RV6 Performance J-pipe REVIEW!!!

87627 Views 200 Replies 60 Participants Last post by Converted1, Aug 9, 2021

Soobie99

Discussion Starter · Oct 22, 2012

2

Hi all,
After talking to Rich at RV6 performance, I decided to be a guinea pig for the rest of you guys and give his ridgeline prototype J-pipe a try.
Please read the removal/install write up and review below.

Truck prior to RV6 install: 2006 RTL w/ AEM intake, 89 octane, 2” truxxx lift, everything else stock.

After talking to Rich at RV6 performance, I decided to be a guinea pig for the rest of you guys and give his prototype J-pipe a try. :act035:

First impressions after receiving the J-pipe;
Damn this thing is shiny, fully polished stainless. The welds were carefully ground down and everything appears top notch quality. The steel appears to be a heavy gauge as well. All gaskets, bolts and nuts were included.

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Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #2 · Oct 22, 2012

3

Removal of the OEM j-pipe;
First soak all the nuts and bolts on the oem pipe and cat back flanges with PB blaster. (I have an 06 so there was enough rust to justify a good soaking)

Remove the 3 nuts and bolts on the cat back flange, on the rear side of the mid cat. I believe these were 14mm.

Remove the 3 nuts on the front and 3 nuts on the rear j-pipe flanges attached to the precats. (this may remove the studs from the cats, but not to worry they go back in just fine) I believe these were 14mm.

Remove the cross member (4 bolts)

Remove the exhaust hanger bracket while still attached to the j-pipe. I believe these were 14mm. *Support the j-pipe with jack stands or have a buddy hold it to ensure you do not drop the j-pipe on your head, foot or anything else.

Gently massage the oem j-pipe off with a little wiggling and pulling.

Total removal time took about 10 mins.

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Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 22, 2012

3

some more removal picts

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Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 22, 2012

3

Installation of the RV6 Performance j-pipe;
Gently massage the new gaskets and rv6 j-pipe onto the precat studs with a little wiggling and pulling. (I had at least one stud on each precat)

Loosely install the new gasket, 3 nuts and bolts on the cat back flange, on the rear side of the rv6 j-pipe.

Loosely install the 3 nuts on the front and 3 nuts on the rear j-pipe flanges attached to the precats.

Torque the nuts/bolts to oem specs, ensuring the gaskets are sitting correctly before doing so.

Re-install the cross member (4 bolts)

Total install time took about 45 mins. I had a lift to install this, but it’s a driveway friendly mod. I used air tools, but basic using a ratchet and a wrench would be easy too. Tips, clean all the threads on the stud bolts and apply an anti-seize agent when you are installing the pipe. After install check for exhaust leaks before test driving. I found none.

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Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 22, 2012

2

RV6 j-pipe “Performance”
While I had the truck on the lift I tested for leaks, revving and idling the engine. I was in a huge shop bay. The engine sounded stock and quiet, pretty good considering the cat removal. I drove out of the shop and i immediately could tell a difference. Light throttle input response was improved. Pulling out on to the street I did some WOT action. Compared to how the stock j-pipe felt the RV6 j-pipe offered a drastic improvement at low to mid range rpms. There is a tone change in the engine at take off. It produces a soft growl/rasp now. So all in all the ridge did not get any “louder” but the sound did change when pushed hard at WOT on take off. Im not sure you’d notice it or not without an intake. With the intake noise and the j-pipe growl I was having fun dumping on it the whole way home. Overall the ridge just felt more peppy and was able to give more, quicker. I can now get front wheel spin from a standing start. It doesn’t choke when starting from a stop on a steep hill. It runs like it should’ve from the get go.

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Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 22, 2012

3

RV6 j-pipe prototype fitment issues
I’ve put nearly 700miles on this prototype now. These are the issues I’ve found.

Front collector pipe flange and stud tolerance problem.
There is not enough room to install a nut on this stud. This view is taken from the front of the car. So it’s the side opposite of the transmission. Passenger side.
It looks like the collector pipe and flange weren’t welded “centered”. There is a bit of an offset maybe enough to correct it or maybe the problem would still exist. My work around was to grind the flares on the nut. As shown.
There was no way to use a socket to torque this nut to spec. I had to modify a 14mm stubby wrench just to get on it.

Rear collector pipe flange and stud tolerance problem.
There is not enough room to install a nut on this stud. This view is taken from the front of the car. So it’s the side near the transmission. driver side. It looks like the collector pipe and flange weren’t welded “centered”. There is a bit of an offset maybe enough to correct it or maybe the problem would still exist. My work around was to grind the flares on the nut. As shown.
There was no way to use a socket to torque this nut to spec. I had to modify a 14mm stubby wrench just to get on it.

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Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 22, 2012

3

Back collector pipe and the oil pan:
At the half way point of the bend on the collector pipe it nearly touches the oil pan. There is maybe a 1mm of clearance. Its TIGHT!!!

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Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 22, 2012

2

The pitch/angle of the pipe from the midway point to the cat back flange could be adjusted.
As shown there is about an inch of pitch or angle that could be adjusted to tuck the pipe up towards the floor pan.

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Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 22, 2012 (Edited)

Somewhere, someplace, something is vibrating. There’s a soft metal on metal noise when turning and accelerating. Its less noticeable when going straight or reversing. I noticed this after about 40miles of driving with the new j pipe. I’ve looked, shook and wiggled the exhaust to figure out where its occurring but I haven’t found it. I’m going to wait until the metal shows a little wear to pin point it. Rich is aware of this issue.

I'm very happy with the end results and would be ecstatic with the corrections i mentioned.
Im hoping Rich adjusts his Jig and sends me a re-worked prototype soon to test. If it’s the same quality with the above adjustments made I can’t wait to get it installed. :act024:

speedlever

· #10 · Oct 22, 2012

Very nice work Soobie99. Thanks for the post and pics.

Do you anticipate any emissions testing issues with the removal of the cat?

Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 22, 2012

speedlever said:
Very nice work Soobie99. Thanks for the post and pics.

Do you anticipate any emissions testing issues with the removal of the cat?

Thanks!
No, i do not anticipate any emissions issues. My state (MD) just checks OBDII and doesnt sniff test it.

StayPuff

· #12 · Oct 23, 2012

Soobie99 said:
Somewhere, someplace, something is vibrating. There’s a soft metal on metal noise when turning and accelerating. Its less noticeable when going straight or reversing. I noticed this after about 40miles of driving with the new j pipe. I’ve looked, shook and wiggled the exhaust to figure out where its occurring but I haven’t found it. I’m going to wait until the metal shows a little wear to pin point it. Rich is aware of this issue.

I'm very happy with the end results and would be ecstatic with the corrections i mentioned.
Im hoping Rich adjusts his Jig and sends me a re-worked prototype soon to test. If it’s the same quality with the above adjustments made I can’t wait to get it installed. :act024:

I'm glad you took the time to help get this developed. I'll be ordering once the fitment gets sorted. Any idea of mpg if you keep your foot out of it? I don't expect much but I would think this would help. Thanks for the great write up.

spam16v

· #13 · Oct 23, 2012

Are these available & for a 2012?

Soobie99

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 23, 2012

here is a quick video...
http://youtu.be/3HqUQLhLw3M

Jonb

· #15 · Oct 23, 2012

Sounds like there are still some fitment issues but hopefully they can be sorted out and this product becomes readily available to us RL owners.

JRS

· #16 · Oct 23, 2012

Soobie99 said:
Thanks!
No, i do not anticipate any emissions issues. My state (MD) just checks OBDII and doesnt sniff test it.

I'm wondering how many states still do a visual to confirm if equipment is still in place. Does anyone know?

spam16v

· #17 · Oct 24, 2012

JRS said:
I'm wondering how many states still do a visual to confirm if equipment is still in place. Does anyone know?

Two cats are still installed, no check engine light as the rear most cat is not monitored, no worries in 99.9% of peoples lives...

StayPuff

· #18 · Oct 25, 2012

JRS said:
I'm wondering how many states still do a visual to confirm if equipment is still in place. Does anyone know?

It's probably up to the inspection station; some are sticklers, others are lenient. As long as there are no obvious signs, no check engine lights, you're probably not going to get hassled.

For this reason I wonder if Richie can glass bead it to make it a matte finish (OEM-look). That big shiny thing with new bolts will get an eyeball.. best to make it blend in.

pxy23

· #19 · Oct 31, 2012

I wonder how this will work with an aftermarket exhaust (Borla used myself). I couldn't imagine it getting too lean just from adding this J pipe. I mean the exhausts are made to incorporate stock J pipe, but perhaps its too little of a change to throw it all off that much.

Jonb

· #20 · Nov 1, 2012

StayPuff said:
It's probably up to the inspection station; some are sticklers, others are lenient. As long as there are no obvious signs, no check engine lights, you're probably not going to get hassled.

For this reason I wonder if Richie can glass bead it to make it a matte finish (OEM-look). That big shiny thing with new bolts will get an eyeball.. best to make it blend in.

Id be fine with it not being stainless as well. Plain old cheap aluminum piping would do just fine for me which could bring the price of it down a bit. I know some guys up north stainless is good but here in the south stainless exhaust is just a waste of money IMO.

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