it will reduce backpressure over a 2.5" one, just not as much as a full 3" system

 

That photo looks a bit different than the RP pipe I got. I got mine almost two years ago and it didn't have the hanger on it, nor did it neck down to fit the factory gasket/donut. Maybe they made some changes(?).

CRH

 

the hanger was added on by the previous owner, RP is still too lame to provide one

 

IMO, the hanger there isn't really holding anything. Try taking off that hanger and pull on the gap, you can barely bend that connection out of place. The entire exhaust setup is so squeezed in from the manifold area down to the muffler; I just don't see why this hanger is critical. The only time I found the hanger useful was when I was taking off the stock pipe since I used it to push out the pipe out of the manifold :D

Aside from a cost issue, it is only practical that these manufacturers skipped that part.

PS. The following needs to be clarified:
- No donut needs to be stretched! I got so confused about this when I was reading back then before I took off my stock pipe. Everything fits without adjustment.
- The bolts on the manifold side, at not screw-types. I think when people are saying that their bolts got welded on to the cat pipe are confused. You simply hammer it from the screw end and the bolts will pop up. They are nail-types, not screws.
- When removing the stock pipe, take out the studs/bolt from the exhaust end of the pipe (those two that you see on the pictures above). Once that's off the pipe, you can simple slide the pipe down without having to remove the entire exhaust.

 

I could have sworn that the cat pipe manifold bolts are tack welded to the cat side flange on my '05 model, I'll have to take a look the next time it's up on stands

 

I had to remove and re-install my own midpipe a few times before I found a position that didn't cause the pipe to knock on the floor of the car. That's where the hanger would have been helpful. Once I found it the problem was solved. I am talking about minor tweaks in positioning the pipe. Other than that, the pipe definitely helps in the power dept. and without the cat the engine sounds like it should be in the big-bore class according to those who have heard it.

CRH

 

so u have urs on??? sound clip or vid man! i soo wanna do this !