Do you own a Toyota GR Supra 2020 or earlier versions? Then, you may have a B48 engine under the hood. Especially the 2 liter inline four version is commonly seen in Supras. It is no news that B48 is an absolute beast. But the thing is, the stock setting is not capable of utilizing the peak potential of your engine.
What if I told you there is a way to squeeze out the maximum output from your Supra engine? Yes, you can unleash more power, a faster turbo spool, and an aggressive exhaust with one upgrade. Introducing performance B48 downpipes, the key to unlocking the ultimate performance. Getting curious? Let’s explore more!
Table of Contents
What is a Downpipe?
Ok, downpipes can boost performance, but what exactly is a downpipe? In simple terms, a downpipe is the part that connects the turbocharger with the exhaust system. You may wonder, how changing just a connector makes such a difference.
The major task of downpipes is to direct the exhaust gas out of the turbocharger to the exhaust system. It also has a catalytic converter that controls the emission and exhaust tone. If you think about it, it is not that complex, just a pipe with a converter.
Types of Performance Downpipe
When you are looking for options to upgrade the downpipe of your Supra with a B48 engine, there are a few options in hand. Generally, the performance downpipes are categorized based on their catalytic converter. Here are the most common types you get:
- Catted Downpipe: These downpipes come with a high-flow catalytic converter. Yes, it reduces the backpressure and enhances the exhaust flow. But there are still some restrictions. That means you will not get the maximum output, but the performance will increase surely.
- Catless Downpipe: The name is pretty self-explanatory, these downpipes don’t have a catalytic converter. So you get the maximum exhaust flow, no backpressure, and the highest performance gains. However, they don’t comply with the emission and sound regulations. Meaning it is illegal to drive these cars on the streets in some regions.
- Hybrid Downpipe: These downpipes are a mix of catted and catless downpipes. They come with a very small catalytic converter, ensuring there are just as many exhaust restrictions as needed for legal compliance.
Difference Between a Stock Downpipe and a Performance Downpipe
Let’s find out what sets stock and performance downpipes apart.
| Feature | Stock Downpipe | Performance Downpipe |
| Design | Smaller diameter and restrictive | Larger diameter and optimized for airflow |
| Catalytic Converter | The standard catalytic converter, which is restrictive | High-flow catted and catless downpipe |
| Exhaust Flow | Limited with higher backpressure | Improved with reduced backpressure |
| Turbo Spool | Slower due to backpressure | Faster and more responsive |
| Power Gains | Minimal | Noticeable increase in horsepower and torque |
| Sound | Quieter and subdued | A deeper and more aggressive exhaust note |
| Emissions Compliance | Fully compliant with emissions standards | Catted is compliant, but catless is not compliant |
| Durability | Built for longevity and OEM standards | Typically high-quality material |
| Cost | Included with car | Additional cost |
Benefits of Upgrading to a Performance Downpipe
Now you understand what downpipes are and what is different about performance downpipes. But did you get a clear picture of the benefits of the upgrade from the table? Let’s have a proper understanding of the benefits.
- Increased Horsepower and Torque: Since the performance downpipe has a larger diameter, there are minimal exhaust restrictions. Therefore, it allows your engine to breathe better. This leads to a noticeable gain in the horsepower and torque.
- Improved Turbo Spool and Throttle Response: As the exhaust gas restrictions reduce, the backpressure on the turbo also drops to a minimum. As a result, the turbocharger can spool up faster, leading to a sharper throttle response.
- Enhanced Exhaust Sound: A performance downpipe comes with a high-flow catalytic converter. The catless versions don’t have any converter at all. So, the exhaust sound is not subdued anymore. Thus, you get a louder, sporty, and more aggressive exhaust note.
- Fuel Efficiency: The larger diameter and high-flow design improves the exhaust flow. It significantly reduces the strain on the turbocharger and the engine. It results in better fuel efficiency.
- Optimized for Tuning: If you want to tune the B48 engine of your supra, a performance downpipe upgrade is a must. It maximizes the gains from your tuning, unlocking even more power and performance.
As you can see, the gains from a downpipe upgrade are amazing. The interesting part is that you get both higher performance and fuel efficiency in one shot. It is like killing two birds with one stone, an absolute win-win.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, a long list of benefits makes a downpipe upgrade of your Supra worth it. If you want to boost the performance of your B48 engine without any legal hassle, a catted or hybrid performance downpipe is the best option. On the other hand, if you are making a performance beast for the tracks, a catless downpipe upgrade is unbeatable.
