Well I have Pics of the Downpipe. The Downpipe is very easy to install even the bottom bolt on the top flange, it sounds real good and I noticed faster spool up. They are made by Kooks Custom Headers they are 2 Piece, 16 Gauge Aluminized Steel (Aluminum Coating), Mandrel bent, 3/8" Flanges, Stainless Steel Flex Section. High Quality Gaskets will be included. Go to www.eastss.com and click on "Ess 2gnt HRC DP - Made By: Kooks Custom Headers!" or go to http://geocities.com/eastsideslidas/fuchDP.html

Next question is where do we get them and how much?

~Blake

I checked it out. It looks real nice and the price is very fair, considering it's aluminum coated.

___________
Kon C

"Sometimes, a man has to do what a man has to do."

Damn thats tempting indeed Looks really nice. Thats a two piece unit right? Hard to tell by the pics. So was spoolup a significant increase, or a slight noticible increase? Just trying to see if its worth the 325 for it..

13.5 @108 MPH-2.2 60ft(stupid FWD!)
S16G @ 18 PSI/FMIC/Running on MegaSquirt II (Now with sequential
fuel injection)
My webpage: http://eclipsed4evr.home.comcast.net
-1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS-T- "Toy"
-1992 Plymouth Laser Turbo AWD(SOLD)
-2000 Honda CR-V(daily)

Looks good man. Very, very similar to the ERT downpipe.

_____________________________________
Jason ESi-T

04' BMW 325Ci
91' Nissan 240SX
98' Eagle Talon ESi (sold)

looks nice man.. but on one pixs from the bottom, where i can see the o2 sensor.. it seems like the wire end of the o2 is hitting something? or is it not? what kind of gasket are all 3 of these made of?
Michael 99gs
HRC Stage 2
Stage 3 process begins gathering parts for rebuild

http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast

Thats the A/C compressor, and no, it's not hitting, check this pic:


Awesome fitment, tell them congrats.

Do you guys think it would be a waste to install this without porting the exhaust housing of the turbo?

Unfortunately, it costs more than my entire catback did new, so I don't think I'm going to afford it.

That's definitely pretty nice. I would be glad to get rid of the small exhaust leak noise I have where the Hahn Downpipe meets the stock cut pipe. It would also make it alot easier - since it is two piece - to get the downpipe on and off during repairs considering the fun bottom third bolt on the HRC downpipe. I've also noticed that the downpipe sits farther away from the A/C compressor and compressor lines. My HRC downpipe sits right against one of the compressor lines.

I am definitely interested and I wouldn't mind paying $250-$275 as it looks professionally done, but $325 seems a bit steep. Maybe if there is a group buy, but I'm kind of leary purchasing by group considering the past problems of people being ripped off. I just hope this deal would be legit.

hey dan, thats not the pixs i was pointing out. it was a direct shot from where you can see the o2 sensor and when you look at it, your like hmmm is it hitting it?

Michael 99gs
HRC Stage 2
Stage 3 process begins gathering parts for rebuild

http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast

Yes it is a two piece. No the o2 wire is not touching anything. $325.00 plus shipping is the price. If you want one give me a call or email me to reserve yours today. esseclipse@aol.com 413-822-4946 mike Oh yeah and it is a very noticeable difference in spool up. And my boost went up. Sounds real nice too.

>hey dan, thats not the pixs i was pointing out. it was a
>direct shot from where you can see the o2 sensor and when you
>look at it, your like hmmm is it hitting it?

I know, but you can see the same o2 sensor sticking out below the a/c compressor in the pic I posted. It just looks like it's touching in your pic because it's head-on and there's no way to tell depth.

alright well i mean not to sound like an ass... but i got a custom downpipe from the remaining HRC 2.5 mandrel to 3" press bend W/ a FLEX PIPE that will work with the hurrican tie bars even though they arnt made for 3 inch... i paid 200 bucks... plus for the flex pipe... i will take pics

Boca Raton, Florida
95 Eclipse GS- sold
99 Eclipse GSX- 386awhp
98 Eclipse GS- sold
92 Prelude

im wondering. who on this board is getting this dp?
Michael 99gs
HRC Stage 2
Stage 3 process begins gathering parts for rebuild

http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast

>alright well i mean not to sound like an ass... but i got a custom >downpipe from the remaining HRC 2.5 mandrel to 3" press bend W/ a >FLEX PIPE that will work with the hurrican tie bars even though they >arnt made for 3 inch... i paid 200 bucks... plus for the flex >pipe... i will take pics

The HRC Downpipe is 2.25". The downpipe I am selling is 2.5", Aluminum Coated (Aluminized), has a Stainless Steel Flex section, factory like bracket, o2 housing, Mandrel bent, 3/8" Flanges, the bottom nut on the flange to the turbo is very easy to put on and take off and fitment like stock with performance like aftermarket. You paid $200 for your downpipe, is it aluminum coated? is it two piece for easy installation and removal?, does it look and fit like a factory unit?....If not we are talking about different beasts. Not to knock yours at all but you are not comparing apples to apples. I hope everyone relizes the quality of these downpipes you will not be disappointed believe me. Thank you for all your responses.

What i dont understand is the constant aluminized coating talk. aluminized ocating is pretty much standard, i dont know of a muffler shop that doesnt use it. and altho it will prevent rust for a while, it will burn off.

i can appreciate the small specialized market arguement and the high quality arguement, but ive been quote similar prices (even less) for CERAMIC coated (which will never burn off) mandrel bent 2.5" and 3" downpipes from extremely reputable shops.

Yes, it looks like a quality piece, but 8 monthes later its going to appear spotted and it will still be overpriced. After its all said and done, a downpipe is still just a flex section, a couple flanges, and piping (and no offense, but aluminized piping is standard stuff and not worth paying more for as it can be had anywhere. ceramic coating is worth paying extra for). The difference b/t a good one and a bad one is the craftmanship that goes into it. Others may disagree, but i would rather take my $300 elsewhere and have a 3" ceramic coated dp made by a known, reputable shop.

Either that or wait for ERT's ceramic coated downpipe.

Congrats on getting a part made, but sorry, my money will be better spent elsewhere. Good luck selling them tho, perhaps as more people pick them up, the price will drop to a more fair price.

95 Avenger
ATX->MTX Swap
Holset HX40 @ 26 psi

I got mine fabbed by a local shop and it's 2 1/2" mandrel bent with a flex section in it, all 1 piece and only paid 100ish, not sure of the exact total since I got some toher stuff with it, but my bill for the day was only 150...I'll post some pics when I get back....

Not knocking yours, but I agree with all of those who are saying $325 is a bit steep in the pricing....

Now, I feel like I am playing Devil's Advocate. This piese is mandrel bent, not crush or press bent, and seems to have fantastci fitment. For all of you who are turbo now, how many had a header before? How much did you pay for it?
-=B-=

I have talked to Mike through email and on the phone about purchasing one but didn't realize that our stock exhaust is 2.25" meaning if you have purchased an aftermarket cat-back system that bolts to the stock catalytic converter you will have to make some changes.

Some changes would include:

Either purchase a hi-flow cat with a 2.5" in/out and a 2.5" cat back exhaust. I guess another (cheaper option) is to have a 2.5" flange welded onto the stock catalytic conver in place of the 2.25" so that the cat is 2.5" in/2.25 out and your stock exhaust would fit up. However, that would not be the smartest option since the whole purpose of this downpipe being 2.5" is to make the exhaust system less restrictive and increase spool up time.

I couldn't justify all this work and extra cost especially when I purchased an HKS exhaust system that ran me close to 500 dollars. I do want to thank Mike for bringing this to my attention before I sent any form of payment - he was very helpful.

-Kurt

The HKS exhaust you bought should be 2.5" though....so all you should be worried about is the cat right?

I think it looks like a nice unit, the quality is better than mine i'd say, but I was in a hurry to get mine done cause no one other than i think hahn was producing them at that time. But mine's 3'', 3'' stainless flex section, and eliminated the cat for $180 bucks. I guess it just depends what your looking for. I'm sure most have seen the pic in the past so i wont repost.

Id lke to see some pics...if you would...$325 is just too much. I don't care if its platinum...well maybe then...but still.

______________________________

Ryan
IRyanHester@Hotmail.com

'03 Mazda 6s

Here's what you get for 180 bucks around here. I sat there and talked to him while he made it up, took about 3-4 hrs.

guys looks like a nice piece, if u dont want the product go have your own crushbent one made,

dont jump all over anyone that makes new stuff otherwise we wont get any new products...

My friends pay 3-500$ for downpipes and and a turbo eblow for middle of the road stuff all the time its upwards to 800$ for the top of the line supra downpipes...

325$ may be too steep for some, but for the people that want the BEST, this is the product for them.

just because u would rather go and get a custom one ata muffler shop that most likly is NOT the same quality, is not a bolt on and off fair, u have to go to the shop find one that can do it spend hours there working with em, they charge u up the wazzo for extras and such,

to have a premade fully factory(HRC) replacemnt in the quality is worth the money....

if u dont want to spend your 325$ on this product then don't

i remember when people said the turbo kits cost too much how many people have them??

(id like to see a 3" myself)
(i am not affiliated with this product or company offering just voicing my opinion, since i am making custom stuff for the members and have been through the arguement with the dealers at Neons.org before)

You can have it cheap, fast or good. Pick any two.

If you want it cheap and fast, it's not going to be good.
If you want it cheap and good, it's not going to be fast.
If you want it good and fast, it's not going to be cheap.

Thank you motofool. I wanted to get a dp made for my car. I didn't want to wait for team ert to make one. So I went around to several different places and was very supriced by the high prices I was getting. I wanted very high quality, excellent fit, and the best materials. I found Kooks Custom Headers on the web and got in contact with them. I went down there so they could fit and test it. I drove 3.5 hours down there. They had a beautiful shop and machinery. I seen some of their work and was very impressed. I figured since lots of people on this forum and some of my friend were interested or showed interest in a downpipe for the HRC system that I would have more than just mine made. I had a jig for the dp made so the only way it would be cost effective is too have several made. I could have had 3" made but it would be difficult to put on and take off. They made my dp I very easy to install and remove. I have a couple friends who want the dp and I got a good response off dsmtrader. Although I have got some intrest on 2gnt I have gotten a lot of negitve response and a real lot of people comparing the dp I had made to something not even close in quality, fit, and performance. I thought I was doing the turboed 2gnt community a favor. I spent a lot of time, money and effort in doing this. Its too bad people are so negitive on 2gnt....I see it in a lot of the threads. I would think the point of this site is to support and help fellow 2gnt members. I am having 15 downpipes made the first batch...I have 6 sold. If anyone wants one let me know I can have them made of stainless or ceramic coated....I will post prices tomorrow.

The problem with the internet is people get into group buy mode (or price searching) they search for the best price and sacrifice the quality of product they get.

Why do people pay more for a greddy header then a pace setter ?
1) quality- This is very broad
-Fitament
-Welds
-Materials

2) flow
-mated up properly
-correct tranistions
-flex section transition done properly for flow,
-How much POWER i get

3) looks
-materials used
-way it was desinged

4) Reliability
-is it gonna crack?
-is the coating gonna stay?
-flex section stay in proper working order


These are some things to think about when comparing a fully R&D'd Downpipe from a manufacturer, to a throw together real quick muffler shop hack job.

yes a muffler shop downpipe is cheaper
does it look better? proabably not
does it perform as well? MAYBE
Will it last as long? Posible

So before u guys jump all over somone bringing out somting new remember the shops do watch these forums, howell does i know ARD might? i know i DO
People that get ripped apart after spending time and money to help us dont want to come back lets try, and welcome new people to the industry.

im not ripping anyone, just saying lets be more welcoming to new people on the block, after all we were all new once too!

Lata
MotoFool
aka Bill

You can have it cheap, fast or good. Pick any two.

If you want it cheap and fast, it's not going to be good.
If you want it cheap and good, it's not going to be fast.
If you want it good and fast, it's not going to be cheap.

You can buy the HRC illiminator DP for like 300 something and it is 3".

Mark Dollar
Stage 3-4 Turbo
See my White Avenger @
WWW.Armond30.com

The HRC eliminator downpipe is only for GSXs and GSTs not for a turbo-charged 420a.

--Kurt

uuuuuum actually no.
You can get one for the 420A hrc turbo kit.
Armond (avenger est) has one

Mark Dollar
Stage 3-4 Turbo
See my White Avenger @
WWW.Armond30.com

I'm not exactly positive about that - maybe he did some modification on HRC's eliminator downpipe. A few weeks ago I called Hahn Racecraft and spoke to Brad. We had a long discussion about future upgrade paths and also spoke about the eliminator downpipe. He told me what I stated above so I was just repeating. Maybe there is a mod because the flange on their downpipe will not bolt to a 16g and the pipe looks to short (the upper half - the part that bolts up to the top of the turbo).

Take a look. There are two the eliminator downpipe:

http://www.hahnracecraft.com/hahn/parts/eiwg.htm

And the eliminator junior:

http://www.hahnracecraft.com/hahn/parts/ejr.htm (this one may work but you would still have to make the upper piece or use the current one that comes with the kit and mate it up with a flange to make it two piece)


Either way, I am working with esseclipse on purchasing his custom downpipe. I think his downpipe is a nice piece, looks really professional, and has nice fitment (from the pictures I've seen).