Well, this weekend we had JasonESiT from 2gnt graciuously donate his time and car for the day. We tried like hell to get 3" tubing to go int here, but alas there is noooo room. We then decided to go 2.5" to 3" then we looked at the flex section for the 3" tubing. It hung way too low and there was no way I was going to put it on any car. We'll post pics of the differences. We had no idea that the 3" section would be as big as it was, the 2.5" flex section looked like it was a model compared to it.
Anyways, we then decided 2.5" all the way and in that design we took what people had been saying about the bottom bolt for the turbo and how hard it was to get on and off. So we tweaked a little and I can say if it took 10 min to get it off before, you can do it in 2 now. There is still the problem with the wrench fitting, but you can loosen it, then run it off with your hand WITH the other bolts still on. No more turn once, pull the pipe, turn again, pull the pipe etc.
Next we made it easier to get the pipe in and out. Meaning we made the downpipe sectional. Yup, 2 piece! This way you can take out the turbo and the top half of the downpipe without having to get under the car just about.
We worked until 11 that night and right at the end my welder ran out of gas with 3 more welds to go then the o2 bung. I go on vacation this Thursday, but when I return I am going to make the Jig, create the second pipe and have it coated for Jason, then we start testing and we are all eager to see the result.
We are still kind of pissed that the 3" didn't work, but if I would have created something to fit, it would not have been a "true" 3" pipe, more of a 2.5 to 3" to 2.5" The stock cat flange won't accept 3" pipe, the bolts are too close. If the owner had a high flow 3", then it would be a different story.

Thank you Jason for coming up and letting us poke around your car, we appreciate it and so will everyone else once they get their hands on one of these things. It was a great time and I loved meeting you and Mike, hope we can do it again real soon!!

When can I buy one? I'll take the next one you make, email me a price and how I can send you the money......

One thing I was concerned about the 3 in. DP, is how it will fit against the tube that the dipstick slides in. It's extremely tight and snug with the 2.5 in., and if one was gonna go any higher than that, it might bend that tube (or break it). It's a good thing that you guys opted for the 2.5 in., this way, my testpipe will slide right in. Keep us informed and good job.

Hey, it was no problem Steve! :-)

Let me first say, I was impressed with all of the hard work you guys put in trying to solve this puzzle. Certainly, it was no easy task in getting this downpipe made. Secondly, I am truthfully as relieved as Robotech in that you chose to go with a 2.5" really. I've done plenty of research weighing the benefits of a 2.5" DP versus a 3" DP recently, and both really should satisfy anyone. Lastly, I look forward to seeing the finished product and feeling how it performs on my car. Hopefully, I can have a dyno done on my car, so we can perhaps attain some sort of real-numbered HP benefit on the DP.

In regards to the improvements over stock/HRC DP, more than the obvious press bends and 1.75-2" constriction that you have to deal with in the stock DP, the new ERT DP would eliminate a fairly large S-bend that came from the factory past the O2 bend that curves to the right and then back to the left. It becomes an almost straight shot right after the O2 sensor. I won't get in to some of the other nice aspects of the new DP as I'm sure you will go into more depth with, including a 2-piece design (similar to the 4g63 O2 housing + DP), but at least from objectively looking at it, I think all will be pleased.

I do recommend anyone getting the new DP to purchase a high flow cat or test pipe before or while getting it. No reason to leave that last choker on there before and after your great new "turbo" exhaust. As I understand it, ERT will also be able to provide the high flow cat as well in a great number of trims and sizes, including SS.

P.S. Hey Steve, although I didn't get back to my in-laws until about 12:45am, I survived. My wife was mad when I got back, but at least by the next day, and a long back rub, I think I've been forgiven. :-) I'm just sorry that when it was time to go, I REALLY had to go!

no 3"... :( ahh well. im still interested steve ;) sounds like what i would have had to have custom made anyways. lookin forward to finished product.

thanks jason for helping out. i was only able to send a few pics, glad a member like you was close enough to help out in person:)

Like I said, if we did it, then it would not be a true 3". It would probably start as a 2.5 then after it made it to the pan, it would go 3" and have to use a 3" cat as well. It can be done, just not safe where the AC lines and radiator hose locations are. The heat and closeness of a 3" pipe would require severe heat wrapping. We are willing to give it another go, we won't give up that easy. :)

I have a feeling that once you see the size of a 3" flex section, you'll change your mind. If you still want one, I'd forget about lowering your car or running a cat.

ok i read all of this but i still have a question or two.
1 - i assume this is a replacement for the smaller HRC DP and the other half of the stock DP that the HRC slips over, correct? so it eliminates to use of the HRC top half i hope?
2 - i also am assuming its from the turbine to the stock cat only, correct? (downpipe only?)
3 - how much are you looking to sell these for and will you offer a introductory group-buy reduced price for those of us that order the first batch and subsequently recommend the pipe to everyone else?

thanks

I still want one :) Thanks guys for doing the research.

Death to that third bolt.

>Death to that third bolt.


Tell me about it. I had to take it off 3 times, and I hated every minute of it. Pain in the ass, now I know how you guys feel ;)

It is a total replacement of the stock section to the cat, and Hahn's down section from the turbo. Total price of materials has yet to be tabulated, but I'm sure we will offer a good deal to the first people in on them as a show of thanks. Like said above, I go on vacation this week (thursday) I'll be gone until the 11th, but when I get back I will begin work on the jigs and once it is finished we can begin the buy process. ERT has yet to setup a merchant account, so it would probably be taken care of through our personal paypal accounts or money orders.

Parts so far are:
2 Piece Mild Steel Downpipe - Sterling Ceramic Coat (looks like polished aluminum)
1- 16g gasket
2- stock exhaust gaskets
1ft of Thermotec sleeving (yet to be determined if this is actually needed, Jason will decide once tested)

Coating carries a 3 year warranty against scratches, peeling, chipping and fading. The pipe carries a limited lifetime warranty again workmanship defects. (cracks on welds)


We will put this project at the top of the list the minute I get back. The leg work for it is already done, so the rest is downhill.


Thanks for interest and support!

I want one as well. 2 piece DP...I'm game.

death to the 3rd bolt. I will never have to drop my fan to tighten it again...:P

sandman/ERT are you on IM at all??? i've got a few questions for ya...

i recently had to remove my turbo, dp etc gosh... im in so much pain.. i also have the hrc dp and stock dp welded so it was much harder... around how much will it cost for this new dp? and what kind of cat are you guys planning on using?




Michael 99gs
HRC Stage 2
http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast

yes, now i can eliminate my exhaust leak between the two downpipes.
one other question, because my exhaust was my cars secon dmod, i didnt do it myself when i was 16. so i feel stupid askin this but i just want to clarify.
if i buy this downpipe, and a 2.5" hiflow cat or test pipe, then i can buy a bolt on 2.5" cat-back and all three of these would bolt together to form one full 2.5" turbo-back exhaust, correct?
if so, i'll need to pick out a new exhaust. anyone know a place that still sells the discontinued Apex'i Dunk series?

>yes, now i can eliminate my exhaust leak between the two
>downpipes.
>one other question, because my exhaust was my cars secon
>dmod, i didnt do it myself when i was 16. so i feel stupid
>askin this but i just want to clarify.
>if i buy this downpipe, and a 2.5" hiflow cat or test pipe,
>then i can buy a bolt on 2.5" cat-back and all three of
>these would bolt together to form one full 2.5" turbo-back
>exhaust, correct?
>if so, i'll need to pick out a new exhaust. anyone know a
>place that still sells the discontinued Apex'i Dunk series?

It will bolt up as long as the catback bolted to the stock cat. and you would be correct, the system would be a true 2.5" system afterwards.

>i recently had to remove my turbo, dp etc gosh... im in so
>much pain.. i also have the hrc dp and stock dp welded so it
>was much harder... around how much will it cost for this new
>dp? and what kind of cat are you guys planning on using?
>
>
>
>
>Michael 99gs
>HRC Stage 2
>http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast


Price will be based on cost/labor involved. The first 5 people in should get it for around 225 or so (USD) with all the parts listed above and the coating. After that the price will go to about 250. This is just a rough estimate.
The Cat is a CATCO 9000 series, (not the cheap 6000 series) It will have the flanges for stock exhaust boltup. Once we get Jason's car back in for that, we'll know what cost will be involved.

>It will have the flanges for stock exhaust boltup.

Um.. stupid question, but... not welded on, right? I doubt any of us will want to use a stock catback. I think just leaving the straight 2.5" pipe out of the cat would be the best so we can either weld on the catback or whatever flange fits our exhaust system to avoid having to use adapters or anything.

Also, the above list doesn't include a cat. Is the catco 9000 included in the $250 price?

Thx!

>>It will have the flanges for stock exhaust boltup.
>
>Um.. stupid question, but... not welded on, right? I doubt
>any of us will want to use a stock catback. I think just
>leaving the straight 2.5" pipe out of the cat would be the
>best so we can either weld on the catback or whatever flange
>fits our exhaust system to avoid having to use adapters or
>anything.
>
>Also, the above list doesn't include a cat. Is the catco
>9000 included in the $250 price?
>
>Thx!
The flanges we use are universal. The slots allow a 2.5" flange to be bolted to a 2.25" stock flange. The Downpipe uses a 2.5" flange to connect to the stock cat, works like a charm.

The price does not include the cat, we haven't measured or fitted one up, so we won't know what the price is. Trust me, if you get both at the same time, we'll cut you some slack ;) We can leave the rear flange off the cat if you really really want to , I know the 2.5" flange will bolt to any catback out there as long as it was made for stock bolt pattern.

right now i got the apexi world sport catback for the mitsubishi eclipse GST model, and it comes with this adapter to bolt it up to the stock cat for now, so would this dp, and catco 9000 cat bolt right up to it? ...also this cat around how much is it for this cat? another 100 or less?




Michael 99gs
HRC Stage 2
http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast

>right now i got the apexi world sport catback for the
>mitsubishi eclipse GST model, and it comes with this adapter
>to bolt it up to the stock cat for now, so would this dp,
>and catco 9000 cat bolt right up to it? ...also this cat
>around how much is it for this cat? another 100 or less?
>
>
>
>
>Michael 99gs
>HRC Stage 2
>http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast


If it is bought with the Downpipe, around 100 with the flanges and hangers welded to it. Also with new gaskets and bolts.

If your catback bolts up to the stock cat, it will bolt up to our dp and high flow cat.

Also, another benefit of having the 2 piece design in the dp is that you can just unbolt the second section when you go to the track, no need for a test pipe, we will be making a turndown attachment for them as well.

for those of you that really wanted the 3" dp, it is possible to a point. it wouldnt be 3" directly off the exhaust housing for the fact the the flange nor the housing would accept it, the pipe would cover the bolt holes. You would have to lose your a/c for clearance issues and you wouldnt be able to go any lower than stock because the flex section hangs too low. You would also have to do 3" all the way back, because the stock flanges dont accept the 3" flanges.

Hey Guys,

Just let me know when theyre available. i dont need a cat tho, i already have a testpipe

:)

Ok, seeing as there are so far 8 of you seriously interested in the downpipe and we stated that the first 5 would get the lower price, ERT is going to say thanks for the support by upping the number to 10. So, the first 10 people to put in their order (when we say go, I know you're eager) The first 10 transacations get it for the lower price and also order the high flow cat with the flanges and hangers welded (if chosen) for the price of the unmodified version.

ERT 2.5" Downpipe Kit - $225.00 (with 10 person discount)
ERT/Catco 2.5" Modified Cat- $102.00 (gaskets, bolts, and hangers included, stainless steel construction)


Thanks guys we really appreciate your support and interest!

Noooooooo, THANK YOU!!!! Finally, a downpipe that will bolt up to the 16G! No more crap downpipe!

well you did not say go but i want to be of the 1st 10 so im in...hehe i was wondering this cat will bolt in the stock location, and the catco9000 with this cat will it effect smog in anyway, such as not passing? im from so cal, so im a bit on the ahh side...im more worried about the actual smog not visual...




Michael 99gs
HRC Stage 2
http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast

If it passed before, it'll pass after the high flow. Our test car for the naturally aspirated downpipe on the 420a passed with a high flow cat with flying colors.

are there pics??
i m more then likey going to buy one as well...

thanks for you time.

I will have pics on the site by tomorrow night.

sorry, i had some problems acessing the site, so they are on my site temporarily(sp) I tried posting them here, but couldn't get them to work, so just check out my site and let us know what you think.

www.geocities.com/venge96i4/hahndp

*edit*
also, remember that this is just a prototype, we plan on adding a 6" flex section and taking the 4" section out.