Exh opinions

[prophiseer]

A buddy of mine with an Alero was wanting to punch out the catalyst from the converter, and install an 02 simulator in place of the post-cat 02, but he was wanting to know if it's even worth doing this

I told him that I didn't really notice any difference when I did this to my GA, the exhaust was slightly louder, but that was about it.

Anyone else done this that would like to comment? He was wanting me to get some opinions before he decides to trash a good converter

[Azrael]

There's a link somewhere here where a car was dyno tested stock, with a highflow cat, and no cat at all. The difference between a good, highflow cat and just pipe was all of 1 HP. Up-sizing the diameter of an aftermarket cat might even negate that difference.

[gectek]

just get the elec cutout, cheaper than a high flow cat, and ull still pass the sniffer if you have one, plus you dont have to worry about the rear o2 sensor going off

[treeZ24]

for the 1 or 2 HP that you gain i wouln't bother. Besides you'll only see that gain on the top end of the powerband AND you're not seriously racing so i dont see the point.

imo keep it in and if it becomes a performance problem (plugged) its done its job, and should be replaced

[prophiseer]

the only reason I went this route with mine was because the cat went bad, and it's cheaper to just punch it out and use a simulator for the aft02 then replace the cat, honestly


I agree with all this, though, just trying to get him to wisen up

[treeZ24]

i didnt think my magnaflow hi-flow cat was really all that expensive. i think i paid 100$ canadian for it. down there you fellows have it a little better