test pipe

[skeeter1620]

what is a test pipe and where do i find one

[GLH_TC 16V]

It is a Y-pipe that goes into your exhaust system that "dumps" the exhaust right after the turbo. I've got one on my GLH that I put on just before the cat. and I uncork it when I'm at the track (and sometime on the street). It is very loud but the power and boost come on a lot quicker. I got my 2.5" test pipe/dump tube from the Grand National parts bin, but you should be able to find them almost anywhere.

***Note: on the PT Turbo you might have to dump the exhaust AFTER the cat. Not sure if the O2 sensor in the cat. will be very happy if you dump before it.

[GLH_TC 16V]

Yeah I've got some pics but I have to scan them in before I post them.

[Cal Cruzer]

Many makers of "test pipes" make them to replace the cat portion of the exhaust. Just a teminology thing that is highly illegal.

[ajoeb]

In earler days they were known as (cut-outs) any muffler shop can install and or fabricate for you.

[IRPT]

Yea, I remember 'cut outs'! [^]

[GLH_TC 16V]

Back in the day they called them "Cut Outs"
In my day they called them "Dump Tubes"
Now they call them "Test Pipes"
Tomorrow, who knows what they will call them?!?!?! Exhaust By-pass System?

[Rolo]

"Naturally Dissipated"

[2sb]

Test pipes and cutouts are two different things. Cutouts are Y-pipes used to bypass the exhaust. Test pipes never had a Y. They were simply a pipe to replace the catalytic converter. Since this was/is illegal, these pipes were specifically sold for "testing purposes" only.
BTW back then, here in Texas, it was illegal for a shop to replace the converter BUT it was legal for the owner to replace it himself so you could buy a "test pipe", do it yourself, and still be perfectly legal.[8D]

[IRPT]

When I was growing up we didn't use a Y-pipe for a cut out. We would weld a piece of 2" pipe with a screw on cap to the exhaust, in front of the muffler, usually were the exhaust comes off the engine and bends to go back to the muffler. When you wanted to bypass the muffler you took the cap off of the pipe, or pipes on a dual exhaust, more or less cutting out the exhaust going to the muffler, hence "Cut Outs". This was the least expensive way to do it.

The other way was to purchase the Y-type pipe mentioned above.