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**VIDEO** Help with catalytic converter replacement **VIDEO**

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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 09:05 PM
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Default **VIDEO** Help with catalytic converter replacement **VIDEO**

Hey trusted forum members. I believe my cats on my 2002 Z06 are shot. The set up was on the car when I bought it a couple years ago but I was told the headers were American Racing. The cats look OEM to me. I assume they are done (see video) and would like to replace them with some high flow cats probably. After seeing my set up what would you guys recommend I do to get it set up? I can't find AR system that is only from cats to the X pipe. Thanks.

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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 09:19 PM
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looks like someone cut the collectors off the headers and welded v-band clamps onto it as well as the midpipe and used stock cats... if they are in fact arh they can sell just the midpipe if you call them but it will probably not bolt in like originally designed because of the guy who had the stock looking cats welded in... another option which would probably be cheaper is to buy some aftermarket cats (or straight pipes if you wanted to go that route) and either have them welded in, cut the v-bands off and use lap band clamps on both ends, or have v-bands welded onto the new cats and have them setup similar to how they are now
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Old Sep 3, 2017 | 09:35 PM
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So do you think the cats are welded in underneath those clamps?
If I just put straight pipes in place of the cats would it just be a weld in place of cats situation and not mess with the other pipe that runs from the cats to the X pipe?
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Old Sep 4, 2017 | 01:02 AM
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What brand high flow cats are you guys/gals using?
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Old Sep 4, 2017 | 01:27 AM
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they appear to be v-bands to me and in that case they would have had flanges welded to both sides of the cats as well as the headers and the midpipe and the clamps tie everything together... whether you decide to go with straight pipes or cats you could have flanges welded onto the ends and reuse the v-band clamps you have or have the flanges cut off the headers and midpipe and use slip fit pipes with lap band clamps... if you have the cats/straight pipes welded in then you won't be able to drop the exhaust very easily if you needed to for whatever reason
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Old Sep 4, 2017 | 01:32 AM
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Originally Posted by aasports
What brand high flow cats are you guys/gals using?
Magnaflow metallic here. No problems about 3 years later.
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Old Sep 4, 2017 | 02:38 AM
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Thanks guys!
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Old Sep 4, 2017 | 06:32 PM
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Just to make sure I make this easy. I need high flow cats with a 2.5" opening on both sides right? (they don't appear to make 3" inlet w 2.5" outlet) Here is what it looks like now with current measurements.




Catalytic converter measurements
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Old Sep 4, 2017 | 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by aasports
Just to make sure I make this easy. I need high flow cats with a 2.5" opening on both sides right? (they don't appear to make 3" inlet w 2.5" outlet) Here is what it looks like now with current measurements.




Catalytic converter measurements
Those don't look like factory units to me ... the video I questioned it, pretty sure now that I've never seen stock units like this. Regardless, looks like you're right. Do you have verniers to confirm diameters?
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Old Sep 4, 2017 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by grantv
Those don't look like factory units to me ... the video I questioned it, pretty sure now that I've never seen stock units like this. Regardless, looks like you're right. Do you have verniers to confirm diameters?
No I do not have that type of measuring tool. I simply wrapped a vinyl tape measure around for circumference to get the diameter. I'm probably just going to remove my front spoiler and take it by my muffler shop and let them see it to make sure I order the right size. They may find it easier to have a 3" inlet lined up to the headers then neck the outlet down to 2.5" to the midpipe. We'll see.
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