Okay, so the consensus is to go with a helix downpipe, which I will definitely be purchasing. My question now is whether to get the uncatted version or not. I don't care if it will pass emissions because as of the moment emissions don't even exist in Connecticut. The only thing I'm worried about is, will there be a smell always coming from the exhaust? How do you daily drivers with an uncatted Helix downpipe like it? As a side note, does anyone know the difference approximately in how much horsepower is lost with the catted downpipe vs the uncatted one? Thanks a lot in advance.

 

Yea there is always goign to be that constant gas smell coming from the car. I have the helix downpipe uncatted and when I am at the stop light w/ windows down the fumes can sometimes go inside the car. I think there is a very very minimal gain with a downpipe w/o cat VS dowpipe w/ high flow cat. Its just really up 2 you if you wanna spend extra money to go with the high flow cat. If there is no emissions where u live you might as well just get the catless downpipe and save some cash.

 

Don't think only for yourself think of those driving behind you, last drive I went on I was behind someone catless, it stank like *** and I had a headache after the drive. So if you think $100 is worth the prevention of someone else's pain and suffering get the catted, if not go catless. From what I've read with typical bolt on mods a highflow cat is not likely to rob you of more than a few HP

 

there only a couple things i'm going to say about catless

One its louder just a fact

Two you need a cel fix for taking them out ( 04's cel fix is different from 02-03')

Three with stage 2 cobb no cats you will see fireballs depending on catback

You gain maybe 5 hp the rest is up to you.

 

If I had it to do over again I would go with the cat. It will cut down a little on the smell, and is just more eco-responsible. The high flow cats will not totally do away with the smell though. If it is a true high flow cat there is still the potential for fireballs , and you still run a chance of throwing a cell.

-Chris

 

Great, thanks a lot guys. I think im gonna spend a few extra bucks to get the catted one. It'll prolly be a safer bet for me and its only gonna prevent me from a few horsepower than its fine.

 

if you are not in california get the uncatted downpipe good luck

 

get the cat, save the earth. I don't have the helix (TXS instead) but i only notice small differences in response between having a cat or not in the exhaust. If it's a small difference, the non-driving advantages of having a cat in there are worth it.

 

if it was me, i think i would keep at a cat/high flow cat in it. The car smells really bad and the people behind u would be dying for clean air. I know i was when me and my friends traded cars for a bit to test drive. The exhaust fumes is really bad.