Looking for opinions on cat converters/y-pipe??
01-24-2016, 04:01 PM
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Looking for opinions on cat converters/y-pipe?? I have a '02 Camaro SS with 54k on the clock. The annoying P0420 code keeps coming on. I've replaced both up/down O2 sensors with no luck. Stays off for awhile, pops back on. Obviously the cat is going to hell. (With 54k miles!!) Here is my questions...The car is basically stock with the exception of a SLP lid, GMMG cat back and Frost tune. I don't want to put headers on. Do I get a high flow cats, stock cats magnaflow makes a replacement?? Should I put an ORY on while I'm under there? I know it wont make a big difference, but hate the fact that the factory Y is flat. If so, what is recommended with cats and a GMMG? Just looking for idea's. Pretty frustrated with it right now. Between this issue and I'm pretty sure the oil pan is leaking...
I know nearly everybody just puts headers on, eliminates the cats and tunes out the rear O2's, but hoping there is somebody out there that thinks like me. Ha! Thanks in advance to any help/opinions.
I know nearly everybody just puts headers on, eliminates the cats and tunes out the rear O2's, but hoping there is somebody out there that thinks like me. Ha! Thanks in advance to any help/opinions. 
01-27-2016, 07:55 AM
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first dont throw away your stock cats , take them to a scrap yard that buys i think they have some platinum inside. i remember random tech selling a stock Y pipe replacement with high flow cats. maybe call SLP also.
01-31-2016, 09:18 PM
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Thanks for the info on the cats. I'll look into random tech.
02-01-2016, 12:45 AM
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I'm running a hi-flow catted x-pipe and love it. My car is really a weekend cruiser, so on a nice day with the windows down at a slow roll or stopped at a light, you could really smell the exhaust.
After I switched from a test pipe to a catted x-pipe I had no fumes smell, and it produced a deeper exhaust note as well. If you're running the car as a daily I would definitely recommend hi-flow cats
After I switched from a test pipe to a catted x-pipe I had no fumes smell, and it produced a deeper exhaust note as well. If you're running the car as a daily I would definitely recommend hi-flow cats
02-01-2016, 01:34 PM
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I'm running a hi-flow catted x-pipe and love it. My car is really a weekend cruiser, so on a nice day with the windows down at a slow roll or stopped at a light, you could really smell the exhaust.
After I switched from a test pipe to a catted x-pipe I had no fumes smell, and it produced a deeper exhaust note as well. If you're running the car as a daily I would definitely recommend hi-flow cats
After I switched from a test pipe to a catted x-pipe I had no fumes smell, and it produced a deeper exhaust note as well. If you're running the car as a daily I would definitely recommend hi-flow cats
02-01-2016, 02:55 PM
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i searched for random tech and they must not make these anymore. holley / hooker has one that may work. https://www.holley.com/products/exha...parts/16723HKR
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02-01-2016, 06:28 PM
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02-01-2016, 08:05 PM
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CGT77, not knocking your decision to not install headers but I am curious as to why you came to that decision. I too am holding off on headers until I figure out where I will be after I retire from the Air Force. I could find myself in a **** emissions state for all I know. I also have a GMMG catback and am interested in finding out what will bolt up to it in regards to Y-pipes.
02-01-2016, 09:00 PM
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CGT77, not knocking your decision to not install headers but I am curious as to why you came to that decision. I too am holding off on headers until I figure out where I will be after I retire from the Air Force. I could find myself in a **** emissions state for all I know. I also have a GMMG catback and am interested in finding out what will bolt up to it in regards to Y-pipes.
02-04-2016, 01:07 PM
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P0420 is only there for the Smog *****' convenience.
Get it turned off (properly).
I run JBA shorties, Mufflex "test tubes" and a SLP stock
compatible Y-pipe. The latter adds nothing over stock
in my experience, but is a stainless piece (turns brown
but doesn't rust). The tubes could be swapped back
to cats (saved mine with few miles on them) if things
went back to evil where I live. JBAs are a small step
up from manifolds, well constructed and (for Smog
*****) have a CARB EO# tag. They are not a factor
in back pressure.
Almost any 3" Y-pipe will clamp up clean to the factory
I-pipe / cat-back, because that's where the user base
is. And contrariwise, most back ends will mate up to OE
Y-pipe. So ask the vendor, but don't sweat it.
Get it turned off (properly).
I run JBA shorties, Mufflex "test tubes" and a SLP stock
compatible Y-pipe. The latter adds nothing over stock
in my experience, but is a stainless piece (turns brown
but doesn't rust). The tubes could be swapped back
to cats (saved mine with few miles on them) if things
went back to evil where I live. JBAs are a small step
up from manifolds, well constructed and (for Smog
*****) have a CARB EO# tag. They are not a factor
in back pressure.
Almost any 3" Y-pipe will clamp up clean to the factory
I-pipe / cat-back, because that's where the user base
is. And contrariwise, most back ends will mate up to OE
Y-pipe. So ask the vendor, but don't sweat it.
02-07-2016, 09:51 AM
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P0420 is only there for the Smog *****' convenience.
Get it turned off (properly).
I run JBA shorties, Mufflex "test tubes" and a SLP stock
compatible Y-pipe. The latter adds nothing over stock
in my experience, but is a stainless piece (turns brown
but doesn't rust). The tubes could be swapped back
to cats (saved mine with few miles on them) if things
went back to evil where I live. JBAs are a small step
up from manifolds, well constructed and (for Smog
*****) have a CARB EO# tag. They are not a factor
in back pressure.
Almost any 3" Y-pipe will clamp up clean to the factory
I-pipe / cat-back, because that's where the user base
is. And contrariwise, most back ends will mate up to OE
Y-pipe. So ask the vendor, but don't sweat it.
Get it turned off (properly).
I run JBA shorties, Mufflex "test tubes" and a SLP stock
compatible Y-pipe. The latter adds nothing over stock
in my experience, but is a stainless piece (turns brown
but doesn't rust). The tubes could be swapped back
to cats (saved mine with few miles on them) if things
went back to evil where I live. JBAs are a small step
up from manifolds, well constructed and (for Smog
*****) have a CARB EO# tag. They are not a factor
in back pressure.
Almost any 3" Y-pipe will clamp up clean to the factory
I-pipe / cat-back, because that's where the user base
is. And contrariwise, most back ends will mate up to OE
Y-pipe. So ask the vendor, but don't sweat it.
02-07-2016, 09:51 AM
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02-07-2016, 04:04 PM
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I think you'll find this a blind alley. I used to have this set
(high flow cats and Y) but gave it away when I found the
"stock fit" would -not- fit with an aftermarket K-member
(which relieved most clearances, but not where the fatter
RT cats were positioned). I did some flow testing on the
RT cats when I had them. They are definitely better than
stockers, but inferior to gutted stock or straight tubes.
But anyway, I looked for these parts within the last year
and seemed they have gone obsolete.
There is some outfit selling fake cats - "cold something or
other" - which could be your ticket. A decent chance of
passing a lazy visual inspection at least. The Y (as I said)
is not going to get you anything, and '00 or '01-'02
manifolds are not that worse than shorties (pick, based
on whether EGR is in the picture).
(high flow cats and Y) but gave it away when I found the
"stock fit" would -not- fit with an aftermarket K-member
(which relieved most clearances, but not where the fatter
RT cats were positioned). I did some flow testing on the
RT cats when I had them. They are definitely better than
stockers, but inferior to gutted stock or straight tubes.
But anyway, I looked for these parts within the last year
and seemed they have gone obsolete.
There is some outfit selling fake cats - "cold something or
other" - which could be your ticket. A decent chance of
passing a lazy visual inspection at least. The Y (as I said)
is not going to get you anything, and '00 or '01-'02
manifolds are not that worse than shorties (pick, based
on whether EGR is in the picture).
02-08-2016, 08:58 AM
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I think you'll find this a blind alley. I used to have this set
(high flow cats and Y) but gave it away when I found the
"stock fit" would -not- fit with an aftermarket K-member
(which relieved most clearances, but not where the fatter
RT cats were positioned). I did some flow testing on the
RT cats when I had them. They are definitely better than
stockers, but inferior to gutted stock or straight tubes.
But anyway, I looked for these parts within the last year
and seemed they have gone obsolete.
There is some outfit selling fake cats - "cold something or
other" - which could be your ticket. A decent chance of
passing a lazy visual inspection at least. The Y (as I said)
is not going to get you anything, and '00 or '01-'02
manifolds are not that worse than shorties (pick, based
on whether EGR is in the picture).
(high flow cats and Y) but gave it away when I found the
"stock fit" would -not- fit with an aftermarket K-member
(which relieved most clearances, but not where the fatter
RT cats were positioned). I did some flow testing on the
RT cats when I had them. They are definitely better than
stockers, but inferior to gutted stock or straight tubes.
But anyway, I looked for these parts within the last year
and seemed they have gone obsolete.
There is some outfit selling fake cats - "cold something or
other" - which could be your ticket. A decent chance of
passing a lazy visual inspection at least. The Y (as I said)
is not going to get you anything, and '00 or '01-'02
manifolds are not that worse than shorties (pick, based
on whether EGR is in the picture).