Should I run cat-less?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,695
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From: Redacted
Re: Should I run cat-less? (2C5only21)
I am doing my instal right now on my heads/cam/headers. I can't decide if I should run w or w/o cats. How much power will I see? Thanks, Kaley
If you just want to run catless, then do it right, purchase an off-road pipe set. It works better than gutting the cut with a screwdriver. Then when you change your mind, you can just reinstall the cats.
Before anyone whines about "politics", I'm a gun-toting, native born Texan, voted for Reagan and both Bushes and I had beef for dinner tonight.
I been there, done that a long time ago. In retrospect, it just wasn't worth the minor gains in return for the downsides and the undeniable contribution to the air pollution. Besides, today's cats are very good.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: Should I run cat-less? (2C5only21)
"I'm a gun-toting, native born Texan, voted for Reagan and both Bushes and I had beef for dinner tonight"
2C5only21, I don't think you should run catless as a rule. If you want to run ORP's while racing, that's one thing. But driving around with no cats on a daily basis really makes no sense. That's why some of these header manufacturers have come out with swappable cats/ORP systems and why I got my FLP's. If I ever decide to pull the cats, it won't be a major one-way permanent commitment.
Besides, the gains are only moderate at best. And if it's sound you're looking for, I'm running h/c, headers and Borla Stingers and I'm sure I'd get cited if it were any louder. :yesnod:
:cheers:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
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From: Swansea IL
Re: Should I run cat-less? (2C5only21)
This is a personal matter much like "should I drive home after a few beers". For an extra 10HP I wouldn't take that approach. But if 10HP means that much to you, it's your choice though I dis-agree with running cat-less.
Tom
USAF Retired
Tom
USAF Retired
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,820
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From: Albuquerque NM
Re: Should I run cat-less? (2C5only21)
I am doing my instal right now on my heads/cam/headers. I can't decide if I should run w or w/o cats. How much power will I see? Thanks, Kaley
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Re: Should I run cat-less? (6Speeder)
I just replaced my stock cats/Bassani x-pipe with a Random Technology cat/x-pipe system. I did not feel any difference over the setup I had w/o cats. In fact, the system I have now is slightly louder at WOT than w/o cats. I only ran the car w/o cats for a few weeks, but I am positive I have lost almost nothing (SOTP feel) over the no cats setup. To me, this means the torque is basically the same. Go with a quality cat system and you will not be disappointed.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
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Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Should I run cat-less? (2C5only21)
I burnt my cats up a couple weeks ago. Running LGM Long tubes->ORP ->corsa X-pipe -> Borla Stingers. I like aggresive sounding cars, obviously-see cam, but in suburbia it's too darn loud. I'll be putting cats back on soon. :yesnod: FWIW.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,030
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Should I run cat-less? (larrysb)
Hey skippy, the only whiner here is you. Sure am tired of your tree huggin. The man asked for advise regarding performance, not politics. Take it somewhere else.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 1
From: FT Lewis WA
Re: Should I run cat-less? (binksZ06)
I burnt my cats up a couple weeks ago. Running LGM Long tubes->ORP ->corsa X-pipe -> Borla Stingers. I like aggresive sounding cars, obviously-see cam, but in suburbia it's too darn loud. I'll be putting cats back on soon. :yesnod: FWIW.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 1
From: FT Lewis WA
Re: Should I run cat-less? (kingFranswa)
Sorry, i dont agree. I took off my cats, and sware i lost power, sounded like crap, and the smell. Put them back on and much better now. :nono:
Just curious :crazy:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 16,695
Likes: 1
From: Redacted
Re: Should I run cat-less? (aaaaa)
Hey skippy, the only whiner here is you. Sure am tired of your tree huggin. The man asked for advise regarding performance, not politics. Take it somewhere else.
What's the matter cowboy? Miss a dose this morning?
[Modified by larrysb, 1:30 AM 8/14/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Sunshine State
Re: Should I run cat-less? (larrysb)
What's the matter cowboy? Miss a dose this morning?
[Modified by larrysb, 1:30 AM 8/14/2003][/QUOTE]
Hey Larry,
I didn't see you whining. He probably throws his trash out the window too.
Bob
:flag
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 7,695
Likes: 51
From: Imperial Beach CA
Re: Should I run cat-less? (aaaaa)
Hey skippy, the only whiner here is you. Sure am tired of your tree huggin. The man asked for advise regarding performance, not politics. Take it somewhere else.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 1
From: Highland Village TX
Re: Should I run cat-less? (jimman)
Taking the cats off with proper tuning will pick up hp and a good amount of torque. It isn't for everyone, but I don't see how (performance wise) you could do anything but GAIN more hp/tq with the cats off. There isso much less restriction with the cats off and if you have an 01 liek me, there are 4 of them.
I have the ability to put mine back on if I need to and have an extra center cats section if needed. The smell isn't bad, but when I am at idle with the top off, I do smell it, regular driving I never notice it. Mine is tuned perfectly though on the dyno and about 10 hours of tweaking with a GM Tech 2 tool.
To each his own :cheers:
Oh ya. I live in Texas :D
[Modified by 2001 Red Coupe Bandit, 6:34 PM 8/14/2003]
I have the ability to put mine back on if I need to and have an extra center cats section if needed. The smell isn't bad, but when I am at idle with the top off, I do smell it, regular driving I never notice it. Mine is tuned perfectly though on the dyno and about 10 hours of tweaking with a GM Tech 2 tool.
To each his own :cheers:
Oh ya. I live in Texas :D
[Modified by 2001 Red Coupe Bandit, 6:34 PM 8/14/2003]