If
you own a Subaru WRX, STI, Honda Civic, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO, or a Scion FR-S,
chances are you have become acquainted with the name Invidia. Known throughout
the performance car community, Invidia is manufacturer of aftermarket exhaust
systems and pipe setups. As you might expect, Invidia exhaust systems and pipes
are designed to replace stock exhaust parts in favor of increasing horsepower,
torque, and tone. Many of Invidia’s parts are used by racers who compete in
sanctioned events and those who participate in off-road demonstrations. There
are two reasons for that. One is because most Invidia test pipes and down pipes
bypass OEM emissions systems (they have plenty of cat-delete pipes available).
The other reason is due to the fact that Invidia exhaust parts are intended to
up performance to a higher level than a street car would necessitate.
Invidia Exhaust
Systems
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| Invidia Q300 Catback Exhaust System |
Invidia
offers four primary styles of catback exhaust
systems and each one is model-specific. The N1, Q200, Q300, and Gemini Dual
Exhaust are the core Invidia exhausts you will find most often. Cat back
exhausts run from the catalytic converter to the back of the car. The goal of a
good cat back system is to lessen the restriction caused by the stock exhaust.
In most cases, OEM exhausts utilize slim tubing for the pipes constructed of
aluminum. For an everyday driver, this isn’t a bad thing. But for someone who
is trying to squeeze every little drip of horsepower out of their car it is a
major hindrance. You need wider diameter piping that moves exhaust flow out quicker with less restriction holding back performance.
The
exhaust tone from an Invidia catback is noticeable right away. It’s not
something that is subtle. It is also a unique sound. Some aftermarket exhausts
are a bit more ferocious or piercing. Invidia catback exhausts rumble before
building to a menacing yet smooth note that carries as the RPMs climb.
Invidia
exhausts are made of stainless steel. Stainless steel is the material of choice
for many aftermarket exhaust components because of its obvious durability.
However, steel is especially important when it comes to parts such as exhaust
pipes. Aluminum is first off, easier to dent or chip. For a fashionable
exterior accessory, that isn’t as big of a deal. Exhaust pipes are a different
story. If an exhaust pipe or part becomes crimped, pinched, dented or dinged,
it is corrupted and will not function properly. With stainless steel, those
nuisances are not something to worry about. Stainless steel also presents a
nice finish for drivers who display their cars at professional car shows and
the like.
Invidia Pipes
 |
| Invidia High-Flow Front Pipe |
All
you can really say about Invidia pipes is that they sure offer a lot of them. Test
pipes, down pipes, up pipes, x pipes, over pipes…they make ‘em all. One of the
company’s specialties is crafting cat-delete pipes. Any kind of exhaust pipe
component that is intended to take away your car’s catalytic converter brings
about a tricky situation. It’s a knife that cuts two ways. If you’re at all
schooled in performance parts, you already know that your stock cat chokes down
performance due to the conversion process. But you certainly also know that in
most jurisdictions your car will not pass state motor vehicle inspection. In
areas where the local law enforcement is especially vigilant, you also run the
risk of being pulled over incessantly and fined. That is why Invidia pipes by
and large are designed for competitive racers or drivers who go off-road.
However,
the benefits from an Invidia test pipe
or over pipe are hard to ignore. Before we start a great debate over just how
much horsepower and pound-feet of torque is actually increased, the important
thing everyone can agree on is that there is significant improvement over the
OEM system. And if you are going to overhaul the original exhaust, parts like
test pipes and down pipes are a must-have.
So,
if you zip around in a sporty turbo compact head over to UltraRev to check out Invidia exhaust parts
that are available for your ride. We offer catback systems and pipes for the Subaru WRX, Subaru STI, Mitsubishi EVO, Scion FR-S, Honda S2000, and more.
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