Q: My down pipe has a leak. The shop is charging $300 to install a new one. I'll just buy an aftermarket one from ebay and install it myself. I've been wondering though... how does your downpipe affect your sound?
A: I used to work for TriDiamond Motorworks, specialists in all things turbo-mitsubishi. $300 for a shop to install a new DP is not a bad price. Beware of cheap downpipes on Ebay as far as metal quality and most importantly, FITMENT for your application. Downpipe alone on an otherwise stock vehicle will change the sound very little. Downpipe in conjunction with a high-flow cat and good exhaust system will sound very, very nice on that car. It all depends on what you have on the car already, as to wether or not an aftermarket DP will fit on the car. Keep in mind that depending on mileage it can be VERY difficult to get the bolts off the cat, as well as the turbo itself. You'll need lots of tools (air ratchets, extensions, sockets, swivels, etc). Hope that helps.