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Old 04-18-2003, 12:15 AM   #1
streetspanker
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Default gutting cats

i want to run open exhaust but dont want to spend a grand on all new pipes and stuff ( im a poor highschool kid, ok? ) is it possible to gut all 3 of my cats out and keep the stock pipes for now? eventually i'll get all the trick stuff, but i want power as soon as possible. a fellow nasioc member is going to gut my uppipe for me, but is there a way to take out the other 2 as well? it would be nice to maintain a stock appearance for warranty issues (hehe) but thats not my main concern. i just want the most bang for the buck, and gutting seems to be the way to go.

Ryan
03 WRX
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Old 04-18-2003, 12:26 AM   #2
JimmyOOOOO
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I'd like to line all the parents up who are buying their kids WRXs and kick them in the groin... hard.
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Old 04-18-2003, 12:30 AM   #3
turboICE
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On the downpipe at least I don't think you could without cutting the pipes or the case you couldn't get to all the cat material otherwise.

Another thing there is nothing poor about a HS kid with a REX! Sorry I had to say it.
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Old 04-18-2003, 12:31 AM   #4
turboICE
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Quote:
Originally posted by JimmyOOOOO
I'd like to line all the parents up who are buying their kids WRXs and kick them in the groin... hard.
Can we start a line? For kickers that is.
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Old 04-18-2003, 01:11 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally posted by JimmyOOOOO
I'd like to line all the parents up who are buying their kids WRXs and kick them in the groin... hard.

I think someones jealous Nah nah nah nah nah nah, sorry i couldnt resist, ya I know sometimes it doesnt seem to safe but would you rather them have a brand new GT more HP but RWD??? I mean there are safer cars than a WRX for a "kid" but I dont think your there was ANY reason for you to post in this thread.
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Old 04-18-2003, 01:25 AM   #6
stilesg57
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Those are some pretty rude comments guys. I bought my WRX myself (well, obviously still making payments) but I everyone still looks down on me because I'm a 19 year old in a 25k car. Well that's crap. Had my parents offered to buy my WRX I would've jumed at the opportunity. And be honest, any of you would have too at my age

Seriously though, I went to a private high school with a lot kids rollin' in the dough, and they didn't have WRX's (more like bimmers, mercedes, a plethora of luxery SUV's, and this one guy with 2 Audi S4's so he wouldn't have to switch between snow and summer tires ). Face it, the WRX is a great practical car for a kid my age who wants some performance.

But just because I was only driving a WRX while one guy had an M3 (or 2 S4's), I still didn't hold it against them - that's bull***** usually rooted in jealousy.

Now back to the question...

Yes, you can gut the stock pipes, but I'd only recommend gutting the uppipe cat. Reason being you need to think ahead about emissions and resale. The upippe is pretty stealth - the rest are easier to detect. You may need to return to stock for any reason and you'll be glad you've got totally unaltered OEM pipes sitting in your garage when the time comes - trust me.

Have fun with your WRX, just treat her nice and PLEASE don't put stickers on her
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Old 04-18-2003, 03:58 AM   #7
marder
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Hey Ryan

I don't know about gutting all 3 cats, I have gutted the uppipe and downpipe but not the third ( I have herd it is pretty free flowing?? ) I can tell you gutting the downpipe had probally twice the effect as doing the uppipe, faster boost, along with more power over the entire rpm range.

The downpipe is actually pretty easy to gut. I used a 1/2" spade bit on an extension, drilled it full of holes then used a piece of bent rebar and hammered it out. The material in the downpipe is much more brittle than the uppipe and is held in place by what looks like 2 rings of stainless mesh.

As for the 3rd cat... It's probally best to take it in to a muffler shop and tell them you want one just like it only without a cat. I don't think it will cost much. I have seen shops in my area advertize compleate v-8 exhausts for $250.

Just rember you will get a CEL and may not pass emmisions, I live in Oregon and its pretty easy to get around. All they do is hook up a scan tool to see if you have any CEL's in your computer and do a visual inspections.

anyway good luck with the REX

Jordon
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Old 04-18-2003, 04:43 AM   #8
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gutting the uppipe isn't bad just make sure you get everything out before putting it back on. Now for downpipe i would just save up and buy one. There is alot of heat there and you want a nice peice that isn't going to keep heat in so much. Also when going for smog you will have something to put back on your car so you can pass.
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Old 04-18-2003, 07:21 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally posted by JimmyOOOOO
I'd like to line all the parents up who are buying their kids WRXs and kick them in the groin... hard.
Sounds to me like someone is wanting his own groin kicked
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Old 04-18-2003, 07:39 AM   #10
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I've gutted all three of mine. I bought a spare exhaust before I did that. Right now, I'm running it with my DP cat in. It's before the o2 sensor so I haven't had a CEL yet. I may put an o2 bung in after the 3rd cat and swap the config and see what happens, or put a MIL fix on it. I'm also running a straight pipe exhaust. The 3rd cat is the easiest to gut. a long extension and a hammer. The downpipe I cut a flap off the side and rewelded it closed when i got all of the material out. It was pretty easy that way.
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Old 04-18-2003, 12:03 PM   #11
dan avoN7
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Quote:
Originally posted by JimmyOOOOO
I'd like to line all the parents up who are buying their kids WRXs and kick them in the groin... hard.
yea just keep your own thoughts to your self dude. The guy is asking a question and just wants a simple answer. Who cares if his parents spoiled him, if hes responsible with the car than nothing bad will happen. I to am in highschool and the money i have saved from previous summer jobs is going towards my car and am i doing all the work on it myself w/ the help of other forums members for the more serious parts (uppipe/turbo).
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Old 04-18-2003, 12:40 PM   #12
Dogfinder
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Thumbs up

The mid-pipe cat is easy to gut. I did it with an air chisel.

I had to remove the heatshield from the DP, open up the side of the cat with a grinding wheel, gut it, then weld it back shut. It took a bit of welding and swearing to get it not to leak.

As for the up-pipe, I got a vishnu - it is a sweet piece of craftmanship.

Got a resistor fix from ponyexpress.com ($20) for the o2 sensor, and the vishnu uppipe came with a resistor for the EGT bung in the up-pipe. No Cel's that way.

You will be amazed at the change in sound. My wife says the turbo sound sounds like a jet. It pulls like a jet, too (well, almost...).

Oh, and kudos for being able to get a $25k car at 19.
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Old 04-18-2003, 12:43 PM   #13
stilesg57
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Default

Quote:
Originally posted by cavymeister
I've gutted all three of mine. I bought a spare exhaust before I did that.
That's another way to go, however, the $$$ put towards a second stock exhaust could be put towards a good aftermarket turboback. Just some food for thought
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Old 04-18-2003, 02:06 PM   #14
vile
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seems like that's the only way to gut the cat in the midpipe, by cutting it open and rewelding it......how much u guys think a muffler shop would charge to cut it open and reweld it? i'm thinking of buying a spare midpipe to do it

the UP and last cat is not too hard to do

as for the comment bout parents buying wrx for their kids.....what makes you think he doesn't deserve it? are you ASSuming he does not deserve it cuz he's been spoiled? i was never fortunate enough to ever get anything growing up, but hey, if you're well off, and deserve the car, then more power to ya
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Old 04-18-2003, 02:26 PM   #15
dan avoN7
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Quote:
Originally posted by vile
as for the comment bout parents buying wrx for their kids.....what makes you think he doesn't deserve it? are you ASSuming he does not deserve it cuz he's been spoiled? i was never fortunate enough to ever get anything growing up, but hey, if you're well off, and deserve the car, then more power to ya
exactly.
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Old 04-18-2003, 02:36 PM   #16
JimmyOOOOO
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dan, unbunch your panties

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Old 04-18-2003, 03:36 PM   #17
Austin
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I'd like to see Jimmy kick himself in the panties.
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Old 04-18-2003, 03:38 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally posted by Austin
I'd like to see Jimmy kick himself in the panties.
If I could do that, I'd never leave the house...

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Old 04-18-2003, 03:51 PM   #19
Dogfinder
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Quote:
Originally posted by vile
seems like that's the only way to gut the cat in the midpipe, by cutting it open and rewelding it......how much u guys think a muffler shop would charge to cut it open and reweld it? i'm thinking of buying a spare midpipe to do it

The midpipe is easy. Nice, straight through. Real easy access. the downpipe is tricky with the bends in it. And good luck finding a muffler shop that will touch anything like that - its a little illegal.
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Old 04-18-2003, 03:51 PM   #20
turboICE
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Anyone who works and buys their own car, kudos. I couldn't buy a new one at 19. But I paid for every car I owned since 15 1/2 and would not knock anyone for buying whatever car they are able to and I don't think Jimmy was either.

As for people who have cars bought for them, some feel that there is a lack of appreciation for the value and effort required to obtain the item. They should be allowed to have that feeling.

Likewise some feel that inexperienced drivers generally shouldn't have performance cars. If you ever have a family member or friend killed or injured by one you may appreciate that feeling. And some feel doubly so when combined with the lack of appreciation above. This is a matter of responsibility and until the age of majority the responsibility is with the parents, but they are not always present to engage that responsibility. However, also implying every "kid" is irresponsible is stereotyping.

Taking it light heartedly, I found Jimmy's statement hilarious in tone and delivery. If I had taken it more seriously I suppose I would have found it more objectionable. I think Jimmy's panty comment was simply to be more light hearted.

Though I firmly stand by my statement that a HS kid with a REX is not "poor" whoever paid for it.

Can we get back on topic and convince streetspanker to not gut the cats and be patient enough to buy an open exhaust, a piece at a time if neccessary. For instance, an up pipe and axle back to start. Used catless up pipes of all types are very affordable. Why mess with the cancer risks gutting cats unless you have a good professional respirator?
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Old 04-18-2003, 04:00 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally posted by jehcpa
Why mess with the cancer risks gutting cats unless you have a good professional respirator?
Good point. All kinds of nasty heavy metals and god knows what in there. You start hammering away at the catalytic material and it throws up a real fine powder in the air.
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Old 04-18-2003, 04:01 PM   #22
turboICE
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Quote:
Originally posted by Dogfinder
The midpipe is easy. Nice, straight through. Real easy access. the downpipe is tricky with the bends in it. And good luck finding a muffler shop that will touch anything like that - its a little illegal.
Isn't there many who argue that the flow of the downpipe is good until 300hp anyway (same dp in the JDM STi or something like that)? In a year or so he will be begging for a used stock downpipe and third cat in the private wanted board for emissions or some other reason. I think responsible parties should be discouraging this youthful indiscretion while they can.
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Old 04-18-2003, 04:03 PM   #23
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Default Looking for Mid Pipe

I'm looking for a mid pipe that you're going to throw away or sale. PM or email [email protected]
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Old 04-18-2003, 04:09 PM   #24
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lease don't gut your cats. it's kinda silly. i can see the uppipe one, i guess, but not the two in the downpipe (dp+midpipe). why? because it's still a smallish 2.25" exhaust at that point, and if you have emissions testing, you'll be dying to find a stock set of cats.

just save up for a real downpipe.
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Old 04-18-2003, 04:15 PM   #25
Dogfinder
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Quote:
Originally posted by jehcpa


Isn't there many who argue that the flow of the downpipe is good until 300hp anyway (same dp in the JDM STi or something like that)?
I agree with you on the dangers of gutting cats yourself. But the power gains are undeniable. If you are like me however, and have lots of tools, and access to the best respirators, it was an easy choice for me. I also dont have to worry about inspections, though, and plan to keep the car for a long time.

If you are concerned about the environment, I have a 1971 land cruiser, that is perfectly emissions legal, and I know for a fact that it pollutes many times the amount of a modern vehicle, with or without cats. And lets not get started about the tractor-trailer "big-rigs" belching out reams of black grime that my 'cruiser could only dream of. And if we take it one step further, here in Houston we have the most horrible polluting chemical plants that have lobbyists fighting any type of air emissions legislation tooth and nail. If you even pass through that part of town - you get a little woozy. Oh, and shall we start with the military, which is regulated by, um, well, itself? Lets just keep it all in perspective.
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