LT setup vs Y pipe w/ high flow cats

**Guerrillakilla13** · 07-23-2012, 09:12 PM

So has anybody here skipped out on the Long Tube headers and stayed with their Stock manifolds, but got high flow cats and a less restrictive Y pipe? If so, how do you like that setup?

I'm trying to make a decision on if i should do LT's with high flow cats, or save a ton of money and just get a wider Y pipe with high flow cats. What do you all think?

**98TransAmWs-6** · 07-24-2012, 10:01 AM

You won't see that much gain and honestly it wouldn't be worth the time. Sure you will gain some horse power but not enough to even compare to doing LTs. LT headers is where the gain is really at. That would be like upgrading to a Fast 102 but keeping a stock lid and TB. Just doing headers and cats won't work right either you will be creating a lot if turbulence and perhaps bottle necking the exhaust. I don't know how you would be saving a lot of money by doing this since my stainless headers and catted y were only $620. IMHO it is definitely not worth it to just do headers or y pipe you need to do both.

**lipsasaurus** · 07-29-2012, 04:02 AM

do them both use an ORY

**Too Fast** · 07-29-2012, 04:10 AM

+3 on LT/ORY. Emission testing a problem where you live?

**pajeff02** · 07-29-2012, 04:32 AM

Just adding a Y-pipe isn't going to do a whole lot for you. Long tube headers are where the gains are at.

**Firebirdjones** · 07-29-2012, 08:21 AM

Like the others have said, just jump right to a set of headers.

I tried the Y-pipe replacement that SLP used to sell several years back. Stock manifolds otherwise. It was to replace the stock Y-pipe that is flattened on the driver side (I don't know if these are made any longer).

I didn't gain squat, car ran the same MPH at the track. I even tried gutted cats for a while. Couldn't get any measurable performance gain there either. I'd guess the gutted cats did more harm than good having a huge open area the size of a mellon with a small 2 1/4" pipe on either end. Turbulance disrupting exhaust flow!!!

In the end the long tube headers and off road Y pipe finally showed an improvement (about a tenth and ~2 mph) on an otherwise bone stock 02 SS. Start throwing camshafts and cylinder heads in the mix and you will likely see a larger improvement with exhaust mods.

**2002ssslp** · 07-29-2012, 12:11 PM

1 3/4" LTH + 3" ORY + 3" in 3" out Borla = 25 to 30 gross hp

**GoldenFlame** · 07-30-2012, 02:09 PM

Ebay headers if you are on a super tight budget. My buddy's 98 Z has had them for 3 years, they're stainless. I'd do Ebay Headers, and a Texas Speed ORY, that's probably around $350 total. Then Add CATS if you really need them