Catted JBA mid pipes installed today

[Stephen12ZL1]

I had everything off in about an hour as I am working laying on my back with the car on ramps. The most difficult part is getting the darn O2 connections unplugged. It is much easier to access the rear connections with the tranny dropped down slightly by unbolting the crossmember with a floor jack in place. You can thank me later for that tip...lol! The front O2 connections are no picnic either as you must have the hand of an 8 year old to squeeze in there to unplug them. These front 02 connections are much easier to unplug once you remove the flange connection bolts and allow the exhaust to drop out of the way to the limit of the 02 wires. We can thank GM for the rear band clamp setup which is very easy to manage. Now for the new JBA mid pipes with cats...Took them out of the box and of course no directions for any guidance or input. No biggie, it is self explanatory once you figure out which is the passenger pipe and which is the drivers as they appear very similar. The install went fairly quickly and things fit just fine. Of course this is an aftermarket part, so be prepared to have to adjust slightly to get the fit just right. The fasteners and gaskets supplied are good quality. The only tight clearance area was the front O2 sensor on the drivers side which only has 1/8" between it and the transmission housing. Yeah, I could have used a cut off wheel to trim the tranny housing, but it was just enough clearance that there shouldn't be any problems. Now, on to the impressions on first start up for changes in exhaust note, etc. It is definitely louder than stock now but not obnoxiously so. The intital start-up bark is more pronounced and the note is deeper and louder. At cruise with the flaps in the closed position, the exhaust is just as quiet as stock. Upon acceleration with the flaps still closed, the exhaust note is louder and deeper. Acceleration tone with the flaps open is much more aggressive and sounds great. I would hate to see how loud this setup would be catless. I can't tell power differences, but the boost is exactly the same according to the factory gauge. Dyno coming soon after I do the injector swap. Part #1812 SYC. Here is a comparison pic.

[OVERPAR73]

Where did you get your new cats and how much are they? Can you provide a sound clip? This looks like another mod I'am going to have to do!

[Stephen12ZL1]

another review with similar observations. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80899

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by OVERPAR73

Where did you get your new cats and how much are they? Can you provide a sound clip? This looks like another mod I'am going to have to do!

Amazon.com then checked the vendor with the best price. It was autoplicity.com for $450. Sound clip won't help as my media equipment is limited to cell phone and ipad which will not give you a good sound clip.

[Juiced1]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I had everything off in about an hour as I am working laying on my back with the car on ramps. The most difficult part is getting the darn O2 connections unplugged. It is much easier to access the rear connections with the tranny dropped down slightly by unbolting the crossmember with a floor jack in place. You can thank me later for that tip...lol! The front O2 connections are no picnic either as you must have the hand of an 8 year old to squeeze in there to unplug them. These front 02 connections are much easier to unplug once you remove the flange connection bolts and allow the exhaust to drop out of the way to the limit of the 02 wires. We can thank GM for the rear band clamp setup which is very easy to manage. Now for the new JBA mid pipes with cats...Took them out of the box and of course no directions for any guidance or input. No biggie, it is self explanatory once you figure out which is the passenger pipe and which is the drivers as they appear very similar. The install went fairly quickly and things fit just fine. Of course this is an aftermarket part, so be prepared to have to adjust slightly to get the fit just right. The fasteners and gaskets supplied are good quality. The only tight clearance area was the front O2 sensor on the drivers side which only has 1/8" between it and the transmission housing. Yeah, I could have used a cut off wheel to trim the tranny housing, but it was just enough clearance that there shouldn't be any problems. Now, on to the impressions on first start up for changes in exhaust note, etc. It is definitely louder than stock now but not obnoxiously so. The intital start-up bark is more pronounced and the note is deeper and louder. At cruise with the flaps in the closed position, the exhaust is just as quiet as stock. Upon acceleration with the flaps still closed, the exhaust note is louder and deeper. Acceleration tone with the flaps open is much more aggressive and sounds great. I would hate to see how loud this setup would be catless. I can't tell power differences, but the boost is exactly the same according to the factory gauge. Dyno coming soon after I do the injector swap. Part #1812 SYC. Here is a comparison pic.

The JBA high flow cats are an excellent mod for anyone trying to add a little power and some extra sound. If you aren't looking to go with long tube headers any time soon these are a must!

[Juiced1]

Originally Posted by OVERPAR73

Where did you get your new cats and how much are they? Can you provide a sound clip? This looks like another mod I'am going to have to do!

We carry them at a great price! They've been a great seller for us!

[Stephen12ZL1]

$389 from Juiced....never saw their price which is obviously much better

[charlietuna]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I had everything off in about an hour as I am working laying on my back with the car on ramps. The most difficult part is getting the darn O2 connections unplugged. It is much easier to access the rear connections with the tranny dropped down slightly by unbolting the crossmember with a floor jack in place. You can thank me later for that tip...lol! The front O2 connections are no picnic either as you must have the hand of an 8 year old to squeeze in there to unplug them. These front 02 connections are much easier to unplug once you remove the flange connection bolts and allow the exhaust to drop out of the way to the limit of the 02 wires. We can thank GM for the rear band clamp setup which is very easy to manage. Now for the new JBA mid pipes with cats...Took them out of the box and of course no directions for any guidance or input. No biggie, it is self explanatory once you figure out which is the passenger pipe and which is the drivers as they appear very similar. The install went fairly quickly and things fit just fine. Of course this is an aftermarket part, so be prepared to have to adjust slightly to get the fit just right. The fasteners and gaskets supplied are good quality. The only tight clearance area was the front O2 sensor on the drivers side which only has 1/8" between it and the transmission housing. Yeah, I could have used a cut off wheel to trim the tranny housing, but it was just enough clearance that there shouldn't be any problems. Now, on to the impressions on first start up for changes in exhaust note, etc. It is definitely louder than stock now but not obnoxiously so. The intital start-up bark is more pronounced and the note is deeper and louder. At cruise with the flaps in the closed position, the exhaust is just as quiet as stock. Upon acceleration with the flaps still closed, the exhaust note is louder and deeper. Acceleration tone with the flaps open is much more aggressive and sounds great. I would hate to see how loud this setup would be catless. I can't tell power differences, but the boost is exactly the same according to the factory gauge. Dyno coming soon after I do the injector swap. Part #1812 SYC. Here is a comparison pic.

Thank you for this...... dyno time soon?

[DangerZL1]

Is a tune necessary for this? Thanks for the detailed write up and impressions.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

Is a tune necessary for this? Thanks for the detailed write up and impressions.

some do long tubes with no tune, so I would bet these are fine with a stock tune. Just like all mods, a tune will give the best results.

[ZL1-Camaro]

Originally Posted by Juiced1

We carry them at a great price! They've been a great seller for us!

I want to buy them, I am waiting until they revise the plug location. I am sure that they are aware of this error right?

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by ZL1-Camaro

I want to buy them, I am waiting until they revise the plug location. I am sure that they are aware of this error right?

first reviews were in 2010 and they seem like I had the same exact minor issues which I must say were very minor. If I were a butcher, the tranny ear that was sticking near the 02 sensor would have been history via a cutoff wheel. 6spd cars may have more clearance in this area. Remember my car is an automatic and the 6 speed cars tranny case may allow more clearance.

[hognutz]

any sound clips? I think I am either ordering these or headers this week. still can't make up my mind.

I the exhaust popping alot worse? I was think about trying to have some of that tuned out.

[ZL1-V]

I like the "popping" burbling that the car does when downshifting and coming to a stop. It's a normal phenomenon if you ever been to a road race circuit? Coming from a two wheel background "loud pipes save lives"!