Mufflers or Cats ?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Mufflers or Cats ?
Hey gang,
I need a little help here on this descision. my92 is getting a little change on the exhaust and I have 1 of 2 choices. 1. The Magnaflow mufflers for the 92-96LT1. or 2. Random tech high flow cats. Basically I've got about $500 I can spend and either fits in that price.
What I'm curious about is which choice would actually make a better flow and generate more HP/TQ? and why?
If i do the cats then i shouldn't get a resonance problem but the car should be a little louder, yes?
I hear mixed opionions on the Magnaflows with a pop top vs ragtop when it comes to resonance.
I'm running the SLP Cold Air setup with the 3 K&Ns, cut shroud, Ed Wright chip, 160stat, TB bypass and airfoil. no other engine mods.
Thanks, Graham
Graham
I need a little help here on this descision. my92 is getting a little change on the exhaust and I have 1 of 2 choices. 1. The Magnaflow mufflers for the 92-96LT1. or 2. Random tech high flow cats. Basically I've got about $500 I can spend and either fits in that price.
What I'm curious about is which choice would actually make a better flow and generate more HP/TQ? and why?
If i do the cats then i shouldn't get a resonance problem but the car should be a little louder, yes?
I hear mixed opionions on the Magnaflows with a pop top vs ragtop when it comes to resonance.
I'm running the SLP Cold Air setup with the 3 K&Ns, cut shroud, Ed Wright chip, 160stat, TB bypass and airfoil. no other engine mods.
Thanks, Graham
Graham
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 7,411
Likes: 253
From: Little Elm TX
Re: Mufflers or Cats ? (vms4evr)
Just my opinion, but here goes.
I don't know whether you have an Auto or a 6sp and it makes a difference.
Carsound cats are about/or as good as Random Tech and are a lot cheaper. You can get generic cats for about $200 a pair if you have a 6sp or direct fit for less than the Randoms. You could then take the left over cash and go for some eliminators.
This is what I'm doing when I get my motor redone as I'm on a really tight budget.
Just my $.02.
:rolleyes:
I don't know whether you have an Auto or a 6sp and it makes a difference.
Carsound cats are about/or as good as Random Tech and are a lot cheaper. You can get generic cats for about $200 a pair if you have a 6sp or direct fit for less than the Randoms. You could then take the left over cash and go for some eliminators.
This is what I'm doing when I get my motor redone as I'm on a really tight budget.
Just my $.02.
:rolleyes:
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 86
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Re: Mufflers or Cats ? (R94 LT 1)
Carsound cats are about/or as good as Random Tech and are a lot cheaper. You can get generic cats for about $200 a pair if you have a 6sp or direct fit for less than the Randoms. You could then take the left over cash and go for some eliminators
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 2
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Mufflers or Cats ? (vms4evr)
I am guessing cats would be the best choice. I know the LT1 exhaust system is very efficient in its stock form. There might be 10 hp at most in the mufflers. Post a note and see if anyone has gotten a measureable gain by replacing UN PLUGGED stock cats with aftermarket ones.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Re: Mufflers or Cats ? (R94 LT 1)
Thanks guys. I have an Atuo trans. Didn't really think of that part. Random Tech makes a custom fit part but they cost about $250ea. I'll look into Carsound. I've been checking around and haven't found anyone who can tell me what the factory cats flow in cfm. I got the numbers on the LT1 mufflers and they seem to flow enough to cover the factory TB. The pipes and resonator shouldn't be any real restriction. I figure if I do cats then later on I can do Catback or mufflers.
I definetely can't gut the cats cause I live in a Emission test area. But I would be curious what people thought of running with no cats.
I definetely can't gut the cats cause I live in a Emission test area. But I would be curious what people thought of running with no cats.
