Cats vs No Cats? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RED 2012 · 10-20-2011, 11:32 AM

I am looking into some Kooks long tube headers and hooking them up to the factory catback for now.

1) Im debating whether i should get the catted mid pipes or uncatted ones?
2) If I get the catted connections about how long do they last before they need to be replaced?

My inspection sticker is good for almost two years so I dont need to worry about passing emissions until then.
I have a 2000 Camaro SS with LTs and off-road pipes and i can hardly smell anything which people say is so terrible so the smell wouldn't be an issue for me.

Which ones should i get?

axis · 10-20-2011, 11:51 AM

Personal preference. It has been shown that there isn't a HP difference between HFC's and no cats so it's up to you as to what you want. The only difference is conscience and $$. HFC's will run $300+.

JDP Motorsports · 10-20-2011, 11:59 AM

I would go catted personally!

Juiced1 · 10-21-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis

Personal preference. It has been shown that there isn't a HP difference between HFC's and no cats so it's up to you as to what you want. The only difference is conscience and $$. HFC's will run $300+.

I would also add that running an off road pipe will be louder and have more rasp!

Black5thgen · 10-21-2011, 02:15 PM

There is no logical reason for running cats with LT headers. You get a little bit more power, the car sounds better and it's cheaper with out them. Most hi-flow cats won't pass a sniff test either and they burn out in a couple years.

The Stig · 10-21-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black5thgen

There is no logical reason for running cats with LT headers. You get a little bit more power, the car sounds better and it's cheaper with out them. Most hi-flow cats won't pass a sniff test either and they burn out in a couple years.

and you're not breathing in unburnt fuel and exhaust fumes.

Wesman · 10-21-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black5thgen

There is no logical reason for running cats with LT headers. You get a little bit more power, the car sounds better and it's cheaper with out them. Most hi-flow cats won't pass a sniff test either and they burn out in a couple years.

The logical reason is most people do not enjoy being overcome by exhaust fumes at each stoplight when the windows are down!!

My LS1 T/A is LT's with true duals and no cats, and its pretty miserable in summer time when you get stuck at a light or stop sign, especially with the T-tops off!!

If you get high performance catalytic converters (spun metallic stainless steel, not ceramic) you will not notice any power difference, but the car will pass an OBDII test and you and your occupants won't have to deal with the smell.

mikeSS · 10-21-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black5thgen

There is no logical reason for running cats with LT headers. You get a little bit more power, the car sounds better and it's cheaper with out them. Most hi-flow cats won't pass a sniff test either and they burn out in a couple years.

i run cats to reduce smell, and have a cleaner sound. and i am pretty sure the car sound all some either way. so i run a loud cat back, and i have a cam.

i feel by you saying there is no logical reasons behind it, makes me feel you are not very smart to think maybe there is people out there that see it differently. don't go though life thinking something is not logical, just because you think its not.

i could care less about emission test, do you really think thats why people get cats lol.... like you said they still will fail a test , so then why do so many people run them?

Black5thgen · 10-21-2011, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeSS

i run cats to reduce smell, and have a cleaner sound. and i am pretty sure the car sound all some either way. so i run a loud cat back, and i have a cam.

i feel by you saying there is no logical reasons behind it, makes me feel you are not very smart to think maybe there is people out there that see it differently. don't go though life thinking something is not logical, just because you think its not.

i could care less about emission test, do you really think thats why people get cats lol.... like you said they still will fail a test , so then why do so many people run them?

I feel, as usual, there is a lot of BS info being said here by people talking out of their ass.

Have any of you ever been in a 5th gen with out cats? Or are you basing this in experiences with other cars? My car doesn't have cats and I never smell anything unless I'm backing up or there is a tail wind at a stop light and the windows are down. Guess what, my friend has kooks high flow cats and you still get that smell. It's just not as noticeable. This isn't a 4th gen with a terrible hatch seal. Cats are useless unless you like spending an extra $400 and you spend most of you time hanging out behind the car while it's running. If you don't like the smell of exhaust then keep the car stock.

Wesman · 10-21-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black5thgen

I feel, as usual, there is a lot of BS info being said here by people talking out of their ass.

Have any of you ever been in a 5th gen with out cats? Or are you basing this in experiences with other cars? My car doesn't have cats and I never smell anything unless I'm backing up or there is a tail wind at a stop light and the windows are down. Guess what, my friend has kooks high flow cats and you still get that smell. It's just not as noticeable. This isn't a 4th gen with a terrible hatch seal. Cats are useless unless you like spending an extra $400 and you spend most of you time hanging out behind the car while it's running. If you don't like the smell of exhaust then keep the car stock.

Or just get high flow metallic cats and you can have the best of both worlds...

Are you really that ignorant??

I've had cars with and wothout cats...so first hand I'm saying its always preferable to have cats, you aren't gaining anything besides a headache running without them!!

jtzako · 10-21-2011, 06:46 PM

Without cats it will smell horrible. Even with high flow cats the car smells quite a bit worse than with stock cats.

69 Rebel · 10-21-2011, 06:52 PM

Was wondering why my eyes were tearing up at every stop. My HFC were gutted during the 416 build

The Stig · 10-21-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black5thgen

I feel, as usual, there is a lot of BS info being said here by people talking out of their ass.

Have any of you ever been in a 5th gen with out cats? Or are you basing this in experiences with other cars? My car doesn't have cats and I never smell anything unless I'm backing up or there is a tail wind at a stop light and the windows are down. Guess what, my friend has kooks high flow cats and you still get that smell. It's just not as noticeable. This isn't a 4th gen with a terrible hatch seal. Cats are useless unless you like spending an extra $400 and you spend most of you time hanging out behind the car while it's running. If you don't like the smell of exhaust then keep the car stock.

Yes I ran without cars for two months and switched due to the smell and the raspy exhaust sound.

Also, stopping whining. It's the Internet, not everyone is going to agree with you. So why don't you stop flexing your Internet muscles and play nice.

Mr_Draco · 10-21-2011, 09:44 PM

I would go with cats.

As already mentioned, you don't lose any hp or torque. Hiflo's can pass the emission test IF you get them warm first. Take the car out for a drive, like ten miles or so first and they'll pass. Don't take it in cold and don't wait in line. Try to be the first person or the next person in line. If you have to wait just come back. Also, on a stock engine cats will last awhile but if you get a super charger, expect to burn though them every 2-3 years depending on how often you drive it.

10-20-2011, 11:32 AM	#1
RED 2012 Drives: 2000 Camaro SS, 2012 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 93	Cats vs No Cats? I am looking into some Kooks long tube headers and hooking them up to the factory catback for now. 1) Im debating whether i should get the catted mid pipes or uncatted ones? 2) If I get the catted connections about how long do they last before they need to be replaced? My inspection sticker is good for almost two years so I dont need to worry about passing emissions until then. I have a 2000 Camaro SS with LTs and off-road pipes and i can hardly smell anything which people say is so terrible so the smell wouldn't be an issue for me. Which ones should i get?

10-20-2011, 11:51 AM	#2
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	Personal preference. It has been shown that there isn't a HP difference between HFC's and no cats so it's up to you as to what you want. The only difference is conscience and $$. HFC's will run $300+. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

10-21-2011, 06:46 PM	#11
jtzako Drives: 2010 IBM Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: DFW, Tx Posts: 1,157	Without cats it will smell horrible. Even with high flow cats the car smells quite a bit worse than with stock cats. __________________ 2010 Camaro SS Imperial Blue \| CAI Inc, CAI \| Solo Hi Flow Cats \| X-Pipe \| Backup Camera \| PDIM

10-21-2011, 06:52 PM	#12
69 Rebel Drives: 2010 IBM 2SS/RS Auto Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Laval, Canada Posts: 1,542	Was wondering why my eyes were tearing up at every stop. My HFC were gutted during the 416 build __________________ Version I Jannetty Racing 550 RWHP Street Brawler Package, Powered by TVS2300 Maggie http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100385 Version II 416ci stroker/4L80e 701rwhp 750rwtq build and tuned by SPI-Performance Last edited by 69 Rebel; 10-21-2011 at 09:47 PM.

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10-20-2011, 11:59 AM	#3
JDP Motorsports Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/ 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sandy, Utah Posts: 3,256	I would go catted personally!

10-21-2011, 02:15 PM	#5
Black5thgen Account Suspended Drives: 2007 C6 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 2,251 View My Garage	There is no logical reason for running cats with LT headers. You get a little bit more power, the car sounds better and it's cheaper with out them. Most hi-flow cats won't pass a sniff test either and they burn out in a couple years.

10-21-2011, 09:44 PM	#14
Mr_Draco Drives: 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 7,182	I would go with cats. As already mentioned, you don't lose any hp or torque. Hiflo's can pass the emission test IF you get them warm first. Take the car out for a drive, like ten miles or so first and they'll pass. Don't take it in cold and don't wait in line. Try to be the first person or the next person in line. If you have to wait just come back. Also, on a stock engine cats will last awhile but if you get a super charger, expect to burn though them every 2-3 years depending on how often you drive it.