rsxs9400

First off, I searched, I promise. I am trying to decide about the j-pipe, but after reading all of these threads i am getting confused. I hear about j-pipe, pre cat delete, 3rd cat delete, resonated and non resonated test pipe or race pipe. Can someone please explain this to me.?? And also what is legal and what is not, and what is not but can get away with... thanks to anyone who helps

Rick_TL-S

J-Pipe comes out after your Pre-Cats. A Pre-Cat Delete gets rid of these & adds 2 straight pipes. After that is your catalytic converter. This is replace with a Test Pipe (which is a resonated pipe), Race Pipe (straight pipe), or Hi-Flow Cat. This is typically known as a 3rd Cat Delete.

Removing the 3rd cat. & I'm sure the Pre-Cats is illegal in every state. The only way to get away with it is having a non visual inspection, or an inspector who doesn't give a shit.

I'm sure someone else will come in & add the details.

TLType-s12

iTrader: (2)

lol wow..........the Jpipe thing! That title is great. 3rd car delete & test/race pipe are the same things. All of the above components provide more airflow which equals more HP. Heres the order with the Pre cats starting in the Ft of the car.

Pre cat deletes(inside engine comp)= Jpipe= race/test pipe(3rd cat delete) = exhaust(preferably ATLP)

Taking out any of your vehicles CAT's(catalytic converter) is a FELONY! Id say its not legal. YOu can get away with anything and everything as long as you dont get caught.

erick3

i can't really say much, but i can tell you for sure that the pre-cat deletes and the race pipe are not legal; you won't pass emissions, unless you have a "special" friend

Maddizm

iTrader: (5)

Pretty much what everyone else already said.

The headers are cast right into the head so what comes after the "pseudo-headers" are your 2 main catalytic converters (which precat deletes replace with just straight piping, NOT for street use,hehe) --->
then to the OEM J-Pipe (which aftermarket J-Pipes replace, probably ok to replace but legalese would probably say "also not for street use") --->
The 3rd catalytic converter (Test/Race pipe replace this one, both are straight pipes but one is resonated for less noise and one is not and again "not for street use") --->
OEM exhaust (which can be replaced with aftermarket).

I think that's it... hopefully that's not to confusing.

loczek28

whats the difference in sounds for the resonated and non resonated?

ssmtl2nv

iTrader: (2)

resonated is deeper and non resonated it louder

rsxs9400

wow... thanks for the response. and it cleared it up perfectly. Would it still be a good amount of gains is I just did j pipe and kept the pre cats and 3rd cat. From what i read this might be semi legal?

Rick_TL-S

A J-Pipe alone will give you some good gains. I believe ATLP's has shown to add around 10 extra ponies by itself.

luckyAKAhappy

As long as you don't remove any cats...you are legal. Not sure if any gains will be noticeable since jpipe goes to the restrictive 3rd cat.

Spiritman

If you look it up from Acura. They don't call it a "J" pipe! The Acura term is the "A" pipe. This is a bug in the Acurazine dictionary. I wish people would use the correct term for it......
But you know we must have our own language. Right?
Gotta be kool!

Maddizm

iTrader: (5)

^ I've also heard "Y-Pipe" used... or is this something else entirely?

rsxs9400

so let me get this straight. Header to pre-cats (can do pre cat delete) to j-pipe (replace with atlp, j shift, rv6) to 3rd cat (which can do 3rd cat delete with test/race pipe) to exhaust. Now is the 3rd cat bolted in between the jpipe and exhaust so it would be easy to throw in the stock cat for inspection?

Fulani has a TL

iTrader: (1)

Y Pipe is the split that occurs after the 3rd cat

Bearcat94

I'm not so sure about that. Deleteing ONLY the 3rd Cat you'd probably pass emissions "sniff" test. The 2 primaries should be sufficient. May not pass not visual though.



You still definelty get gains. Not sure if it is as much, but noticable for sure.






Not quite. There are no "headers". Otherwise, you're right on target.

Yes, race pipe/test pipe is a bolt up between the Exhaust and the J-Pipe, so if necessary, you could rebolt the 3rd cat fairly easily.

OTOH, the ATLP Race Pipe comes with mounting flanges to re-install the OE Heat Sheilds (they cover the OE 3rd cat). So you can pretty much hide the Race Pipe.

rsxs9400

so with the atlp race pipe and j pipe, as long as i keep the pre cats(i think im right on that, or primaries) i should be able to pass sniff test [I]and[I] visual inspection. If i go and i dont pass, i can go home bolt the cat back on and be good. if thats right i got it. Is it? lol

on a side note...no headers? can you explain, thanks for the help

TL|GTX

If ur removing any cats then no u won pass. But the only thing exhaust part removing and replacing that does good to our car, is just pre-cat delets, and maybe a j-pipe, from atlp. But other then that ur just losing low-end torque.

rsxs9400

but i have heard the low end torque is made up with cat back exhaust. are pre cats a pain to install and uninstall every two years to pass inspection. and if i dont pass inspection am i going to not only get rejected but will i get a ticket as well (the dreaded $2500 felony one?)

TL|GTX

Well, then idk. The pre-cats give most power, but if u want to dish out 1k, on a catback go ahead, it sure will make up for low-end.

Maddizm

iTrader: (5)

Dunno about the ticket, but I got a "gross polluter" label for my 97 Civic before... didn't get any tickets. I was just told to fix the problem. But then agian that was also over a decade ago.

Bearcat94

I call

Why won't you pass an inspection with the 3rd cat removed?

- You won't throw a code
- 2nd Gen was ULEV with one cat; we've got 3

rsxs9400

can we sticky this info somewhere for other members, it really helped me out alot.

MAC TL

What about the J pipe that excellerate is promoting. I hear everyone talkin about ATLP but noone has said anything about Xcellerates. Just asking the differences.

Bearcat94

There is a comparision thread of all three j-pipes out there. Pros & cons, costs, gains. Need to Search. Beyond that there are TONS of J-Pipe threads. Just browse the 1st 3 or 4 pages of the Performance sub-forum - I bet you find 10 J-Pipe threads.

Not sure, but stillhere153 might have started the thread.

NedShneebly

yeah, biches, i'm back...

^^i think the comparison between the 3 j-pipe manuf. was very gnat's ass. If you're drop is in the 2" range, one had a clearance advantage, if I remember correctly.

Sorry, but you just couldn't beat the RV6 pre-cat/j-pipe/test pipe deal (thanks for the foot operated smiles)! Sucks for the smog test guys but the j-pipe is definitely worth it and a good DIY'er.

Fuzzbutt

Here's how dumb I am. I thought you were talking about the replacement intake system when you said J-pipe. It kinda looks like a letter J.

rsxs9400

once again, thank you to everyone who chimed in to help