The Right Racing Exhaust System Matters...A Lot

It would seem that the ideal racing exhaust setup is predicated upon what type of car you’re driving. But there are rules that every driver follows, such as how to go about replacing the stock system, what type of parts, what pipes, what materials, so on…so on…and so on. All you hear about down at the shop is how folks young and old are chucking their cats, installing test or down pipes, and then zipping out the door to show off their mods at the local dirt track. But why? What kind of gains can you really expect from shuffling out OEM exhaust parts in a WRX or 370Z? Is it enough to gut the system and make that level of commitment? For many, it certainly is.

Invidia G200 Catback Exhaust

If you took a poll of your fellow custom colleagues, what would the percentage be of drivers who made at least one change to their exhaust? Would it be fair to guess somewhere around 70-75%? Would you say three FR-S owners out of four have done at least something to the exhaust, whether it be an entirely new Invidia catback system or maybe just latched on new exhaust tips? The point is, most sport compact drivers do something, no matter how big or small, to their exhaust system. It doesn’t matter if it’s to lockstep with more horsepower or because you want to sound all tuned up on the city streets, the factory exhaust in any racing model is going to get upgraded.

Concentrating on the exhaust network and discounting other additions such as flywheels, short-shifters, and clutches, it is easy to see how much performance increases when airflow restriction is lightened. But the thing is, with Invidia exhaust systems, one part here can make a difference, another part there can make a difference, but when you completely overhaul the factory configuration, the difference is ginormous. An Invidia test pipe might kick in a few horses and punch things up a bit, maybe a high catted downpipe opens up exhaust flow for an added boost, but when you install a whole new catback exhaust system and supplement with Invidia downpipes and up pipes, the percentage of performance increase climbs between 10-15%.  That is what is known as a “checkered flag” difference.

Combining an Invidia exhaust system and test pipe is becoming a more and more popular setup for racers, as in competitive racers who drive on racetracks. Finding the right way to do up the exhaust to fit a racing profile comes down to individual preference as much as anything else. You also have to take into account the other components you have added to your car, how the car has been performing in test runs, and so forth. It is always a good idea to do test runs, even on an informal scale prior and after manipulating the exhaust, especially since not everyone has access to a dynamometer. At least this way, you will get a better gauge on where your car is at and if you need additional tweaking.

UltraRev has a wide selection of racing exhaust parts from Invidia including catback exhaust systems, test pipes, down pipes, and front pipes. Invidia exhaust parts are recognized throughout the racing and tuner industry for their wide diameter pipes and stainless steel construction. There are plenty of parts available for the Subaru WRX STI, Scion FR-S, Subary Legacy GT, Honda S2000, Subaru Forester XT, the Infiniti G35, and more.

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Invidia Cat-Back Exhausts & Pipes Unlock Your Car's Hidden Potential

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

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.