Stock cat...what to do?

[Snorman]

Of course, I still have the stock cat on the car. The heat shield is getting kinda' rough, and I think I'm starting to hear some vibration from it.
I'm considering buying a new cat to keep on hand and gutting the stock and pulling off the heat shield. Or should I buy a test pipe instead? If so, who sells 'em?
Any real gains from a gutted cat/test pipe?
S.

 

[salvageV6]

Yes, I gained 4psi. boost on salvageV6 and that was the hi-flo 3" cat. that came with the THDP.

Hollow it and pick up an old known good stocker to use for emissions.

Have someone tack weld the heat shield on better so it looks completely stock.

The GN one has just been hollowed as my 3" Random Tech. one would not fit with the Mease pipe, it was too short. Haven't checked the boost increase on that car yet. Sounds a ton better even with the stock exhuast system too.

 

[Dan Thompson]

When you gut the cat stand in on end, DP side up. Have a plastic garbage bag at the other end to catch all the junk.

Get your tire iron or something similar, gloves, goggles, and a mask, do it outside, and just beat the living crap out it until the tire iron goes all the way through.

Then you should be able to just poke out the rest.

 

[getchasum]

just un-bolt and drop back end down, get something long and a hammer to knock all the cones out. take your hand and clean it out, crank car to blow rest out, bolt back up. Or I've got a new 2.5 test for $30 plus shipping.

 

[Snorman]

Will that 2.5" test pipe fit my stock exhaust and DP?
S.

 

[getchasum]

Think so, I'm sure there is someone on here that can say for sure. (Hooker 2.5) I know that it will fit exhaust and should slip right over the DP.

 

[Snorman]

If it will fit, I'm interested. I took a look at the OEM cat today, and it's in rough shape. I'm not so sure about taking it off, gutting it, and putting it back on the car. I'd rather replace it (or upgrade it) or run a straight pipe.
That DP and exhaust doesn't look to be 2.5", though I may be wrong.
S.

 

[getchasum]

Sent you email.

 

[BLACK6PACK]

Get rid of the stock exhaust. It kills the performance. I picked up 4mph with the stock turbo, intercooler etc just by putting the hooker cat back on. It also comes with a test pipe.

 

[gofstbuick]

Snorman:
because you live in NJ, if you choose to use a THDP, it is equipped with a two way cat. For your emissions test (dyno type I assume), you'll need a three way cat to help control NOx during the 25mph portion of the test.

 

[salvageV6]

I passed the dyno. emissions test twice with my THDP cat. here in CT.

Not sure how many ways it is.

It is hollow now, but I will try it with the new Random Tech. cat. I bought when and if they start up testing again here in CT.

Moratorium on testing due to the screwed up incompetent crooked company they hired to do it.

 

[Snorman]

I'm getting lost with these acronyms...what is THDP?
S.

 

[QuickWE4]

Snorman:

Not sure if your car is a toy or a daily driver, but why don't you just get collector car registration? It is a speciallregistration offered by the NJDMV (a triangular sticker replaces your current inspection sticker).

That way, you are EXEMPT from emissions and can run whatever you want. You have to drive less than 2500 miles per year I believe.

I've had it on my WE4 for two years now. They are only required to verify, at inspection, that your speedometer works. Whether you have a cat or not is irrelevant. I run a THDP and stainless test pipe, and had no trouble going through the joke of an inspection.

Again, not sure if you drive every day or not as I didn't scan the whole thread...just wasn't sure if you were aware that NJ offered this type of registration.

HTH
Rich

 

[salvageV6]

THDP = Terry Houston Down Pipe

3" pipe from the turbo to the cat. in place of the stock elbow and down pipe.

Can be had with a high flow cat. or test pipe.

The high flow cat. isn't so high flow I found out...

 

[BLACK6PACK]

Terry Houston Down Pipe - Accept no substitutes

 

[Snorman]

QuickWE4,
I'll have to look into the collector car registration. The car is a second toy and will see limited miles. Damn thing will probably never leave Ocean County except to go to the track.
S.

 

[gnXfan]

I believe collector plates in NJ require a 20 year old car - someone?

Have you attempted to get that cat off? Was not fun the first time.

BTW - where in NJ are you?

 

[QuickWE4]

All:

I'm not talking about "collector license plates" - this is specifically something called "Collector Car Registration". It is a special registration only for special interest vehicles. There is no age limit. It cost me an extra 10 bucks to secure it. You do need collector car insurance as well.

I'm exempt from emissions, and only subject to a very cursory inspection every two years that involves checking the horn, lights and verification of speedometer functionality.

I've had it for almost two years now.

All you have to do is call a trenton number for DMV (listed on the web page for DMV in NJ) and they'll send you an application. Once you get the application, you fill it out and then, a couple of weeks later, they send you a voucher. You then take this voucher and your current registation to a state DMV inspection station - go to the end of the line, do not go through the normal inspection line. They record your mileage, and look at a couple of things, and then you're off on your way. I had a THDP, stainless dump/test pipe, running 105 RFG in the tank, polluting like a bastard, and I got my sticker They're not required to check the car for emissions, nor are they required to even do a visual. You can quote me on that. Again, I believe the mileage restriction is 2500 per year. I did 500 last year.

Snorman - if you like, I can send you a pic of what the sticker looks like and the trenton number. Email me at turbovsix@aol.com.

BTW - I'm in Northern NJ - Caldwell area. How about you????

Rich