Going catless, some questions

[99BlackW68]

Alright Im buying CIA ceramic coated headers for my '99 Firebird, pumped as hell to get this project going (even though i hear its a PITA). But anyway, to go without a cat, do I need to do any fabrication? Or can I just take the cat off and then bolt on directly?

[IDoVoodoo]

Re: Going catless, some questions

you'll just need some straight tubing to replace it

[99BlackW68]

Re: Going catless, some questions

yeah thats what I was afraid of, so then welding will be necessary? where could I get some steel piping from?

[IDoVoodoo]

Re: Going catless, some questions

welding would be the best, or get a band clamp. the local auto part stores around here don't carry 3" pipe so I just go to midas and have them cut me some.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Going catless, some questions

I used clamps, and let me be the first to tell you... don't. Exhaust leaks are not your friend. Weld it. Other than that, it's really not so bad.

[99BlackW68]

Re: Going catless, some questions

alright cool. my dad knows how to weld, so im set on that. So how long does this project take? all dayish?

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Going catless, some questions

I'd say it wouldn't have taken me near as long if i had started with the right stuff to begin with. Hacksaws just don't cut it under there. Get a sawzall with a good blade. as long as you have all the right stuff, it will only take a few hours if that. Took me like 5 with lots of problems and breaks

[99BlackW68]

Re: Going catless, some questions

oh ok, thats not too bad. sawing? you have to cut the cat off?? i thought it was bolted on. oh well, we got a sawzall too. :D

[Loochy88]

Re: Going catless, some questions

youll be cutting off the cat, removing old manifolds (huge pain), putting new headers in, installing ypipe, measuring out and cutting new length of pipe to replace cat, and then youll need to weld that pipe in. also, youll either need to get your cat o2 codes tuned out or get some sort of o2 sim.

if this is your first time installing headers (especially on a 3800 fbody) plan on a multiple day project.

[TheGr8Schlotzky]

Re: Going catless, some questions

Oh, yeah i didn't notice the part about installing headers as well. Headers most definitely take a while. I started mine about 7pm and went to 4am, then 9-1pm the next day. That was a different day than the cat project.

[99BlackW68]

Re: Going catless, some questions

oh, wonderfull! haha. so normaly would you have to weld the ypipe to the cat? so welding would have to be done anyway? could someone take a picture of their exhaust at the catalytic converter for me please so i can see where it connects to the ypipe at and afterwards too. i would just look at my own car, but im at college and its back home...

[99BlackW68]

Re: Going catless, some questions

also, will i need an o2 sim after i take the cat off? if so where can i find them

Edit: I just read zzp's website and saw they have O2 sims for sale. i read on it that the second o2 sensor does nothing but report how the cat is performing, and nothing to do with fuel richness/leanness. so is it only for getting rid of the SES light? if so, im not gonna waist my money haha. ill just wait till i get tuning software and tune it out.

[jdkvice]

Re: Going catless, some questions

Hey! If your interested I already have a custom bent pipe that goes from the pacesetter Y back to midway through the S. The back part of it fits right over the stock intermediate pipe perfectly! I'll get up a pic if your interested. It is brand new, had it on the car for two days before I pulled the motor! Email me if your interested justin@selwayheating.com $25 plus shipping. Like I said, fits right up in there perfect!

[99BlackW68]

Re: Going catless, some questions

I may be interested. Send me a picture of it please. And I'm not getting pacesetters, I'm getting CIA headers and Y-pipe. Could someone that still has a catalytic converter with stock manifolds post a picture of the exhaust system around the cat for me please? Also, could someone without a catalytic converter with headers post a pic too? This would help me out a lot! I'm at college and my car is at home so I can't study things from here. Thank you very much to whoever does post a pic.

[DAS BOOT]

Re: Going catless, some questions

My suggestion if you can afford it, just by hptuners... I just tuned out my CAT. And it is a handle tool for just about anything.