OP/FP Combo or Individual Parts?
 

JDL seems to have a combination OP/FP product with a v-band between the pieces. Supposedly that reduces the bends a bit and makes it easier to install vs getting the 2 pieces separately with the usual 2 bolt flanges.

My question is whether these features outweigh the loss of modularity with stock/other aftermarket OP and FPs? Yes that's an opinion question, but I figured I would see if there's a consensus one way or the other. Also, my experience with v-bands has been less than great, so I am also wondering if anyone with this has had any issues with the v-bands not sealing on this?

For reference:
-JDL 4-2-1 on one end
-Would be ultra quiet FP
-TBD catback, leaning CSG touring for dual exit or quietest single exit I can find.

I really like JDL. I have the 4-2-1 header. I like JDL so much that I'm moving to a JDL turbo.

HOWEVER, even if I had known about the "benefit" of their OP/FP combo, I still don't think I would have bought it. I have a budget and the cost outweighs any perceived benefit or quality advantage. My car is a "race" car and not a show car.

My current combo is a 4-2-1 header with a Ebay SS 2.5" OP and a Berk 2.5" catted front pipe and I added my own SS resonator. I was building for SCCA STX and I wanted to make sure it wasn't too loud.

My new combo with the JDL turbo will be the same Ebay SS FP and I picked up a Berk 2.5" non-catted FP.

So, I would say that the money spent on the JDL OP/FP combo isn't worth it unless you are going for looks or are just supporting JDL (or both). I don't see a real problem with either one. It's just not what I was going for.

BTW, I'll have a pretty good deal on my JDL 4-2-1 header (ceramic coated) and the Berk catted front pipe with added resonator if you're interested. It's probably going to be January/February before I could get them off the car (just had shoulder surgery).

I guess I should clarify. I currently have a jdl4-2-1, all other exhaust parts are stock. Built for STX and occasional street use (like getting to AX), and need to keep the sound down.

My stock FP is extremely pitted on the donut flange and I can't get it to stop leaking with various sealing methods, plus the catback rattles are getting annoying lol. I know the smart thing to do is remove the FP, get the flange ground flat or replaced, and then reinstall with whatever catback I want. But that costs time and probably money that I could put towards installing something that isn't 11 years old and rusted.

So assuming I would be getting the JDL ultraquiet FP anyway, my question is mostly whether to get that and find a used 2.5" FP for cheap, or get the combo because it's better in some way.

Appreciate the heads-up, used aftermarket cats are somewhat less interesting to me but I'll think about it.

If it helps, I put the catted front pipe on the car in the fall of 2020 when it had about 27,500 miles on it. It now has about 29,000 miles on it. I only use the car for one thing.

I really like the design of JDL’s FP/OP combo. I run the nameless one piece FP/OP and it’s a PITA to install.

I agree that JDL is awesome. For my setup, I didn't have any fitment issues but I can see how having a total solution from cylinder head to the front of the cat back exhaust would be great. I just wasn't willing to invest north of $2000 for the setup.

I wouldn’t own a lot of things I do if I didn’t get them used for cheap lol.

Agreed. Finding those things at the right time and price is key. Too many people don't understand that just about any used part over 50% of the original price is not a very good deal. However, I'm sure that's a religious debate for some so I won't drag anyone into that.

Yeah the problem is I'm picky lol. I do get used parts when I can, but it needs to be the part I'm looking for when I'm looking for it.

Exactly. I'm particular. I generally figure out what I think is the right answer and then look to buy that thing. I got a great deal from a fellow member for some SPL suspension parts along with a few other things but it's rare to find those deals.

I have this frontpipe/overpipe combo attached to my turbo kit. I had it all built together, and it's still a huge pain in the fucking ass to make a V-band fit perfectly here. The fit is great though and the quality in the welding and materials is superb. 0 regrets until I have to touch it. At least with a flange the bolts, when tightened, will generally align themselves..

EDIT: sorry for sideways photo, i know this uploader flips portrait orientation pictures sideways. I'm not fixing it though, just lean, you'll be doing plenty of bending when you install this anyway so consider this a pre-stretch

Great picture, it seems like they revised the design at some point. The JDL website shows a longer OP in their pictures? Idk.

Also, how well does the aftermarket cat mitigate the smell exhaust fumes smell?

https://jdlautodesign.com/cdn/shop/p...g?v=1669418580

It does a great job mitigating smell compared to no cat and quiets it down a bit. Durable so far, still pushing 514 through it with 27psi on 93 so it's not cooler EGTs like you'd see with e85

I have the 2.5" catted Nameless OP/FP with the resonator. I ground off a piece of the engine block for better clearance. I can see where the 3' version would be a real PITA to get in.

Yeah, I have the 3”. I find the easiest way to get it in is to jack the passenger side of the car pretty high up so you have room to twist it around to work it into place.

I have that exhaust setup you are considering. I kept OP and front pipe as modular pieces. I figured if I need to switch FP out I can leave the aftermarket OP in which makes life easier.

JDL 4-2-1
Locally built 2.5" OP and 2.5" ultra quiet spec FP
CSG touring

CSG just did a revision to their touring exhaust. I'll be getting once shortly actually to replace the current one. Setup overall is perfect IMO, seats down you get enough exhaust noise.

Thanks all for the input. I wound up ordering the front pipe separately and am planning to pick up a used OP for the same reason RToyo86 mentioned, plus it's easier to sell down the line if I need to.

Yeah I saw your sound clip video/post and was thinking "hmmm, maybe that one..." when looking at catbacks. What did they revise? Why are you replacing the one you have?

Not entirely sure on the specifics but they worked with MXP to fix the baffle failures that can occure. I have a mild baffle failure that I can hear when the muffler gets hot. A bit of buzzing around 2-3k rpm.