Ls2 Cats vs No Cats
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
Ls2 Cats vs No Cats
I have a '06 LS2 debating on headers with cats or no cats. Will it run right even with a tune? I was thinking of going with chuck cow for the tune. What do you think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,637
Likes: 0
From: Acton MA
well without cats you will get a series of Codes that will trigger a check engine light.
Also it's against federal law... yadda yadda yadda.
You will need a "tune" to disable the ecu from reporting the codes.
Also it's against federal law... yadda yadda yadda.
You will need a "tune" to disable the ecu from reporting the codes.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 2
From: Naples FL
My experience has been that cats will restrict the engine for maybe 1-2hp but to me I didn't feel like spending the extra money for them and it didn't bother me having to smell a lil bit (not everytime you take the car out) and I don't have inspections. It basically depends on if you like that type of smell it sometimes (won't leak into the car or anything) if you have the windows down and the wind blows it in your direction.
It will run fine without a tune but you will get a CEL. I have heard only good things about COW and I'm sure he'd be able to take care of ya.
It will run fine without a tune but you will get a CEL. I have heard only good things about COW and I'm sure he'd be able to take care of ya.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 2
From: Naples FL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 111
From: Tucson AZ
The largest requirement for cats is your state or local inspection. If you have one, you need them. If not, then you have a choice. Hi flow cats are more expensive, but you will keep the car legal and really not give up any measurable power. In fact, in the American Racing hi-flow cats come with a very well engineered X pipe that can add power.
Also, without cats you will get a code 0340 and 0330. Your ECU thinks the cats are not working correctly and of course they are not. A tunner will have to cancel the front to rear O2 check to suppress the codes.
Also, without cats you will get a code 0340 and 0330. Your ECU thinks the cats are not working correctly and of course they are not. A tunner will have to cancel the front to rear O2 check to suppress the codes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 877
Likes: 142
From: Little Egypt, USA
Don't worry about no cats being a violation of emmission laws. As soon as you install headers you are in violation anyway.
No cats will save you about $300 and that nice ARH X pipe can flow even better.
No cats will save you about $300 and that nice ARH X pipe can flow even better.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,253
Likes: 134
From: Short Hills, NJ
Well, not really, but you will at least be more legal than you would without cats at all.
True
True
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Brett Foote
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
My advice is.......
My advice is.......
USE THE CATS..... Best chance for compliance with your inspection....
No raspy, excessively loud noise that wakes your neighbors on a sunday morning.....
And most importantly....No rotten eggs smell when you're sitting in your cool ride entertaining the women!
There will be no appreciable gain/loss of power....SO USE THE CATS!
Chuck CoW
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 2
From: Naples FL
If you have an inspection get em if not I'd say no. Tuning would work perfectly. You just need to turn the rear o2 sensors off which the diablo tuner does if you are not local to any tuners although you could get more performance out of a dyno tune. Also if you are looking to save money and don't have inspections I'd say don't get em but it really boils down to your needs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 980
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
My advice is.......
USE THE CATS..... Best chance for compliance with your inspection....
No raspy, excessively loud noise that wakes your neighbors on a sunday morning.....
And most importantly....No rotten eggs smell when you're sitting in your cool ride entertaining the women!
There will be no appreciable gain/loss of power....SO USE THE CATS!
Chuck CoW
USE THE CATS..... Best chance for compliance with your inspection....
No raspy, excessively loud noise that wakes your neighbors on a sunday morning.....
And most importantly....No rotten eggs smell when you're sitting in your cool ride entertaining the women!
There will be no appreciable gain/loss of power....SO USE THE CATS!
Chuck CoW
Leaving out the cats is just gonna make you look a bit Joe Dirt when that smell hits..
