Long Tube Headers and High Flow Cats - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

str8himalaya · 06-08-2023, 09:30 AM

Hi all,

I'm working on my list of upgrades and I have seen quite a few people running speed engineering headers. When looking at them online, they definitely have an attractive price, but it looks like they do not have cats. I'm assuming this would mean I would be going full straight pipe (I already have straight pipes from the cat back). What is the benefit of having high flow cats vs. no cats? I do not have a welder either, so will I need parts welded when installing the headers? Any help and understanding would be greatly appreciated, I'm learning as I go!

Risingson05 · 06-08-2023, 09:40 AM

They shouldn’t have to be welded on , you can usually use a band clamp to get them tightened up and sealed . Although welded is the for sure way to not have exhaust leak . I like bolt on in case you need to remove them ..

Get the kooks green cats , their less likely to get clogged up .

Blue 13 · 06-08-2023, 12:33 PM

You get what you pay for. It’s an accurate axiom for a reason.

The_bald_eagle_machine · 06-08-2023, 01:12 PM

I have had great luck with speed engineering stuff in the past. Typically they fit pretty good, and the price is definitely right. They come with an offroad connection that is designed to look like a cat but it is indeed hollow inside. I am running a Texas Speed high flow cat, which are really cheap and i feel like after a year they are already kind of failing. best bet is to not run cats, unless you live in an emissions state.

MSgt O · 06-08-2023, 02:48 PM

Kooks with Green cats....this is the way. Buy once, cry once...

acutron42 · 06-08-2023, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSgt O

Kooks with Green cats....this is the way. Buy once, cry once...

Along with Jet Hot ceramic lol.

pyroguy · 06-08-2023, 05:00 PM

Speed Engineering headers are good budget friendly headers. You may need to "massage" them to fit, you may get lucky and have them slide right in. You're right, they do not offer a high flow cat option. Texas Speed offers high flow cats that bolt right on to these headers. OBX is also a good budget friendly header that offers high flow cats with their headers too.

Benefits of high flow cats vs catless is less exhaust smell, can pass emissions, less rasp in the exhaust. You'll gain about 1rwhp going catless vs high flow cats, so there really isn't a performance advantage. If you're running a boosted car, going catless is preferred because you often times will melt your cats under good amounts of boost.

06-08-2023, 09:30 AM	#1
str8himalaya A lot to learn! Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Transformers Edition Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 132	Long Tube Headers and High Flow Cats Hi all, I'm working on my list of upgrades and I have seen quite a few people running speed engineering headers. When looking at them online, they definitely have an attractive price, but it looks like they do not have cats. I'm assuming this would mean I would be going full straight pipe (I already have straight pipes from the cat back). What is the benefit of having high flow cats vs. no cats? I do not have a welder either, so will I need parts welded when installing the headers? Any help and understanding would be greatly appreciated, I'm learning as I go! __________________ 2012 Camaro SS Transformers Edition. Current Mods: -Kooks LTH with hi-flow cats -H-Pipe, resonator and muffler delete -Cold Air Industries CAI -Power Wedge

06-08-2023, 09:40 AM	#2
Risingson05 Drives: 2015 zl1 m6 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Alaska Posts: 727	They shouldn’t have to be welded on , you can usually use a band clamp to get them tightened up and sealed . Although welded is the for sure way to not have exhaust leak . I like bolt on in case you need to remove them .. Get the kooks green cats , their less likely to get clogged up . __________________ 791whp 699 ft lbs torque on E30 - ported sc /heads by boost mode racing - PAT G cam /Tune PB:10.5@135

06-08-2023, 01:12 PM	#4
The_bald_eagle_machine Anthony S Drives: 2011 chevrolet camaro 2ss/rs Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Chiefland, FL Posts: 997	I have had great luck with speed engineering stuff in the past. Typically they fit pretty good, and the price is definitely right. They come with an offroad connection that is designed to look like a cat but it is indeed hollow inside. I am running a Texas Speed high flow cat, which are really cheap and i feel like after a year they are already kind of failing. best bet is to not run cats, unless you live in an emissions state. __________________ Follow me on instagram @Cthulu_the_trans_am https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=600181 2011 Camaro 2SSRS - Sold No longer a 5th gen owner, but still an enthusiast. Ask me about my Front crash bars!

06-08-2023, 05:00 PM	#7
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #832 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 7,079 View My Garage	Speed Engineering headers are good budget friendly headers. You may need to "massage" them to fit, you may get lucky and have them slide right in. You're right, they do not offer a high flow cat option. Texas Speed offers high flow cats that bolt right on to these headers. OBX is also a good budget friendly header that offers high flow cats with their headers too. Benefits of high flow cats vs catless is less exhaust smell, can pass emissions, less rasp in the exhaust. You'll gain about 1rwhp going catless vs high flow cats, so there really isn't a performance advantage. If you're running a boosted car, going catless is preferred because you often times will melt your cats under good amounts of boost. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #832 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

06-08-2023, 12:33 PM	#3
Blue 13 3P171 USAF Combat Arms Drives: 2013 SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Olmsted AFB Posts: 416	You get what you pay for. It’s an accurate axiom for a reason.

06-08-2023, 02:48 PM	#5
MSgt O Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Vert LS3/M6 Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Cheboygan, Michigan Posts: 914	Kooks with Green cats....this is the way. Buy once, cry once...