Which Cat for Aircare?

[Kevin Altoe]

Hey everyone,

I just bought my dsm and I need to pass it through aircare.  I have a 3" turbo back exhaust right now that is catless.  I am wonder which cat would be the best to get through aircare with.  I've heard good things about magnaflows, but does anyone know a specific part number for the best one?  I also do have the stock exhaust system if this is a better way to go through.

Here's my mod list:
96 Talon TSI awd coverted to a Eclipse GSX
Evo 3 16G turbo
Big FMIC 
Injen Intake
FP Exhaust Manifold
Apexi 3" DP to Exhaust
HKS 264 Intake and Exhaust Cams
560cc Injectors
Apexi SAFC tuner

P.s: this used to be Erics car

[Brett Haviland]

If the stock cat is still in good shape, that will yield better numbers then a aftermarket (magnaflow or walker) cat.  If your planning on keeping the cat in there for following aircare tests then get a good 3" hi flow cat.  If ur car is running good, then it should still pass aircare with flying colours.   The stock cat will worl better, but it is more restrictive them the aftermarket highflow cats.

[Jason Harwood]

If the stock cat is still in good shape, that will yield better numbers then a aftermarket (magnaflow or walker) cat.  If your planning on keeping the cat in there for following aircare tests then get a good 3" hi flow cat.  If ur car is running good, then it should still pass aircare with flying colours.   The stock cat will worl better, but it is more restrictive them the aftermarket highflow cats.

Ive had quality highflows pass the same as a stock cat.
Honestly, buy a name brand and dont cheap out youll be fine.

Personally, mangaflow highflow 3", then you wont need a test pipe!

[Kevin Altoe]

Well I went to lordco today not looking at the highflows.  Does anyone know the part number for them.  The car past aircare last time with the stock exhaust on.  Would I be better to re-install the stock exhaust.  What effects on the car would happen installing the stock exhaust.  Would I have to tune the SAFC different or anything?

[John Hartman]

installing the stock full exhaust will just make it quiet and really slow.  No tuning needed really, as your mass airflow sensor will tell the ECU how much air is being flowed.

now, that said, I agree with Jason, modern good quality performance cats are really good.  Not some cheapy one, but a good one from Magnaflow or Walker.  Walker also makes a new one called a Calcat.  Those are really good!  I recently did an aircare on this old Cavalier((or Escort??)  Either way a 25 year old POS domestic that could hardly run, had no power, stunk, was just a regular lump of crap in general.  It failed MISERABLY.  Like 10+ times the amounts on ALL its readings.  We did NOTHING else but put in a Walker Calcat and if FLEW thru!!  Less than average readings on all, some were half the average readings.  If the customer would have let us repair the car properly, he could have gotten away with a cheaper cat, but what I am saying is those cats kick ass.

[Jason Harwood]

Well I went to lordco today not looking at the highflows.  Does anyone know the part number for them.  The car past aircare last time with the stock exhaust on.  Would I be better to re-install the stock exhaust.  What effects on the car would happen installing the stock exhaust.  Would I have to tune the SAFC different or anything?

You just buy the generic high flow that they have.
Flange it to fit your current exhaust.

Done.

[Kevin Altoe]

Got a walker cat.  Passed no problem Thanks everyone