30 replies to this topic

[Abundant Meat]

So I spent about an hour pouring through old threads and don't think I have a definitive answer. I'm looking to get an OBX downpipe or something similarly priced. I don't want a local custom one because I had bad luck with a custom unit for a different car. I have a 98 T5M with a Hallman Pro manual boost controller. I want to add a downpipe to increase power. I don't have a ton of money, nor will I have a ton of money soon. I want ZERO drone, and in fact would like to keep the stock exhaust so it will remain quiet. I do not want to draw attention when I am getting on it.

With that said I have the following questions:

1. Where and how much can I get an OBX downpipe for?

2. How much additional boost can I safely add with the mbc if I added an OBX downpipe and kept the stock exhaust?

3. Is the OBX downpipe a direct bolt on to the stock exhaust, and if not will a VW exhaust clamp make it a direct bolt on?

4. Lastly does anyone have an OBX downpipe that they would like to trade for an XC grille?

[InitialDriveGTR]

So I spent about an hour pouring through old threads and don't think I have a definitive answer. I'm looking to get an OBX downpipe or something similarly priced. I don't want a local custom one because I had bad luck with a custom unit for a different car. I have a 98 T5M with a Hallman Pro manual boost controller. I want to add a downpipe to increase power. I don't have a ton of money, nor will I have a ton of money soon. I want ZERO drone, and in fact would like to keep the stock exhaust so it will remain quiet. I do not want to draw attention when I am getting on it.

With that said I have the following questions:

1. Where and how much can I get an OBX downpipe for?

2. How much additional boost can I safely add with the mbc if I added an OBX downpipe and kept the stock exhaust?

3. Is the OBX downpipe a direct bolt on to the stock exhaust, and if not will a VW exhaust clamp make it a direct bolt on?

4. Lastly does anyone have an OBX downpipe that they would like to trade for an XC grille?

save for something else. A downpipe alone won't do stuff.

[Abundant Meat]

Funny I just installed a downpipe onto my friends VW Golf GTI today (OBX). His only other mods is a intake and canned tune. He had the other mods before, and after we added the downpipe it was a noticeable difference in performance. We just did this today which was enough of a difference to prompt me to start this thread. So if a 1.8 liter 4 cyl turbo can net gains with that mod, there is absolutely zero reason why a 2.3 liter 5cyl with a high pressure turbo would not be able to get similar if not better gains with the same mod.

So again if a few of you would be so kind as to answer my numbered questions above I would really appreciate it

[scumcity14]

So I spent about an hour pouring through old threads and don't think I have a definitive answer. I'm looking to get an OBX downpipe or something similarly priced. I don't want a local custom one because I had bad luck with a custom unit for a different car. I have a 98 T5M with a Hallman Pro manual boost controller. I want to add a downpipe to increase power. I don't have a ton of money, nor will I have a ton of money soon. I want ZERO drone, and in fact would like to keep the stock exhaust so it will remain quiet. I do not want to draw attention when I am getting on it.

With that said I have the following questions:

1. Where and how much can I get an OBX downpipe for?

2. How much additional boost can I safely add with the mbc if I added an OBX downpipe and kept the stock exhaust?

3. Is the OBX downpipe a direct bolt on to the stock exhaust, and if not will a VW exhaust clamp make it a direct bolt on?

4. Lastly does anyone have an OBX downpipe that they would like to trade for an XC grille?

1. Ebay or a fellow member...got mine for 60 bucks, usually $100-130

2. Additional boost with MBC...none, you still have air/fueling requirements and stress on stock rods not alleviated by a down pipe

3. No the OBX is not a direct bolt on...an exhaust shop would have to do some cutting and welding

4. No. I do not

Your Volvo does't have the same engine, tune, turbo, mods or exhaust as your friends Golf...The downpipe alone affixed to the full stock exhaust will not make much of a difference. ..Take that same down pipe and add a Magnaflow 3" cat ($65) magnaflow 2.5" oval muffler ($75) and a Magnaflow 2.5" resonator ($65) have muffler shop install all of it for under $200 and you will be very happy..It will flow well, turbo response will be good and the volume will be more than acceptable.

[volvos70turbo99]

Funny I just installed a downpipe onto my friends VW Golf GTI today (OBX). His only other mods is a intake and canned tune. He had the other mods before, and after we added the downpipe it was a noticeable difference in performance. We just did this today which was enough of a difference to prompt me to start this thread. So if a 1.8 liter 4 cyl turbo can net gains with that mod, there is absolutely zero reason why a 2.3 liter 5cyl with a high pressure turbo would not be able to get similar if not better gains with the same mod.

So again if a few of you would be so kind as to answer my numbered questions above I would really appreciate it

when i had my obx dp installed, i noticed a deeper tone and somewhat of a difference, pulled a little harder and that was with the stock exhaust. I then had the rest of the exhaust put on and didn't notice much, so the dp made the most difference to me.

[prasamin]

you want zero drone?

don't modify your exhaust at all then.

[--Aaron--]

save for something else. A downpipe alone won't do stuff.

Maybe he should delete his PS and interior.

[Abundant Meat]

1. Ebay or a fellow member...got mine for 60 bucks, usually $100-130

2. Additional boost with MBC...none, you still have air/fueling requirements and stress on stock rods not alleviated by a down pipe

3. No the OBX is not a direct bolt on...an exhaust shop would have to do some cutting and welding

4. No. I do not

Your Volvo does't have the same engine, tune, turbo, mods or exhaust as your friends Golf...The downpipe alone affixed to the full stock exhaust will not make much of a difference. ..Take that same down pipe and add a Magnaflow 3" cat ($65) magnaflow 2.5" oval muffler ($75) and a Magnaflow 2.5" resonator ($65) have muffler shop install all of it for under $200 and you will be very happy..It will flow well, turbo response will be good and the volume will be more than acceptable.

Please don't take this as argumentative, I'm questioning you because i really have no clue. I thought that when you open up the exhaust, that the computer would know enough to dump more fuel. I thought via the O2 sensor it can notice the changes and alter the programming?

Also I thought the benefit of the 98 Volvo S70 was that you could use a MBC because of some difference in the programming than the 99-00. I thought I've read multiple posts that people with 98's run exhaust, intake and have 15lbs of boost via an MBC without a tune. Am I wrong?

when i had my obx dp installed, i noticed a deeper tone and somewhat of a difference, pulled a little harder and that was with the stock exhaust. I then had the rest of the exhaust put on and didn't notice much, so the dp made the most difference to me.

I've noticed the same on my Mustang and other cars I've had. The exhaust made almost no difference, whereas the headers or downpipe made the most difference.

you want zero drone?

don't modify your exhaust at all then.

I modified my exhaust in my Lincoln Mark VIII that had the same engine as the Mustang Cobra and it had zero drone. In fact it was very, very, very subtle. I also talked to luckly whom also said their test stealth exhaust was just as quiet as stock. So the statement you made is not based on empirical facts and is just your own misguided speculation. Not trying to sound like a huge jerk, or a know-it-all but it's posts like this that mislead people that don't know any better.

Maybe he should delete his PS and interior.

This made me laugh! HAHAHAHAHA!

[prasamin]

Please don't take this as argumentative, I'm questioning you because i really have no clue. I thought that when you open up the exhaust, that the computer would know enough to dump more fuel. I thought via the O2 sensor it can notice the changes and alter the programming?

Also I thought the benefit of the 98 Volvo S70 was that you could use a MBC because of some difference in the programming than the 99-00. I thought I've read multiple posts that people with 98's run exhaust, intake and have 15lbs of boost via an MBC without a tune. Am I wrong?




I've noticed the same on my Mustang and other cars I've had. The exhaust made almost no difference, whereas the headers or downpipe made the most difference.



I modified my exhaust in my Lincoln Mark VIII that had the same engine as the Mustang Cobra and it had zero drone. In fact it was very, very, very subtle. I also talked to luckly whom also said their test stealth exhaust was just as quiet as stock. So the statement you made is not based on empirical facts and is just your own misguided speculation. Not trying to sound like a huge jerk, or a know-it-all but it's posts like this that mislead people that don't know any better.



This made me laugh! HAHAHAHAHA!

you're on a volvo forum....we modify volvos. hundreds of us have installed exhausts/components, and have yet to have ZERO drone. we've tried. your question was about an OBX downpipe, and wanting zero drone. i answered your question. misguided, i don't think so. you just can't handle the truth.

[DVolvoguy850T5]

To the OP;

You can get a bolt on exhaust system here: http://www.sparktecm...om/ex11111.html As stated before you don't have much money to play with. So, buy this system get a bolt on down pipe (3inches) and experiment away!

You can sell the remaining components on the various Volvo enthusiasts websites if you don't want them.

Now, the guys that post here do know what they are talking about. You will not eliminate drone with any high performance system. Dynomat maybe? Magnaflow muffler and maybe a race cat, but this will cost you additional moneys.

Have a great day!

[scumcity14]

Adding just the downpipe eliminates only one of the bottlenecks..you will feel and hear some difference, but don't expect a whole different car. The magnaflow resonator will eliminate most of the drone..My original recommendation of magnaflow parts is a solid recommendation..it doesn't cost a lot and sounds good with out being loud.

There is also the SAS issue...have you eliminated that yet?

if you want part Magnaflow #s i will get them for you.

dont add race cats and mufflers, you will hate them if you want low volume/drone.


MBCs are a whole different topic and you should research that a little more before cranking up the boost..you can get into a bit of trouble with them if you aren't careful..there is plenty on this board both positive and neg..

And Pras. is right you will never get rid of ALL the drone..Volvo figured out how too..its called the stock exhaust

[Abundant Meat]

Just for the record I wasn't trying to be a know-it-all about exhausts and drone. I was just stating that making a blanket claim that all or any exhaust modifications will always result in louder than stock drone is a false statement. I've heard exhaust systems that sound no different than stock. Some required multiple resonators, others were from just changing the headers etc. Switching to Long tubes on my GT netted quieter exhaust note not louder. Again my point wasn't that I knew all about Volvo exhaust...if I did I wouldn't be asking questions. I was just trying to say I couldn't imagine that all systems will always be louder.

With that said Lucky mentioned the stealth exhaust will net good power gains and sound the same as stock.

you're on a volvo forum....we modify volvos. hundreds of us have installed exhausts/components, and have yet to have ZERO drone. we've tried. your question was about an OBX downpipe, and wanting zero drone. i answered your question. misguided, i don't think so. you just can't handle the truth.

That's what I think ;P

To the OP;

You can get a bolt on exhaust system here: http://www.sparktecm...om/ex11111.html As stated before you don't have much money to play with. So, buy this system get a bolt on down pipe (3inches) and experiment away!

You can sell the remaining components on the various Volvo enthusiasts websites if you don't want them.

Now, the guys that post here do know what they are talking about. You will not eliminate drone with any high performance system. Dynomat maybe? Magnaflow muffler and maybe a race cat, but this will cost you additional moneys.

Have a great day!

I'll check into that thanks.

Adding just the downpipe eliminates only one of the bottlenecks..you will feel and hear some difference, but don't expect a whole different car. The magnaflow resonator will eliminate most of the drone..My original recommendation of magnaflow parts is a solid recommendation..it doesn't cost a lot and sounds good with out being loud.

There is also the SAS issue...have you eliminated that yet?

if you want part Magnaflow #s i will get them for you.

dont add race cats and mufflers, you will hate them if you want low volume/drone.


MBCs are a whole different topic and you should research that a little more before cranking up the boost..you can get into a bit of trouble with them if you aren't careful..there is plenty on this board both positive and neg..

And Pras. is right you will never get rid of ALL the drone..Volvo figured out how too..its called the stock exhaust

Yes I know it will only eliminate one of the bottlenecks, but with limited funds eliminating one bottle neck is better than eliminating none. I won't have extra money to buy a full exhaust for a loooooooooong time, so I would like to do something that is noticeable but I do not expect it to be a whole different car.

No I did not eliminate SAS. Should I? What is the benefit?

As for MBC's I did read a lot on these, actually probably spent 30 hours literally reading about them on here before buying mine. I added 2lbs over stock and from what I gathered It was a bad move to do any more than that without doing exhaust mods. This is where my confusion lies. I swore that I read if I added a downpipe I could add another 1 lb of boost, and I could turn it up to 15lbs safely if I do full exhaust turboback and an intake. I also read this was only on 98's that this could be done. Another thing I thought I read was it was safer on the T5m because the turbo was better than other models, and the 2.3 had better internals. Am I wrong about this stuff?

I'm definitely not an expert, in fact I'd like to say I'm still a noob, although I'm probably just about to step out of the noob category with all the work I've done on this car myself. So please feel free to school me on any of these facts.

Also just as an fyi for all of you, if I argue/debate with you it is not because I think I know more than you. I learn from asking questions. So when I reply back to you it is in hopes that if I am incorrect that you will show me where the flaw is in my thinking. So again please none of you take my responses as me trying to battle with you, I'm simply trying to learn.

Thanks guys.

[scumcity14]

No I did not eliminate SAS. Should I? What is the benefit?

OBX DPs do not have a bung for the check valve..you would have to add one...better to just eliminate it.
read all of this and learn...and ask questions @ it on that thread..
http://volvospeed.co...e-up-with-pics/

[Justin S70T5M]

With the money you would spend to have a shop fit in your OBX DP and the cost of the DP itself. You could probably just buy the whole OBX system and be done with it.
It is loud though.... Mine def draws attention.

I have a good deal of drone too. I can't even hear my wife talk when we cruise at 70mph.

Puts the kids right to sleep though...haha!

[850T5M]

With the money you would spend to have a shop fit in your OBX DP and the cost of the DP itself. You could probably just buy the whole OBX system and be done with it.
It is loud though.... Mine def draws attention.

I have a good deal of drone too. I can't even hear my wife talk when we cruise at 70mph.

Puts the kids right to sleep though...haha!

I actually installed my OBX at the beginning of the summer. After fixing all the little holes and such, I can honestly say that the exhaust isn't that loud at all. My girlfriend approved of it also lol. I had my friend do a few pulls with my car while I listen from outside and it was just a bit louder than stock. Definitely not as loud as a cherrybomb civic or anything like that.

Drone is bareable at 3000rpm as well, its obviously there, but not terrible.

[AverageVolvo]

Buy the turbo back Obx and add a muffler where the stock one was.

3in dp and cat and 2.5 muffler to 2.5 resonator FTW.

I have zero Drone and run 1200 Egt at wot for 6 miles.

It's a ninja exhaust . I only hear the turbo noise. unless I pass through a tunnel .

[scumcity14]

And by the time you buy the whole system + another muffler + a cat and have it installed...you could just get the downpipe and magnaflow parts and have an exhaust shop build you a great exhaust. probably for less. And you wont have the ugliest exhaust tip in the world following behind you 9" past your bumper..people tripping over it in parking lots

[Abundant Meat]

Rather than welding it in can I use a VW exhaust clamp to connect it to the stock exhaust?

[TRACStar]

Rather than welding it in can I use a VW exhaust clamp to connect it to the stock exhaust?

OBX dp has a 3" v-band at the end to attach to the other sections.

I'm not familiar with the vw clamps you keep mentioning but the only way I can see attaching an OBX dp to the factory exhaust its to cut and weld.

[scumcity14]

Quote from my first post...

"3. No the OBX is not a direct bolt on...an exhaust shop would have to do some cutting and welding"