it. The combo is much cheaper than most at a whopping 168.63 + 25.25 shipping = 193.88
I ordered the parts from Option Imports. Delivery was quick, packaging descent, and price was good.

A 1-10 scale on different aspects of the parts.
*Shipping - 10 - delivery was fast and parts were packaged decently
*Quality - 7 - nice mandrel bends, welds were ok... I have seen much better. Nice and shiny (not that that really matters)
*Install - 4 - welds are in the way of nuts on the flange, required some grinding to get a good fit. Had to remove lower two studs to get pipe on. Difficult to bolt onto cat (flange was angled a bit different than the cat).
*Performance - 10 - Butt dyno says big improvement; it was well worth the while of installing it.

*Overall I give the part an 8*

Specific notes on the install.
As mentioned above the welds were in the way on the flange and had to be ground away quite a bit. When trying to bolt it to the cat I had to loosen the catback/cat section and the dp to twist it enough to get the studs into the dp flange. Had to remove the lower two studs to get the dp installed even then it was a big pan in the A$$ to get onto the top studs.

Don't get me wrong though besides the few things that caused problems along the way. I am quite satisfied with the product for only 193 shipped I got a dp/mp (donno how the mp fits but I assume its a perfect fit, I held it up to the cat and it looked perfect). Anyone looking for a dp cheaper than most and are willing to take a little more effort than just slipping it on I recommend this dp to you.

Sorry so long
Mitch

P.S. Sorry for no pics, gf had the camera today so I couldnt snap any pics of the install.

 

That's good info Mitch. So, if someone wants an inexpensive DP, that doesn't fit perfectly, has bad welds. and has to be ground down to fit, they know where to go ............ just kidding

I assume it is mild steel, and not stainless for that price?

 

It's stainless , more info [here] and [here] , I still haven't installed mine (working on getting it ceramic coated), but I'll take lots of pics of the install. Hopefully my hex-head bolts will solve all the fitment issues...



-s-

 

actually its stainless. And I'm just letting people know what it takes to install, it takes nothing special just average hand tools.

Im glad I didn't waste money on a 300 dollar DP for a name brand.

 

Here is a pic of the welds, and where it needs to be ground down.

 

You mean that you're glad you didn't pay the people who actually designed the part but instead paid a guy who copied the design and has the pipes welded in South Asia?

Those welds are HORRIBLE quality. I'm glad I paid $300 for a very high quality downpipe from someone who actually designed it.

 

Why did you buy a dp/mp combo and only put on the dp?

 

I didn't put on the mp yet because I do not have an ecu to handle it yet.

I posted this review to help people who post about this combo understand what they are getting. And I guarantee it will be the last time, due to ***** asses flaming me about it. I never said everyone should buy this combo I said if you’re looking for a cheaper solution then get this combo.

Mitch

 

I just bought a mp off ebay 90 including shipping. I cant see spending any more than that for a pipe with flanges. Thanks for the info on the small amount of grinding as I may have to do that myself (no big deal), did you just use a dremel or something? Thats all I'm sayin here, no flames either way.

 

The mp doesn't need any grinding just those 2 spots I circled on the dp. And yeah just use a dremel works fine. Good luck w/it

Mitch

 

You'll have to excuse Rynberg. He is just a bitter old man


Only big names and huge prices please him.


Thanks for the write-up. Seems like a no brainer to me for a piece of stainless tubing.

 

Just ignore the flames and keep the good info coming!


Its not like there is a tremendous amount of engineering put into this piece... And from what Mitch described, the install doesn't even sound that bad if you don't mind breaking out the dremel.

 

Thanks, I agree with the engineering of the piece, it’s just a piece of 3in piping mandrel bent w/2 flanges welded on. I have heard other dp's had to have studs removed to fit on also, I only had to remove the bottom 2 and it fit right on.

Personally I am quite satisfied that I spent 168 on a piece that only required 10 mins of grinding to get a nut to fit flush on the flange.

Mitch

 

Whatever. Anybody that knows me knows that I don't like to spend more money than I have to, and I spend a LOT of time researching any purchases. However, I do buy QUALITY equipment, whether it's for my car, my computer, or whatever. The fact is, QUALITY equipment costs more money.

When you spend time designing something and somebody else comes along, copies your design, farms out the fabrication to some Asian sweatshop, and undercuts your price by 300%, you might feel a little differently.

It's amazing how people justify things to themselves...

 

I might feel differently if we were talking about an ecu, or something that a considerable amount of research, testing, and work went into the design. It's simply a downpipe that consists of a pipe with some bends and flanges welded to the ends.

 

Well, you have your opinion and I have mine. Personally, besides buying QUALITY products, I like to support the few USA vendors that cater to the FD. If you don't buy from them, they'll be out of business. Do you think Megan racing is going to develop new QUALITY parts in the future without somebody to copy? I think not.

 

1) Whoever you bought your pipe from just 'copied' the design of the pre-cat without the catalyst, DUH !!
2) I am a certified wlder and the welds look fine to me.

 

1) Have you ever looked at a downpipe? It is not simply a copy of the OEM pre-cat without the cat. Give me a break.

2) Well, the welds may be functionally fine but they LOOK sloppy -- the guy had to grind the weld down to bolt it up. Have you seen the welds on a Bonez or M2 downpipe? Have you seen the welds on an Apexi or Racing Beat exhaust? Now those are quality welds.

 

I have a Bonez DP & cat-bak, I just am not all egotistical about brand names.

 

This is getting to be a bit much. Rynberg I agree with you that it sucks that someone copied an idea and sells it, but you have to realize that you live in the United States where capitalism thrives. People always copies stuff. How do you think pepsi and coke are so similar. as for buying stuff from sweat shops... well not to be a jerk or offensive, but your probably a hypocrite and dont even know it. have you ever owned nike's? have you ever checked where you clothes were made from? all of us have probably used items from sweat shops at one time in our lives without even knowing it.

just out of curiosity have you ever downloaded a song, movie or any other copy righted material off the internet?

enough rambling. lets not bash this product for being a copy. i agree it is of poor quality i had one for a short while but returned it. i'm not gonna grind anything down and reduce the strength of the weld. i'm waiting for my $300.00 M2 DP!

 

i have seen apexi stuff and all there stuff has been welded by a robot at production line. I would buy that dp/mp, nice review, hope it works good for you

 

Well I too agree that cutting corners on non quality parts sucks, but the pieces were cheap and of no giant deal if they didn't work so I figured hey why not. And I do have an Apex'I exhaust and the welds are better but you know what? The welds on the dp work just fine.

I never cut corners when modifying I only buy quality parts especially when its something that is a very important part. (ECU, Drivetrain, etc..) but a dam Mandrel bent pipe..... well maybe you can say ooo I have an M2 or Bonez but you also spent 300 dollars and I spent a 3rd of that and go the same dam thing. I'm done with this thread its a waste of time and just a dam pissing contest as to who spent more on a dam pipe.

And for the argument of supporting the us business after they sold 15 of those pipes they have well compensated for the cost to develop, and produce the dam thing. After that they are just lining their pocket charging us for a over priced piece.

as i said before
Mitch

 

I've presented my opinion, some of you don't share it, that's fine.

Mitch529: Upon reflection, I apologize for clogging up your thread with "political" posts rather than discussion on the downpipe. Good luck with it.

(although I really hope you weren't the coward who just sent me a rather immature PM under a new forum name...)

 

No problem, I understand perfectly where you are coming from, I bought the combo because it was very cheap for a dp/mp combo and I need both... I have not a problem spending money on quality parts. Again I was just letting people know because I see posts brought up about this combo often.

And I assure you I didn't send that pm I am in no way a coward and will discuss any issue i have with you or anyone else right here for everyone to see.

Mitch

 

I really didn't think it was you. We were openly debating in the thread and you didn't seem the type.