The Official Downpipe/Test Pipe/Race Pipe Thread

[MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex]

**** UPDATED 2/2015! Thanks @Inquisitive;!

General:The downpipe on your Mazdaspeed vehicle (whether it's a gen1 MS3, gen 2 MS3 or MS6) is the first part of your exhaust coming off of the turbo. The stock or OEM downpipe on your vehicle contains one catalytic converter. Replacing your downpipe is a common upgrade that results in some very impressive power gains over your restrictive OEM unit, while giving your car a louder, more aggressive exhaust note.

Warning: It has been seen that after upgrading to a 3" downpipe that some vehicles will end up with smoking turbos. This is because of the reduced back-pressure on the turbo seals, which allows some oil to pass by. There are several easy fixes to resolve this issue, the first and simplest fix is to raise the idle on your vehicle through your tuning software. Another simple fix is to swap out the stock oil feed bolt with a smaller diameter feed hole, @bnoon makes and sells these bolts.

A Diagram of the OEM Exhaust:


NOTE: GEN 1 AND GEN 2 DOWNPIPES & TEST/RACE PIPES CAN BE USED ON BOTH GENERATIONS

Things you NEED to know: Downpipes for Mazdaspeed vehicles are manufactured in two different styles. The first style is generally referred to as just a "3inch downpipe", these units will replace your original downpipe and ONLY the original piece (these are generally coupled to a "race pipe" or "test pipe" *SEE DIAGRAM ABOVE*which removes your secondary catalytic converter). The other style is known as a "Long downpipe" or "Full downpipe", meaning the new part will replace BOTH your stock downpipe and also your stock "race/test pipe".

Downpipes are generally sold with two options. They are referred to as either being cat-less or as having a high flow cat (the term cat refers to a catalytic converter). A cat-less downpipe is exactly what it sounds like, it replaces your OEM piece with a new 3" downpipe possessing NO catalytic converters. One possessing a High Flow Cat, also, is exactly what it sounds like, it replaces your stock restrictive cat for a more efficient, higher flowing unit. Generally, cat-less downpipes provide a few more peak ponies and a more aggressive exhaust notes than pieces with a high flow cat, BUT at the risk of the car receiving a CEL (Check Engine Light). Note: If a downpipe contains a high flow cat it is generally a "Long/Full downpipe".

However, there are ways to help prevent this CEL by extending your rear/second o2 sensor away from the main flow of exhaust through the downpipe. Some manufacturers include these fixes with their products, while others do not.
Commonly spark plug de-foulers are used. The first is left alone and the second is drilled out to 1/2", seen here:

Companies also offer o2 extenders taking away the drilling work for you, seen here:


Here are some how-to guides for downpipe removal:
Gen 1 MS3 & Gen 2 MS3: http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/foru...-review-16310/ and Corksport also wrote a fantastic install guide here: http://support.corksport.com/instruc...-6-113-WEB.pdf REGARDLESS OF MANUFACTURE, ALL INSTALLS ARE RELATIVELY THE SAME BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEN MS3'S

You should take care of the HPFP limitations before considering the removal of a cat or going completely cat-less.

The DP is the most restrictive section of your exhaust system. The bell housing is so crimped; it is hard to imagine the waste-gate having enough room to open. It contains cat-1, which is heavy, but not as heavy as cat-2. If required for emissions control, if you do not have the software to cancel the CEL (in AP un-tick codes: P0038 and P0420 (if rear spark plug de-fouler does not work)) or if you are allowed to disable two codes only for emissions testing, you will need a fast cat with following oxygen sensor bung for the second sensor. A DP provides faster turbo response times and power gains across the rev range. The transition from decelerating to accelerating is much smoother. The engine just seems to breathe easier, probably due to the increased VE.

Divorce pipes reduce the turbulence caused by the opening and closing of the waste-gate. Also, the nature of bell housing designs creates turbulence as the chamber is expanded to cater for the turbo outlet and waste-gate. Having dedicated pipes respectively allows for same size pipes and thus, a smoother flow. By joining further down, they help to speed up the extraction resulting in faster opening of the waste-gate.

Descending Genpu purchased popularity order:

DownPipe (DP) and Full / Long DP

• UR DP
• Corksport DP
• CP-E DP & Long DP
• Cobb DP
• ATP Long DP
• eBay DP
• CNT Long DP
• M2 Long DP
• Gutted DP
• Kozmic DP
• Speed Daddy DP
• M2 DP
• TurboXS DP
• Full Race DP
• XForce DP
• AQ Motorsports Long DP
• QAS Long DP
• CES Racing Long DP
• Protuning Lab DP
• Best Mufflers DP

Test / Race / Track Pipe (cat-less) (TP / RP)

• Ultimate Racing (UR)
• CorkSport (CS)
• OBX
• CP-E
• TurboXS
• Street Unit (See Warning)
• Sure (See Warning)
• Cobb

2015 prices and availability:

First Section of Pipe Post Turbo

DownPipe (DP) and Full / Long DP
Test / Race / Track Pipe (cat-less) (TP / RP)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

DownPipe (DP) and Full / Long DP

3” Ultimate Racing (UR) DP

Available from: 3” Ultimate Racing (UR) DP
MS6 (Not found), MS3 Gen1 (Yes), MS3 Gen2 (Yes) cat-less Version 1 $295, cat-less Version 2 $345, Long DP Ceramic Cat $395, Long DP Metal Substrate Cat $445, extra wideband bung $25)

Corksport (CS) DP
MS6 DP

MS6 Long DP

MS3 DP

MS3 Long DP

Available from:
MS6
CS 6 DP
MS3
CS 3 DP
MS6 (Yes: cat-less $349.99, +$281 for cat (long DP)), MS3 Gen1 (Yes) $299.99 + $281 for cat (long DP) with 65mm or 80mm option, MS3 Gen2 (Yes) $299.99 + $281 for cat (long DP) with 65mm or 80mm option

CP-E Long DP
MS6

MS3

Available from:
MS6
http://cp-e.com/webstore/product/maz...kspl-downpipe/ / MS6 long catted
MS3
http://cp-e.com/webstore/product/maz...kspl-downpipe/ / MS3 long catted
MS6 (Yes, catted) $621.40, MS3 Gen1 (Yes, catted) $504.40, MS3 Gen2 (Yes, catted) $504.40

Cobb Long DP

Available from: Mazdaspeed3 SS 3" Downpipe with High Flow Cat / Long catted MS3 Gen 1&2
MS6 (Not found), MS3 Gen1 (Yes, catted) $695, MS3 Gen2 (Yes, catted) $695

ATP DP
MS6 Long DP

MS3 Long DP

MS3 DP

Available from:
MS6 Long DP MS6 ATP Long DP
MS3 Long DP MS3 ATP Long DP
Much less popular: ATP DP MS3 ATP DP
MS6 (Yes, V-band) $439 + Mazda 5-bolt to V-band $95, MS3 Gen1 (Yes), MS3 Gen2 (Yes) cat-less, no donut, 3”, Long DP $299, DP $259

CNT Long DP
MS3 cat-less

MS3 catted

Available from: CNT Long DP
MS6 (Not found), MS3 Gen1 (Yes), MS3 Gen2 (Yes) 76mm cat-less $259, catted $399

M2 Long DP
MS6

MS3

Available from:
MS6

MS6 long cat-less

MS6 long cat-less
MS6 long cat-less

[DISIindahead]

GREAT THREAD!

[superskaterxes]

tom if i could i would cum in your hair right now and slap you till you screamed banana

good job son

[MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex]

I'm still looking for a good how-to thread for MS6 dp install. If any of you have one just post up the link and I'll add it to the OP.
Thanks.

[chuckms6]

cant leave out m2/ebay products. someone is bound to ask

ebay ms6 dp

m2 ms6 dp

[RhoadBlock]

How-To: MS6 DP

Tools needed:
Air tools make life MUCH easier
Basic socket set
Extensions
U-Joints
Beer

1. Disconnect battery
2. Remove TMIC (if necessary)
3. Remove heat shields
4. Lift front end as high as possible. Use e-brake & chocks behind rear wheels. Place jack stands in secure location under frame rail.
5. Remove upper and lower O2 Sensors...Carefully.
6. Unbolt DP from CBE. Disconnect 2nd Cat to ease removing DP.
7. Unbolt DP from turbo.
8. Curse Mazda for their stupid 5 bolt flange.
9. Expletives. Blood.
10. Swig beer.
11. Remove DP
12. Ice cold beer
13. Finangle new DP into place. Try not to damage anything in your engine bay in frustration.
14. Bolt DP to turbo.
15. Swig beer. Curse Mazda's 5 bolt again.
16. Bolt DP to CBE
17. Install heat shields, TMIC (if you haven't upgraded to a real IC yet), battery.
18. Ice cold beer. Say either "ehh, wasn't too bad" or "Fcuk you Mazda!"

As accurate as that is, I'll try to find a real write up for you bro. Great thread homie.

[Postulio4joo]

145 + free shipping. Wow Ebay has gone alot cheaper.

[superskaterxes]

lol omg dont remove the stock manifold on the MS6.

ill do a write up if i can catch some time later

[RhoadBlock]

Originally Posted by superskaterxes lol omg dont remove the stock manifold on the MS6. ill do a write up if i can catch some time later

Holy hell IDK why I wrote that. It was too late for me to be typing I guess lol. Edited that post. Good catch bro

[Jake5713]

well done

[TiGraySpeed6]

cpe guide for the MS6 attached (wow, it was like 0.2 KB below the limit for attaching )
worked like a champ for my install of the M2 dp

Question-
Looking at the pic included for the MS6 dp from ATP (shown below)
I thought the O2 and spare O2 bungs are the opposite- that is the primary is closer to the turbo?

[uncorked11]

Thanks trying to decide on one now.

[2011speed]

I think a nice addition would to this thread woukd perhaps list some dynos and gains. otherwise nice job

Sent from my left nut.

[forcedinduktion]

Originally Posted by 2011speed I think a nice addition would to this thread woukd perhaps list some dynos and gains. otherwise nice job Sent from my left nut.

Says the guy that doesn't believe in aftermarket downpipes....

[J_Logik]

What a GREAT summary, thanks OP!!!!

[kritz]

Thanks Tom, Well done Sir! Now I'll have to find a nurse for you!
@MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex

[TiGraySpeed6]

Seems like there should be some reference to turbo seals/ vacuum issues / smoking issues that suddenly get very popular after adding in a DP...

Loving my home made bnoon bolt- stopped ~90% of my smoking issues along with an idle increase

[infeKteDx]

Anyone have this ?

M2 Performance

[chuckms6]

Originally Posted by infeKteDx Anyone have this ? M2 Performance

told you so @RhoadBlock lol

and OP yea two of my friends have one and im getting one in a few weeks. imo no reason to get a more expensive one other than namebrand.

[RhoadBlock]

Originally Posted by chuckms6 told you so @RhoadBlock lol and OP yea two of my friends have one and im getting one in a few weeks. imo no reason to get a more expensive one other than namebrand.

What did I ever say about eBay DPs?? lol

[jracer]

Awesome !! Thanks

[TWOptSL0W]

You might want to add a section for eBay pipes since they're awesome and a better price and quality than some of those

[TiGraySpeed6]

+1 to the above posts on the M2 & ebay dp's.

Mine (an M2 from ebay) is so far holding out well, and no over boosting issues here (yet...), running 20 psi on my everyday tune

[MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex]

I'm not posting eBay DP's for the simple fact none of our vendors offer them. And I'd rather see our members buy from them personally.

Besides all of your posts cover the eBay one pretty well lol

[chuckms6]

Originally Posted by MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex I'm not posting eBay DP's for the simple fact none of our vendors offer them. And I'd rather see our members buy from them personally. Besides all of your posts cover the eBay one pretty well lol

sorry @RhoadBlock i thought this was your thread for some reason lol

and i thought the point of these threads was to reduce noob questions as a whole, so i just thought it would be a good idea to include them regardless of vendor status because people are going to ask about them

[MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex]

Originally Posted by chuckms6 sorry @RhoadBlock i thought this was your thread for some reason lol and i thought the point of these threads was to reduce noob questions as a whole, so i just thought it would be a good idea to include them regardless of vendor status because people are going to ask about them

If you haven't noticed there should be enough posted about them in just the comments to give people enough answers towards them lol

[chuckms6]

Originally Posted by MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex If you haven't noticed there should be enough posted about them in just the comments to give people enough answers towards them lol

this is true, but then you have true noobs such as above who only read the first post...but then again i suppose they could be told to read the whole thread just as easily lol

[MS3-a(sore)ASS-rex]

Originally Posted by chuckms6 this is true, but then you have true noobs such as above who only read the first post...but then again i suppose they could be told to read the whole thread just as easily lol

You make a good argument regardless lol

[infeKteDx]

On the M2, is that the before/after o2 bungs right next to each other at the top? lol, or is there a lower bung that isn't seen?

[chuckms6]

Originally Posted by infeKteDx On the M2, is that the before/after o2 bungs right next to each other at the top? lol, or is there a lower bung that isn't seen?

there are three bungs total on the m2, two at the top and one at the bottom. all the bungs come with plugs.

[infeKteDx]

07 08 09 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 Turbo 3" Down Pipe Downpipe | eBay

Will that one fit the 2010's? I was going to go with the M2, but this one is a little cheaper, and the end of the M2 one has a part that sticks out passed the flange?

[IshiKage]

Originally Posted by infeKteDx 07 08 09 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 Turbo 3" Down Pipe Downpipe | eBay Will that one fit the 2010's? I was going to go with the M2, but this one is a little cheaper, and the end of the M2 one has a part that sticks out passed the flange?

all of the dps on ebay are the same, they are just sold and named by different vendors. have had my ebay dp for 1 year still going stong looks good no CELS

My Ebay DP

[TiGraySpeed6]

That ebay link is an M2 dp. Sorry I can't say what years it will fit, I'm not sure of the speed3 exhaust difference between years/generations

Also, FWIW, that's the same vendor I purchased my M2 dp from on ebay.

[infeKteDx]

Do you know why some of them have the extension after the flange at the end?

for example:
Stainless Steel Exhaust Downpipe Mazda 07 08 09 10 Mazdaspeed 3 Hatchback | eBay

and then this one doesn't:
07 08 09 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 Turbo 3" Down Pipe Downpipe | eBay

confused

[Bob-o]

Originally Posted by infeKteDx Do you know why some of them have the extension after the flange at the end? for example: Stainless Steel Exhaust Downpipe Mazda 07 08 09 10 Mazdaspeed 3 Hatchback | eBay and then this one doesn't: 07 08 09 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 Turbo 3" Down Pipe Downpipe | eBay confused

Cause it's a loose flange that can move up and down the pipe...

[infeKteDx]

Wow...awesome, thanks for clearing that up haha.

[Nliiitend1]

[2011speed]

Originally Posted by forcedinduktion Says the guy that doesn't believe in aftermarket downpipes....

Lol i believe in them, but i dont believe ud get much more than 5 whp and 10wtq.,which in my opinion is not worth the hassle.

Sent from my left nut.

[forcedinduktion]

Ohh is that what it is?

[RhoadBlock]

I agree...if we actually have ANY dynos of before/after DP only. But how many ppl have spent the money to do that?