1995 3000GT VR-4: ek2 Development Downpipe Installation

Please note that this pipe is made by ek2Development. If you would like to puchase this downpipe for your car, please go to the ek2Development website.

Update 05/19/2004:
ek2Development is having some issues with their website. Bob Koch (pronounced "Cook"), the owner of ek2Development, has requested that anyone interested in ek2Development exhaust components contact him directly via e-mail and he will take care of you personally. His e-mail is: ek2mfg@comcast.net

Pricing is as follows:

Item	Price	Shipping
Downpipe Turbo Cars Only Includes All 3 Gaskets Includes 2 Oxygen Sensor Bungs and Plugs EGT Bungs Available (add $5ea)	$265.00	$22.00 (48 US states)
Front Precat Eliminator: Includes Both Gaskets Offroad use only Oxygen Sensor Bung Available (add ???ea) EGT Bungs Available (add $5ea)	$50.00	4lb shipping weight from Redmond, WA
Test Pipe Includes Both Gaskets Offroad use only Replaces OEM Catalytic Converter 3" to 3" version for aftermarket 3" exhausts 3" to 2.5" version for OEM exhausts	$35.00	8lb shipping weight from Redmond, WA

Erik's Wish List For Downpipe Features:

Downpipe:
- Properly mandrel-bent merging of the rear bank flow
  - This is to improve flow vs. stock
- 2.25" pipe from each bank
  - This increases transfer case clearance relative to Stillen
  - This also may help with exhaust velocity and scavenging relative to 2.5" piping.
  - Initial assessment confirms that the 2.25" pipe is smoother and holds slightly more boost in a relatively stock car running 14psi.
- 3" pipe after collector
- Bolts up to Rear O2 housing and Front Precat
- Bungs (M18 x 1.5) for 1 downstream O2 sensor for each bank
  - Supports CA and OBDII cars
  - Supports data-junkies' habits
  - Includes plug for bung if not used.
  - Front bank bung may be included in front precat eliminator if desired.
- Bungs (1/8" NPT) for 1 downstream EGT sensor for each bank
  - Supports data-junkies' habits
  - Includes plug for bung if not used.
  - Front bank bung may be included in front precat eliminator if desired.
- Sturdy flanges with good welds that do not interfere with tightening the fastening bolt/nut properly.
  - I can get an ordinary 1/2" drive 19mm deep socket on every nut!!!
- 4" or longer flex section AFTER the flows are merged.
- Includes all 3 exhaust gaskets necessary for installation
- 4" or longer flex section BETWEEN the banks for ease of installation.
- BFH not a required tool for installation
  - - I installed it all by myself with no help and no BFH
- Over 1 finger of clearance at rear crossmember
- Over 1 finger of clearance at flex section
- Over 1 finger of clearance at transfer case
- No extended vocabulary requirements for installation
Front Precat Eliminator [Optional]:
- Bolts to front oxygen sensor housing and to the front connection of the downpipe.
- Includes bolts/nuts for downpipe connection.
- Includes both exhaust gaskets necessary for installation
- Can be quickly swapped out for the OEM precat for use on public roads. Note that the precat eliminator is for off-road use only!
Test Pipe [Optional]:
- 3" to 2.5" diameter test pipe
  - This tapered pipe smoothly transitions from the 3" downpipe to the 2.5" OEM Cat-back exhaust piping.
- Includes longer bolts for the rear connection
- Includes both exhaust gaskets necessary for installation
- Can be quickly swapped out for the OEM catalytic converter for use on public roads. Note that the test pipe is for off-road use only!

DSC00054.jpg (61KB)
Bob is cool. Bob has a welder. Bob knows how to use a welder.

DSC00058.jpg (59KB)
Bob makes bright shiny lights.

DSC00059.jpg (60KB)
It's ok to look at the shiny light through a camera.

DSC00061.jpg (29KB)
Here is the completed downpipe. 2 flex sections, sturdy flanges, good welds, and fits like a glove. What more could a guy ask for?

DSC00062.jpg (30KB)
Another angle.

DSC00065.jpg (33KB)
Front warm-up catalytic converter (a.k.a. pre-cat) eliminator. No more sacrificing kittens on the altar of performance.

Oh, and the parts store had 2 choices for high-temp paint: Red and Black. We all know that red makes the car go faster, so I chose red. It was priceless when a fellow autocrosser came up to me at the end of a run after glancing under my car... he said, "What are your EGTs at? Your downpipe is GLOWING RED!!" It's paint, man... just paint. And it makes it go faster.

DSC00015.jpg (44KB)
Apparently, I needed to use higher-temperature paint as this stuff has started to discolor a bit. No flaking off or anything, but I don't think the 1200F paint liked the 1300F I see in my downpipe :-) The flanges are still bright red, though.

DSC00016.jpg (64KB)
Rear bank connection.

DSC00017.jpg (39KB)
Rear bank connection again.

DSC00018.jpg (58KB)
Merging of the two banks and the connection to the main catalytic converter.

DSC00021.jpg (47KB)
From the rear, looking toward the front of the car.

DSC00020.jpg (69KB)

Installation

Installation is pretty much the same as for the Stillen Downpipe Installation

All this stuff is ©1999-2004 Erik Gross
This website brought to you by picture_page, and the letter 4.
A good buddy of mine put it well: "Unauthorized duplication, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing. And it could be bad for the pixels." As I've put a lot of time and effort into creating this webpage and website, I would prefer that you not redistribute, sell, or claim as yours any of the content of this site. I know I can't stop you if that's what you're going to do, but I'm asking nicely. If you would like to publish some of the content of this site in your own work (printed, electronic, or otherwise), please e-mail me and we can work something out.

Disclaimer

Feedback

Last Modified Fri May 14 2004 17:05:09 PDT

DSC00054.jpg (61KB) Bob is cool. Bob has a welder. Bob knows how to use a welder.
DSC00058.jpg (59KB) Bob makes bright shiny lights.	DSC00059.jpg (60KB) It's ok to look at the shiny light through a camera.
DSC00061.jpg (29KB) Here is the completed downpipe. 2 flex sections, sturdy flanges, good welds, and fits like a glove. What more could a guy ask for?	DSC00062.jpg (30KB) Another angle.
DSC00065.jpg (33KB) Front warm-up catalytic converter (a.k.a. pre-cat) eliminator. No more sacrificing kittens on the altar of performance. Oh, and the parts store had 2 choices for high-temp paint: Red and Black. We all know that red makes the car go faster, so I chose red. It was priceless when a fellow autocrosser came up to me at the end of a run after glancing under my car... he said, "What are your EGTs at? Your downpipe is GLOWING RED!!" It's paint, man... just paint. And it makes it go faster.
DSC00015.jpg (44KB) Apparently, I needed to use higher-temperature paint as this stuff has started to discolor a bit. No flaking off or anything, but I don't think the 1200F paint liked the 1300F I see in my downpipe :-) The flanges are still bright red, though.	DSC00016.jpg (64KB) Rear bank connection.
DSC00017.jpg (39KB) Rear bank connection again.	DSC00018.jpg (58KB) Merging of the two banks and the connection to the main catalytic converter.
DSC00021.jpg (47KB) From the rear, looking toward the front of the car.	DSC00020.jpg (69KB)