Cat Quality on Aftermarket LT Headers

[Camaro Dude]

Ok, there are a bunch of threads on best bang for the buck headers, best headers, etc, everywhere on here.

I want my "best bang for the buck LT headers" to come with cats as well.
However I heard a rumour that out of the big 3, "best bang for the buck header" vendors on here, and that would be OBX, TSP, and Stainless Power, whilst all three are great headers, one of them has had more problems in the cat department. True or false?

I'd like this thread to be about, what are the difference in cats, between these three?

[mydreamcar]

I have the SP with HFC, no issues what so ever, have them for about 6 months, have them tuned as we'll. all if the ones you mentioned are good, it comes down to personal preference.

[Camaro Dude]

I read somewhere on here (but I'm not going to post up the link and start a vendor war) that the hi flow cats from one brand of headers, were prone to becoming blocked and toast, before their time. Now my thinking was when I read this, he probably wasn't tuned correctly, and most likely, running too rich, which of course is instant death to any catalytic converter.

I just want to be sure I make the BEST choice here before I place my order in a few weeks.

[axis]

As long as you're not going to boost your engine, it shouldn't be a problem. I've been here since 09 and I haven't seen overly abundance of failed cat threads, except in the FI section. That's not to say it doesn't happen, just not enough to say X cat is of poor quality.

[greenbadass]

I think the high flow cats I have on my 2011 ss camaro with long tube headers are partially clogged. I noticed a loss of power and a different exhaust sound on startup and during driving.

[Avenging Orange]

0 issue with OBX

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by greenbadass

I think the high flow cats I have on my 2011 ss camaro with long tube headers are partially clogged. I noticed a loss of power and a different exhaust sound on startup and during driving.

What kind of headers do you have?
What device or method did you use to tune your ride post header install?

[Anthony @ LG Motorsports]

We chose a trusted manufacturer for the cats in our systems as this was not something we wanted to build in house.

Eastern Catalytic Converters does all of the high flow cats for our systems.

Eastern Bullet Cat™ Converters provide significantly less backpressure for better flow and higher horsepower and torque.* Available with either 200-cell metallic foil or 400-cell ceramic substrates, Bullet Cat’s fully welded tube construction has no mechanical seams that can leak or open up under stress. Their compact, stainless steel ‘can’ resists corrosion and fits easily in tight applications.

Rated for applications up to 5.9L/6,000 lbs.*
Tested with header applications on engines up to 8.0L/V12

While our headers have a full limited lifetime warranty, the cats are covered for 5 years and 50,000 miles.

[greenbadass]

Originally Posted by Camaro Dude

What kind of headers do you have?
What device or method did you use to tune your ride post header install?

I have stainless works. Very easy install and it's been six month before the problem occurred. They aren't throwing any lights so it's a trial and error thing. I used the diablo trinity tuner with a jannety racing tune on it.

[3rdgen3]

Originally Posted by greenbadass

I have stainless works. Very easy install and it's been six month before the problem occurred. They aren't throwing any lights so it's a trial and error thing. I used the diablo trinity tuner with a jannety racing tune on it.

You wont throw a CEL for a burned cat if you're tuned. TED would've removed the MIL function from the rear o2's for cat inefficiency in the tune.


Better get under there and unbolt the cats to take a peak. Running your car with plugged cats is not a good idea.

[3rdgen3]

Originally Posted by Camaro Dude

Ok, there are a bunch of threads on best bang for the buck headers, best headers, etc, everywhere on here.

I want my "best bang for the buck LT headers" to come with cats as well.
However I heard a rumour that out of the big 3, "best bang for the buck header" vendors on here, and that would be OBX, TSP, and Stainless Power, whilst all three are great headers, one of them has had more problems in the cat department. True or false?

I'd like this thread to be about, what are the difference in cats, between these three?

I cant speak for one specific brand, however what I can say is it's very common on applications with forced induction (Supercharger, Turbocharger, even nitrous) to blow the cats internals into smithereens.

So with that said, i doubt its manufacturer specific.

[phinsfan64]

Question, I never see Doug Thorley long tube try y ceramic coated headers or exaust mentioned. Pricing seems to be the most competitive around in all areas. Is there a reason I'm missing? Looking for help!

[axis]

Originally Posted by phinsfan64

Question, I never see Doug Thorley long tube try y ceramic coated headers or exaust mentioned. Pricing seems to be the most competitive around in all areas. Is there a reason I'm missing? Looking for help!

What does this have to do with the OP thread?

[jake2212]

no cats= problem solved