Bursch vs. Fabspeed cat bypass?

[ARVZ82SC]

Hi I was wondering if there was any difference with the Bursch cat bypass pipe versus the fabspeed by pass pipes because there is a pretty big difference in the price? Or any suggestions. Thanks

[Halm]

Just scored a used Fabspeed at a great price. Clearly the best single upgrade I have made to my car. The exhaust sounds better and the throttle response is quicker. Maybe the old Cat was really clogged up but the difference is night and day.

[Determined]

I've had both and didn't see any difference, nor in sound...their both louder.

Alex

[Rick V]

Just installed the Bursch, sounds good along with the Bursch muffler. It's a piece of pipe that is hidden by the tire, buy the lower price Bursch and use the extra money for a new 02 sensor.

[Zef]

Ho...and how is the fit of the Bursch bypass...I saw quit a number of cases where the fit was not perfect...???

[SuperClyde]

The Bursch fit perfectly. In fact my mechanic specifically noted that the fitting was better than other pipes he had seen/worked with (perhaps schnell?).

[cashflyer]

Bursch hates Fabspeed.




Oooops.... wrong forum.

[dmwallace]

I recently installed the Fabspeed cat bypass/Euro pre-muffler and have been pleased with it. Workmanship was good and it made the exhaust note deeper (along with much lower heat on the left side now that there is no cat).

[slodave]

Hi,

dmwallace:
Do you have a chip installed (assuming you have a DME)? Most of the past threads seem to think that adding a bypass/pre-muffler alone does not do much excpet sound deeper and less heat.

I just passed Cali smog (thought I nneded a new cat) and decided to get the Fabspeed bypass, but reread a lot of threads regarding this. Until this new thread, I had made up my mind to keep the cat due to little to no gains.

Thanks!!!

Dave

[dmwallace]

I just had a Steve Wong chip installed but haven't driven the car since the install as an A/C update is in progress. There are a number of threads on this site with positive reports about this chip and improvements in low end performance. Search on Steve Wong to find them. Here in NC the '80s cars no longer have to have emissions checks so I decided to go with the Fabspeed prior to deciding on the chip. If you would like to read some dyno results Steve has them on his site www.911chips.com. I believe I recall reading that the earlier 3.2 cars like yours have the most potential improvement. You can also email Steve with any questions; he is very responsive. Also note that you can order the chip through our host.

Regards,
David.

'89 3.2 coupe

[Halm]

David, a couple of years ago a group of us did a dyno run at shop in Mooresville. KC911 (Keith) from GSO participated with his stock Carrera. He did alternating runs with the stock and a performance chip (I don't remember which brand) and basically saw no difference.

I am not saying anything here other than make sure your car can take advantage of the new fuel/ignition map the chip will provide. One would have to wonder if a cat-by pass tube would do enough to meet that criteria. No flames, just my opinion based on data from a dyno.

[dmwallace]

Hal,

Thanks for this info. I am thinking that additional exhaust updates may also be in my future but I ran out of funds with the A/C updates.

David

[tahoe_snow]

I'm resurrecting another old thread. I'm sure this is splitting hairs.

I'm about to order my exhaust parts, but the performance difference between these two parts hasn't really been addressed. Does the fabspeed do anything to improve performance?

[tahoe_snow]

I should say over the cheaper bursch pipe.

[cbeers]

I have the Fabspeed bypass pipe and can for sure tell between that and the stock cat. I run them back to back during smog, ....errr....I mean track days and can easily feel the difference from 4500RPM to redline.

Now, a difference between brands of bypass has to be small IMO.

One thing I will say about Fabspeed, I ordered new copper gaskets and they did NOT fit well. I called Fabspeed to discuss and the Rep was a complete @ss! Once he started talking down to me, I was done with that call.

Decent product, but horrible experience with them on the phone....

-Chris

[chuckr]

I had the Bursch on my SC. Nice for the money, easy install
I liked it. I have the Fabspeed on my 88. Very nice, pricey
but great sound( I also have the Fabspeed mufler )
and very good quality, well made. Heavy though and if you do
have ANY problems....Fabspeed is a headach to deal with like
Chris said.
Chuck

[tahoe_snow]

My life is crazy enough. The porsche thing is a stress relief for me. The last thing I need is to deal with is bad service.

I talked to Ben at M&K and he's got me rethinking the SSI option, which is where I started. Blah.

[PatrickB]

Originally posted by slodave
Hi,

dmwallace:
Do you have a chip installed (assuming you have a DME)? Most of the past threads seem to think that adding a bypass/pre-muffler alone does not do much excpet sound deeper and less heat.

I just passed Cali smog (thought I nneded a new cat) and decided to get the Fabspeed bypass, but reread a lot of threads regarding this. Until this new thread, I had made up my mind to keep the cat due to little to no gains.

Thanks!!!

Dave

Hey Dave`

I've got ther Bursch bypass, and the SW Chip. Works great... However, you did notice that our cars were pretty much dead even on power on the front starightaway at Willow! I could never get enough oomph to pass you at high speed! And you were stock!! The biggest improvement I still enjoy with the SW chip is the increased low end torque, and WAY better gas mileage!!

[tahoe_snow]

Ok. I've made up my mind. I'm going the SSI route on my 3.2.

I realize there isn't much performance difference between the SSI and the stock headers on the 3.2, but I like the simplicity of the routing and the long term durability of a full SS exhaust.

Plus I can get away with in NV and CA (at least for now) as the chassis is a 74. I guess I'll start by dismantling the exhaust when I get back next week.

This forum makes owning a p-car a lot more fun. Thanks.