In turbocharged engines, the up-pipe is the component that is responsible for connecting the exhaust manifold to the turbo. The exhaust gasses from the manifolds are carried into the turbine housing by this pipe.
In the article, I will discuss the effects of up-pipes on sound, performance, and Duramax engines. This will help you decide if the product is worth purchasing.
Instead of wasting any more time, let’s jump right in!

What Does An Up-Pipe Do Exactly?
An up-pipe is one of the many sections of an exhaust pipe. Every section serves a different purpose. The up-pipe is designed to convey the exhaust gas from the manifold collector to the turbocharger.
Do not confuse up-pipes with downpipes since a downpipe’s job involves connecting the turbo to the exhaust system.
Up-pipes have a direct effect on the engine. With some luck, you may get a small boost in horsepower from the pipe, along with some other benefits. Let’s take a moment to discuss them.
Benefits of Aftermarket Up-Pipe
Here are the top three reasons why high-end aftermarket up-pipes should be a good investment.
1. Fast Spool
You might try installing an aftermarket up-pipe if you are experiencing slow spooling. It works like magic to speed up the spool and give the engine the boost that you desire.
2. HP Increase
Many up-pipe users have noticed an increase in horsepower, who, and bhp after using the item. Unfortunately, this is not very common.
Having said that, you are likely to gain between 10-15 horsepower without even correctly tuning the up-pipe.
3. Improved Responsiveness
Whether the overall horsepower increases or not, you will definitely feel a boost in power at lower RPM. This will improve the driving experience by making your vehicle more responsive and aggressive.
Does Up-Pipe Change Sound?
Stock up-pipes do not alter the sound of a vehicle at all. However, an aftermarket up-pipe will certainly improve the sound.
As for the nature of the sound, it is going to be loud but not as loud as a straight pipe. The sound will also have a deep tone similar to that of an H-pipe, albeit more aggressive.
Tuning the sound of a car is a major interest for motorheads. However, not all of them enjoy extremely loud sounds.
Aftermarket up-pipes will be the right choice for them as they maintain the perfect loudness level.
What Does Up-Pipe Do On Duramax?
Up-pipe does have a few advantages, but they are more evident if you have a Duramax engine, specifically the Duramax V8 turbo-diesel.
The Duramax engine will breathe more efficiently with a high-quality aftermarket up-pipe. As a result, your car will get a slight performance bump in terms of horsepower and torque.
One of the perks of using an up-pipe on a Duramax engine is that it will reduce exhaust gas temperatures, thus ensuring the engine’s longevity.
Where Is The Up-Pipe On A WRX?
You should locate the exhaust manifold under your car immediately to the front of the oil pan. A heat shield usually covers it. The up-pipe connects to the manifold’s header and goes all the way down to the bottom of the turbo.
It is important to note that only WRX models have up-pipes in the specified location.
Also Know: How To Straight Pipe A Diesel Truck
Conclusion
After reading this article, there should be no unanswered questions regarding up-pipes. The aftermarket up-pipe will certainly improve your vehicle’s performance, especially if it is of high quality.
However, you should be aware that the installation of aftermarket up-pipes can be quite difficult.
If you are interested, you can read my article about the effect straight pipes have on horsepower.