Product Review: XS Power (SSAC) downpipe

Tyler H · 03-09-2006, 10:20 PM

Yeah...I heard the horror stories, but I got a good deal and decided to take my chances. I'm still in the process of the install, but so far everything is great. The thing that pushed me over the edge to purchase it was an anti-SSAC rant by someone whose name starts with "D" and ends in "awkins."

Anyway, the unit looks nice. The welds are okay. The porting job is good enough. It comes with a generous hardware kit, including new studs and all fasteners and gaskets that could be required.

It is dimensionally identical to the original elbow and cat. The test fit on my Gen3 went fine, not contacting anything and matching up with the stock b-pipe. I coated the inside with some lithium grease and used low pressure compressed air to actuate the wastegate fully. I then removed the DP to check for marks from the WG, indicating that it was striking the pipe...it wasn't. (Of course I cleaned it back out.)

So far, so good. I'm installing it in conjunction with a Tanabe B pipe, so I'll report on my findings soon.

Pics of the pipe. Notice that it comes with a port for the gen3 EGT sensor and an extra port for a wideband:

Test fit pics:

MR2_SW20 · 03-09-2006, 10:37 PM

that looks pretty nice to be totally honest. looks like the inside pipe has surface rust ?

And if you dont mind me asking, how hard was it to install the downpipe and how long did it take you? I'll be getting a KO downpipe and wanted to know what im getting into before i start.

Tyler H · 03-09-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR2_SW20

that looks pretty nice to be totally honest. looks like the inside pipe has surface rust ?

And if you dont mind me asking, how hard was it to install the downpipe and how long did it take you? I'll be getting a KO downpipe and wanted to know what im getting into before i start.

Well..the short answer: It's a beotch.

And it was much easier on a Gen3 than a Gen2, from what I read on the KO FAQ. I didn't have to remove any brackets, and the oil filter isn't in the way. Every one of my studs except one twisted out with the nut. I need a stud installer tool. I used every combination of every wrench, socket and breaker bar I had. Surprisingly, many of the bolts are accessible with air tools.

Luckily, it's not my daily driver. I spent about 3-4 hours taking it off. I hosed everything down several times with PB Blaster a day ahead of time.

Get the right tools, gloves and eye protection. You will still get crap in your eyes, but not busted knuckles or huge chunks of rust scale in your corneas. Knuckles heal slooow.

The inside of the pipe is starting to rust a little because it's been sitting in my garage for 5 months.

It wiped right off.

MR2_SW20 · 03-09-2006, 10:52 PM

oh, thanks for scaring me now

, we'll see how hard it is, access to air tools should be easy, and i can use a lift at my demand (thank god for autotech class) to help with the installation/removal. thanks for the advice, post up what the difference is like once you get it installed and driving it.

Tyler H · 03-23-2006, 09:54 PM

Finished up the install today. It fit PERFECT. <whew>

The bad:

The little studs and bolts for the o2 senor included with the kit are garbage. Grade 0 fasteners.

I reused the stock stuff.

The Gen3 Cat temp / EGT sensor port is threaded wrong. DAMMIT. One day to figure out a way out of that mess.

Here are some pics, combined with the Tanabe B-pipe. I'm welding up a 90 degree and a flange tomorrow to take the exhuast out the back. I can bolt on/off my stock exhaust that way.

Tyler H · 03-23-2006, 09:55 PM

BTW...that's Thermo-tec 2" header wrap with 2000' Thermo-tec spray over it.

G3aR · 03-24-2006, 01:51 PM

looks firggin awesome man. i may have to get one of those when i install my new ceramic ct26. should be fun. lol

Matt94MR2 · 03-25-2006, 07:11 AM

Hi Tyler, I'm interested to see how this works out for you as I'm considering throwing a downpipe on my car. I had pretty good luck with my SSAutoChrome header when my car was NA other then the fact that the provided bolts didn't fit and there were some minor fitment issues. But for the price it was a really good deal compared to the alternatives.

SKYMR2 · 03-25-2006, 07:58 AM

verry nice wraping job tyler A++++

Tyler H · 03-25-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt94MR2

Hi Tyler, I'm interested to see how this works out for you as I'm considering throwing a downpipe on my car. I had pretty good luck with my SSAutoChrome header when my car was NA other then the fact that the provided bolts didn't fit and there were some minor fitment issues. But for the price it was a really good deal compared to the alternatives.

At this point, all that is left to prove is longevity: the fitment was perfect. After a full day of autox school (20 miles of autoxing along,) I can say it performs very well. I get full boost ~100 rpm sooner and I hold 15psi all the way to redline. Poor grade of fasteners. In fact, I didn't use any of the fasteners, studs or gaskets that came with it. Reuse your stock stuff and you're fine. I didn't have to do any dipstick tube bending or mess with the oil cooler, either. Yay Gen3!

Tyler H · 03-25-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKYMR2

verry nice wraping job tyler A++++

Thanks. It was a little tedious, but a good $15 investment. My underhood temps are the same or lower than before. My throttle cable came loose at some point and was resting right on the dp and the rubber didn't even melt. I guess that means it works.

SKYMR2 · 03-28-2006, 06:08 PM

where you buy those heat wrap from ??

does it come in black like that ? and do you wet it before wrapping

poppin3000 · 09-14-2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler H

At this point, all that is left to prove is longevity: the fitment was perfect. After a full day of autox school (20 miles of autoxing along,) I can say it performs very well. I get full boost ~100 rpm sooner and I hold 15psi all the way to redline. Poor grade of fasteners. In fact, I didn't use any of the fasteners, studs or gaskets that came with it. Reuse your stock stuff and you're fine. I didn't have to do any dipstick tube bending or mess with the oil cooler, either. Yay Gen3!

Ahhh! I hope you used the support bracket!! Also, I hope you reused the OEM gasket. If you ever have problems boosting with this downpipe, it's because of the supplied gasket (It isn't precisely cut and it blocks the wastegate door from freely opening/closing). I thought the downpipe was very high quality when I got it. It's not too hard to screw up on a pipe...

anyways, make sure you use a mounting support with any aftermarket downpipes...KO downpipes crack too, you just don't hear about it because they have a good service and they usually fix it for you.

zues221 · 10-10-2006, 01:07 PM

I installed mine last weekend on my Gen 3.It was a pain to get the old one out (had to remove the A/C comp.) but it was not too bad. My only complaint was that the gasket and bolts were a joke and that the downpipe didnt mate very well with the b pipe.Im told the Gen 3 is a bit different there.I purchased new stainless bolts and had a 3 in b pipe made at the local exhaust shop and WOW it s great.

PhatBoyMR2 · 10-10-2006, 01:59 PM

good review

Tyler H · 10-10-2006, 02:47 PM

Just to clarify:

I didn't use any hardware or gaskets that came with the pipe.

I did use the (included) support bracket.

The gen3 EGT sensor probe is TOO LONG to fit. You don't need it anyway. Disconnected it with no problems.

You SHOULD NOT have to remove the AC compressor. I did pull the front engine mount off. I used every conceivable combination of extensions and different depth sockets. I should have written down the trick for each specific bolt.

After 3k miles the pipe is still working like a champ. No complaints. Others have valid complaints. I won't say that SSAC is a great customer service organization, or that their product is real consistent. That said, I would still repurchase.

TRD-CEO · 10-10-2006, 03:31 PM

I have one of these if anyone wants it for a couple bucks. They sent one with the 3" exhaust I ordered for them...which I LOVE by the way. I have a NA so I don't need it. I still have all the gaskets and everything that came with it too. They have been real nice to work with so far and hopefully I'll have so dyno numbers on their new 4-2-1 header for the NA soon. It pulls all the way to 6K now strong and feels like a whole new came when the tac hits 4,000.

Anyway let me know if anyones interested in the downpipe I don't need. I think they sell it for like $115 on their website. Give me $50 and well call it a deal.

spike93 · 01-03-2007, 07:31 PM

so yes these are ok downpipes then?, and now they come w/a lifetime warranty

JMcDonald · 02-07-2007, 03:45 PM

I have installed two of these. One on my car and one on a friend's car. Mine was the t3/t4 version and I suspect they just modified the top end of the DP to fit the new turbo, so fitment was a little off (cut and reweld to fix). Other than that, no problems with the use of a support bracket. I used it for about 1500 miles or so before having an unrelated engine failure.

A friend of mine is using a CT27 with that DP. Fitment was much better (worked with the support bracket). Had to do the usual grinding of the turbo flange to clear the wastegate, but didnt have any problems other than that. He's been using it for about 2500 miles with no problems either.

v8killer · 02-14-2007, 03:58 PM

put this dp on my car (91 MR2), the fuel cut started kicking in when the car is at half throttle for about 2 seconds. So I installed a boost gauge to see what's going on, it reads as high as 14 or 15 psi then fuel is cut. The car, other then this dp, is totally 100% stock, the wipers, spark plugs, everything...etc.
So I'm not sure if it's the cold Canadian weather (about 10 to 20 degrees below freezing) causing this in combination with the dp or the dp itself. I'm thinking maybe the wg isnt' opening. Even on a "warm-cold-day" (-10 degrees celcius), it still happens.
any thoughts let me know, b/c at this point I have 2 options, wait until spring (months from now) or put the 'ol rusty cat back on and test drive it stock again.
Did you see an increase in boost when you installed it? Mine shot from 10psi (stock) to at least 15 limited by the fuel cut (which confuses me, b/c the fuel cut I thought was 13psi...which doesn't seem to be the case.)

03-09-2006, 10:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tyler H New 2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 910 Thanks: 7 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Product Review: XS Power (SSAC) downpipe Yeah...I heard the horror stories, but I got a good deal and decided to take my chances. I'm still in the process of the install, but so far everything is great. The thing that pushed me over the edge to purchase it was an anti-SSAC rant by someone whose name starts with "D" and ends in "awkins." Anyway, the unit looks nice. The welds are okay. The porting job is good enough. It comes with a generous hardware kit, including new studs and all fasteners and gaskets that could be required. It is dimensionally identical to the original elbow and cat. The test fit on my Gen3 went fine, not contacting anything and matching up with the stock b-pipe. I coated the inside with some lithium grease and used low pressure compressed air to actuate the wastegate fully. I then removed the DP to check for marks from the WG, indicating that it was striking the pipe...it wasn't. (Of course I cleaned it back out.) So far, so good. I'm installing it in conjunction with a Tanabe B pipe, so I'll report on my findings soon. Pics of the pipe. Notice that it comes with a port for the gen3 EGT sensor and an extra port for a wideband: Test fit pics:

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Posted By	For	Type	Date
Toyota MR2 Message Board	This thread	Refback	08-18-2007 04:51 PM

03-09-2006, 10:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
MR2_SW20 Some Skills Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 121 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	that looks pretty nice to be totally honest. looks like the inside pipe has surface rust ? And if you dont mind me asking, how hard was it to install the downpipe and how long did it take you? I'll be getting a KO downpipe and wanted to know what im getting into before i start.

03-09-2006, 10:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
MR2_SW20 Some Skills Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nebraska Posts: 121 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	oh, thanks for scaring me now , we'll see how hard it is, access to air tools should be easy, and i can use a lift at my demand (thank god for autotech class) to help with the installation/removal. thanks for the advice, post up what the difference is like once you get it installed and driving it.

03-23-2006, 09:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tyler H New 2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 910 Thanks: 7 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Finished up the install today. It fit PERFECT. <whew> The bad: The little studs and bolts for the o2 senor included with the kit are garbage. Grade 0 fasteners. I reused the stock stuff. The Gen3 Cat temp / EGT sensor port is threaded wrong. DAMMIT. One day to figure out a way out of that mess. Here are some pics, combined with the Tanabe B-pipe. I'm welding up a 90 degree and a flange tomorrow to take the exhuast out the back. I can bolt on/off my stock exhaust that way.

03-23-2006, 09:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tyler H New 2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 910 Thanks: 7 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	BTW...that's Thermo-tec 2" header wrap with 2000' Thermo-tec spray over it.

03-24-2006, 01:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
G3aR I love Lamp Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: back in MN baby! Posts: 939 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	looks firggin awesome man. i may have to get one of those when i install my new ceramic ct26. should be fun. lol

03-25-2006, 07:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
Matt94MR2 GenIII Powered Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 224 Thanks: 3 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Hi Tyler, I'm interested to see how this works out for you as I'm considering throwing a downpipe on my car. I had pretty good luck with my SSAutoChrome header when my car was NA other then the fact that the provided bolts didn't fit and there were some minor fitment issues. But for the price it was a really good deal compared to the alternatives.

03-25-2006, 07:58 AM	#9 (permalink)
SKYMR2 Cac Of The Year Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 696 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	verry nice wraping job tyler A++++

03-28-2006, 06:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
SKYMR2 Cac Of The Year Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 696 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	where you buy those heat wrap from ?? does it come in black like that ? and do you wet it before wrapping

10-10-2006, 01:07 PM	#14 (permalink)
zues221 Banned Seller Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 139 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	I installed mine last weekend on my Gen 3.It was a pain to get the old one out (had to remove the A/C comp.) but it was not too bad. My only complaint was that the gasket and bolts were a joke and that the downpipe didnt mate very well with the b pipe.Im told the Gen 3 is a bit different there.I purchased new stainless bolts and had a 3 in b pipe made at the local exhaust shop and WOW it s great.

10-10-2006, 01:59 PM	#15 (permalink)
PhatBoyMR2 Banned Seller Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 686 Thanks: 4 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (5/86% )	good review

10-10-2006, 02:47 PM	#16 (permalink)
Tyler H New 2 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 910 Thanks: 7 Thanked 25 Times in 22 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	Just to clarify: I didn't use any hardware or gaskets that came with the pipe. I did use the (included) support bracket. The gen3 EGT sensor probe is TOO LONG to fit. You don't need it anyway. Disconnected it with no problems. You SHOULD NOT have to remove the AC compressor. I did pull the front engine mount off. I used every conceivable combination of extensions and different depth sockets. I should have written down the trick for each specific bolt. After 3k miles the pipe is still working like a champ. No complaints. Others have valid complaints. I won't say that SSAC is a great customer service organization, or that their product is real consistent. That said, I would still repurchase.

10-10-2006, 03:31 PM	#17 (permalink)
TRD-CEO Need a home? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Charlotte Posts: 205 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I have one of these if anyone wants it for a couple bucks. They sent one with the 3" exhaust I ordered for them...which I LOVE by the way. I have a NA so I don't need it. I still have all the gaskets and everything that came with it too. They have been real nice to work with so far and hopefully I'll have so dyno numbers on their new 4-2-1 header for the NA soon. It pulls all the way to 6K now strong and feels like a whole new came when the tac hits 4,000. Anyway let me know if anyones interested in the downpipe I don't need. I think they sell it for like $115 on their website. Give me $50 and well call it a deal.

01-03-2007, 07:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
spike93 addicted to boost Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Loveland, Co Posts: 162 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	so yes these are ok downpipes then?, and now they come w/a lifetime warranty

02-07-2007, 03:45 PM	#19 (permalink)
JMcDonald Cage Fighter Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 456 Thanks: 13 Thanked 12 Times in 9 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I have installed two of these. One on my car and one on a friend's car. Mine was the t3/t4 version and I suspect they just modified the top end of the DP to fit the new turbo, so fitment was a little off (cut and reweld to fix). Other than that, no problems with the use of a support bracket. I used it for about 1500 miles or so before having an unrelated engine failure. A friend of mine is using a CT27 with that DP. Fitment was much better (worked with the support bracket). Had to do the usual grinding of the turbo flange to clear the wastegate, but didnt have any problems other than that. He's been using it for about 2500 miles with no problems either.

02-14-2007, 03:58 PM	#20 (permalink)
v8killer Cage Fighter Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 155 Thanks: 1 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	put this dp on my car (91 MR2), the fuel cut started kicking in when the car is at half throttle for about 2 seconds. So I installed a boost gauge to see what's going on, it reads as high as 14 or 15 psi then fuel is cut. The car, other then this dp, is totally 100% stock, the wipers, spark plugs, everything...etc. So I'm not sure if it's the cold Canadian weather (about 10 to 20 degrees below freezing) causing this in combination with the dp or the dp itself. I'm thinking maybe the wg isnt' opening. Even on a "warm-cold-day" (-10 degrees celcius), it still happens. any thoughts let me know, b/c at this point I have 2 options, wait until spring (months from now) or put the 'ol rusty cat back on and test drive it stock again. Did you see an increase in boost when you installed it? Mine shot from 10psi (stock) to at least 15 limited by the fuel cut (which confuses me, b/c the fuel cut I thought was 13psi...which doesn't seem to be the case.)