Downpipes & Best Practices

[KrackaC8]

thanks - wife is why i purchased touring over the track

Good choice! My wife drove the Z last night, commented on how it was now louder, but had no issue with the volume.

 

[kevinbonds]

Just had a set of Spool 3" LDPs installed today and ran into a pretty frustrating issue — I’m guessing I’m not the first one either, I was a report of this on the forum at some point.

I specifically bought the Spools for two reasons:

1. True 3-inch piping
2. They were advertised with the factory mounting brackets already welded on so they’d bolt right up to the OEM hardware.

The pipes themselves are excellent — super clean welds, nice thick material, and the fitment where it actually matters is rock solid. Zero complaints there.

Problem is the driver’s side bracket is off by a full two inches from the factory mount, and the passenger is a good inch or more. I Called Spool and the rep basically told me “yeah we make them generically for the VR30, sometimes the brackets don’t line up, and honestly you don’t even need them anyway.”

Since everything was already in and the exhaust fit perfect, I just sucked it up for the moment since there was nothing I could do. I did send them a pretty direct email though letting them know I’m not happy and asking what my options are.

What I’d really like is for them to send me a new set with the brackets welded in the correct location. I’d swap them in, then send the first set back. Otherwise, I need to remove them, ship them back, then put in the factory cats, wait for a new set, take out the factory cats and install the replacements. I do not want to go through that hassle.

Seems fair to me since these were sold as “direct fit with factory brackets.”

Am I being unreasonable here?

Edit: Adding a couple pics. I want to stress, I am not attacking Spool, the LDPs fit great, the only issue is the factory cat mounting bracket not lining up.

 

[traska_rz34]

Just had a set of Spool 3" LDPs installed today and ran into a pretty frustrating issue — I’m guessing I’m not the first one either, I was a report of this on the forum at some point.

I specifically bought the Spools for two reasons:

1. True 3-inch piping
2. They were advertised with the factory mounting brackets already welded on so they’d bolt right up to the OEM hardware.

The pipes themselves are excellent — super clean welds, nice thick material, and the fitment where it actually matters is rock solid. Zero complaints there.

Problem is the driver’s side bracket is off by a full two inches from the factory mount, and the passenger is a good inch or more. I Called Spool and the rep basically told me “yeah we make them generically for the VR30, sometimes the brackets don’t line up, and honestly you don’t even need them anyway.”

Since everything was already in and the exhaust fit perfect, I just sucked it up for the moment since there was nothing I could do. I did send them a pretty direct email though letting them know I’m not happy and asking what my options are.

What I’d really like is for them to send me a new set with the brackets welded in the correct location. I’d swap them in, then send the first set back. Otherwise, I need to remove them, ship them back, then put in the factory cats, wait for a new set, take out the factory cats and install the replacements. I do not want to go through that hassle.

Seems fair to me since these were sold as “direct fit with factory brackets.”

Am I being unreasonable here?

That 100% is not acceptable. This makes me want to cancel my order if they’re going to act like it’s fine that their pipes don’t fit properly. The bracket is there for a reason. Even if they sent you a new set, that doesn’t fix the time and money to get them swapped and basically installed twice. Sorry to hear you had to deal with this. How do they sound regardless?

My Spool LDP still haven’t shipped either. I was told they won’t have stock for a few more weeks at this point.

 

[kevinbonds]

That 100% is not acceptable. This makes me want to cancel my order if they’re going to act like it’s fine that their pipes don’t fit properly. The bracket is there for a reason. Even if they sent you a new set, that doesn’t fix the time and money to get them swapped and basically installed twice. Sorry to hear you had to deal with this. How do they sound regardless?

My Spool LDP still haven’t shipped either. I was told they won’t have stock for a few more weeks at this point.

Before you cancel, let's see how they respond. If they do not agree to work with me, I will ask for a refund, and then order the new B6 LDP'S. Any company can have issues, and I always try to give them the benefit of the doubt, and let them make it right. I do recall seeing a post somewhere on here with someone who had the same issue, and I was hoping it was isolated.

 

[KrackaC8]

My Spool 3" resonated downpipes will be for sale in the coming weeks. I got them professionally ceramic coated for thermal protection/control, but they're just too loud for my wife to be happy with.

I'll make anyone a stellar deal who wants them once uninstalled. I had them professionally installed here in Houston by RaceBox, and I'll have them do the uninstall as well.

 

[traska_rz34]

My Spool 3" resonated downpipes will be for sale in the coming weeks. I got them professionally ceramic coated for thermal protection/control, but they're just too loud for my wife to be happy with.

I'll make anyone a stellar deal who wants them once uninstalled. I had them professionally installed here in Houston by RaceBox, and I'll have them do the uninstall as well.

Me knowing I’m about to give @KrackaC8 more money since my pipes haven’t shipped yet. Another DM headed your way. Did yours fit fine?

 

[KrackaC8]

Me knowing I’m about to give @KrackaC8 more money since my pipes haven’t shipped yet. Another DM headed your way. Did yours fit fine?

RaceBox installed them without issue or complaint! The car made great power too, I just need to make the car quieter again. My wife liked the AWE catback volume with stock downpipes a lot better.

 

[HWill]

I have heard of a few with bracket issues with the Spool's too. I ordered the B6 LDP and they look a lot nicer than the Spool.

 

[kevinbonds]

I have heard of a few with bracket issues with the Spool's too. I ordered the B6 LDP and they look a lot nicer than the Spool.

If they give me a hard time on getting a new one: I’ll ask for a refund and buy the B6’s

 

[el mágico]

RaceBox installed them without issue or complaint! The car made great power too, I just need to make the car quieter again. My wife liked the AWE catback volume with stock downpipes a lot better.

That's a tough one.

 

[el mágico]

I am happy with my Spool full resonated dp's. I've got approximately 250-300 miles on them and they are getting better. Go figure.

I do wish I had known they were going to release the megaphone version before I purchased. I too ceramic coated, but I also heat wrapped them (it's not my daily and I don't drive it in the rain).

Cheers fellas. What makes you happy is best.

 

[kevinbonds]

I am happy with my Spool full resonated dp's. I've got approximately 250-300 miles on them and they are getting better. Go figure.

I do wish I had known they were going to release the megaphone version before I purchased. I too ceramic coated, but I also heat wrapped them (it not my daily and I don't drive it in the rain).

Cheers fellas. What makes you happy is best.

I’m glad you didn’t have any fitment issues. It’s clear spool released a batch of bad LDP’s, hopefully they take care of folks like me and get their QC issues resolved

 

[thesilverbullet]

Just had a set of Spool 3" LDPs installed today and ran into a pretty frustrating issue — I’m guessing I’m not the first one either, I was a report of this on the forum at some point.

I specifically bought the Spools for two reasons:

1. True 3-inch piping
2. They were advertised with the factory mounting brackets already welded on so they’d bolt right up to the OEM hardware.

The pipes themselves are excellent — super clean welds, nice thick material, and the fitment where it actually matters is rock solid. Zero complaints there.

Problem is the driver’s side bracket is off by a full two inches from the factory mount, and the passenger is a good inch or more. I Called Spool and the rep basically told me “yeah we make them generically for the VR30, sometimes the brackets don’t line up, and honestly you don’t even need them anyway.”

Since everything was already in and the exhaust fit perfect, I just sucked it up for the moment since there was nothing I could do. I did send them a pretty direct email though letting them know I’m not happy and asking what my options are.

What I’d really like is for them to send me a new set with the brackets welded in the correct location. I’d swap them in, then send the first set back. Otherwise, I need to remove them, ship them back, then put in the factory cats, wait for a new set, take out the factory cats and install the replacements. I do not want to go through that hassle.

Seems fair to me since these were sold as “direct fit with factory brackets.”

Am I being unreasonable here?

Edit: Adding a couple pics. I want to stress, I am not attacking Spool, the LDPs fit great, the only issue is the factory cat mounting bracket not lining up.

Oh my what a response - really disappointing… - mine are at HOT JET for coating and $500 down the drain - loL. you could make an adapter bolted or welded on...

 

[thesilverbullet]

I’m glad you didn’t have any fitment issues. It’s clear spool released a batch of bad LDP’s, hopefully they take care of folks like me and get their QC issues resolved

when i placed my order - they told me they do not make these in house…. If they are from china, there is no such thing as QC

 

[el mágico]

when i placed my order - they told me they do not make these in house…. If they are from china, there is no such thing as QC

I suspected this, but someone (I think @KrackaC8 ) mentioned they told him the pipes were made locally (Houston), or not.

At any rate, when I saw Q50, Q60, and RZ34, in the listing, I figured there was a chance of a fitment issue. No bueno. Not good business to ignore or act nonchalant when responding to customers.

Keep us in the loop.