High Flow Cat, Test Pipe

[Hippofish]

I am thinking about installing the High Flow Cat/Test Pipe on my car this summer. I have full 4 to 1 headers plus Borla exhaust out the back, and I am curious as to what kind of gains I might or might not feel from removing that pesky restrictive stock Catalytic Converter. Also another question I have is what do you all use for removing those f*cking bolts that are rusted and warped on the exhaust system. I don't want to cut them off if I don't have to. I have heard some others say they use something called "Liquid Wrench".

1995 Eagle Talon ESI
88,000 miles 420a motor, NA, 5 Speed, CAI, Headers, Exhaust, JET computer, other various add ons.

The Fish

[Goat Blower]

You're not going to see much. Removing exhaust restriction is much more beneficial on turbo cars.

Love the old skool Def Leppard lyric reference btw.

[Hippofish]

Yeah when I installed the exhaust I didn't really feel that much difference, but when I put those headers on there was definately a difference. I am not going to jump up and down about it, but it was probably a slight gain, I know for sure in the torque, cause that seemed to change when the headers where on there. Not much else though.

The Fish

[AJ]

If you are set on tinkering with the exhaust, use some PB Blaster for a few days. Just soak that shit.

[Kracka]

Testpipes definitely help N/A cars so go for it. You won't get a massive change like on a turbo car, but you'll get a few ponies at least.

Don't bother with a high-flow cat unless you hug the earth, they are expensive and you won't see all the gains you would with a testpipe.

[Hippofish]

Yeah i have the test pipe already, I wouldn't spend the money on the High Flow Cat. I am glad that someone feels the gains would be worth the pain in the butt it would be to remove those old rusted, warped bolts...thanks man...

The Fish

[HiImBrian]

If you are set on tinkering with the exhaust, use some PB Blaster for a few days. Just soak that shit.

pb blaster ftw! You wont feel much, but it will sound nicer!

[mdost03]

One thing you will notice with a test pipe instead of a cat will be an obnoxious raspy exhaust tone. Will sound similar to a Honda :(

[dumb_ricer]

Only a Honda can sound like a Honda! No worse sound in the world.(S2000 doesn't count, as even I like S2000's at 9000RPM)

The neon community (also 420a) was seeing 2-3whp with the removal of the stock cat.

I would look into possible a throttle body off of an automatic neon next. (2-3hp). I am not sure if it is the same throttle body though. Or maybe an Automatic Eclipse one would work. The 5sp Neons had a 48mm throttle body, while the auto's had a 52mm. Eclipses MAY be different.

[xveganxcowboyx]

I bought a high flow cat and flanges for less than $60. They're not crazy expensive if you look. Personally I like breathing :)

It sounds like the cat is the last real restriction in your setup though, so with either a high flow cat or a test pipe you should feel a bit of difference.