Solo High Flow Cats - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

GOINGSOLO2 · 06-18-2010, 10:24 PM

Sounds great! Thanks for the feedback and we hope to see more about the driving experience. Enjoy going SOLO

rmnc3r · 06-18-2010, 11:57 PM

Hey Fishdaddy,
Thanks for the tips about the installation. I couldn't wait so I got an early start this evening...
I got the drivers side clips released and took the Cat off, but I am having a heckuva time getting the clip retainer off the plug on the passenger side forward sensor. I used small needle nose pliers to squeeze the retaining clip in order to slide it out and got 3 of the 4 done. I can't seem to get a hold of the foward clip to put the squeeze on it.
It's in a pretty ackward area and my arms don't quite have the flexibility of an Octopus. How did you do it? Is there a specialized tool that help squeeze the retainer so that it will pass through?

BTW, thanks for the video clips; they whet my appetite even more.

Cheers!

camaro1 · 06-19-2010, 04:12 AM

why did they pull the rear o2 sensors out of the exhaust stream(spacers on the rear sensors), not efficient enough?

that is a trick people try doing when taking the cats off to try and keep the check engine light from setting

i would bet that eventually you will get a rear o2 code , probly for slow responce time or insufficient activity.

mikey8 · 06-19-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishdadddy

Hey mikey8,

Did you sell that exhaust system yet?

It's still waiting for you.

I haven't even listed it.

Fishdadddy · 06-19-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaro1

why did they pull the rear o2 sensors out of the exhaust stream(spacers on the rear sensors), not efficient enough?

that is a trick people try doing when taking the cats off to try and keep the check engine light from setting

i would bet that eventually you will get a rear o2 code , probly for slow responce time or insufficient activity.

There is at least one member on here with them, that has over 400 miles with no codes yet. I'll keep everyone posted as I get more mileage.

Fishdadddy · 06-19-2010, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey8

It's still waiting for you.

I haven't even listed it.

Not sure I am doing anything else to my exhaust for now, since I got these HF Cats. I still need to put more mileage on the car to decide though.

camaro1 · 06-19-2010, 09:17 AM

it just seems kind of sneaky to sell a high flow converter replacement, and have the rear o2 sensors pulled from the exhaust stream with spacers.

topgun1 · 06-19-2010, 09:22 AM

sounds awesome Fishdadddy, thanks alot for the vids! I know you're probably as happy as I am about the new cats! really love them. I'm going to try to get some video up sometime this weekend. what an amazing difference with just the cats and still the stock exhaust!

ssmike · 06-19-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaro1

why did they pull the rear o2 sensors out of the exhaust stream(spacers on the rear sensors), not efficient enough?

that is a trick people try doing when taking the cats off to try and keep the check engine light from setting

i would bet that eventually you will get a rear o2 code , probly for slow responce time or insufficient activity.

I was wondering the same thing. Good question for Steve at Solo! I have about 350 miles on and so far no CEL! We'll see after more miles!

FB3 · 06-19-2010, 12:50 PM

I have several concerns regarding these cat replacements. One, which has been mentioned, is the placement of the rear O2 sensor to fool the system.

The other, which I have also seen somewhere but have not seen any numbers, is what is the air fuel mixture with a stock ecm?

I am guessing that it will go pretty lean, especially with a cai system, and if the ecm cannot adequately adjust the mixture without a tune there is a real risk in valve and piston damage over the intermediate and long run.

Just my guess, but I would definitely have to see some dyno numbers before installing any high flow cats without a tune.

GOINGSOLO2 · 06-19-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FB3

I have several concerns regarding these cat replacements. One, which has been mentioned, is the placement of the rear O2 sensor to fool the system.

The other, which I have also seen somewhere but have not seen any numbers, is what is the air fuel mixture with a stock ecm?

I am guessing that it will go pretty lean, especially with a cai system, and if the ecm cannot adequately adjust the mixture without a tune there is a real risk in valve and piston damage over the intermediate and long run.

Just my guess, but I would definitely have to see some dyno numbers before installing any high flow cats without a tune.

The rear 02 sensor only monitors oxygen, and if the exhaust gases stay in the converter for a long enough amount of time, those gases burn off along with the oxygen. With our converters, the gases flow through so quickly that only those harmful gases burn off and more 02 flows through. The extender that we include takes that 02 sensor farther out of the stream so it doesn't read the higher amount of harmless 02 making it through the converter.

Regarding the A/F mixture, we have a phone call and an email in to our dyno shop requesting those numbers.

GOINGSOLO2 · 06-19-2010, 04:54 PM

A nice review was posted here for anyone who is interested or on the fence: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...80#post2003680

Fishdadddy · 06-19-2010, 05:10 PM

Nice response Steve. I was about to refer the same thread.

rmnc3r · 06-19-2010, 07:31 PM

Another successful swap-out completed! The hardest part was getting the sensor locking pegs out, especially the front ones. Once those little buggers were out, the plugs were easy to disconnect and removing the OE Cats was pretty easy.
Putting the bolts in was a challenge and I made good use of a strong magnet to hold them while I put the washers and nuts on and I was able to get all 4 started. I didn't read anywhere, but is there a recommended torque value? I used the TFAR (That feel's about right) setting but intend to revisit those bolts once they've expanded and contracted a few times.

Oldest Daughter's help was enlisted to put the front locking pegs back in and her smaller hands and thinner arms were just the ticket. She also tightened the bolts from the top while I held a wrench underneath the car. (THANKS DAUGHTER!)

The rear clamp bands were no problem at all, but interestingly, only the Driver's side Cat had a stud that locked it to the band.

I also used anti-seize in anticipation of having to possibly reinstalling the OE Cats come Smog Check time in 5 years. First drive was only about 10 miles and no CEL, so, so far, so good. I honestly cannot tell yet from the first test ride if there is a 22 HP gain per published advertisements, but the 'V8' sound of older cars is nice. I have an Airaid CAI, so I'll be watching posts about these Cats and CAI interaction.

06-19-2010, 04:12 AM	#17
camaro1 Drives: 550+RWHP 2010 camaro Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,588	why did they pull the rear o2 sensors out of the exhaust stream(spacers on the rear sensors), not efficient enough? that is a trick people try doing when taking the cats off to try and keep the check engine light from setting i would bet that eventually you will get a rear o2 code , probly for slow responce time or insufficient activity. __________________ 415ci stroker, TVS 2300 Magnacharger, cnc heads, cam, yank ss3200 converter, Kooks long tubes, Bwoody true cold air kit, ZL1 Pump, magnaflow 3" cat-back, lowering springs,BMR control arms and tie rod bars, 3.73 gears, diff mounts, RX can, ADM fuel controller Last edited by camaro1; 06-19-2010 at 04:31 AM.

06-19-2010, 09:17 AM	#21
camaro1 Drives: 550+RWHP 2010 camaro Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: wisconsin Posts: 1,588	it just seems kind of sneaky to sell a high flow converter replacement, and have the rear o2 sensors pulled from the exhaust stream with spacers. __________________ 415ci stroker, TVS 2300 Magnacharger, cnc heads, cam, yank ss3200 converter, Kooks long tubes, Bwoody true cold air kit, ZL1 Pump, magnaflow 3" cat-back, lowering springs,BMR control arms and tie rod bars, 3.73 gears, diff mounts, RX can, ADM fuel controller

06-19-2010, 09:22 AM	#22
topgun1 Drives: 10 SIM 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 1,939 View My Garage	sounds awesome Fishdadddy, thanks alot for the vids! I know you're probably as happy as I am about the new cats! really love them. I'm going to try to get some video up sometime this weekend. what an amazing difference with just the cats and still the stock exhaust! __________________ 5th Gen Camaros of the Carolinas SIM, 2SS/RS LS3 5/7/11 453.9 RWHP 427.5 RWTQ VMS Stage 2.5 Comp Cams kit, Cold Air Inductions intake, ADM race scoop, DT 1 3/4" headers, Solo cats, 3" Magnaflow catback, Pypes cutouts, HP tune, H&R SuperSport springs, Eibach sways/spacers, TexasSpeed UD pulley, LSR tensioner pulley, Barton shifter, skip shift eliminator, powder-coated calipers, R1 concept rotors, StopTech pads, Granatelli wires, Lloyds mats, tint, AAC afterburner taillamps, AAC scanner/sidemarkers, SRP pedals, custom engine cover, black bowties, Ridergraphix hood spears....

06-19-2010, 12:50 PM	#24
FB3 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS RS LS3, BRM, NPP Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 411	I have several concerns regarding these cat replacements. One, which has been mentioned, is the placement of the rear O2 sensor to fool the system. The other, which I have also seen somewhere but have not seen any numbers, is what is the air fuel mixture with a stock ecm? I am guessing that it will go pretty lean, especially with a cai system, and if the ecm cannot adequately adjust the mixture without a tune there is a real risk in valve and piston damage over the intermediate and long run. Just my guess, but I would definitely have to see some dyno numbers before installing any high flow cats without a tune. __________________ Experience is the best teacher but the tuition is very high.

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06-18-2010, 10:24 PM	#15
GOINGSOLO2 Drives: All Models Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NY Posts: 1,475	Sounds great! Thanks for the feedback and we hope to see more about the driving experience. Enjoy going SOLO

06-18-2010, 11:57 PM	#16
rmnc3r Drives: me up the wall. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 471	Hey Fishdaddy, Thanks for the tips about the installation. I couldn't wait so I got an early start this evening... I got the drivers side clips released and took the Cat off, but I am having a heckuva time getting the clip retainer off the plug on the passenger side forward sensor. I used small needle nose pliers to squeeze the retaining clip in order to slide it out and got 3 of the 4 done. I can't seem to get a hold of the foward clip to put the squeeze on it. It's in a pretty ackward area and my arms don't quite have the flexibility of an Octopus. How did you do it? Is there a specialized tool that help squeeze the retainer so that it will pass through? BTW, thanks for the video clips; they whet my appetite even more. Cheers!

06-19-2010, 04:54 PM	#26
GOINGSOLO2 Drives: All Models Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NY Posts: 1,475	A nice review was posted here for anyone who is interested or on the fence: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...80#post2003680

06-19-2010, 05:10 PM	#27
Fishdadddy Drives: 2010 2SS/RS ; 1970 Firebird Formula Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: West Palm Beach Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	Nice response Steve. I was about to refer the same thread.

06-19-2010, 07:31 PM	#28
rmnc3r Drives: me up the wall. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lakewood, CA Posts: 471	Another successful swap-out completed! The hardest part was getting the sensor locking pegs out, especially the front ones. Once those little buggers were out, the plugs were easy to disconnect and removing the OE Cats was pretty easy. Putting the bolts in was a challenge and I made good use of a strong magnet to hold them while I put the washers and nuts on and I was able to get all 4 started. I didn't read anywhere, but is there a recommended torque value? I used the TFAR (That feel's about right) setting but intend to revisit those bolts once they've expanded and contracted a few times. Oldest Daughter's help was enlisted to put the front locking pegs back in and her smaller hands and thinner arms were just the ticket. She also tightened the bolts from the top while I held a wrench underneath the car. (THANKS DAUGHTER!) The rear clamp bands were no problem at all, but interestingly, only the Driver's side Cat had a stud that locked it to the band. I also used anti-seize in anticipation of having to possibly reinstalling the OE Cats come Smog Check time in 5 years. First drive was only about 10 miles and no CEL, so, so far, so good. I honestly cannot tell yet from the first test ride if there is a 22 HP gain per published advertisements, but the 'V8' sound of older cars is nice. I have an Airaid CAI, so I'll be watching posts about these Cats and CAI interaction.