So i am looking at buying a j pipe from xlr8 and had a few questions. I dont want to delete the third cat and put in the test pipe due to emissions. Will the j pipe by itself still give my good gains? also, whats the point of buying the xlr8 high flow cat? More sound or more power? does it go hand in hand with the j pipe?

Also thinking about magnaflow mufflers. I know these dont add power but i do want more sound out of the exhaust. Would these work well paired with the j pipe or no?

Thanks

 

What state are you in? I wouldn't be concerned with emissions issues from deleting the third cat. The third cat isn't monitored, and it simply makes the car an ULEV. XLR8's V2 J pipe is the way to go. Mufflers aren't going to add any measurable power gains on their own. A full, high quality, mandrel bent cat back setup might add 7-8 whp if you're lucky.

 

Im in Kansas right now but im moving to california next year which is why im concerned with deleting the third cat

 

And do you know if j pipe + mufflers would be too raspy/drone/too loud?

 

Maybe some Cali members can chime in as to how strict they are on the visual, but you'll easily pass the sniffer without the third cat.

 

Our V2 J-Pipe will not cause a CEL since that third cat is not monitored. While we can't guarantee you will pass emissions in any given state, I can say that we have had many customers report back to us that they were successfully able to pass. Our J-Pipe is definitely more for power, while our catback exhaust is more for sound. We dynoed a 07 TL-S and it gained 19whp and 30tq with our V2 J-Pipe. We have it available right now for $475.
XLR8 J-Pipe - Excelerate Performance - Japanese and European Performance Specialists!!

Other useful thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/califor...-3g-tl-904260/

 

You won't pass in Cali. It is also ILLEGAL to tamper with a a functional OE cat unless it's faulty, then it would have to be replace with a CA license one. Other than that, happy modding! Whatever makes you happy! Haha

 

^^

May not pass at your particular inspection station, but others have passed in California with HFPCs and the third cat deleted.

 

You're perfectly fine in California with HFPCs and a high flow third cat. Just make sure you get a third high flow cat that has the OEM tabs so you can bolt up the OEM heat shield and it looks stock.

You'll have to choose wisely for a shop that isn't too strict in the visual but there are plenty of shops like that. I passed emissions just fine with high flow cats all around.

 

if you pass visual you WILL pass smog... they changed the procedure in cali for smogs.. all vehicles 2000 or newer no longer need to go through the sniffer test through the tailpipe... all they do is plug their machine up to your ecu port and run a quick test..

there were people reporting that they passed smog in cali with a aftermarket j pipe and test pipe, of course they reused to heat shield on the test pipe to pass visual

if i remember correctly there were some people saying they passed smog with PCDs, J Pipe, and a HFC