C5Z Cat Delete
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
C5Z Cat Delete
Thinking about removing the cats on my fully built C5Z. Car already has Headers, and Borla Straights in the exhaust department but my only concern with doing this is that the exhaust will shoot flames and melt my rear bumper. Anyone have any experience with this?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 322
From: Fort Worth Texas
2017 Corvette of Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year
I have a full exhaust, cam and bolt ons with no cats on my C5Z, and I have no idea if it shoots flames but no melting of the bumper or anything, just the smell of gas is all i get. If you do catless with straight pipes it will be stupid loud. I have LG super pro's and Borla atak and catless and its pretty damn loud.
Last edited by zdeckich; Feb 3, 2016 at 03:52 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 388
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
If you have a lumpy cam, and no cats, you will have raw fuel smell. It will infiltrate the car and your clothes. This is only recommended by my builder for track only cars.
Go with high flow cats. I have the full setup from Kooks on my car, and it's been fantastic.
Go with high flow cats. I have the full setup from Kooks on my car, and it's been fantastic.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 322
From: Fort Worth Texas
2017 Corvette of Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year
When i had high flow cats on my car it still smelled like fuel, but nearly as bad as going catless.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 924
Likes: 11
From: Rack City
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
I have heads/cam/exhaust and no cats. No issues with flames unless I'm on the 2-step and I have yet to melt a bumper.
You're 100% fine to go hatless, but I would use cats if I were you.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 501
From: Rio Rancho NM
You aren't going to gain much going catless. Don't get me me wrong I love the way my car sounds without them but everyone knows when I drive my car because I stink of exhaust/gas. There are more cons then pros and no you wont melt your bumper
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Thats all great info, its nice hearing from guys who actually have to live with the setup. The car isnt daily driven so Im not too worried about the occasional discomfort. I wouldnt pay for it but it was offered to me by my buddy who owns an exhaust shop because he owes me a favor so thats the only reason im asking.
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I wouldn't worry about it, my car shoots flames occasionally but it's just for a split second and not long enough for it to do any damage to the bumper... the gas smell is subjective, personally it doesn't bother me at all but some others are hyper sensitive so it just depends on your tolerance
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 501
From: Rio Rancho NM
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 322
From: Fort Worth Texas
2017 Corvette of Year Finalist
2016 C5 of the Year
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 388
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18