If you want it for sound or for looks or for lighter weight, I'm def with you. If you want it for power...... That $400-$500 invested into the intercooler would have double the payback.
And this is all Adam aside
But Adam did make those claims, and defend them. I never disputed those claims. People can make up there own minds if 1/4" bigger piping further away from the turbo has a bigger effect than if a 1/2 bigger pipe with a 90 degree bend in it with a giant bee-hive in the middle removed flows more or less.
Get on the buick grand national, dsm, srt4, MR2 turbo, or any other car forum for any other car built in the world, and ask them... "Does a fart can and 1/4" bigger pipe make a bigger difference than a 3" catless downpipe on a turbo car?".
Unless the fiesta ST is the only car on the entire planet ever built in this way, you'd get blasted off those forums for asking such a silly question. But... People are free to believe who ever and what ever they want to believe
Depot racing sells a catless downpipe for $179. Does that sound like a market you want to compete in for parts sales ?
Now... Catback exhaust..... Its subjective. Ask 20 people which one sounds the best. 20 different answers. And they are NOT cheap. Point is.... If I manufactured or sold parts like that, I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN THE FIESTA ST DOWNPIPE BUSINESS. Now.... The $500 for some bent pipes and $120 muffler business.....??? For $500? Count me in...
IF I sold those types of parts....
Just saying what all experienced knowledgable mechanics are thinking, but are too tired to argue about... Because its hardly an argument really.
Cyborg turbo, TBE, panda TR6 intercooler, drop in green filter.
245whp 293Tq V-dyno
13.3@104mph