[Pinscher]

Hi Fellas,

I'm looking to make my N54 500hp, so yay on me.

Regarding down pipes, there seems to be many an options out there, but before i start picking prats i'd like to understand more about the difference between a welded down pipe and a mandrel bent seamless one.

I understand that a pie cut can achieve sharper corners, but in the end as a finished product are there any downsides from one to the other assuming quality of materials are consistent between the two?

What would you expect the price to be on a seamless DownPipe?

I've attached a sample of each as pictures. Thank you!!!

[Chris@VargasTurboTech]

In theory a mandrel bent tube will be a little smoother, in reality you're not going to see a meaningful performance difference on an N54, assuming both as equal diameters. Go with the one that has best reviews for fitment and is friendliest to your wallet.

[MysticRob]

Originally Posted by Chris@VargasTurboTech

In theory a mandrel bent tube will be a little smoother, in reality you're not going to see a meaningful performance difference on an N54, assuming both as equal diameters. Go with the one that has best reviews for fitment and is friendliest to your wallet.

I totally agree here, though I'm no Injahneer.
I would think the increased diameter and lack of cats hindering airflow is the big improvement with DPs, not smooth surfaces.

[Tiago@VRSF]

It's more important to ensure the downpipes fit regardless of bends/cuts. There are plenty brands out there that offer both types that still require a 10 lb sledge hammer to fit properly. Buy the downpipe with proven fitment before considering negligible details

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

+1 on VRSF. Proven fitment and competitively priced.

[Pinscher]

on a scale of 1-10, how hard should a properly fitting downpipe be to slide into place?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Chris@VargasTurboTech

In theory a mandrel bent tube will be a little smoother, in reality you're not going to see a meaningful performance difference on an N54, assuming both as equal diameters. Go with the one that has best reviews for fitment and is friendliest to your wallet.

+1

I would not worry to much about it, just make sure you get a brand proven to fit.

VRSF is our most popular choice

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Pinscher

Hi Fellas,

I'm looking to make my N54 500hp, so yay on me.

Regarding down pipes, there seems to be many an options out there, but before i start picking prats i'd like to understand more about the difference between a welded down pipe and a mandrel bent seamless one.

I understand that a pie cut can achieve sharper corners, but in the end as a finished product are there any downsides from one to the other assuming quality of materials are consistent between the two?

What would you expect the price to be on a seamless DownPipe?

I've attached a sample of each as pictures. Thank you!!!

Best catless downpipes for your money are made by MMP for $250.00. A close 2nd and arguably 1st are the ones made by ARM.

MMP -

https://mmp-e.com/products/3-catless...2008-2009-2010

ARM -

https://www.armmotorsports.com/N54-C...M-p/335-dp.htm

Go with proven products & companies. STAY AWAY from eBay products. You have a $8000.00 to $10000 engine in the N54. Don't put subpar parts on it!!!

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Best catless downpipes for your money are made by MMP for $250.00. A close 2nd and arguably 1st are the ones made by ARM.

MMP -

https://mmp-e.com/products/3-catless...2008-2009-2010

ARM -

https://www.armmotorsports.com/N54-C...M-p/335-dp.htm

Go with proven products & companies. STAY AWAY from eBay products. You have a $8000.00 to $10000 engine in the N54. Don't put subpar parts on it!!!

Thanks for the unsolicited purchase advice. ;P Never knew about MPP, looks like they are doing some serious work.

FYI, as far as I can tell, ARM is offering the same kit that every other ebay shop is aside from a few pipes here and there...

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Pinscher

Thanks for the unsolicited purchase advice. ;P Never knew about MPP, looks like they are doing some serious work.

FYI, as far as I can tell, ARM is offering the same kit that every other ebay shop is aside from a few pipes here and there...

I have MMP inlets and outlets. I have the ARM 5" stepped FMIC. Both are quality products.

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I have MMP inlets and outlets. I have the ARM 5" stepped FMIC. Both are quality products.

dually noted. I'm new to this so that's helpful.

I did order some inlet/outlet upgrade from ARM. should be here soon

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Pinscher

dually noted. I'm new to this so that's helpful.

I did order some inlet/outlet upgrade from ARM. should be here soon

If you ordered hoses from ARM, those are not inlets & outlets. They are merely connections from the outlets to the FMIC & FMIC to the Inlets.

[Jklad]

My vrsf pipes fit great the first time, got them 2 years ago for 300. Going with a less reputable brand will cause headaches in fitment, time, and labor charges that are not at all worth the extra $40 bucks you think your saving by going cheaper. Mandrel bent or not doesn't matter, they all eliminate the cats and are larger diameter than stock, so what you want too look for is pipes that fit properly and will last. I would happily pay more than 300 for this part to ensure that I don't have to waste time I don't have dealing with fitment issues, ruBbing, shit popping off, etc. but luckily for us there are a couple reputable brands like vrsf that have been around long enough to have a proven track record at a super low cost.

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by Jklad

My vrsf pipes fit great the first time, got them 2 years ago for 300. Going with a less reputable brand will cause headaches in fitment, time, and labor charges that are not at all worth the extra $40 bucks you think your saving by going cheaper. Mandrel bent or not doesn't matter, they all eliminate the cats and are larger diameter than stock, so what you want too look for is pipes that fit properly and will last. I would happily pay more than 300 for this part to ensure that I don't have to waste time I don't have dealing with fitment issues, ruBbing, shit popping off, etc. but luckily for us there are a couple reputable brands like vrsf that have been around long enough to have a proven track record at a super low cost.

Yes, now understand that fitment is the primary difference between all down-pipes, other than cats and material

One should hope that every company is either making or buying pipes from a manufacturer that fit.

[feuer]

I thought this thread is about seamless down pipes. What happened? I recommend 1320.

[Pinscher]

It was, but then everyone started giving me unassisted purchase advice. lol.

like telling someone who want's information about shoes to make sure they buy ones that fit ;P!

[MysticRob]

Originally Posted by Pinscher

It was, but then everyone started giving me unassisted purchase advice. lol.

like telling someone who want's information about shoes to make sure they buy ones that fit ;P!

Well you asked for it when you started talking about "picking prats", which I finally bothered to look up after hearing it in a song Metallica covered decades ago (So F*cking What). Turns out it means butts. Your misspelling is actually pretty funny now that I think about it.

Originally Posted by Pinscher

...but before i start picking prats...

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

The point was the fact that these "seamless" downpipes often have fitment issues due to manufacturing constraints. If you do a bit of research you'll see dozens of fitment issues with the seamless downpipes.

Omg, just stop!

[Pinscher]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

The point was the fact that these "seamless" downpipes often have fitment issues due to manufacturing constraints. If you do a bit of research you'll see dozens of fitment issues with the seamless downpipes.

Alright, so due to Constraints of Mandrell bending, it's more common to have bad fitment with seamless Pipes.

That actually makes a lot of sense and so far the most valuable piece of information so far.

Thanks again!