Author Topic: cat converter upgrade  (Read 5968 times)

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Offline noss

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cat converter upgrade
« on: Mar 19, 2004, 11:38AM »
well, this is my latest 'secret' mod. as some of you would know, i have a gutted cat converter. as some of you would also know i was dobbed into the EPA for a loud & faulty exhaust (noise & emmissions)

the reason i havent mentioned it earlier is because i dont want loads of questions about it before i've even got it sorted out.

so i've been on the hunt for a new cat converter and i've also been on the hunt for a quieter muffler. i have found the quieter muffler thanks to urq with his stock trx muffler, i was offered one from sssgtr, but i have read somewhere that the trx mufflers have higher flow rates.

the cat converter i have chosen is a stock magna cat converter from a TJ 3.5 litre sports model.

the inlet and outlet of this cat is 2.5" a perfect match up for my 2.5" exhaust.

the overall dimensions of the magna cat converter are 430 x 190 x 100mm

the length was taken from outside of flange -> outside of flange. the height & width is the overall size of the casing. the actaul width of the honeycomb section of the cat is slightly smaller (165mm).

this cat is approximately 2.5 to 3 times larger in volume than the stock trx cat converter, so its good for plenty of flow.

the magna cat converter, 2nd hand, cost me $110. you can probably find something cheaper if you look around more, but because i am running to a deadline of march 24th to get to the EPA, this one was the first one i found in 2 weeks of searching so i grabbed it.

for installation, i have been quoted $90 from carline in northcote and $100 from ace exhausts in ringwood.

the reason it costs so much is that you have to have magna flanges fitted to your pintara exhaust, you have to have a section cut out of your pintara exhaust and you also have to have new mounting brackets fabricated.

i'm booked in to have it all replaced on wednesday which has cut my deadline very very close. so until then i have no photos of it installed, however, i have a photo of the stock exhaust system showing the stock cat converter (taken from autospeed) and also pics of the new cat.

i'll provide updates as i get it, but please dont ask any questions about how it goes until then unless you want me to get pissed off with you.

first pic is a pic of the stock exhaust showing the stock cat.

second pic is a pic of the magna cat next to a 750ml bottle of cordial so you have something to physically compare the size

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« Last Edit: Mar 22, 2004, 07:03PM by noss »

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Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #1 on: Mar 19, 2004, 11:38AM »
side on view and end view of the magna cat

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Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #2 on: Mar 19, 2004, 11:40AM »
a clearer top on view of the magna cat


i'd post more pictures, but there are only so many ways you can photograph a cat converter :P

i did have a pic of the inlet with a ruler against it, but it turned out way too blurry so it got the arse.

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Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #3 on: Mar 19, 2004, 11:41AM »
sorry i just realised i doubled up on a photo.

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Offline SSS

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #4 on: Mar 19, 2004, 12:19PM »
thanks mate, i'm considering one of these cats too for my new exhaust with 3" in and 3" outlets. But if it can't be modified it might be more than enough.

Offline FANC_ME

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #5 on: Mar 19, 2004, 12:55PM »
Good to see you take pride in your work ryan, having a dirty cat all over your drafts :P

But that looks pretty damn impressive, should be good when its on
Well-well look. I already told you: I deal with the god damn customers so the engineers don't have to. I have people skills; I am good at dealing with people. Can't you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?

Offline Budgie

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #6 on: Mar 19, 2004, 12:57PM »
I just like the photo of the bottom of the TRX ;D.

Its cool because you hardley see the bottom on that angle.  Will be good to see the same shot when the new cat is on with the 2.5" exhaust.
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist

Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #7 on: Mar 19, 2004, 01:25PM »
yeh that work has been worked on :) i dont need it anymore.

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Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #8 on: Mar 19, 2004, 03:55PM »
ah what the hell, here is another pic  ::)

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Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #9 on: Mar 22, 2004, 07:14PM »
i dont mean to sound rude, but please dont ask rediculous questions or waste my time with stupid shit like 'oh why you using a magna cat for' all the info you need is in the first post. the cat will be installed on wednesday morning.

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Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #10 on: Mar 22, 2004, 07:55PM »
err.. i should have written feel free to ask questions, but dont ask about results yet, and dont ask time waster questions or make stupid statements that will just annoy me.. i.e. 'will it fit'

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Offline Jtas

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #11 on: Mar 22, 2004, 08:22PM »
i hope this doesnt sound like a stupid question,i dont think its been answered, but,  seeing as my exhaust is 2.25inch and this cat youve got is 2.5inch would it fit on (cost effectively) ? and if it did would it be the optimum cat? or would it be best for me to find one that is off a car with a 2.25inch exhaust as standard?   i need to do a bit of searching hey!

Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #12 on: Mar 22, 2004, 08:32PM »
any commodore VL and upwards has a 2.25" cat converter.. however it may not be much bigger/flow much more than the stock one.. you could by all means fit the magna one, and the flange on the exit would just be a 2.25" flange

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Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #13 on: Mar 22, 2004, 08:33PM »
oh, generally a rule of thumb, if you are going to use a stock cat, find one from a car that is for an engine at least 50% more powerful than yours.. ie. a vl non turbo cat would be a waste of time, but a vl turbo cat would be good.. or any commodore or falcon or whatever cat that makes around 150kw

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Offline Jtas

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #14 on: Mar 22, 2004, 08:36PM »
thanks, but do you think that the magna cat would be my best option?
i know its hard to answer but your input would be good

Offline Nizzan

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #15 on: Mar 22, 2004, 08:43PM »
fuckn epa! hope it all goes well 4 u Ryan

Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #16 on: Mar 22, 2004, 08:56PM »
yeah its going ok. i didnt bitch about it cause i knew it would happen soooner or later.

it might be best flow-wise for the 2.25" cat. but then the 2.5" cat couldnt do you any harm. i think it would come down to price for you.

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #17 on: Mar 22, 2004, 09:47PM »
u just want your car to sound like myne  ;D i got a 2 1/4 cat on myne high flod cost me 220

Offline aussie-gli

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #18 on: Mar 23, 2004, 12:28AM »
what's the advantage of the magna cat vs an aftermarket highflow cat? my bro had a new high flow 2.5" cat fitted for $160. It's huge...

Sounds like a lot of fucking around chaning flanges and shit...
Lisa: Dad, we did something very bad! Homer: Did you wreck the car? Bart: No. Homer: Did you raise the dead? Lisa: Yes. Homer: But the car's okay? Bart & Lisa: Uh-huh. Homer: All right then.

Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #19 on: Mar 23, 2004, 09:11AM »
cheapest high flow 2.5" cat i've been able to find is $199 supplied. next cheapest is $230.

there would also have to be more mods done to fit them in than there is to fit the magna cat.


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Offline KNG P1N

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #20 on: Mar 23, 2004, 03:43PM »
i love the "to scale shot" with the bottle.lol golden ryan!!!
anyway, i hope it goes hassel free for ya
And there's not much I can say
But we miss you every day
And I'm bitter 'cause it's unfair
We'll be drinkin' in the sun
Playing music having fun
Cause one day I'll see you there
R.I.P, M.M 1984 - 2005


Offline aussie-gli

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #21 on: Mar 23, 2004, 04:46PM »
cheapest high flow 2.5" cat i've been able to find is $199 supplied. next cheapest is $230.

there would also have to be more mods done to fit them in than there is to fit the magna cat.



Yeh, my bro has a few connections... got a pretty good price.

The cat willl be up for sale soon as he's upgrading the exhaust within the coming weeks.
Lisa: Dad, we did something very bad! Homer: Did you wreck the car? Bart: No. Homer: Did you raise the dead? Lisa: Yes. Homer: But the car's okay? Bart & Lisa: Uh-huh. Homer: All right then.

Offline noss

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Re: cat converter upgrade
« Reply #22 on: Mar 24, 2004, 01:05PM »
well the cat went on today, i just picked the car up, first noticeable thing is that the exhaust note seems to be a tiny bit deeper. there seems to be a little bit more power there but of course, there isnt a lot of power to be gotten from cats.

the cat fit easy, however because of the extra weight on the rubber mountings (they kept the stock rubber mountings cause they were in A1 condition) the cat sits a bit lower than the stock one.. but thats not really a big deal.

installation cost $90. defiantely worth your time if you want to get that extra little bit of power out of your car on a budget and legally.

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