Convert to high flow cats?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu HI
Convert to high flow cats?
I know in my 95 LT1 the catalitic converters are probably the biggest choke point preventing major HP gains. However, due to EPA regulations and my desire to keep my car streetable they are required. If I change my stock cats to high flow after market ones what kinds of HP gains can I expect and will I have any problems with my cars computer throwing codes? What are the best high flow cats available and thier cost along with normal installation charges?
Eventually when I do the hotcam upgrade I would like to also install long tube headers, should I wait to do the cats then or have them done now? :chevy
Eventually when I do the hotcam upgrade I would like to also install long tube headers, should I wait to do the cats then or have them done now? :chevy
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Re: Convert to high flow cats? (95Redsled)
I'd do it at the same time so you don't have to go back and mess with the ehaust at a later date. Plus, the headers will be easier when the rest of the exhaust is out of the way. :seeya
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Re: Convert to high flow cats? (95Redsled)
The following is from reply from khornet to a post I made on the same subject months ago, referring to cats from Random Technology:
...Here's the flow numbers I got from Random earlier today:
Stock Cats --> Left 337 Right 356
Random Cats > Left 382 Right 398
[Modified by khornet, 3:12 PM 3/28/2002]
Only about 12 to 13% better flow than stock cats. Not that impressive to me, but I guess every little bit helps.
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 4:05 PM 8/13/2002]
...Here's the flow numbers I got from Random earlier today:
Stock Cats --> Left 337 Right 356
Random Cats > Left 382 Right 398
[Modified by khornet, 3:12 PM 3/28/2002]
[Modified by Lone Ranger, 4:05 PM 8/13/2002]
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 587
Likes: 0
From: Phx/but its a dry blast furnace kinda heat AZ
Re: Convert to high flow cats? (95Redsled)
Since getting my new exhaust all installed, with new RT cats.... I can't say that the new cats, nor any other part of the exhaust made a tremendous performance difference. Yes, it feels stronger and certainly sounds a million times better but nothing dramatic about it.
I attempted a new dyno run last weekend to document the increase but due to the fricken heat here in the desert and a tank of bad gas, the results were nothing more than a waste of time. I'll need to wait until winter to get good dyno results and by that time I hope to have the rest of the mods completed.
The RT cats are certainly MUCH smaller and lighter than the stock units!
I attempted a new dyno run last weekend to document the increase but due to the fricken heat here in the desert and a tank of bad gas, the results were nothing more than a waste of time. I'll need to wait until winter to get good dyno results and by that time I hope to have the rest of the mods completed.
The RT cats are certainly MUCH smaller and lighter than the stock units!
