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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 09:20 PM
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Default Headers non-catted

I've been looking up headers and how bad the smell can be without cats. I was wondering if there was anybody around Owensboro KY that would let me check out their car before buying something I might not like. Is the smell really that bad? Or is it just when you're stopped?

By the way I have an 08, c6, ls3

Thanks!!

Matt Lowry
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 10:02 PM
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I just got LG superpro's. After research get the hi-flow cats. No performance difference (well maybe 1 or 2 HP) and you are still legal and don't have to deal with the smell. I was thinking about going catless but the smart people on this forum talked me out of it after I stated what I wanted out of my car. I do see why someone would run catless but its not for me. Good Luck.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 10:33 PM
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Is the smell really that bad? I mean I have drivin cars without cats before, and it has never gotten to me.
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Old Feb 14, 2011 | 10:33 PM
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No doubt!! Thanks for the reply. I'm sure I'll get them because they don't cost that much more but if the smell was just a faint odor then I'd save the money.
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Old Feb 15, 2011 | 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by matt_lowry123
I've been looking up headers and how bad the smell can be without cats. I was wondering if there was anybody around Owensboro KY that would let me check out their car before buying something I might not like. Is the smell really that bad? Or is it just when you're stopped?

By the way I have an 08, c6, ls3

Thanks!!

Matt Lowry
I have 07--Kooks/ x-pipe w/out cats----I smell it in the garage , if outside, i never notice it---the smell reminds me of the--50's & 60's cars---brings back GOOD memories---Kooks told me, without cats only good for couple H.P.
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Old Feb 15, 2011 | 09:01 AM
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Smells like horsepower!! I gained 10HP over another car with almost the exact same mods. Same cam, LS2, and same dyno. The smell is not bad I love it but I have a cam also so it's more intense. Before the cam it was only in confined spaces like a garage that I would really notice the smell.
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Old Feb 15, 2011 | 09:07 AM
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I went with the Cats, no brainier decision for me. Who wants the smell anyway no matter how or when it occurs. Power loss no big thing.
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Old Feb 15, 2011 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by hebdog7
Smells like horsepower!! I gained 10HP over another car with almost the exact same mods. Same cam, LS2, and same dyno. The smell is not bad I love it but I have a cam also so it's more intense. Before the cam it was only in confined spaces like a garage that I would really notice the smell.
I agree --100% --with this comment !! SMELLS like H.P.---HA !!!
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Old Feb 15, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by hebdog7
Smells like horsepower!! I gained 10HP over another car with almost the exact same mods. Same cam, LS2, and same dyno. The smell is not bad I love it but I have a cam also so it's more intense. Before the cam it was only in confined spaces like a garage that I would really notice the smell.
Not to burst your bubble but you realize that 2 brandnew Vettes on the showroom floor can have a difference of 10+ HP. You can't compare 2 cars like that. Totally too many variables and thats biased data.
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by gunterwalker
you are still legal
Not true.
To remain legal on the exhaust system you can only modify after the cats. Headers illegal, Headers with cats illegal.

On the engine you can change the fuel rail covers. Anything else not meeting factory specs illegal. Yes, according to the letter of the law even changing air intake system is illegal. Anything that could change emissions from the engine is illegal. So you guys that keep cats on for the sake of not being a law breaker are wasting your time.

Besides saving a few hp deleting the cats also save you about $400 for no cats and O2 sensor wire extensions.
You also get less tunnel heat and better sound.
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by matt_lowry123
I'm sure I'll get them because they don't cost that much more
No? It's roughly 20%+ extra on an already expensive item. I suppose it's all relative though.





Originally Posted by wbear
Not true.
To remain legal on the exhaust system you can only modify after the cats. Headers illegal, Headers with cats illegal.

On the engine you can change the fuel rail covers. Anything else not meeting factory specs illegal. Yes, according to the letter of the law even changing air intake system is illegal. Anything that could change emissions from the engine is illegal. So you guys that keep cats on for the sake of not being a law breaker are wasting your time.

Besides saving a few hp deleting the cats also save you about $400 for no cats and O2 sensor wire extensions.
You also get less tunnel heat and better sound.
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 08:51 PM
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Both are illegal, but the catless smell and noise bothered me so much that I spend the time and money to put a catted X-pipe in there.
No difference in power. Made 700RWHP with cats.
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by PowerLabs
Both are illegal, but the catless smell and noise bothered me so much that I spend the time and money to put a catted X-pipe in there.
No difference in power. Made 700RWHP with cats.
it might be illegal but i passed state inspection at a state run inspection station, with headers high flow cats x pipe and corsa sports
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by dennis50nj
it might be illegal but i passed state inspection at a state run inspection station, with headers high flow cats x pipe and corsa sports
I "passed emissions" with my Subaru using a JDM motor and a catless downpipe .
Long tube headers are illegal, by the definition of the law; it is illegal to relocate the stock cats even. Now whether that's a problem where you live or not is a completely different issue...
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by dennis50nj
i passed state inspection at a state run inspection station
That's true because the states don't really want to catch anyone and have tons of citizens complaining about the cost/being banned from the road. A simple visual inspection along with a "sniffer" up the tail pipe/OBD 2 code check would easily catch 99% of the violators, myself included.
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Old Feb 19, 2011 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by wbear
That's true because the states don't really want to catch anyone and have tons of citizens complaining about the cost/being banned from the road. A simple visual inspection along with a "sniffer" up the tail pipe/OBD 2 code check would easily catch 99% of the violators, myself included.
New Jersey uses the OBD 2 check and a sniffer, and open the hood and check under the vehicle with a mirror wand
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Old Feb 19, 2011 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by dennis50nj
New Jersey uses the OBD 2 check and a sniffer, and open the hood and check under the vehicle with a mirror wand
Was that inspectors mirror on the end of a white cane?
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Old Feb 19, 2011 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by wbear
Was that inspectors mirror on the end of a white cane?
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Old Feb 20, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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id do no cats.. dont care for the smell but I LOVE the catless sound. Its just me though.
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Old Feb 20, 2011 | 09:10 AM
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If it is a daily, keep the cats. Track bitch/weekend fun car, go catless.
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