Good way to p!ss off the Feds by tampering/removing your catalytic converters! 
Straight pipes
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
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Straight pipes
I have a 2000 FRC, my buddies at work keep telling me to remove the Cats and run straight pipes all the way back into the end tips. I have been told that it would sound awesome but I am concerned about back pressure and things of that nature. What is your guys' opinion in this sort of thing?
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
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I live in Wichita Kansas, I was also concerned about the illegal part of the whole thing, but I have been told that the satate of Kansas does not check emissions. So what about the proper back pressure? And does removing the Cats make that big of a difference?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 750
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From: Bedford IN
I have no inspection so they do not get checked. I am not totaly sure about the back pressure but with that exhaust and they air intake I mage 330hp and 380ftlbs on the stock motor. Tune of course also. I think it helped a lot. If you take them off you can also take out the rear O2's, air injection pump and air tubes. You just have to have the codes turned off for the rear O2's and the primary and secondary air injection system. Very easy with HP tuners, or at any tuner.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
Corsa Competition Ti cat back system... it has "mufflers" just behind the cats then straight pipes from there. It sounds just plain mean at WOT and is still pretty bearable for every day on the street. IMHO if you go with anything much louder than something like this you are just plain crazy but to each his own! There are quite a few awesome sounding exhausts out there that are PLENTY loud.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Color my life with the chaos of trouble.
p.s. I'd tell my buddies to take the cats off and run straight pipes too! As long as it wasn't my car, and I didn't have to drive it and wear my earplugs all the time I think it would be awesome. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Don't bother...it'll sound like chit and leave a trail of dead animals from the fumes.
Get a decent Xpipe and aftermarket exhaust...slap a good open element air cleaner on that puppy and prepare yourself for a much peppier and better sounding car. The stock exhaust and cats flow just fine so don't expect to get noticeable HP change from the exhaust. Most of the improvement will be from the intake...on a stock motor.
You asked...
Get a decent Xpipe and aftermarket exhaust...slap a good open element air cleaner on that puppy and prepare yourself for a much peppier and better sounding car. The stock exhaust and cats flow just fine so don't expect to get noticeable HP change from the exhaust. Most of the improvement will be from the intake...on a stock motor.
You asked...
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I'm not sure you will pick up much by taking the cats off. It will certainly be very loud. Some good high flow cats might be the way to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 750
Likes: 82
From: Bedford IN
Thats great! Yes it will smell a little. I have people ask me what kind of fuel I am running. When I tell them pump gas they call me a lier......ahhhaahaha.....I think it is funny, smells like race gas with no cats!