| Author |
Message |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 276
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 10:27 pm: | |
Mine has a strong exhaust smell too. I rode behind it once in my Alfa with the top down. It actually stung my eyes at a long stoplight. |
Mark (Markg)
Junior Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 245
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 12:34 pm: | |
Dave - just the trunk area seems cooler |
Jerry W. (Tork1966)
Junior Member
Username: Tork1966
Post Number: 247
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 11:42 am: | |
I hollowed out my cats on a workbench with a lot of sweat and even more swearing! It cost me nothing. Added TUBI at same time. I agree with Doug on the smell being worse. Other than that, I love the sound! |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 272
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 10:14 pm: | |
Not mine. Not even a little bit. |
DAVE SHEARS (Daveshears)
New member
Username: Daveshears
Post Number: 39
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 7:52 pm: | |
Does removing the cat make the car run cooler? |
Doug Meredith (Doug308)
Junior Member
Username: Doug308
Post Number: 194
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 8:20 pm: | |
When I had my '84 QV I was the first to have Nick's test pipe for QV's(he used my cat to figure the size and dimensions). On the horsepower issue, I did Dynojet dynos 1 week apart with cat and then test pipe. The gain was less than 1.5 hp with even less change in torque. The dyno curves were identical so there was really no change to the ride.
Why change?
Save your old cat for emission tests only(easy to change over after doing it once).
Sound? To each their own. The mid rpm range had a far louder resonance. I liked it, others may not tolerate it.
On a negative side, the smell of unburnt fumes on a hot and humid day while sitting at a traffic light was quite unpleasant. |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 264
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 7:37 pm: | |
If they know you it should not be a problem. Just don't expect a reciept and be ready to pay cash only. |
Don Norton (Litig8r)
Junior Member
Username: Litig8r
Post Number: 112
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 1:57 pm: | |
Did you guys have any trouble finding someone to remove the cats for you? It was my understanding that removing emissions equipment like this was a federal offense? I'd love to scoot down to the Merlin's to have them put test pipes in but would they be allowed to do it??? |
Mark (Markg)
Junior Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 242
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 1:15 pm: | |
Hutch- I beleive about $250.00, stainless steel. Will put Cats back on for Emissions (every 2 years). |
Mike Charness (Mcharness)
New member
Username: Mcharness
Post Number: 40
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 12:29 pm: | |
The Stebro test pipe (which they also call a "euro resonator") is slightly lower cost than Nick's, and I like the design better. Nick's are straight through, while the Stebro has a "resonance chamber" that deepens the sound, makes it less harsh. The resonance chamber is only about an extra 1/4" in diameter compared to the pipe ends sections, and has stainless steel wool held in by stainless webbing; the central part of the pipe is wide open for maximum flow, with the stainless steel wool just around the edges. If you've got an "old" cat, you'll notice the difference in how "easy" the car revs up, too. The Stebro I got has the O2 and thermocouple bungs (I needed both for my QV), and was an easy fit. I've been VERY happy with mine.
If you've got good speakers and a subwoofer on your PC, and would like to hear my 308/QV with stock exhaust but with the Stebro cat pipe, point your browser to www.mlcpartners.com/ferrari/
and in the middle of the page, there's a link to play a recording of my car starting up. Quite different than with the cat! |
DHutchison (Hutch308)
Junior Member
Username: Hutch308
Post Number: 80
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 11:59 am: | |
Mark - How much were Nick's test pipes? And, anyone have any trouble passing emissions without cats? Right now Connecticut does not have any emissions testing at all. The state will start issuing certain repair shops to do emissions testing next spring/summer. The company that formerly did emissions for CT, ENVIROTEST, was found to give out passing emission stickers fraudulently. Consequently, the company lost the CT contract. |
Daniel Baggett (Dan_the_man)
New member
Username: Dan_the_man
Post Number: 1
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 11:55 am: | |
1979 308gts. I pulled off the cats and gutted them. the 79 version has a cone welded in one side and the cat material is very dense. I cut the cone out and removed the packing. I noticed alot more power and quicker rev's, less raw fuel at idle, and not much more noise. The truth is I did not notice any noise increase. But I felt a big kick in the ol' butt G'meter. |
Mark (Markg)
Junior Member
Username: Markg
Post Number: 240
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 9:18 am: | |
'82 GTSi - Nick's test pipes - nice sound, much cooler trunk, minimal HP gain. All said and done, I am pleased with results, especially the lower heat in thwe engine/trunk area. |
Paul (Pcelenta)
Junior Member
Username: Pcelenta
Post Number: 93
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 8:16 am: | |
I have the full euro ansa system on my 78 GTS...as he muffler "breaks-in" it does seem to have become progressively louder...the sound is great in my opinion...on many occasions I have set off car alarms in parking lots, parking garages and even on the streets..my wife gets a kick out of it. |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 263
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 9:24 pm: | |
I have a Tubi with Stebro's test pipes. I love it. I ran the Tubi with the cats for a couple of months. When I put their test pipe on, the exhaust sounded much deeper and louder. It is actually very very loud now. You get used to it and don't notice it until someone else is driving and you ride behind it. |
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 1906
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 8:47 pm: | |
I am running a stock muffler with stock converters with the substrait removed. Since the converters were partially clogged to start with, I cannot make a true comparison, but the engine definately has more power and is only slightly louder. The biggest plus is that it is one less item to fail and cause an expensive repair. |
david handa (Davehanda)
Junior Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 197
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 8:42 pm: | |
I put test pipes on my carb 308 and the sound did get slightly louder. Any performance gains were minimal. If you have the stock exhaust, the sound will get louder, but I doubt it would be objectionable. |
jeff ryerson (Atheyg)
New member
Username: Atheyg
Post Number: 21
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 8:36 pm: | |
I've been doing research on removing mine
If you remove yours and take it to a muffler shop they can make an aluminum pipe complete with the sensor fittings for under $120.00
You could also have them pack the pipe with a sound deadining material Ive heard of steel wool but there may be someting better to help reduce the sound
I know nothing of the Stebro but Ive seen others made of stainless which most shops don't use as its expensive to custom order and it would seem aluminum would be better |
Kelly (Tifosi1)
Member
Username: Tifosi1
Post Number: 384
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 8:18 pm: | |
I like it without the cats. The Sound is a little louder, but not a great deal. As far as HP, just think of the back pressure you are freeing up.
On a high RPM engine it is propably the fastest way to get more HP.
my 2 cents. |
Ken Ross (Kdross)
Junior Member
Username: Kdross
Post Number: 125
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 8:14 pm: | |
I am thinking of ordering the Stebro testpipe for $200 for my 308 QV and removing the cat. My mechanic says that my car will sound much better (and louder), reduce the risk of a fire, and generally improve the performance of the car (he admits that there may not be much in the way of a gain in hp). What do other 308 cat-less owners think of going cat-less? Some have complained that the sound is too loud, but that is not an issue for me (I want to hear my Ferrari thank you). What are the pros and cons. Any input from anyone who has used the Stebro testpipe? Thanks. |