For that price, it probably bolts on to the elbow instead of eliminating it. I'm sure it's much, much better than stock but eliminating the elbow is a big part also. You can always buy the 3" elbow for the 87s to compliment it. It's the exact same elbow for all years.
just for reference the ESP downpipe is not available as of this date. I just called and they no longer offer it and don't have immediate plans to make it. As a further reference a 3 inch downpipe on a 2 inch elbow is better than an all 2 inch pipe, just not as good as a complete 3 inch system. A bend will always flow less than a straight tube, so it makes sense for the bends to be a bigger diameter when possible.
Greg
A 2 inch turbo elbow means you have a 2 inch exhaust. The benefit gain of a 3 inch exhaust with a 2 inch turbo elbow is minimal. The turbo elbow has to go. A hot air turbo either stock or a TA33C cannot flow enough to benefit from a 3 inch integrated downpipe and exhaust system. I run a 2 1/2integrated downpipe and exhaust and my car as minimal backpressure. The 86/87 cars can use a much larger turbo where the bigger dowpipe and exhaust makes sense. My opinion. Bad
I totally agree. 3 inch on a hot air car is a wasted effort. Money is better spent on other upgrades. I was referring to the actual statement that a 2 inch elbow meant you have a 2 inch exhaust, inferring that ANYTHING bigger than 2 inch down stream of the turbo would have zero effect performancewise. That statement is completely false. By that theory you can look into the inlet of the exaust side of dang near any turbo and not see a need for anything bigger than a 2 inch exhaust. We know from real world experience that that is not true. I have yet to see a performance drop from having too big of a downpipe or exhaust system in general on a turbo car. You very well may spend a lot of money for no gain, however. I currently have a 82 ttype in my shop and am fighting this with the owner. He is bound and determined he needs a bigger turbo, and I am trying to convince him to spend his money on better exhaust and maybe an alcohol system. Anything more than that is really futile on a carbed regal turbo car.
Greg Kring
2002 BG Super 16 winner
ex Buick owner