Cats VS No Cats for a catback exhaust system

**Guerrillakilla13** · 04-05-2011, 07:37 PM

Sorry guys if you've already seen this, but i searched the forums and couldn't find anything on the subject.

I got a Borla Catback on my car (Passenger side restrictor plate wide open) but I wanna make it louder without screwing with the system. Instead of paying 1000+ for Longtubes and the y pipe, does removing the stock cats and replacing them with a catless Y make it any louder?

Straight pipes are out of the question unfortunately

**Lunatikgixxer** · 04-05-2011, 08:05 PM

itll make it a tad bit louder but nothing that will please you. So no its not worth it

**98maro** · 04-06-2011, 12:17 AM

When I get my LTs. I'm not sure if run the cats or not.
But one thing I decided to do. Is run highflow cats.
That way it could be a little louder than stock (maybe) and it doesn't smell like gas all the time

**'02 WS6** · 04-06-2011, 06:47 AM

Instead of paying +$1k for LTs and ORY...spend $400-$500 like the majority of people do and get LTs and ORY.

**robcas47** · 04-06-2011, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by '02 WS6

Instead of paying +$1k for LTs and ORY...spend $400-$500 like the majority of people do and get LTs and ORY.

^This

Look around man, you'll find there are some better deals out there. When I had my 99 Z28 I swapped out the stock y pipe and exhuast with a bolt on Mac ORY and a Hooker catback. Big difference IMO, even with the stock exhaust manifolds. It really depends on how loud/free flowing you really want it to be. LT's and a better than stock catted Y pipe will still give you what you might be looking for.

**jrzdude** · 04-06-2011, 02:09 PM

BBK's w/ ORY for $500 ceremic coated. No need to spend 1k. Sounds really good w/ my Borla Cat-Back. Nice low growl at idle and normal driving, and gets nice and loud at WOT.

Or just add a Cut-out on the I pipe for like $160. Nice cheap sound mod that will give you a little more Throttle response and sound really mean, even with the stock manifolds, and cats.

Just some ideas

**Mike0202** · 04-06-2011, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by Lunatikgixxer

itll make it a tad bit louder but nothing that will please you. So no its not worth it

Each system may respond different but I have LT's+TSP Catted Y and LM1. Compared to my buddys ORY with the same set up mine is WAY quieter at idle and under normal driving. The cats hold back alot of rasp and drone.

**INMY01TA** · 04-06-2011, 03:57 PM

I have the Borla. Ran it wide open with LTs and ory for years and liked it. Now I have the Borla closed up and run a DMH electric cutout in the I pipe.

**666ws6** · 04-06-2011, 04:03 PM

Funny, I did the same with my Borla. LT's and ran it wide open with a cutoutfor years... I loved it. But I've since closed it off and put the cut out where the restrictor plate goes. Much quieter and less exhaust smell... but I did it for the neighbors and my kids.

**jrzdude** · 04-06-2011, 04:20 PM

^^^ So you just ran it 100% of the time with the cut out open? I'm afraid of doing that cuz I'm scared I don't want to mess anything up (I.e. valves and such).

**Guerrillakilla13** · 04-07-2011, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the replies!

I thought about LT's with ORY, but I have emission's testing I have to pass here. Thats why i thought about going ORY with stock manifolds, so i can pay to get them switched every 2 years before testing.

And to everyone telling me to spend like 500 on LT's and the ORY, I gotta get it installed cause i don't have anyway of doin it myself. Shops I've called ranged from 1500-2000 W/Wout cats! If its gonna cost all that much, i might as well get the catted Y for the LT's. But i'm only wondering if buying a Y pipe for my stock manifolds without cats will satisfy

**robcas47** · 04-08-2011, 12:01 AM

Dude, go to a local auto parts store and buy a Maintenance Manual and start doing as much maintenance work you can do yourself. Than when you feel comfterable enough, you'll be able to tackle something like LT's/ORY on your own without forking over labor costs.

**Draik** · 04-08-2011, 12:38 AM

I put my LTs and ory on in my garage on the floor well on jackstands it aint too bad.
The hardest part was getting in the driver side LT, passenger LT was cake walk.
All i used was:
Jackstandx4 (just got to get it high up there)
Jack
Ratchet
Metric Sockets (Deep for removing cats and coil pack, and short ones for exhaust manifolds(10mm), and a spark plug socket(for driver side spark plugs))
10mm wrench for the tricky exhaust manifold bolts
PB Blaster (your best friend for removing old shit that is torqued down or loctied)

Took bout 6-8 hours on the floor, but imo so worth it!

**raynor139** · 04-09-2011, 09:31 AM

Do it yourself man. It's not that bad at all. Never did any work on cars until the TA. Now I do all my external engine work for the most part.

**hippiespace** · 04-09-2011, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Guerrillakilla13

Thanks for the replies!

I thought about LT's with ORY, but I have emission's testing I have to pass here. Thats why i thought about going ORY with stock manifolds, so i can pay to get them switched every 2 years before testing.

And to everyone telling me to spend like 500 on LT's and the ORY, I gotta get it installed cause i don't have anyway of doin it myself. Shops I've called ranged from 1500-2000 W/Wout cats! If its gonna cost all that much, i might as well get the catted Y for the LT's. But i'm only wondering if buying a Y pipe for my stock manifolds without cats will satisfy

Emissions shouldn't be an issue if you delete the secondary o2 sensors that you will need to delete with headers and no cats. Get the tune done right.

Secondly headers are easy with a second set of hands Especially the BBK set up. It slides right in and fits up the nice and tight.

Get the headers you know if you don't you'll regret it later. ask anyone else who's done the header swap. You don't wanna get under there twice if it can be avoided. Mine was some serious knuckle busting work, but well worth it.

**jwalters** · 04-11-2011, 03:59 AM

Just remember, this could be a deal breaker if you go to sell to someone in a different state and needs CATS to pass emisions.

**redrocketws6** · 04-11-2011, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by jrzdude

^^^ So you just ran it 100% of the time with the cut out open? I'm afraid of doing that cuz I'm scared I don't want to mess anything up (I.e. valves and such).

you wouldn't hurt your valve with cutouts.. the only time you would do that is if you ran the motor with no manifolds on it or headers

**redrocketws6** · 04-12-2011, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by jwalters

Just remember, this could be a deal breaker if you go to sell to someone in a different state and needs CATS to pass emisions.

or you could be like me and register your car at your parents address where at the county does require e-check

**Firebirdjones** · 04-12-2011, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Guerrillakilla13

Thanks for the replies!

I thought about LT's with ORY, but I have emission's testing I have to pass here. Thats why i thought about going ORY with stock manifolds, so i can pay to get them switched every 2 years before testing.

And to everyone telling me to spend like 500 on LT's and the ORY, I gotta get it installed cause i don't have anyway of doin it myself. Shops I've called ranged from 1500-2000 W/Wout cats! If its gonna cost all that much, i might as well get the catted Y for the LT's. But i'm only wondering if buying a Y pipe for my stock manifolds without cats will satisfy

Are you in Scottsdale AZ??? If so,,,the only emissions testing they do down there for the OBD II cars is plugging into your OBD II outlet and check for codes from what I understand.

And $1500-$2,000 to install your ory and headers is absolutely ridiculous. If you want to bring the car up to Prescott we can toss it on the lift and knock it out in a day. I'd do it for a very small fee. Just PM me and we can talk.

**INMY01TA** · 04-12-2011, 05:33 PM

Getting headers installed around here is like $300. We have OBD2 emissions testing here too. My car passes these tests with literally no emissions equipment on it at all.