I was talking to my friend today in school about gutting out my Cat at the same time I put my headers on, but then he told me that I can't unless I do some massive micro-circuiting since my car was built after 1995, something about it will throw an engine light and that its an E2 and not an E1 (I think it was E) E1's you can gut or take out but E2's you can't, if anyone can shed some massive info on the subject I thank you alot!

Why not just buy a high flow cat and be safe? There are no sensors on the cat so i dont see why it would throw a CEL. I tink there are a few guys on here runing without a cat and are ok....

Why not just buy a high flow cat and be safe? There are no sensors on the cat so i dont see why it would throw a CEL. I tink there are a few guys on here runing without a cat and are ok....
high flow cats cost money

i remember a DIY for gutting the cat on the old forum, check there . . . noone ever mentioned a CEL

I've been running w/o cats since Aug/03 with no problems. Gutted cats, no cats what would be the difference? I think none.

oldschool = broomstick method

high flow cats cost money


LOL. You spend the money for a good intake..you fork out the money for a reliable bolt on cat back..and when it comes to a $60.00 cat..THEN you become cheap!?

because why spend money on something that you can easily take out and not need for free, yet increases performance, intakes you need

Good point!

I was talking to my friend today in school about gutting out my Cat at the same time I put my headers on, but then he told me that I can't unless I do some massive micro-circuiting since my car was built after 1995, something about it will throw an engine light and that its an E2 and not an E1 (I think it was E) E1's you can gut or take out but E2's you can't, if anyone can shed some massive info on the subject I thank you alot!

You will remove ALL of your cats if you put the headers on.. the only way to keep the stock one is by cutting the flex pipe and having it welded on. The Headers should include a Race-CAT but really all that is, is a straight pipe.

In other words.. You will have no CATS to gut if you install headers..

the nextgen headers come with a racing cat? is this it?*see pic*

that would be it!

The next gen headers do not include any kind of "functional" cat. That is just a straight pipe in the picture.
People have picked up "carsound" race cats on ebay for $30-40. If you installed the stock cat back on you would just choke the headers. If you don't have emissions testing, leave the cat out.

I just took my car in today to get my CatCo cat installed. I told them to use the flanges off NextGen's race cat, but he had some that fit so he welded those on instead. So now I can just put them on and take them off as I like. I can put the cat on for everyday use and take that off and put on the race cat when i go to the tracks.

I just took my car in today to get my CatCo cat installed. I told them to use the flanges off NextGen's race cat, but he had some that fit so he welded those on instead. So now I can just put them on and take them off as I like. I can put the cat on for everyday use and take that off and put on the race cat when i go to the tracks.


Well thats was a smart Idea..good thinking!

if u want low end power after headers weld the stock cat back on. if not then bye bye low end trq

I am also getting the nextgen headers and am contemplating a high flow cat or not. Where does back pressure play a role in this?

Ryloth, did you notice any change in your power band after installing the cat?.

I am also getting the nextgen headers and am contemplating a high flow cat or not. Where does back pressure play a role in this?


I have the Key headers and a magnaflow cat...back pressure is lost..duh..but it isnt gone. So no worries!

I have the Key headers and a magnaflow cat...back pressure is lost..duh..but it isnt gone. So no worries!


So do I get the cat or not streetshark?

I would..So you take a little Tq off the low end....we spin soo much in first gear its a bittersweet trade off. I would get a cat. I think its the only thing saving my back pressure!

if u want low end power after headers weld the stock cat back on. if not then bye bye low end trq

Well I am not missing any torque here..... All I have to do is put the pedal down & I will not have traction until 1/2 way through 2nd gear. Just prior to installing the Headers & Stage III, I could barely break the tires loose....

The next gen headers do not include any kind of "functional" cat. That is just a straight pipe in the picture.
People have picked up "carsound" race cats on ebay for $30-40. If you installed the stock cat back on you would just choke the headers. If you don't have emissions testing, leave the cat out.
nope no emission testings here, so I would be good with the included nextgen part to replace CAT im guessing? in what way will the torque be affected? i've been seeing alot of low-end torque statements on here :-\

nope no emission testings here, so I would be good with the included nextgen part to replace CAT im guessing? in what way will the torque be affected? i've been seeing alot of low-end torque statements on here :-\

Yep, just use the straight pipe.
I can only speak for myself in regards to no loss of torque on my car. But I do have almost every bolt on engine mod available. :-\

madcow8me has intake, headers, exhaust, and IMs...he welded his stock cat on a flange and put it back on and got his low end power back...

...and it WAS noticeable on his car.