TruBendz Cats
03-19-2013, 04:26 PM
#1
TruBendz Cats I just installed a pair in my car. Nice set, pretty cheap. Rest of exhaust is stock. Doesn't sound much different until you open the throttle past halfway or rev it past 3k. No Engine light with a spark-plug non-fouler O2 extension on each rear O2 sensor. Inspection isn't due until July so I'll have to update.
Other than the nuts on the stock manifolds being stuck like hell, and the bolts they sent to attach the catback were an inch too short, it's as straightforward as it looks. Stock ones come out with the sensors intact, which is good since there's not much room for a wrench around the stock cats. They (trubendz) have the front O2 on the left side clocked right in front of the one flange stud, so that O2 has to go in after the front flange is tightened up. You can't get to the nut with the sensor in the way. Luckily these cats are much smaller so there's more access to take the sensor out and put it back.
I hit the nuts with PB blaster every day for a week before trying it the second time. (First weekend was a fail) Ended up using bolt-out sockets to tear them loose. You can replace them with the nuts you remove from the catback since the new cats don't have studs.
I don't really drive hard enough on the snow tires to really tell you how much performance difference resulted. I'd imagine when I get around to messing with the computer, it will end up with more gains than if it was totally stock. I like the factory catback, and don't want to mess with full headers because you have to chop the exhaust or ditch the cats completely.
Other than the nuts on the stock manifolds being stuck like hell, and the bolts they sent to attach the catback were an inch too short, it's as straightforward as it looks. Stock ones come out with the sensors intact, which is good since there's not much room for a wrench around the stock cats. They (trubendz) have the front O2 on the left side clocked right in front of the one flange stud, so that O2 has to go in after the front flange is tightened up. You can't get to the nut with the sensor in the way. Luckily these cats are much smaller so there's more access to take the sensor out and put it back.
I hit the nuts with PB blaster every day for a week before trying it the second time. (First weekend was a fail) Ended up using bolt-out sockets to tear them loose. You can replace them with the nuts you remove from the catback since the new cats don't have studs.
I don't really drive hard enough on the snow tires to really tell you how much performance difference resulted. I'd imagine when I get around to messing with the computer, it will end up with more gains than if it was totally stock. I like the factory catback, and don't want to mess with full headers because you have to chop the exhaust or ditch the cats completely.
03-19-2013, 05:50 PM
#6
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Did this about a month ago. I emailed the company and let them know the bolts were incorrect along with the gaskets.
Looks like they have not fixed the issue yet.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/17156600-post4.html
Looks like they have not fixed the issue yet.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/17156600-post4.html
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03-19-2013, 08:16 PM
#8
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I purchased the same sockets from auto store, but deeper ones. Even hammering these bastards over the nuts and using a 3ft breaker bar wouldn't budge them.
Almost gave up until a friend suggested a lift and the sockets with metal pins. He uses them on Diesel engines for semi's, so it's worth a try.
Glad that you got yours out though.
Almost gave up until a friend suggested a lift and the sockets with metal pins. He uses them on Diesel engines for semi's, so it's worth a try.
Glad that you got yours out though.
03-19-2013, 08:54 PM
#11
No. I have a burnzo but didn't try it. The stock cats are so fat it's not easy to reach around them. Plus there are wires from the O2 sensor right there. Went with what I know in this case. Without looking it up, it seemed logical that PB Blaster might be flammable too, so I didn't resort to that.
