Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

[Lumberboy]

I am really new to the car modding scene. This is the first time I have had a car worth modding and the money (modestly) to do so. I am getting overwhelmed by exhaust choices. I have determined that in the meantime I am going to upgrade my downpipe and leave the stock cat back for now. Do you any of you have any experience with custom downpipes being made by a shop? Would it be better to get a pre fabricated one and have the shop install it? Do you any of the Medicine Hat guys have any experience with Performance Plus here in town? I have done a lot of reading on a lot of forums, so I thought I would get a few more opinions lol.

[Kor]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

I think better to get one pre-fabricated. At least you'll know its been tested extensively etc.

[MechEngg]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Still have no idea what model year car or engine you have buy lets assume you have a mk4 with a 1.8t just for fun sakes. The downpipe makes a huge upgrade, and i'm not planning on even upgrading the rest of the exhaust system. I went with a raceland downpipe, works great. Ebay also works but the piping is a bit thinner. I personally wouldn't spend $400+ on a downpipe just because of the brand name, not worth it IMO because it does nothing for the sound of the system and will last the same length of time as a raceland one.

Either way i think that prefabricated exhaust systems are definitely the way to go because with custom systems they will actually end up costing more and will definitely need tweaking unless the shop is absolutely spectacular and has done one before for the exact same car.

[Lumberboy]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Whoops, I guess I should have listed my car. My car is Mkvi GTI. I think I am going to go pre fab. Looks like 42dd is having a sale on $300.00 for a non catted non resonated downpipe. Is going cat-less in Alberta a problem? Is the resonator a good idea?

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Resonated is a good idea... Helps eliminate drone. As for going catless, the gains are minimal on a MK6. That being said, we don't have any laws here that require us to have catted downpipes, so that doesn't really matter.

[dubwerkz]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Go with what Sean (MechEngg) says, the Raceland DP is the best bang for your buck, hands down. It will cost you an extra $50 over the eBay DP. Planning to order mine near the end of this month.

[MechEngg]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Hmmm raceland doesn't have mk6 downpipes, guess you should go with a company that actually has the product

[dubwerkz]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Hmmm raceland doesn't have mk6 downpipes, guess you should go with a company that actually has the product

Hmmm probably should have realized that he has a mk6 before speculating. 42DD has a 3" DP for $300 right now (confirmed) lol.

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Either way i think that prefabricated exhaust systems are definitely the way to go because with custom systems they will actually end up costing more and will definitely need tweaking unless the shop is absolutely spectacular and has done one before for the exact same car.

I disagree with this comment, a custom downpipe/exhaust is made to fit and any decent fabricator should be able to get it right the first time. The cheaper downpipes you get that are pre fabricated sometimes dont quite line up. Given the raceland one was pretty good that fit all of our Jettas.

I would still go for a run of the mill generic one though, it will be more affordable than having a custom one made, but still more reliable than the cheap ones.

[T-Dubbs]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

I would never pay almost double For a branded downpipe.
Piping is piping. EBay parts FTW!
The only brand that I had issues with was race land. But it was for a BMW, not a vw. On my Subaru Still, all my parts were from eBay.

[dubwerkz]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

I would never pay almost double For a branded downpipe.
Piping is piping. EBay parts FTW!
The only brand that I had issues with was race land. But it was for a BMW, not a vw. On my Subaru Still, all my parts were from eBay.

That's funny, I also had issues with my E36 exhaust headers I bought from Raceland for my Bimmer...

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Buy my AWE downpipe when I pull it off the car

[Danaldson]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Buy my AWE downpipe when I pull it off the car

this! it sounds awesome!

[CGY_GTI]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

this! it sounds awesome!

Correction, my turbo-back sounds awesome!

[Danaldson]

Re: Custom vs Pre Fabriacted Downpipe

Correction, my turbo-back sounds awesome!

oh whatever lol, buy the whole stg 2 from scott lol