Ditching Cats Suggestions
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 304
Likes: 60
From: Louisiana
Ditching Cats Suggestions
I'm wanting a little more sound out of my Magnaflow axle back and since we don't have emissions here all of my previous sports cars I always had the cats removed. On some of them, I could buy offroad pipes to get rid of them as basically a bolt-on solution. But looking for something similar for the C5, it doesn't appear they are available.
So without going to headers, what do most people do to ditch them? Just cut off and went a piece of replacement pipe? Is there any aftermarket bolt on solution I'm missing maybe?
Thanks for any info!
So without going to headers, what do most people do to ditch them? Just cut off and went a piece of replacement pipe? Is there any aftermarket bolt on solution I'm missing maybe?
Thanks for any info!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 104
From: Romeoville, IL
You would have to tune the O2 sensors out or go with sims. You can cut and weld in a pipe as you said. You also can go the chicago route leave them in and just take a pipe and smash out the center of the cats lol.
I would just go with headers if you are removing your cats completely.
I would just go with headers if you are removing your cats completely.
Last edited by bravo29; Jun 23, 2017 at 09:24 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
Then take the scrap yard and recover some of the money you spent.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 304
Likes: 60
From: Louisiana
You would have to tune the O2 sensors out or go with sims. You can cut and weld in a pipe as you said. You also can go the chicago route leave them in and just take a pipe and smash out the center of the cats lol.
I would just go with headers if you are removing your cats completely.
I would just go with headers if you are removing your cats completely.
Hahaha!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
I have the O2's deleted already, so good for that. I considered poking them out, but figured a replacement pipe would be better, whether aftermarket or my own (or I know someone at a muffler shop that will). I wouldn't mind headers, but my Superlite SLC is due in within the next week or 2...
Anyway, you could do a bypass on your Magnaflow mufflers similar to what many do to the factory systems if willing to cut them. Or yes, remove the cats at an exhaust shop if they're allowed or willing to.
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The bypass should make it louder or a competent muffler shop should be able to patch in a straight pipe in place of the cars. Your choice.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
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Likes: 60
From: Louisiana
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
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I didn't consider the by-pass on my Magnaflow. That may be the route I take, would be easier and no bad smell. Not sure if they're technically allowed to, but good to have friends that work there.
I think the by-pass is best choice, as long as a muffler shop can weld SS because I can't.
I think the by-pass is best choice, as long as a muffler shop can weld SS because I can't.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 239
Likes: 28
From: Manassas Park, VA
You would have to tune the O2 sensors out or go with sims. You can cut and weld in a pipe as you said. You also can go the chicago route leave them in and just take a pipe and smash out the center of the cats lol.
I would just go with headers if you are removing your cats completely.
I would just go with headers if you are removing your cats completely.
haha
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 304
Likes: 60
From: Louisiana
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 75
From: NORTH BRUNSWICK Central NJ
If I can add my 3 cents ,I removed the cat on my other car and have to say I regret it so much that when I did my headers and exhaust on my C5 I spent the extra money to get cats. The main thing is the smell ESP in traffic . It gives me such a headache where I won't drive in traffic anymore . Plus every one that's ever followed me says they can smell it in there car .
Last edited by Skrilla; Jun 26, 2017 at 01:55 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 304
Likes: 60
From: Louisiana
If I can add my 3 cents ,I removed the cat on my other car and have to say I regret it so much that when I did my headers and exhaust on my C5 I spent the extra money to get cats. The main thing is the smell ESP in traffic . It gives me such a headache where I won't drive in traffic anymore . Plus every one that's ever followed me says they can smell it in there car .
Since I'm attempting to keep the exhaust fairly stock and no real need to go bigger, while at the muffler shop getting them deleted, may be worth it for them to weld up an universal aftermarket X or H pipe while there. Probably H for the sound.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 471
Likes: 69
I would highly suggest you save up your money for some LG street series headers with high flow cats in the long run you will be much happier with the sound and performance. I tried louder BB Bullets exhaust too much drone and still not the sound I was looking for. I tried Corsa Sport too quiet but with headers and high flow cats that was it. I tried without cats and it was way too raspy sounding for me. your best bet is go for a ride with someone to find the sound you want although this is not always easy to do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 304
Likes: 60
From: Louisiana
I would highly suggest you save up your money for some LG street series headers with high flow cats in the long run you will be much happier with the sound and performance. I tried louder BB Bullets exhaust too much drone and still not the sound I was looking for. I tried Corsa Sport too quiet but with headers and high flow cats that was it. I tried without cats and it was way too raspy sounding for me. your best bet is go for a ride with someone to find the sound you want although this is not always easy to do.
This is the Superlite SLC I'm building, well an internet picture of a completed one anyways.. Hopefully it'll make sense why I don't want to spend alot of money on a full exhaust.
Last edited by InfiniteReality; Jun 26, 2017 at 12:05 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 471
Likes: 69
I'm just wanting something louder, quick and cheap. I wouldn't mind headers and full exhaust, but all my time (that'd I'd need to install a full exhaust) and money will be spent (aka dumped) into this Superlite SLC build that's shipping later this week (hopefully). When it shows up, there's no doubt I'll have any time to modify the C5 or buying stuff for it, it'll be designated as a DD and that's it....although a fun one and WAY better than any truck!
This is the Superlite SLC I'm building, well an internet picture of a completed one anyways.. Hopefully it'll make sense why I don't want to spend alot of money on a full exhaust.
This is the Superlite SLC I'm building, well an internet picture of a completed one anyways.. Hopefully it'll make sense why I don't want to spend alot of money on a full exhaust.
