Exhaust Upgrade Explain

[MaximusB]

Hello,

Please excuse me for asking a likely widely covered topic. But I've been looking into upgrading my exhaust system for a bit more sound and power. Currently I have the meisterchaft GT rear section. After searching the forum it doesn't appear to be any single post that summarize it all, so I figure I'll post here.

So on our cars there are 4 cats and 2 resonators. The primary cats right after the header are the most restrictive from what I gathered.

Option 1 - Replace the primary cats with test pipes. If I do this, will I need a tune to turn off the warning lights?

Option 2 - Replace the whole mid section with an aftermarket X-pipe. If I go with a non catted x-pipe with just resonators then I'll need a tune and to turn off the warning, correct?

Option 3 - Replace the mid section with aftermarket x-pipe with high flow cats. If I go with this setup, will I need to turn off the warning lights?

Option 4 - Are there any other options that'll allow me to upgrade the exhaust without triggering any warning?

Eventually I'll get a tune, but for now, I'd prefer to keep the tune stock and just tinker with the exhaust a bit.

If there is a single post somewhere that explains all the different parts of the exhaust and available upgrades, as well as whether a tune is required, then please link me and delete this post.

[derbo]

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Depending what you mean mid-pipe. If it is after primaries cats, no.
4. Our cars have 4 cats: 2 primaries (400 cell) and 2 secondaries (200 cell). Only the primaries are monitored by a pre and post O2 sensor (1 of each per primary cat). If you do anything after primaries, there will be no CEL but it won't gain anything significant in HP.

Pretty much anything removing the primaries will require a tune to delete the CEL.

[SYT_Shadow]

If you hack up your oem xpipe and remove the secondary cats and resonators you will gain sound and still pass emissions like a boss

Other options require a tune to turn of CEL. Or other solutions like minicats etc but those don't seem really proven out to me

[redline9001]

ESS x-pipe with hi-flow cats in the primary position....

[AC/DC]

I have aFE HFC Xpipe with 300 cell primaries. I'm running a 45 degree spacer for the O2 sensor temps to stay in range. Thus far no issues.

[MaximusB]

Thanks guy.

Can I just get the CEL coded out, and not get a tune? Also can someone please link me to these O2 sensor spacer or defouler?

[HandmeDnM3]

Originally Posted by MBimmer2011

I have aFE HFC Xpipe with 300 cell primaries. I'm running a 45 degree spacer for the O2 sensor temps to stay in range. Thus far no issues.

Got the same x-pipe but now getting the CEL. Where did you get the spacers?

[AC/DC]

Originally Posted by HandmeDnM3

Got the same x-pipe but now getting the CEL. Where did you get the spacers?

Originally Posted by HandmeDnM3

Got the same x-pipe but now getting the CEL. Where did you get the spacers?

I got the UroTuning o2 spacer. You'll need it in 45 degree angle to fit. They're $40. Easy to install and you'll ditch the CEL.