Read an interesting web-page recently where someone had managed to remove the cat from the standard downpipe with a lot of fiddling about. Obviously has the advantage of looking completely standard should you have any problems with the law or dealer.

Wondered if anyone here had ever tried this and what the results are like in comparison to a proper de-cat downpipe.

Russ

 

I would have thought how the CAT performs is the key, regardless of what it looks like, even if it looked standard but fails emmissions tests, the problems are the same..??

 

I know there is still the problem with the MOT technically but a thread in the Insurance forum raised the problem of full de-cat and insurance cover. With a full de-cat cover is technically void as the car is not road legal. In the event of a serious claim requiring inspection a de-cat is very apparent. But if the cat is removed from the standard down-pipe it is nigh on impossible that it would be spotted. Same will apply if checked by road-side.... OK emissions fail but it's put down to a dead cat.... most likely would be issued a notice to have it fixed.

Just a thought... wondered if its similar in benefit thats all !!

 

the replacement down pipes are usually open neck or twin dump which means they are also less restictive then the closed neck of the standar pipe. Obvioulsly removing the cat would improve the flow but would not give the same results as a replacement downpipe made for the job. Just compare the top of the down pipe opening to say a scoobysport one and the differnce is quite large.

 

I've seen pics of how to do this, but it looked like a nasty messy business. The method was simple, just attack with a wood drill and chisel for a few hours.
But as above, the gains are probably minimal and not worth the effort/mess, but if you want to do it just make sure you wear a face mask.

dipster