Downpipes & Best Practices

[el mágico]

It seems to me, that Spool is welding on the brackets, knowing they do not fit, then just shipping them, hoping nobody complains. The more I see, it seems the misalignment of the mounting brackets is very common. They should not be welding on the brackets if they wont bolt up correctly, but as long as they include them, they should bolt up.

I agree. I was upset over it, for a minute. As of now, no I'll effects. Securing is on top of the list, when I remember. I had the car up yesterday when I changed the diff oil.

I suspect these will bolt right up to the Q, no issue. I also think that is their original intent.

 

[kevinbonds]

It shouldn't be hard with a jig to position those brackets. Especially if you reference a stock LDP

Will LDPs throw a CEL?

My guess is, these are made in China, or overseas, and there is a variance in tolerances that is just off the charts, and they cannot monitor the quality, hopefully they get it together. Originally when I bought these, I was under the impression they were USA made, but others have said spool indicated they are not.

 

[kevinbonds]

I agree. I was upset over it, for a minute. As of now, no I'll effects. Securing is on top of the list, when I remember. I had the car up yesterday when I changed the diff oil.

I suspect these will bolt right up to the Q, no issue. I also think that is their original intent.

You got it, one set both applications, let's pump em out.

 

[Bumflik]

For those who were worried about passing annual inspections and Emmisions who have race LDP non cats. I passed. As we know the FDP still have Catalytic component rhodium metals to bond with carbon monoxide pollution. Im in PA.

 

[Tranzor Z]

For those who were worried about passing annual inspections and Emmisions who have race LDP non cats. I passed. As we know the FDP still have Catalytic component rhodium metals to bond with carbon monoxide pollution. Im in PA.

Where at in PA? that's my hometown bucks Lehigh counties.

Also, good to know!

 

[thesilverbullet]

from looking at the upper dp, the lower bracket is the only support to protect the turbo housing and downpipes from engine rocking up/down during hard acceleration / deceleration.

Without the bracket the stress is going to the turbo housing flange / upper dp and to the upper / lower connection.

With the bracket installed the next stress point is the lowers to y-pipe connections which has flex joints to minimize stress on those joints.

 

[kevinbonds]

from looking at the upper dp, the lower bracket is the only support to protect the turbo housing and downpipes from engine rocking up/down during hard acceleration / deceleration.

Without the bracket the stress is going to the turbo housing flange / upper dp and to the upper / lower connection.

With the bracket installed the next stress point is the lowers to y-pipe connections which has flex joints to minimize stress on those joints.

This is true, and why I choose the Spool with the brackets. I’ll see what happens Monday if they will accept a return for a refund; and Im going to buy the B6’s:

 

[Bumflik]

Where at in PA? that's my hometown bucks Lehigh counties.

Also, good to know!

I love lehigh county!!! My fav place in Pa is Bethlehem! Love the people so nice and such a nice town. Worked there for a year before. Anyways I'm in Philly.. good to know wow!

 

[KrackaC8]

Awesome. what are you thinking about replacing the lowers with?

Any chance that you can confirm that the support bracket is bolted on your lowers? Any clearance issues / knocking while driving?

RaceBox recommend & installed. I didn't dig in beyond that!

 

[thesilverbullet]

RaceBox recommend & installed. I didn't dig in beyond that!

I take that as it’s the same as others. But it’s a mute point for you since you are removing them… that’s a good idea..

I’m just glad i found out before installing them. I‘m going to consider fabricating a bracket. If not, i will toss them in the attic museum and buy something that fits…

 

[KrackaC8]

I take that as it’s the same as others. But it’s a mute point for you since you are removing them… that’s a good idea..

I’m just glad i found out before installing them. I‘m going to consider fabricating a bracket. If not, i will toss them in the attic museum and buy something that fits…

The LDPs fit well, aren't leaking, and aren't dragging. They're welded stainless steel pipes that are ceramic coated; they're not going to fail with or without a mount. I will certainly find out when I go back to have them uninstalled, though. I was pretty happy with the quality of them, especially considering the price point.

Thinking back to previous cars, aftermarket exhaust systems typically do not retain factory mounting brackets.

Another thought, is it possible that the mounting brackets differ by model (Q50/Q60/Z) or even by year?

 

[traska_rz34]

The LDPs fit well, aren't leaking, and aren't dragging. They're welded stainless steel pipes that are ceramic coated; they're not going to fail with or without a mount. I will certainly find out when I go back to have them uninstalled, though. I was pretty happy with the quality of them, especially considering the price point.

Thinking back to previous cars, aftermarket exhaust systems typically do not retain factory mounting brackets.

Another thought, is it possible that the mounting brackets differ by model (Q50/Q60/Z) or even by year?

Can you confirm if your pipes got installed using the bracket or if Racebox put them in without using it?

 

[KrackaC8]

Awesome. what are you thinking about replacing the lowers with?

I'm not one who likes "going back to stock" so I've been pouring over my LDP options to find a good compromise. I've since ordered the new B6A 3" resonated LDPs since they claim to use the largest resonator in the VR30 downpipe market. I did not want to go catted since the secondary cats are not monitored and my main cats still remain in place (I do like the fact that AMS uses real GESi G-Sport GEN2 EPA-certified cores though). For additional sound mitigation, I will also be wrapping these ones in DEI Titanium exhaust wrap rather than having them ceramic coated. I used this DEI Titanium on both my wife's Wrangler and my C8 and it's held up incredibly well (even through mud & water).

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C91JAsi56/
https://boosted6auto.com/products/boosted-6-auto-resonated-downpipes-vr30ddtt

 

[KrackaC8]

Can you confirm if your pipes got installed using the bracket or if Racebox put them in without using it?

Peeking under the car the brackets aren't mounted to anything and what appears to be the factory bracket arms are in the box with my stock LDPs. Seems like a similar situation as @el mágico with Spool/RaceBox. I will confirm with them during the uninstall if this was a fitment issue or by preference.

 

[KrackaC8]

Any clearance issues / knocking while driving?

No fitment issues with the Spool LDPs. They clear the downpipe tunnels and underbody without issue. Nothing seems close either so even without ceramic coating or header wrap, I can't imagine any heat-related concerns.

The AWE exhaust sits very close to the steel W-brace and did require multiple adjustments & tweaking to get enough clearance without rattling. This was with stock downpipes when I installed the AWE catback. It still annoys me how close the AWE 3.0" pipes sit to that factory brace so I ordered the Z1 aluminum W-brace to open that tunnel clearance area up a bit further.