header questions

[dekan513]

ok i have the magnaflow axel back kit ordered and a x pipe i want a set of headers but im confused about how the catted and all that works just messed with old school cars nothing with a cat on it. i want a 2.5 in exhaust and 1 7/8 headers do u completly delete the cats or what will it mess with the car, and how hard are they to put on these cars.

[Synner]

You can either do no cats or high flows. Just get connector pipes with a 2.5" outlet; most companies offer that and 3" so be aware what you're buying. Plan on a tune as even high flows will cause a check engine light to go on.

[dekan513]

ya i done got cai, exhaust , and the tune on order wanting to do it all at once to see a big difference all at once

[dekan513]

the sct x3 from ted on here

[RANGERGOD]

I am about to install mine next week and I am going with no cats.

[caverman]

It will mostly depend if you live in an area where they are required in order to get your car inspected. Obviously if they are required you'll need to get some High Flow (HF) cats when you buy headers. If they are required then you'll need to make the decision whether or not to spend the extra money.

Some people have mentioned that without cats (often called off-road connection pipes) that your car will have more of a gas/exhaust smell. That will be from the outside of the car. You shouldn't smell anything inside the car. I've heard others mention that it will really depend on your tune as well. If the tune is more on the rich side (which is safer but slower) then you'll smell it more, if not then you probably won't smell anything.

HF cats are easy to add after the fact but they usually cost more if you don't buy them as a package deal when buying headers.

You can double check when you get your quote for headers but 99% of the time when you order for a 5th Gen they'll be a 3" inlet with a 2.5" outlet to hook up to your exhaust. You have to specifically order a full 3" exhaust to get it 3" in/out. So, don't be too concerned with that.

The cats bolt up or slip on to the collector part of the header. Below is a pic of some KOOKS headers and HF cats. With KOOKS they have a flange that bolts them together. However, ones like ARH have a slip on type cat with a clamp to hold them on.

The first pic is Headers and HF cats. The second is just a HF cat. The third it an off-road connection pipe if you decide to go that route.

[dekan513]

shoot me some sites and prices on headers and connection pipes where i live u can run open headers all day wide open and u wouldnt get much trouble unless u were just acting crazy or something so i dont need cats really unless u all think they help

[dekan513]

also how hard are they to install , i am mech incline as i raced and worked on dirtbikes about all my life and helped my dad on old cars but will i need a lift and are they a tight fit and aggrovating to mess with.