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Ditch the Cats

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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 10:53 AM
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Default Ditch the Cats

Need some opinions/advice.
Short of going with a set of Kooks/LG/SLP headers, X-pipe, high flow cats, are there any bolt in cat eliminators, or high flow cats that fit the stock exhaust? Or is there a x-pipe out there that fits the stock exhaust manifolds and rest of exhaust that replaces the cats or replaces them with high flow cats?
I have an SLP power flow exhaust and want a bit more sound (louder) without going for a whole new exaust. Figured eliminating the cats would increase the bark a bit, or maybe high flow cats would too. Any performance inprovement would be a bonus.

Thanks!
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 12:49 PM
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Just the headers will increase sound. I had a B&B touring that was nice until I added headers..Much louder. Most header companies offer an "off road" X-pipe that doesn't have cats. The cats that come with headers are high flow cats. The problem with going catless is the exhaust smell is more pronounced. Some have tried it and installed cats later because of the bad smell. I have AR headers and everything bolted up just fine.
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 02:04 PM
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Thanks. I know what is smells like to not have cats, my 69 doesnt, and niether does my Mitsu 3000GT VR-4, so I am used to it. I know cats do a great job of acting like mufflers and figured I could get a little more sound with out them.
Since asking, I found out that magnaflow sells cat eliminators for the stock exhaust (2.5"). Anyone try these?
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 07:51 PM
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I don't know how you can ever get used to an offroad x-pipe. I loved the sound but as soon as I installed them I knew it was a mistake. I suffered with the atrocious odor that penetrates skin and clothing for almost three years and had enough. I had ECS do some work for me and had high flows put back on. Never again for me.
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 09:21 PM
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Ditch the cats.
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Old Apr 16, 2009 | 09:58 PM
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Anybody have experience what the stock exhaust sounds and performs catless? Who cares about the smell...
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 12:08 PM
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The smell does maybe linger, but thats the way a real sports car should smell, heck its the way cars smelled before cats! And the only time it stinks up my clothes is if its running and I am working around the car.
Guess some people are more sensitive to it.

Anyone, sound difference or performance differences with just removing/gutting cats?
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 12:09 PM
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Saplumr, what off-road x-pipe did you have, and it replaced the cats (obviously) and bolted up to the stock exhaust manifolds?
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Originally Posted by 69and88
The smell does maybe linger, but thats the way a real sports car should smell, heck its the way cars smelled before cats! And the only time it stinks up my clothes is if its running and I am working around the car.
Guess some people are more sensitive to it.
If you really enjoy the "real sports car" air pollution aroma, I can recommend some great vacation destinations where it's inescapable.

It will throw codes so you'll have to have somebody mess with the computer, if you care. The car won't be any faster.
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Old Apr 17, 2009 | 04:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 69and88
Saplumr, what off-road x-pipe did you have, and it replaced the cats (obviously) and bolted up to the stock exhaust manifolds?
KOOKS headers with offroad to start and KOOKS hi flow cats to finish. Factory manifolds have been gone since 4 months of buying the car new.
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