my fd has 99k miles on it, original engine, everything stock. my mechanic said the precat is partially clogged. i know i should get a downpipe to replace the precat, but i'm wondering if i should just save save save until the engine goes and do everything at once? or you think getting a dp will help my engine last a little longer? thanks.

 

I would go ahead and get the downpipe. However, if you don't already have a boost gauge, you should get one of those as well.

 

Get the downpipe right away. Doing that may let your engine live a lot longer than you think.

 

Get one now. Get a nice SS one, like Bonez, M2, or Pettit. They fit well and will last longer than your car.

 

btw, how much does installation cost? i know the dp ranges from like 200 to 600.

 

Go for the downpipe now. I had a clogged pre-cat in my 90 T2 and it caused more heat to build up in the turbo and the motor. It eventually caused the failure of both due to excessive heat and not enough flow-through. I have since then tubed the cat and cleaned everything out all the way to the muffler cans. I have even noticed a dramatic difference in the color of the oil that comes out after 2500 miles. It was turning black very quickly but it now stays pretty much its original color.

 

sounds good. he recommended getting a radiator first i think, but i think i'll get the dp first.

 

TTB: if you don't want to try to install it yourself, give Ivan in Sunnyvale a call. He'll probably install it cheaper than anybody else and he knows FDs like the back of his hand. Don't have his phone# on hand, do a search in the west forum.

 

That's not true.

 

It shouldn't cost more than an hours worth of labor, so at most $100. I had my entire exhaust system installed for around $250.

 

Also, if you want to be completely safe, do some fuel upgrades or change the ECU.