[vosadrian]

HI All,

I recognise there are some excellent quality exhaust products (including from forum vendors) available for the 718 but if they were beyond the budget of some, has anyone tried some of the cheaper options from Alibaba or similar? They look pretty good in photos and I presume they are made on some type of jig to give some attempt at a good fitment though I am sure there is more risk in this area. Most appear to be catless so I assume a tune is necessary to avoid fault codes, but on the plus side the quality of the cat is not in question and I assume that the pipework being of similar diameter will flow as well as a higher priced item with similar diameter.

I expect there is risk compared to proven options in both risk and durability, so I am just trying to see if anyone has tried this and can comment on that.

Cheers!

 

[EuroKip]

Soul and Fabspeed are the popular options because of the quality of materials. HJS is the recognize product of quality when it comes to 200 cell cats. I would definitely stay clear of any company that doesn’t proudly promote their sources of materials. I looked at Alibaba and their offerings from AOOAS and didn’t see HJS in any way shape or form. The short answer is —Stay clear of China on your $60K + German pride and joy.

Your post didn’t make clear if your looking for sport cat or catless. A word of caution: If you go catless , ( no back pressure) you run the risk of turbo overspool. A tune would be absolutely necessary with that setup. No tune required for a 200 cell sport cat. Point is in my opinion, If budget is the driving force , spend wisely on quality.

 

[vosadrian]

THanks for that. I am talking in addition to a tune and catless. I figure that in this case it is just a pipe and as long as it fits correctly, is similar diameter and does not crack that it would make no difference to the user experience. There are options <$300 and that is about a fifth of the price of alternatives. My reason for posting here was to find out if anyone had a positive or negative experience in trying them out. I'm also in Australia, so getting the quality US options a lot more expensive when exchange rate and delivery are considered. China options offer cheaper delivery options.

 

[EuroKip]

I get it. A catless down pipe is just a pipe , as long as it fits ,why not save money. However , in the long term , T304 material will last a lifetime. That’s where some of the cost lays. Quality welding is another. I doubt if many here have first hand in what your asking and that includes myself. The risk / reward dynamic , especially being in Australia , suggests to me why not take a leap of faith and hope for the best. Your asking for opinions and that’s all I can offer.
I see that your new to the forum Welcome. There’s a wealth of information here. Happy Porsche-ing

 

[Dhruvii]

Did anyone also consider hollowing out the stock downpipe why even replace it when we can probably just hollow it out saw quite a few videos about this on YouTube maybe experts can comment.

 

[Dhruvii]

Also to your original query I was about to pull the trigger on a Chinese exhaust kit by the name of RES Exhaust they have sent me tons of videos and options they have downpipes both straight and 200 cell and also the full kit they also have the full conversion kit like in the GTS 4.0 to give it that same look.

 

[EuroKip]

Plus 1 on Dhruvil. Hammer,drill, and chisel. I’ve seen it done. probably a YouTube on it somewhere

 

[vosadrian]

I think I will take a leap and see how it goes. Seems nobody here has done so yet. I prefer to keep the original pipe unmodified so I can return to it if required. Soul race pipe would be about AU$2.5k delivered which is hard to justify. Should be able to get something from China for AU$350.

 

[gcX]

Did anyone also consider hollowing out the stock downpipe why even replace it when we can probably just hollow it out saw quite a few videos about this on YouTube maybe experts can comment.

After I saw the price companies are charging for a downpipe, I immediately considered this. There's a good chance all of the performance gains we are seeing are from just the removal of the factory cat and or replacement with a 200 cel. I also contemplated grabbing a factory downpipe off eBay and having a aftermarket (non HJS) 200 cel welded in.

I think I will take a leap and see how it goes. Seems nobody here has done so yet. I prefer to keep the original pipe unmodified so I can return to it if required. Soul race pipe would be about AU$2.5k delivered which is hard to justify. Should be able to get something from China for AU$350.

Thanks for doing this and please let us all know how it goes. Good luck

 

[Dhruvii]

I think I will take a leap and see how it goes. Seems nobody here has done so yet. I prefer to keep the original pipe unmodified so I can return to it if required. Soul race pipe would be about AU$2.5k delivered which is hard to justify. Should be able to get something from China for AU$350.

Great looking forward to it try to take detailed pictures from removal of the pipe to hollowing it would help us newbies 😊 also have you considered disconnecting or cheating the O2 sensor after the mod as to avoid the check engine light?

 

[gcX]

Great looking forward to it try to take detailed pictures from removal of the pipe to hollowing it would help us newbies 😊 also have you considered disconnecting or cheating the O2 sensor after the mod as to avoid the check engine light?

Only sure fire way would be with engine tuning and having the tuner turn off the rear o2. Otherwise your mileage will vary with one of these:

O2 Simulator Mini Cat Cel Fix stainless steel Rear O2 sensor simulator.

O2 Simulator Mini Cat Cel Fix, Big Daddies Garage Mini Catalytic Convertor Rear Oxygen Sensor Simulator is the best and easiestway to clear p0420 / p0430 codes for bad or missing catalytic converters. Just screw it the o2 simulator mini cat into the existing exhaust then srew in the oxygen...

www.bigdaddiesgarage.com

Amazon.com: Vibrant 11619 J-Style Oxygen Sensor Restrictor Fitting with Adjustable Gas Flow Inserts: Automotive

Buy Vibrant 11619 J-Style Oxygen Sensor Restrictor Fitting with Adjustable Gas Flow Inserts: Oxygen - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I imagine space in that area will be an issue however.

 

[Optical TDI]

Check out this company. They offer an HJS cat in an OEM downpipe. They are not as known in our 718 forum but well respected on Rennlist. 200 Cell Cat Upgrade - Carnewal
If this didn’t become available, I was seriously considering SOUL - beautiful products and great communicators on this forum. And still might, but at around $900, Carnewal’s is appealing.

 

[vosadrian]

Is that option where they modify your own downpipe? Or do they supply an OEM pipe with different cat to boltin?

I wonder whether you could get a cheap chinese catless and a HJS cat and get a local exhaust shop to fit the HJS cat to it?

 

[gcX]

Is that option where they modify your own downpipe? Or do they supply an OEM pipe with different cat to boltin?

I wonder whether you could get a cheap chinese catless and a HJS cat and get a local exhaust shop to fit the HJS cat to it?

Or save some coin and go with this instead:

3" Catalytic Converter High Flow Spun Metallic Cat – Better than 59959 | eBay

Converter style: Universal fit. Body Length: 3". Body Shape: Round.

www.ebay.com

A proficient welder will be able to take your stock downpipe, tack it to the bench and weld in the 200 cel. I did this with the midpipe on my 600AWHP GTR and it flowed well.

 

[alf_17]

Check out this company. They offer an HJS cat in an OEM downpipe. They are not as known in our 718 forum but well respected on Rennlist. 200 Cell Cat Upgrade - Carnewal
If this didn’t become available, I was seriously considering SOUL - beautiful products and great communicators on this forum. And still might, but at around $900, Carnewal’s is appealing.

This might just be what I am after for my 718.
I really want more sound out of the exhaust, but the laws are more stringent regarding what is allowed... Technically this would also not be allowed, but if performed correctly nobody will know.
It is a shame that there is not really any information on what is supplied with this upgrade.

 

[Optical TDI]

This might just be what I am after for my 718.
I really want more sound out of the exhaust, but the laws are more stringent regarding what is allowed... Technically this would also not be allowed, but if performed correctly nobody will know.
It is a shame that there is not really any information on what is supplied with this upgrade.

Give a quick email. I recall the owners name being Gert.

 

[alf_17]

Give a quick email. I recall the owners name being Gert.

I might just do that, my concern however is how it will affect the warranty and Porsche Approved eligibility...

 

[sanher747]

Hi
Did someone install one of the cheap downpipes?
Im considering buy one from Alibaba
Like you say is just a pipe and why don’t save some money?

 

[vosadrian]

I did not..... only because at the time in the middle of COVID, the shipping cost was very high to Australia (much more than the cost of the pipe!!). Things may have changed now... or you may be in a location with better shipping rates.

 

[CupraLeon]

Hi
Did someone install one of the cheap downpipes?
Im considering buy one from Alibaba
Like you say is just a pipe and why don’t save some money?

The WAX exhaust downpipe (for GPF equipped cars) on alibaba is used on MR69 ALB's and my 718 and quality/fitment is great. They custom make them to your specifications.