VR C7 Finally lets go.....
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 33
From: Cumming Georgia
VR C7 Finally lets go.....
Well, not really but after 2400 miles we did start to melt a catalytic converter 
Compression/Leak down #s are spot on. It seems this lil Novi 1500 isn't going to do the job so I called Doug @ ECS this morning and ordered a new YSI head unit. We are going to shoot for 1000RWHP on boost alone and see how the LT1 holds up. Will update everyone once the YSI arrives.
Compression/Leak down #s are spot on. It seems this lil Novi 1500 isn't going to do the job so I called Doug @ ECS this morning and ordered a new YSI head unit. We are going to shoot for 1000RWHP on boost alone and see how the LT1 holds up. Will update everyone once the YSI arrives.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
I wouldn't bet that they will hold up, but for all I know, they could be stronger than the high flows.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 28
I'm getting an ECS and meth kit next week so I'm wondering the same thing.
Headers are in the works but it will be a month or so. Is there any serious drawback to running around boosted making 650-700Rwhp with factory manifolds and cats???
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
VR is installing a cam and meth kit for me next week (among several other things), and my catted X-pipe is coming off because even ARH recommends it when you start into meth and high boost. Burn out a cat and boom goes the dynamite.
I listen to the experts, but everyone (literally everyone I have asked) says no cats with meth , especially at that power level. Also, 700 without a cam is going to take serious boost (14psi).
I cannot imagine, with as dense as the factory cats are (600-cell) that they will not burn out - period.
I listen to the experts, but everyone (literally everyone I have asked) says no cats with meth , especially at that power level. Also, 700 without a cam is going to take serious boost (14psi).
I cannot imagine, with as dense as the factory cats are (600-cell) that they will not burn out - period.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 28
VR is installing a cam and meth kit for me next week (among several other things), and my catted X-pipe is coming off because even ARH recommends it when you start into meth and high boost. Burn out a cat and boom goes the dynamite.
I listen to the experts, but everyone (literally everyone I have asked) says no cats with meth , especially at that power level. Also, 700 without a cam is going to take serious boost (14psi).
I cannot imagine, with as dense as the factory cats are (600-cell) that they will not burn out - period.
I listen to the experts, but everyone (literally everyone I have asked) says no cats with meth , especially at that power level. Also, 700 without a cam is going to take serious boost (14psi).
I cannot imagine, with as dense as the factory cats are (600-cell) that they will not burn out - period.
So the SC + Meth + Offroad Xpipe and I should be good to go?
I decided against a cam due to cost vs gain...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
You will be thanking me for the shifter as everybody else eventually does. 
Sorry to your wallet, but it's the best investment on this car to date. 
Do me a favor - call ARH tomorrow - Steve told me meth could/would eventually burn a cat. If/when that happens, flow stops, back-pressure, boom. I HATE the smell of catless but Ron @ VR says it really doesn't smell much different. Let's hope!
Others please chime in if I'm wrong here. Everyone has told me meth + cats = disaster sooner or later.
Sorry to your wallet, but it's the best investment on this car to date. Do me a favor - call ARH tomorrow - Steve told me meth could/would eventually burn a cat. If/when that happens, flow stops, back-pressure, boom. I HATE the smell of catless but Ron @ VR says it really doesn't smell much different. Let's hope!
Others please chime in if I'm wrong here. Everyone has told me meth + cats = disaster sooner or later.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 28
You will be thanking me for the shifter as everybody else eventually does. Sorry to your wallet, but it's the best investment on this car to date.
Do me a favor - call ARH tomorrow - Steve told me meth could/would eventually burn a cat. If/when that happens, flow stops, back-pressure, boom. I HATE the smell of catless but Ron @ VR says it really doesn't smell much different. Let's hope!
Others please chime in if I'm wrong here. Everyone has told me meth + cats = disaster sooner or later.
Sorry to your wallet, but it's the best investment on this car to date. Do me a favor - call ARH tomorrow - Steve told me meth could/would eventually burn a cat. If/when that happens, flow stops, back-pressure, boom. I HATE the smell of catless but Ron @ VR says it really doesn't smell much different. Let's hope!
Others please chime in if I'm wrong here. Everyone has told me meth + cats = disaster sooner or later.
I believe what your are saying but I will call ARH tomorrow. actually I was even looking at corsa's fancy looking new x-pipe and axle back...
What are your thoughts on holding off on the headers and just rolling with x-pipe and axle back for now?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
The Corsa X-pipe is great BUT you still have those primary cats in there... So it's a gamble.
Might be fine, might not. The more I thought about it, the less I wanted to find out what a WOT pull blowing a cat out would feel like.
Might be fine, might not. The more I thought about it, the less I wanted to find out what a WOT pull blowing a cat out would feel like.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 28
Sorry for all the newb questions.
Ok I'm gonna go ahead and get all this ordered tonight.
Final Newb question:
So basically what I'm looking at is this http://www.c7corvettepartsandaccesso...-8-C7778NC.htm
PLUS an off road x-pipe? Am I going to have to run 02 simulators?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
No worries, bud!
That has the non-catted pipe with it, so you're all set. That takes you from the heads all the way to the axle-back section.
You will need a very good tune, which will include disabling the O2 Bank Malfunction codes.
That has the non-catted pipe with it, so you're all set. That takes you from the heads all the way to the axle-back section.
You will need a very good tune, which will include disabling the O2 Bank Malfunction codes.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 235
Likes: 28
Thanks for all your help again Theta!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 240
From: Saint Louis MO
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Anytime - hopefully I didn't steer you wrong, but this way I can be 100% sure that you don't blow up an engine because of burning a cat, or by listening to my bad advice.
I will send a note to Steve to look at this thread and chime in with his thoughts on that. Pretty sure we're all on the same page, especially from the veterans on her who have had C5 and C6 kits with Alky, etc. No cats on any of them, not worth the risk.
Now emissions... Different story. But, you can face that if/when the time comes, and ARH does sell a catted midpipe if you need it down the road!
Update: Sent Steve a PM asking him to look at this and see if I steered you wrong - I don't think so, but I always double-check when it comes to other people's cars.
..
I will send a note to Steve to look at this thread and chime in with his thoughts on that. Pretty sure we're all on the same page, especially from the veterans on her who have had C5 and C6 kits with Alky, etc. No cats on any of them, not worth the risk.
Now emissions... Different story. But, you can face that if/when the time comes, and ARH does sell a catted midpipe if you need it down the road!
Update: Sent Steve a PM asking him to look at this and see if I steered you wrong - I don't think so, but I always double-check when it comes to other people's cars.
..
Last edited by Theta; Jun 3, 2014 at 04:17 AM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 302
Likes: 3
From: Sarasota Florida
St Jude Donor '14
I'm running an off road pipe on my car and the smell is not bad at all. In the old days of Mustangs I used to dump the exhaust under the car with off road and it would smell pretty bad but with the pipes out the back and middle its not nearly as bad. Plus it sounds great thru the NPP exhaust.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Hollywood , Atlanta Fl
Oh boy looks like its time to drop my cats and instal meth too. I'm going on the Hot Rod power tour and ending up in Chicago for the 1/2 mile shoot out. Great thing as the guys at VR will be there.