Found this rediclously inexpensive down pipe for my '04 sti on ebay. $120.00. Any body have any experience w/ this part? Fitment issues? Noticible performace increases?

i had a Tsudo catback on my RSX and was very happy with it. Hardest part about ebay items is finding out the specifics about the item. Tsudo is pretty underated item, but puttting it on your STI? You've got the best already so why not get the best aftermarket parts? at least thats my thinking

I have a Tsudo down pipe. It is awesome! It is a replica of the Helix. The fit is perfect, welds are good, and it is polished. I'm getting ready to heat wrap it because of my new TMIC. I got mine for $160 shipped. Here are some pics:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b28/everett7/IMGA1843.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b28/everett7/IMGA1943.jpg

so,how does the car feel,now? :)

[QUOTE=D-Speed 2.5]I have a Tsudo down pipe. It is awesome! It is a replica of the Helix. The fit is perfect, welds are good, and it is polished. I'm getting ready to heat wrap it because of my new TMIC. I got mine for $160 shipped. Here are some pics:

Cool, thanks! Any noticable power gains? Also, what has it done as far as sound is concerned

i had a Tsudo catback on my RSX and was very happy with it. Hardest part about ebay items is finding out the specifics about the item. Tsudo is pretty underated item, but puttting it on your STI? You've got the best already so why not get the best aftermarket parts? at least thats my thinking

Well, I understand your thinking, but looking at the constuction of this piece I dont see what other brands have to offer that is so great. I mean why does Injen charge $399.00 for essentially the same damn part. Its not like its some revolutionary new technology or anything. Its a damn pipe!

you can also get an HKS dowpipe. About $150-160 new.

Cheers

Nick

Well, I understand your thinking, but looking at the constuction of this piece I dont see what other brands have to offer that is so great. I mean why does Injen charge $399.00 for essentially the same damn part. Its not like its some revolutionary new technology or anything. Its a damn pipe!


as you said it's just a damn pipe. Buy it.

Others are willing to spend the extra coin on a name brand part that's all.

you can also get an HKS dowpipe. About $150-160 new.

Cheers

Nick


HKS is Mildsteel and has a flat flange this is a bellmouth which is a better design...(I'm not comparing quality of these two pieces just the design.)

like said before. why put mediocre parts, on a car that is no mediocre. u got a best of the best street tuner, why nto put the best fo the best on. u might as well go and by a fast and the furious maf sensor, or a autozone awesome wing. NOT.

Not saying Tsudo, but many of the less expensive brands you are getting inferior material quality, welding, and plain poor quality control in general. The 3 things you want to look for is:

1. Quality of steel - In China, SS304 is not always SS304. ;)

2. Weld Quality - Make sure the welding is good and it's not going to crack in 10K miles. If it does, the money you save goes straight to the muffler shop - and it's likely going to crack again unless you pay top dollar and manage to find a muffler shop with a TIG welder (very rare)

3. Flat flanges - this is really important. The majority of replica components coming out of China have poor quality control. Sometimes this means warped flanges. You may not even notice it right away, but if you start blowing out gaskets after a few thousand miles, you probably have warped flanges. Put the flanges on a flat surface before you buy!

4. Just plain fitment - The WRX downpipe is honestly one of the more difficult downpipes to manufacture. Is it going to bang against the tranny? Subframe? Transmission bracket? The lower hangar going to clip in place? Just because your buddy's downpipe fit will yours? (because of manufacturing tolerance).

Just FYI!

Cheers and happy modding!

Gary
Gruppe-S

I'd like to add one more comment to Gary of Gruppe-s, this is also about the flanges, and I have no idea about the TSUDO brand, but the flanges from knockoffs are often thinner than the original, though on cusory inspection they look the same, and this can cause warpping, cracking and leaking and you may think that the problem is the cracking, but that was just the symptom of the thinner/weaker flanges.

Not saying Tsudo, but many of the less expensive brands you are getting inferior material quality, welding, and plain poor quality control in general. The 3 things you want to look for is:

1. Quality of steel - In China, SS304 is not always SS304. ;)

2. Weld Quality - Make sure the welding is good and it's not going to crack in 10K miles. If it does, the money you save goes straight to the muffler shop - and it's likely going to crack again unless you pay top dollar and manage to find a muffler shop with a TIG welder (very rare)

3. Flat flanges - this is really important. The majority of replica components coming out of China have poor quality control. Sometimes this means warped flanges. You may not even notice it right away, but if you start blowing out gaskets after a few thousand miles, you probably have warped flanges. Put the flanges on a flat surface before you buy!

4. Just plain fitment - The WRX downpipe is honestly one of the more difficult downpipes to manufacture. Is it going to bang against the tranny? Subframe? Transmission bracket? The lower hangar going to clip in place? Just because your buddy's downpipe fit will yours? (because of manufacturing tolerance).

Just FYI!

Cheers and happy modding!

Gary
Gruppe-S\


I understand what your saying, and as I just recieved the downpipe, there is something I am a little concerned about as far as the construction of the pipe. The lower flange isnt welded perfectly strait. It sits at an off angle and slightly turned. Will this cause a huge problem for me? I also ordered a DC Sports cat back, and wondered if I will be able to turn, or rather rotate those exhaust pipes to accomodate this downpipe. Any thoughts? Or does what I am describing make sense?

I love mine I havent had a single problem with mine. No leaks or anything. Going to get it ceramic coated. Total cost of DP+Coat <$200.00. Ive had a random tech DP and this one on the car, and they are both good. Mates to my Greddy better than the random+tanabe fit. A first got it because I didnt want to by a expensive DP just to move to a External Option later, but Im gonna just keep it.

I love mine I havent had a single problem with mine. No leaks or anything. Going to get it ceramic coated. Total cost of DP+Coat <$200.00. Ive had a random tech DP and this one on the car, and they are both good. Mates to my Greddy better than the random+tanabe fit. A first got it because I didnt want to by a expensive DP just to move to a External Option later, but Im gonna just keep it.


Where would you go to get it ceramic coated? I mean what kind of shop does that? Thanks

Jet-hot is right there in Az ;) We have local shops in Georgia, but for the downpipe most places will do the trick.

Over 3600 feedbacks 100% are positve. I'd try it. I've blow a flange with a TXS downpipe. That's high quaility, right? Have you seen my Bosal/SPT catback? (http://users.ev1.net/~zuela/bosal/bosal1.jpg) That pic was the least of my problems. The one I have on my car fits horribly, but at least I could get it on..kinda. The first one I sent back because I couldn't even force it to fit. That's high quality, right? I bought an ebay replica of the TXS test pipe. Perfect fit, very nice fab work, no issues at all. No name brand at all. Go figure. :alien:

I've tried my luck with several ebay parts manufacturers before (for headers and catsection for my old 02RS) and I've always been very happy. the DP he is talking about is a bellmouth so we can put the flat flange HKS style DP rumors to rest right now. I bought my DP off there a couple days ago, I'll let you all know how the install goes, but right now I'm pretty optimistic. Additionally, one of my friends bought an Ebay turbo back exhaust for his JDM V5 STI typeRA swapped 99rs. the exhaust is the best quality exhaust system I've seen in my life, and I've seen a lot. the stainless is beutifully polished the welds are phenominal and the fit and finish was PERFECT. IT also happens to be the best sounding exhaust I've ever heard. With a price of $400 shipped to his door for a full 3inch stainless TBE with perfect fit and finish, I can't possibly fathom why you would spend more on anything else? if you think the 1 or 2 hp difference between 3inch catless DP designs is worth 2hundred dollars go ahead and by them. Personally, I don't think it's worth it (and that's assuming the difference even exists!)...

cheers!

just put my Tsudo DP in... I love it!! spoolup noise is much louder.... notto mentionfull boost comes on 250rpms sooner and the car feels much stronger all around.... DEFINTE thumbs up!!

has anyone ever ran a catless DP on a stock exhaust, i have my greddy evo2 on order, but my buddy has an 05 wrx he put an invidia dp on and is planning on running stock exhaust, personally i think there is no point (restriction of piping) and i think it will sound horrible. anyone?

I have the Tsudo down pipe and catback on my sti.... The exhaust fit great, no rattles no leaks. It also sounds good to my ear.