Anyone used a cat from random Technology? I have heard that these are the best free flow cats on the planet. I have also heard that they are very high dollar, but if they are as good as they say would it not be worth it? If not, besides true duals, what is the best way to free up the exhaust on an 81? Any ideas, or tired and true solutions?

Thanks
Trent81

 

if the woosie cat don't do it, try a Tom cat, if that don't do it, try a wildcat....
leopard, lion, tigger???

YEH, tigger cat. put stripes on it, goes faster>>>>

:D :D :D :jester

 

How about a serious reply??????? Can you legally go to a true dual system on your Vette w/o the cat? A huge diff was noted in my '76 by doing just that but then I am not subject to testing here in MI...... GOOD LUCK :D

 

tnt76vette,

Thanks for the reply, yea I can legally go dual here in TN. The reason that I don't is that my car only has 21000 miles on it and I want to keep it as close to original as possible. I know the cat is getting old and from what everyone has told me they have a very short life span. I know that for me, its not a useage concern but an age concern. Plus, I would like to gain a little hp and let it breath. It is really strong for an 81 anyway. Had it on a dyno in Oct. and it hit 211 hp 4 out of 5 runs. The only thing not stock is the plugs and i'm running splitfire there. But, thanks for the reply, it had been awhile since I posted and now I remember why.

Trent


[Modified by Trent81, 6:00 PM 3/15/2002]

 

Trent81, I just took the converter out of my 81 coupe last week.I replaced it with a test pipe from Muffler Tech in California, it cost me $40.00 delivered to my house in New York. My converter was all rusted and things were bouncing around inside of it. I took me 20 minutes to unbolt the converter and install the test pipe. The pipe came with all new nuts and bolts.
The car runs MUCH better and it evens sounds great. Not any louder just a little deeper sounding. You can save the old converter and put it back in for your inspection next year, thats what I am doing. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

Not positive but I thought the lifespan of a cat. converter was based on how long (read miles)they've been run not the age, so I would think that with only 21,000 miles yours should have plenty of life left. I remember hearing they are good for the first 75 or 80 thousand miles. This memory is from a long time ago back when I still had my sanity.:crazy:
I'm sure someone will correct me :jester

 

Wow, 211 on the dyno. That's not bad considering the '81 is rated at 190 at the flywheel. Go figure. Must be some magic going on in there! I drove a friends '81 not long ago, all stock except headers and mufflers and it also seemed pretty strong. :cheers:

 

Thanks for the reply guys.
Richard, I have heard that the Test Pipe is a good product and you can't beat the price. Thanks

n8370c you are probably right. I wouldn't think age would have anything to do with it either, but several people have told me that the material used inside the converter is what goes bad.

Chris81, I thought it was wrong at the time too, but the guys at the shop that ran the dyno assured me that the machine was right. Its no big deal to me, I guess i'm just trying to find ways to spend money and work on my car.

Thanks all
Trent

 

Please don't eliminate your catalytic conversion.

When you back into your garage your eyes will water and your lungs will hurt.

The smell will permeate your clothes and house.

Beautiful people will smile at you, stopped at the light, then cringe when they inhale your foul exhaust.

You'll find yourself apologizing to your passenger when stopped in traffic.

Healthy exhaust notes will become noisy. People will ask you why your car makes blapping sounds, as though you were holding a balloon over the exhaust.

Put two cats in parallel if you are worried about flow. Do some legitimate hotrodding if you want a major power improvement.

Been there. Now I have a crossover and two cats. The car kicks butt yet smells nice.

-Noel

 

Noel,

Thanks for the reply. I wasn't going to eliminate it all together. Was just thinking about something a little less restrictive. Thats why I asked about the catalytic converter from Random Technologies. They say that it still does what it is supposed for the environmnet but with less restriction.

Trent81

 

Sorry. I gathered that you were keeping yours; my reply was mostly to the others who have suggested replacing the cat with a pipe.

The cats I have were off the shelf at an exhaust shop. I don't know what brand they were, but they worked quite well and don't seem particularly restrictive.

-Noel

 

I have had this unit on my 1979 for three years. Fits nicely and meets EPA specs. I do not notice any increase in power. Just a tip: watch the flanges on any cat con you order. The first one shipped to me had triangular flanges with three holes. And that came from a Corvette catalogue vendor of all places :( .
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...&dept%5Fid=157

 

Thanks for the info Paul :cheers:

Trent81

 

As a matter of seeing some of the high flow cats coming in I have to say that the aftermarket highpro cats acually work better than the original first design of the original GM cats. I lean towards the true duals with the performance cats. As far as the legality of it the Federal gov makes it perfectly clear. I f it came with it from the factory it has to be on the car to LEGALLY pass inspection no matter what state you are in. If you want to put more I/M stuff on the car thats fine but deleting puts you in the hot seat. :smash: :cool: :seeya

 

To answer your question about other ways to free up the exhaust, headers are a good investment. They look better, increase flow, and aren't that expensive. Jeg's carry a set of Dynomax headers for $215, they're jet-coated abd can withstand up to 1,300 degrees.

 

You make a very good point. And a point that is not well understood. In Canada it may be apples and oranges compared to the USA but here goes. Emission testing is new to the Province of Ontario, having been introduced in the greater Toronto area two years ago. The program is called "Drive Clean." Basically vehicles more than three years old but less than 20 must be tested at time of sale or license renewal. This is now spreading to my city in the coming months. So my 1979 is exempt....sort of.

There are two sets of laws in play here: Provincial and Federal. My Corvette does not have to be sniffed (unless there is obvious pollution) for Provincial standards. But Police can certainly lay a charge under Federal Environmental standards if the cat con is missing. I have been inspected by the undercar mirror twice in the last three years. Usually happens at cruise nights when Police on the lookout for rubber burners but in the absence of that they get out the mirrors. BTW, the fine is about $375.00CDN and you have I believe 30 days to get the cat con back on. From what I have read in the Forum, such federal laws can also be imposed in the USA.

 

hey Trent,

Im not sure anyone has answered your original question , so Ill throw it back
up top
Im also very interested in these, almost bought one yesterday , but it was going to take a week to get the adapter and I decided to wait.
You have to purchase an adapter from them as well as the converter.
The whole thing will cost you about $200.00
They are about 20 miles from me.
Ill let you know If I get one and maybe I can pick one up for ya and give it to you at Sharkfest over Labor Day ( unless you are in a hurry )

Kevin

 

Kev.,

Thanks alot. Did you pass inspection? I saw your post after I had asked the question about Random Tech. Have you read or heard much about them? If they really work as advertised, I think I might like to try one and maybe change the orgiinal mufflers at the same time. Don't care much about making the car louder just want to give it a little more umph and a little better gas milage. How did your timing quest go?

Good to hear from ya, :cheers:

trent

 

Trent ,

havent got retested...checked the timing and it was at 6 degress BTC.
right where its supposed to be......

Kevin

 

Kev.

Do you have any info on Random Tech. I was hoping I would hear from at least one person that have tried them out. Maybe their not as good as I hear.

Thanks
Trent81 :confused: