Ceramic or Metal Core Cats?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Ceramic or Metal Core Cats?
Looks like ill be moving to a state that has emissions testing so ill need new converters for both my vehicles.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading on new cats and it seems these Metal core converters are the way to go. Does anyone have any experience or info on these?
Everything ive read indicates the Metal core cats are a superior design and flow higher CFM numbers, but what about the job of cleaning up the exhaust gasses?
I’m just worried ill barely pass with a metal core cat compared to flying colors with a ceramic core cat, so if anyone has any real world experience id appreciate hearing it.
I’ve been doing a lot of reading on new cats and it seems these Metal core converters are the way to go. Does anyone have any experience or info on these?
Everything ive read indicates the Metal core cats are a superior design and flow higher CFM numbers, but what about the job of cleaning up the exhaust gasses?
I’m just worried ill barely pass with a metal core cat compared to flying colors with a ceramic core cat, so if anyone has any real world experience id appreciate hearing it.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I'm running a Random Tech. main cat from TPIS (don't know RT's p/n) and easily pass the OH dyno sniffer every two years.
What state are you moving to?
What year Vette do you hare?
Any mods to the engine?
What state are you moving to?
What year Vette do you hare?
Any mods to the engine?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
I'm running EM long tube headers with Dynatech Powercat mettalic substrate converters, and passed Missouri's emissions testing.
I run the same and passed KY no problem.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Originally Posted by 65Z01
What state are you moving to?
What year Vette do you hare?
Any mods to the engine?
What year Vette do you hare?
Any mods to the engine?
Moving to Utah, they have a safety inspection as well as an emissions inspection… Oh Joy.
This cat would be for a 1990 TPI. At the moment I don’t have any pre-cats or main cat so anyone that lives in UT that can tell me how detailed they are with this inspection would be greatly appreciated.
No mods that I can think of other than an auto to 6-speed swap, Ed write chip (I have a stocker to put back in for emissions testing) FMS 24 pound injectors, Holly AFPR, and aluminum radiator.
No internal engine mods.
I don’t think the Dynatech will work due to the lack of air injection fitting
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Ok, it doesn't sound like you should have any problem with a single hi-flow cat so long as UT doesn't have a pricky visual check.
I run a 160deg T-stat & fan switch year around with some intake mods, 1.6:1 RRs and the hi-flow exhaust system (no pre-cats). I have to do the emissions check in the middle of Feb. in OH and she still passes easily.
I run a 160deg T-stat & fan switch year around with some intake mods, 1.6:1 RRs and the hi-flow exhaust system (no pre-cats). I have to do the emissions check in the middle of Feb. in OH and she still passes easily.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Hey HotRed, looks like you and I are going to be neighbors. Ill be just down the road in Layton, maybe you can recommend some good shops that don’t have smog *****
Most likely ill just buy a catless front Y and install a new main cat. My current front Y just had the precats cut out and straight pipe welded in, so they “look” modified, but with a new stainless front Y everything should look stock.
Hope they don’t have some type of book or program they pull up to verify exhaust
Most likely ill just buy a catless front Y and install a new main cat. My current front Y just had the precats cut out and straight pipe welded in, so they “look” modified, but with a new stainless front Y everything should look stock.
Hope they don’t have some type of book or program they pull up to verify exhaust
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Originally Posted by geezel
I havn't had any problems in Utah passing the visual without the precats.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
I have a pair of ceramic bullet cats that were $70 each and I passed the dyno sniffer test easily (HC 62 at idle, 220 allowed). If you're concerned, find a local shop with an exhaust gas analyzer so you'll go in to your emissions test with some confidence.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Originally Posted by ninetyfivevette
I have a pair of ceramic bullet cats that were $70 each and I passed the dyno sniffer test easily (HC 62 at idle, 220 allowed). If you're concerned, find a local shop with an exhaust gas analyzer so you'll go in to your emissions test with some confidence.
