gut the cat?

[Mtndragon]

test pipe/gutted cat/???

what do YOU run and what is the impact?

for 2g GSX, Is a "test-pipe" a good or bad idea for performance? what does the stock ecu and sensors say about this.


I'm registered in Lake County, so not only are we NOT tested, but bad emissions are EXPECTED from our vehicles

[dgsx1997]

I personally run a 2.5" off the o2 hoursing then at the flex go to 3" all the way to the muffler, with a 3" hi flow cat in between. I have a test pipe, have run a test pipe, and personally would rather lose hp to keep in check with the law. If you get caught with a test pipe, which isn't common but does happen, you can get ready for an expensive ticket. I also like the fact that the car is a little less noisy, smells better, and doesn't make your close reak like gas whenever you get out of your car. So to each his own on that one. When it comes to a turbo, less restriction the better. I do however recommend putting a cat on the car, I really only notice a lag in boost response as the major bad factor.

[Reef187]

If you're not worried bout the legal ramifications, and looks like you don't have much to worry bout, I'd suggest a test pipe. Mine made a huge difference and haven't had any issues with smell or anything. JMO Oh and with the stock exhaust, it gave a little better tone as well, not to mention the PITA of punching out the cat.

[biglady112]

Well I am all for it. Like kyle said. He lives in the mountains. They don't have emissions so it is ok. Go for it. My exhuast just got deeper when I would put on the pipe. We run one on all of our cars. We either have spare cats, or 3" cats when needed. Thats once a year. Think of it as blowing through a straw with something in it. Take that something out and watch what happens. Make the straw bigger and watch the difference again. Its each persons preference. With new plug wires and a test pipe I made 35hp and 48lb-ft tq. So you tell me if its a good option.
Steve

[dgsx1997]

Not sure if this is the case, but if a car comes with a cat and you remove it, that is illegal regardless of where you are in the state. The cat does increase the power potential of the engine, this I cannot argue. I can say that driving without a cat with a State Partol car behind me makes me nervous as all hell. In fact, I put mine on after a cop pulled me over and damn near got on his knees and checked. This is all it took for me to put it on. I am lucky and have a mig welder though, so it was easier for me to weld flanges onto the cat and put it into place. Regardless, if you get an exhaust, get a cat just in case. IMO.

Donovan R.

[Mtndragon]

Not sure if this is the case, but if a car comes with a cat and you remove it, that is illegal regardless of where you are in the state. The cat does increase the power potential of the engine, this I cannot argue. I can say that driving without a cat with a State Partol car behind me makes me nervous as all hell. In fact, I put mine on after a cop pulled me over and damn near got on his knees and checked. This is all it took for me to put it on. I am lucky and have a <a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=11&k=mig%20welder" onmouseover="window.status='mig welder'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">mig welder</a> though, so it was easier for me to weld flanges onto the cat and put it into place. Regardless, if you get an exhaust, get a cat just in case. IMO.

Donovan R.

well, I guess if you ran up here in my neck of the woods, you probably wouldn't find the need to ALLOW a cop to stop you in the first place :D
just foolin, but on a serious note, the next time a law dog starts to crawl under your car... ahhh nevermind, Im gonna get somebody in trouble thinkin aloud like that :cool:

[sbiggi]

I run a test pipe and havent had any problems yet (knock on wood), and I have my highflow I can bolt on when I need to.

My brothers friend hammered a pipe threw his cat with a sledge hamemr, so it looks functional.

[Mirage]

I have NO provisions for a cat nor do I ever intend to run one.

If you don't give them any reason to pull you over, then why worry? Unless the cop is looking for a harassment case or he ACTUALLY has a decibel meter, then there really isn't a case against you.

I haven't run a cat on my car since I built it over 5 years ago. In that time, I've been pulled over in my car once. And I got pulled over for my own stupidity.

IMO, unless the cops like to stir crap where you live, I wouldn't worry about it. Just flange the cat so you have provisions to install a cat.

Marcus Martinez

[dgsx1997]

Well put, I have the same opinion. I unfortunitly have had the reason which sucks, because the boost response without a cat is amazing. Cops in Thornton pulled me over 3 times in 1 month for the exhaust. In this wonderful state of Colorado any exhaust except for the stock exhaust is illegal regardless of noise levels. I got out of the ticket because I had the advertisment for the HKS exhaust that said it is 50 state legal. To me I go years without getting pulled over and then get pulled over a bunch of times in one month. And I have never been given a ticket since I started to drive 10years ago.

Donovan R.

[Mtndragon]

To me I go years without getting pulled over and then get pulled over a bunch of times in one month. And I have never been given a ticket since I started to drive 10years ago.

Donovan R.[/QUOTE]


we might actually be related :confused:

except I get ran over by a big F'n Ford truck (and they deem it my fault, AND MY INS. Had LAPSED -oh yeah, BTW, I OWN that '02 nissan free and clear... :eek: ), get pulled over a bunch and then decide "F-'em" and ditch one of the C-smokers! "
I hope it all works out in the end :(

($1800.00 in parts, plus I need some time on a frame rack for my S-Charged Xterra, - and I unfortunately have an untreated broken ankle which seems to be getting better... 13-THOUSAND damage to the F-250 Superduty that T-boned me :confused: )

[Mtndragon]

BTW, I aint so sure that pounding a pipe through the cat accomplishes the same as a "test-pipe" or a gutting? I suspect that gutting causes unwanted turbulence and that a straight pipe is best, but I cant back any of that up, however, pounding a pipe through? -seems like unnecessary roughness, man

[biglady112]

took me about 5 mintues with a big pry bar and a sledge hammer to punch our spare cat out. Yea I guess to smooth pipe would be good. But your cat is welded to everything so it'll have to be cut out first. IN the end that little bit of roughness isnt that bad. Just remember, you aren't driving a honda or equivilant car now so you ahve a big advantage in air flow and efficiency over all of those people. So turbo lag, rough edges and all the little quirks don't really apply any more. Boost makes up for a whole lot.

Steve