A little over a month ago I purchased the FVD race pipes from FVD in Florida. Got them in about a week via ground shipping. The quality of was very nice with very good welds. I put the race pipes on my car about 3-4 weeks ago and took off my Cargraphic Loud exhaust. I have a Stage 2 set-up (GIAC upgrade, Evo intake, diverter valves, etc). I had the race pipes on for the two DE track events I went to in So Cali (Buttonwillow & Willow Springs). Here is a quick summary of the pros and cons...

Pros:
- Noticable increase in the low-end and mid-end hp/tq
- Quicker spool up of my k16 turbos (they began spooling up at 1,800rpm)
- Significant weight reduction compared to an OEM or aftermarket exhaust (pipes weigh all of 6-8 pounds).
- You can hear the turbos spooling up (very cool sound)

Cons:
- Having these makes the car LOUD LOUD, not too bad at idle but anything above 1,200rpm it gets LOUD.
- Since there are no cats, the smell coming out of the pipes is a little funky
- You need to clean your tips and area around the tips regularly from the residue left by the exhaust gases

Overall, I love the performance of the race pipes but the way my neighbors are looking at me (live in a gated community with 2 associates) it's only a matter of time before I get some kind of letter about the noise my car makes. I must admit the car makes an awesome WOT sound and I was compliments by a handful of instructors when I went to 2 DE track events with the race pipes on the car. As such, I will be having the pipes taken off next week and put them up for sale. I hope this little write-up was informative.

 

Thanks for the write-up.

Are you going back to the Cargraphic?

 

Yeah, I already made an appt for next Thursday with my local shop to put the Cargraphic back on as well as a few little other mods...

I will add that if I lived in an area where the sound wouldnt bother my neighbors I would keep the race pipes on mainly due to the increase in power. They are very loud, but they make the car sound awesome out on the track.

 

I also live in a gated community down by the beach and am concerned about the sound of an aftermarket exhaust. I don't drive the car often, but I would hate to stir up the sh%t with my neighbors just before I go before the Board for a remodel/expansion approval. How do you like the Cargraphic? I am also thinking about the Evoms/Milltek. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

I'd love to hear a sound clip! Finally an exhaust that allows you to hear the turbos rather than subdue them. Too bad it wasn't just a tad quieter so you could keep them. Good write up though.

 

I will try to get a sound clip this weekend of how the car sounds with the race pipes before I put the Cargraphic back on. If it was more subtle in the lower rpm range (1,000-2,000) I would probably keep them on the car.

 

I love the Cargraphic exhaust, it is pretty melllow at idle and a nice rumble in the low rpm band and fairly aggressive at >50% WOT. I've gotten many compliments on how the car sounds with the Cargraphic from random people when doing my thing around town.

 

http://www.kozmanautos.com/fvdracepipe.mpg (Right click and "Save As")
Keep in mind the photos of them are of the first prototype set that went on my car, they are nice polished pipes now
Evan

 

I can tell you one thing, i dont miss them one bit and putting my FVD export exhaust with no cats back on, was best upgrade and choice i could have ever made LOL.. I even felt it was quicker when i put the exhaust back on, im curious to see your outlook on the cargraphic back on the car, you might be surprised that there is hardly a power difference IMO.

 

Well I am sorry to hear that. Lets recap, you love the up grade and the car sounds and performs better than ever but because you "live in a gated community" you are taking them off? Has anyone in your neighborhood actually complained?
When I pull out of "my gated" community I treat it as a "no wake" zone and drive slowly and short shift. I leave early and come home late. I am on good terms with all my neighbors and have never had a compliant. I have even asked several if my car bothers them and they have said that they love the car!! So sometimes "perception is'nt reality"
Good luck and enjoy the car no matter what!

 

Yeah, I've had more than a few of them give me these dirty looks so it's only a matter of time before I get a letter or someone comes around to tell me about how loud the car is (mostly mid-aged/seniors live in my area). I dont think I will sell the race pipes and will be putting them back on when the track events come around (they come in bunches).

 

I installed fabspeed muffler by pass pipes on my gtr700. I loved the sound, but there was a fitment issue. Not to add I lost a significant amount of torque due to reduced backpressure and one blown maf.

Jags

 

Martin, again sorry to hear that. I really love the sound price weight loss and performance of straight pipes and now I guess I really love my neighbors too!

 

If I lived in So Cal with these one, the race pipes would be like having a big PLEASE PULL ME OVER sticker on my car...

 

I think thats exactly what i felt, pedal became a lightweight throttle and boost would come on a little later IMO , it didnt feel linear with them on , i hated it :/