I know this info is probably everywhere but I can't get a clear answer I've been searching for days. I don't know what to buy I'm seriously considering getting the xlr8 high flow cat but for a 150 more I can get the v2 j pipe. I already have a greddy Evo 2 exhaust system and am not sure what the gains would be also how each might sound. I know the j pipe eliminates the third cat so it's pretty much a this or that decision. I don't want to lose anything power and mpg wise. So can anyone chime in and help me make a decision.


Once again sorry for starting a thread on what already might be out there I'm just new and not sure what to search for to get the clear answer

 

More is lost through indecision than through wrong decision.

Buy the V2 j pipe and don't look back.

 

I've read a couple good things about the rv6 j pipe. Also what's your thought about just getting the regular xlr8 jpipe and the hfc. Sorry just really want to make my car better. One thing I want to stay away from is pcd's, have a friend with them and they make the car smell like a Walmart

 

i just put on the HFC yesterday, and it was a great addition to my XLR8 j pipe and XLR8 catback. i didn't want to lose the cat since i'm in cali and want to try to pass smog next year. it's the most flexible option. you'll gain good power with either jpipe

 

I see your point but I'm not to worried about emissions tests I just want a good setup that will even out the powerband low and high rev hp also with good sound.

By the way how is the xlr8 catback

 

i love it. probably my favorite mod to date and i've done a lot haha. i would say a close 2nd is the RV6 true dual, but it's more expensive


any aftermarket j pipe will not alter your sound very much, nor the 3rd cat

for low, get a jpipe. for high rpm range, get the HFPCs (similar to PCDs but with 200-300 cells...no rasp and no smell)

 

Thanks a lot I think I'll be making my final decision tomorrow. Any other mods you think i should do for a good change

 

Get high flow cats and cut the tabs off the oem cat and weld it on to the highflow so you can use the heat shield

 

Based on what you're saying I would just get our XLR8 V2 j-pipe. It will make significantly more hp, slightly alter the exhaust note, and not trigger a CEL since it's not a monitored cat that is deleted.

http://store.excelerateperformance.c.../i-494454.aspx

 

I say only HFC... You can spend $150 more to look good and get the same 8-10Whp, or $150 less... either way, same gain...

 

Just get the V2

 

I ended up buying the v2 a little bit ago I hope it turns out good. Ill post a before and after when it gets here

 

You wont regret it

 

get the random tech cat. xlr8 cat is made from vibrant products. i think so right josh?

 

The Random Tech cat isn't even 2.5". It's actually only 2.36". It also uses a floating flange and doesn't include hardware. And the cat core is 300 cell whereas ours is 200 cell. And no our XLR8 cat is not made with Vibrant products. It's made with T304 stainless steel from the US and the flanges are made in house by our fabricator.

 

Are you saying there is no gain with J pipe? I was considering like the OP the HFC's and the Rv6 j pipe together for some gain and a little more exhaust sound.

 

Don't listen to him. He's been preaching that nonsense for the last 6 months.

 

If you want real gains get both

 

well get PCD get you like 16whp/wtq so HFPC is probably 10-12whp/wtq would be my guess

http://www.v6performance.net/forums/...-dyno-day.html

before and after. He added a UR pulley + PCD. So that is about 4-5whp/wtq

Then get the j pipe after.

 

ok just checking. the random cat is still an option.

 

get the rv6 V3 jpipe and call it a day! best mod you can get and quality is top notch..theres always a used one for sale if you dont wanna buy new

 

Ok guys I finally installed the xlr8 v2 j pipe ( which was hell due to rusted bolts) and at first start the car felt a bit more shaky and sounded more hush but evened out well 30 seconds later. After pulling it out of the garage I then realized I couldn't have made a better choice. The greddy evo2 exhaust was loud but paired with the j pipe it sounds like an m3 on steroids. Twice as loud as before and when I got on the highway and WOTTT you can defnintly feel the difference in power and a little more torque. Honestly couldn't be happier anyone wanting a amazing quality j pipe xlr8's got my vote. ��

Now my next performance mod is going to be the outlaw engineering spacers then hopefully some hfpc's

 

when I went to install my xlr8 v2 j pipe the exhaust shop was asking who built the jpipe, they were saying it was good quality, well built and the fix was excellent.

 

Glad to hear it.

That's why we have it built right here in the US by a top notch company. It costs a lot of money to make that j-pipe but I think it's better than shipping the job overseas. We've seen questionable quality and materials on a number of overseas exhaust products.

 

I've also been thinking about J Pipes and Catbacks. Haven't decided on which to go with first, but it seems the J Pipe is the best place to start. That and a CAI would really wake up my TL.

 

And for 6 months straight nobody in acurazine can prove me wrong... Shame... The only reason j-pipes look like they make power is because they eliminate the 3rd cat... U can eliminate the 3rd cat without a J-pipe

 

really? my jpipe doesn't eliminate the 3rd cat and i for sure gained, the difference was unmistakable

 

Yes there are gains to be seen with todays J-pipe, mainly because they remove the 3rd cat... People here will tell you that im speaking non sense but outside of people just saying they "feel a difference" there is no factual measurement to this "difference"... With the removal of the 3rd cat you will probably see 8'ish whp, same with a J-pipe.... Nothing to "wow" anybody really... Im not going to knock venfors products gere so if you are just asking my opinion and facts and data ive seen via multiple dynos, ill say a J-pipe doesnt make any power over just removing the 3rd cat... Im sure the people whos "felt" a difference can tell u how much hp their asses measured lol

 

Sound was un unmistakable.... How much power did u gain exactly?..... Explain

 

actually no change in sound when i put it on, or very minimal at the most. have you had a jpipe?

oh and for results...besides the butt dyno where i'm very very certain (as much as a butt dyno could be) there was a change in torque and low end power...here's some dynos and results to back it up, which was easily found by searching google, without deleting the 3rd cat

https://acurazine.com/forums/sponsored-sales-group-buys-10/xlr8-j-pipe-here-699707/

i really don't want to argue with this about you just not worth it. i love what the jpipe did for my car.

back on topic, glad you're enjoying your purchase OP!

 

Group buy for the XLR8 J-pipe on v6performance (7th gen performance section).

 

This actually isn't true. The j-pipe does make power without deleting the third cat. I have to find the back to back dyno of it but it was about 10-15 hp/tq. The third cat isn't that restrictive on this vehicle. Removing it will only add about 3-5 hp tops. Now our XLR8 V2 j-pipe is a better product that makes more power but it isn't just because it eliminates the third cat; it also has to do with the longer primaries.

 

Keep the cat. Not enough power is given to warrant swapping it out to pass smog. Id go as far as say leave the stock cat on. All cats are pretty high flow now a days unless its flat out larger diameter piping.

 

My mechanic said the same thing, he was amazed at how well the pipe was bent and how good the merge was. Said it was one of the highest quality exhaust products he'd ever seen.

Only slightly louder than stock at idle (I can finally hear that my car is running when standing behind it), a little more sound at higher rpms, zero rasp.

Got about 160 miles on my car since the install, from a 15 mph roll, it started lighting up the front tire at around 25 mph to 30 mph. The flat spot after the 2-3 upshift is gone. Really happy with the additional midrange torque and that my car is still pretty quiet.

 

It's unanimous my mechanic praised my xlr8 catback like he's never seen such quality before. Xlr8 ftw

 

Besides a cam swap in my Chevelle and a 455 swap into my Cutlass, the XLR8 j-pipe is the mod I've felt the most.

 

The muffler shop I had it put on at said the same thing. And It still feels amazing to drive around. It gives my greddy evo 2 more of a deeper growl

 

It's unanimous. No one should buy any other j-pipe or exhaust other than the XLR8 ones.

 

Agreed ^