ARH Downpipe CEL Prevention - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

simon777 · 11-05-2018, 03:47 PM

From what I gather, putting ARH HFC downpipes on my 2015 LFX Camaro will trigger a check engine light.

I’ve come across extenders/mini cats as a solution from Big Daddies website that requires installing 2, one for each post cat O2 sensor.

2 straight extenders are $30 total vs the mini cat straight extenders are $100 for 2.

I have no tune and don’t want to waste time with the $30 option if it triggers a check engine light.

Can anyone chime in with what they used and how long they’ve made it without a CEL coming on?

Thanks

SSEssence · 11-05-2018, 04:00 PM

Before I got my tune, I ran high flow cats with a straight extender and then a 90 degree extender and didn't get codes.

ramil13 · 11-05-2018, 04:25 PM

what's the point of installing downpipes then? The performance results are minuscule if there is any anyways... I would just save up and install all mods at once. 10-20 horsepower isn't noticeable at all

Xell · 11-05-2018, 06:49 PM

With the mods I have and no tune, the downpipes made a noticeable difference on the low end, most noticeable from a dead stop.

I purchased mine used from another member and they came with the mini cats, when i first installed them after driving around a bit I would get a weird throttle lag for about a week, but now I have zero issues.

rozarioorlan · 11-08-2018, 10:14 AM

I installed my ARH catted downpipes in January 2018 and experienced no issues with them. I did have a CEL come on about a week or so after getting them installed, but since I was already tuned I just had my tuner remove the codes. I believe those 2 for $100 cat simulators are the best option for preventing the light, but not sure as I have no experience. The CEL isn’t bad either but more just annoying. As far as gains of course there was a huge increase in sound, but I actually noticed better throttle response, it would pull a little harder and definitely from a stop you can feel it get up and go quicker.

camguynj · 11-08-2018, 11:00 AM

I have a BigDaddy mini-cat on one side and an angled on the other(for fit reasons) on my Solo HF cats . No CELs with either one.

simon777 · 11-08-2018, 07:24 PM

Thank you all for the responses, definitely helped me make a decision.

I decided to play it safe and just get 2 mini cats. I'll be getting it tuned at some point in the future, but for now hopefully they'll work to hold me over until then. Figured I could just sell them whenever I get a tune.

11-05-2018, 03:47 PM	#1
simon777 Drives: 2015 Camaro LS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 141	ARH Downpipe CEL Prevention From what I gather, putting ARH HFC downpipes on my 2015 LFX Camaro will trigger a check engine light. I’ve come across extenders/mini cats as a solution from Big Daddies website that requires installing 2, one for each post cat O2 sensor. 2 straight extenders are $30 total vs the mini cat straight extenders are $100 for 2. I have no tune and don’t want to waste time with the $30 option if it triggers a check engine light. Can anyone chime in with what they used and how long they’ve made it without a CEL coming on? Thanks

11-05-2018, 04:00 PM	#2
SSEssence Instagram: Sangstah Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Buena Park, CA. Posts: 2,802 View My Garage	Before I got my tune, I ran high flow cats with a straight extender and then a 90 degree extender and didn't get codes. __________________ 2019 SS 1LE - "CaSSandra" 2014 SS - "AleSSandra - Sold" 94 Z28 - Sold Follow the build https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612717

11-05-2018, 04:25 PM	#3
ramil13 Drives: 2015 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 271	what's the point of installing downpipes then? The performance results are minuscule if there is any anyways... I would just save up and install all mods at once. 10-20 horsepower isn't noticeable at all __________________ K&N intake, Custom Tune, Billet Catch Can, K.C's Ported 72mm TB & IM, Jacfab IM Spacer, Primary/Secondary Cat & Muffler Delete, Magnaflow Xpipe, 2.5" Straightpiped, GM Strut Tower Brace, Mace Engineering Cams, Solo Performance J pipes, Magnaflow Resonators x 2 340rwhp Dyno

11-08-2018, 10:14 AM	#5
rozarioorlan Drives: 2013 Camaro 2LS Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 277	I installed my ARH catted downpipes in January 2018 and experienced no issues with them. I did have a CEL come on about a week or so after getting them installed, but since I was already tuned I just had my tuner remove the codes. I believe those 2 for $100 cat simulators are the best option for preventing the light, but not sure as I have no experience. The CEL isn’t bad either but more just annoying. As far as gains of course there was a huge increase in sound, but I actually noticed better throttle response, it would pull a little harder and definitely from a stop you can feel it get up and go quicker. __________________ 2013 2LS - K&N CAI, Overkill Ported 80mm Throttle Body, Overkill E85 Kit and Overkill Tune, Jacfab Ported Intake Manifold and Spacer, Stealth 3.0 TC, ARH Catted Downpipes, Magnaflow Resonated X-Pipe, Resonator Delete, Jones Full Boar Racing Mufflers, BMR 1.2" Lowering Springs, Elite Engineering Catch Can and Clean Side Seperator

11-05-2018, 06:49 PM	#4
Xell Drives: 2013 2SS RS Convertible Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 29	With the mods I have and no tune, the downpipes made a noticeable difference on the low end, most noticeable from a dead stop. I purchased mine used from another member and they came with the mini cats, when i first installed them after driving around a bit I would get a weird throttle lag for about a week, but now I have zero issues.

11-08-2018, 11:00 AM	#6
camguynj Drives: '13 SS/RS LS3 BRM Cammed NPP Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 3,812 View My Garage	I have a BigDaddy mini-cat on one side and an angled on the other(for fit reasons) on my Solo HF cats . No CELs with either one.

11-08-2018, 07:24 PM	#7
simon777 Drives: 2015 Camaro LS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 141	Thank you all for the responses, definitely helped me make a decision. I decided to play it safe and just get 2 mini cats. I'll be getting it tuned at some point in the future, but for now hopefully they'll work to hold me over until then. Figured I could just sell them whenever I get a tune.