Tune plus downpipes, worth it??

[FORZDA 1]

btw i asked mike from MPT that was reviewing my logs if they had done any downpipe testing and he said "We have tested a truck with stock cats, then with catless open down pipe. Gain was 0HP and maybe 2 ft-lbs torque. Was super loud and stunk like hell but power wasn’t there." his axxact words lol so that made up my mind about the downpipes. the stock cats are fine unless im going 800 hp built engine etc then it would actually help.

Yeah, this post ^^^^ will likely get drowned in the "consensus" cool aid…

 

[wjn]

So, a 2008 V4 Ducati? That has to be the Desmosedici, the original road-legal MotoGP bike. Must be nice to own such a rare bike! They're terrible to ride on the road though, unless you've done some suspension and tuning tweaks, or just a real (literal!) hard-ass!

It is not so bad, I had 916 and 916SP too, the seats and drive are comparible. Compared to modern superbikes the power is not special, but the sound is! For daily rides I prefer the Multistrada, very easy to drive on curved roads doing allowed speeds (sort of).

Yeah, this post ^^^^ will likely get drowned in the "consensus" cool aid…

Information missing here. Honestly, I am not familiar with modern Ecu's, I don't know if some special tune is necessary. Estimated guess is yes, because they (MPT) offer tunes for different types of fuel already. Did MPT just bolt them on with one of their tunes and fingers crossed, or they tried to maximize their tune for different downpipes/exhausts? But most probably the difference is within the margins of the rolling road.

 

[blk91gt]

Well I know this may ruffle some feathers because I don’t have Dino results.
I installed SPD catted downpipe‘s on Friday. I already have turbo adapters intake intercooler and MPT PRX 91 tune.

This was just the addition of the SPD catted downpipes.

The install took me longer than the SPD adapters for some reason. I’m just doing this on the floor in my garage on its wheels. It took me a bit to remove the OE down pipe And fit the new one properly.

My thoughts are it appears that Spool up has improved and throttle response seems a bit sharper as well. To me this was farely noticeable. The exhaust note sounds exactly the same, maybe a touch louder at wide open throttle. I am running the stock ford exhaust system.
While driving with the windows down I can definitely hear more turbo whistle. I personally like the way it sounds.

I’d like to say wide-open throttle is better but it is not as noticeable possibly a little.

Overall it was worth it. I enjoy the improved mid range and the added turbo whistle. I will try some wide-open throtte runs soon

 

[FORZDA 1]

Well I know this may ruffle some feathers because I don’t have Dino results.
…………………….
Overall it was worth it. I enjoy the improved mid range and the added turbo whistle. I will try some wide-open throtte runs soon

I'm pretty sure it doesn't ruffle any feathers and if you think it "feels" better then that's great for you too. Just enjoy your truck.

That said, it's all in your head, and THAT's ok too. Dino [sic] (dyno) not required for it "feels".

 

[M3sparky]

Well I know this may ruffle some feathers because I don’t have Dino results.
I installed SPD catted downpipe‘s on Friday. I already have turbo adapters intake intercooler and MPT PRX 91 tune.

This was just the addition of the SPD catted downpipes.

The install took me longer than the SPD adapters for some reason. I’m just doing this on the floor in my garage on its wheels. It took me a bit to remove the OE down pipe And fit the new one properly.

My thoughts are it appears that Spool up has improved and throttle response seems a bit sharper as well. To me this was farely noticeable. The exhaust note sounds exactly the same, maybe a touch louder at wide open throttle. I am running the stock ford exhaust system.
While driving with the windows down I can definitely hear more turbo whistle. I personally like the way it sounds.

I’d like to say wide-open throttle is better but it is not as noticeable possibly a little.

Overall it was worth it. I enjoy the improved mid range and the added turbo whistle. I will try some wide-open throtte runs soon

I love the turbo whistle as well just prob wouldnt want to change my dp just mainly for sounds.. My gmc turbo whistle was so damn loud it was like a turbo diesel with upgraded turbos it was pretty cool but kinda got annoying cause it never stops lol barly touch the throttle and the huge garret turbines just start whistling away Even without any boost just vacuum can hear em workin the whole time Since if you look at Armageddon turbo systems they mount them right on top in the very front behind the headlights. It sure sounded bad ass on wot runs straight exhaust v8 twin turbo, just very bad experience with the shops I had the do the kits

 

[RaptorFlipper]

blk91gt,

Interesting observations. There are a lot of opinions about what makes gains and what doesnt, but the bottom line is someone has to actually do the comparison. Advice is free from everyone, so take it for what it is. The whole he said, or my guy said, or i said really proves nothing because we have nothing tangible to back it up. If someone does have data, then post it!!! Some guys on here know a ton more about trucks, turbos, engines, etc than i do, but there has yet to be any real data to prove one way or another. I think the "feel" test does help us feel better about upgrading parts. Maybe its all a placebo effect. Fordza has made some astute points that sound very plausable to me. And i have heard compelling info from others on the "gains" from some of this stuff. My mechanic included. i just want the truth and some tangible data results to show what each part does to improve or not improve the driveability of the truck. That is what we are all after. A more improved driving experience.

 

[NASSTY]

Livernois claims 10-15 hp with their catless downpipes, but they don't show any dyno sheets or videos to confirm their claims.
I had their catless downpipes on my 2011 Ecoboost F150. The turbos spooled up quicker and it felt like it made a little more power. But I never put it on a dyno so I can't say for sure if it really did make more power. But it felt like it did on the butt dyno, maybe that was because of the quicker spool up?

 

[BangBang]

I am looking to do the SPD catted downpipes.

I was told that with the catted downpipes will throw a Check Engine Light code.
Has anyone had this problem?
And, how did you correct it?

 

[smurfslayer]

btw i asked mike from MPT that was reviewing my logs if they had done any downpipe testing and he said "We have tested a truck with stock cats, then with catless open down pipe. Gain was 0HP and maybe 2 ft-lbs torque. Was super loud and stunk like hell but power wasn’t there." his axxact words lol so that made up my mind about the downpipes. the stock cats are fine unless im going 800 hp built engine etc then it would actually help.

I think this post is significant in the context of this thread’s main question; whether adding downpipes are worth it. @FORZDA 1 is asserting that the stock turbos won’t ever produce enough air ‘mass’ to overwhelm the stock cats; creating exhaust turbulence, back pressure and lower overall power. The reason I think this is important is that MPT is adding some boost, though not crazy or stupid amounts. IIRC, stock programming should permit a theoretical 18psi. So, if MPT is saying they’re not seeing significant gains via the downpipes, it may be worth noting.

But hey, this is FRF, where people spend over 2 grand on aftermarket exhaust that provides no tangible gain either, so WTH !

 

[SexyAvalancheGrey]

There is always an advantage to going bigger piping that has less restrictions on a turbo car. I don’t care if one company comes out and makes a random comment.

The stock down pipe I believe is 2.5 inches at the widest point and is 2.25 inches in certain areas, that creates bottle necks when you are trying to force air through. The easiest comparison is to understand trying to breathe through a straw, which one is going to be easier.

I have personally done a lot of big horsepower builds in the past and a set of Catless bigger downpipes ALWAYS make a difference, in power and quickness of spooling.

Also unless you do a back to back dyno with a stock baseline then you have no proof. If you are doing a tune in conjunction with the downpipes they will make even more of a difference because you are trying to move a greater volume of air.

The reason why an exhaust isn’t really needed because the stock raptor exhaust is already full 3 inch piping. The only time I’ve pondered going with 4 inch piping was when I was going gigantic turbos gt40+, a bigger turbo like a gt35 will breath just fine with 3 inch piping.

At the end of the day if you are modifying and pushing the power and PSI levels the easier the truck will breath and the better mid and top end range you will get.