Unfortunately it does. See post #3:

https://www.giuliaforums.com/thread.../threads/centerline-2-0t-sport-downpipe-with-cat-by-magnaflow.49293/post-843244

 

Finally received my Raggazon catless downpipe, a local motorsport shop was set to do the install. The installer at a motorsport shop was unable to remove the factory downpipe, because of a heat shield that could not be removed without cutting it. The heat shield was implicated somehow with the A/C hardlines and could not be squeezed out as space was extremely limited. The shop contacted an Alfa tech locally that was friendly with the shop. The Alfa tech said that special tools are required to remove the shield and oxygen sensors, as the come off at an absurd angle, as well as needing to remove a coolant line. This would result in needing to replenishment the coolant system. All said and done it is claimed to be a 5 hour process at 150 dollars per hour, Canadian at my local dealer.

Anyone able to validate this? $750 for install does that seem fair?

Thanks brothers

How was the installation? are you liking the DP?

 

I haven't got it installed yet, I'm going to try one other non dealer mechanic before I bend over for the dealer to hit me with every possible fee/tax/service charge they can ponder.

Once installed I plan to give a detailed account of the difference from response, to sound, smell etc. I'll make a new thread with pics and video if others are interested.

 

Can you do dragy acceleration tests before and after?

 

Got a dragy, what test is most relevant? I'm thinking 30 to 80?

 

If I can get my hands on a dragy before I get the pipe installed then definitely, however if not I could just do a few runs with a cell phone app, pre and post and calculate a percent change. It's better then nothing.

In regards to performance, speaking with EC, I was told to expect a 3 to 5% gain in performance on top of my phase 2. However that was what they were seeing with a high flow catted downpipe (probably did testing with the pipe in the thread posted above with centerline), full catless is said to be slightly higher.

I think from the stand point of cost vs performance gain, is a catless downpipe worth it? Probably not. Cost of install and cost of the actual pipe is at least twice as much as other vehicles. The Alfa tech said it's easier to install twin downpipes on a QV then on a 2.0L giulia.

I purchased it because even after having the Remus Catback sports exhaust (non resonated with a muffler) it's still too quite, as well as the turbo lag is very obvious despite the turbo being small. It makes sudden changes in acceleration become a matter of also accounting for the noticeable turbo lag, unless of course your in manual mode and keep it on boil at 3K rpm.

The 2.0L Giulia is a fast car with the P2 tune alone, I find myself looking at the speedo shocked at how hard it accelerates and puts you in triple digits. How it changes the power curve is yet to be articulated from what I can find, and in car sound is also lacking. I can't find these answers no matter how many places I search so hopefully once installed you can receive that account. In short don't do this as an upgrade for higher HP, you will be severely dissapointed.

 

thanks for your insights. I am still on the fence to get this installed or not. 5% is indeed not much but I feel this is the mostly logical mod you can do after the EC p2 and exhaust. Currently I have an axle back and was thinking maybe skip the DP and go for the full cat back and call it a day.

 

My Raggazon catless downpipe has been is installed, a link to a sound clip is below.

The setup is a Remus catback sport, muffler with no resonater. The vehicle is warm and in Dynamic mode, ? EC Phase 3 downpipe tune.

Impressions to follow, just giving the tune time to adjust. Some initial impressions, are a very loud cold start, that calms down very much so after initial idle warm up, very quite as you drive until you put the hammer down, and in my system at least no noticeable highway drone at crusing speeds. There is a noticeable smell, not while you are driving but if your behind the vehicle of course at idle. The intake noises are significantly amplified with a cone filter setup. There is now a turbo spool sound when low speed driving as well.

 

My Raggazon catless downpipe has been is installed, a link to a sound clip is below.

The setup is a Remus catback sport, muffler with no resonater. The vehicle is warm and in Dynamic mode, ? EC Phase 3 downpipe tune.

Impressions to follow, just giving the tune time to adjust. Some initial impressions, are a very loud cold start, that calms down very much so after initial idle warm up, very quite as you drive until you put the hammer down, and in my system at least no noticeable highway drone at crusing speeds. There is a noticeable smell, not while you are driving but if your behind the vehicle of course at idle. The intake noises are significantly amplified with a cone filter setup. There is now a turbo spool sound when low speed driving as well.

Sounds good. Car sounds mean. Post some dragy times if you get a chance.

 

Here is my catless downpipe with a pops and bangs EC tune, really makes the Giulia sound awesome.

 

Hey guys, dealer quoted me $1,100 USD for the install. Shop around or is this ok? It's a luxury dealership servicing Austin Martin, Lotus, Maserati, Alfa...

Actually got a second quote from another Alfa Romeo dealer, $960.00 USD. Better, but still seems a bit high.

 

$300 is what i paid the tech at dealership to put my catless downpipe in ( on his day off of course)

 

Hello colleagues!
I will share my downpipe installation experience. I was doing it by myself in the garage with a friend, it took me 4 evenings !! Lots of curses, nerves, but it worked. I have a European version at the end of 2018 so a car with a GPF filter which has become more problematic. It was necessary to program the filter and control units. Finally, soft was made with an increase in power and now the car is fucking crazy

 

 

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Are you going to share your experience of how you got the downpipe off? I don't see an information post.