I don't have the code with me, but the CEL came on after I installed the new exhaust. See my post back a little where I listed my new system. I bought biddaddiesgarage mini-cat # MC-CC-SSCF18, $49.95 USD ea.
By the way.... I had my fuel injectors tested, cleaned, fuel flow increase some, and calibrated so so all are within .7%. The initial test showed several injectors leaking, a couple with poor mist pattern and a 6.8% variation between the eight injectors. My engine is way smoother at idle and more powerful reaching speed quicker than before. Swwweeeeeeetttt!!!!!!
mr bock, if may inquire, what the fuel inj. work (cleaning, calibrating, etc) set you back? I may look into doing this on my '00 360. I"ve never had any work like this done on any of my cars and have no idea if this is a simple thing or something very time consuming.
The shop, SpeedWerks in Osteen (sp?), FL total cost was less than $1K. The injectors were removed and sent to a shop in CA and I think their work was about $500. The turn around time was a few weeks. I think this was money very well spent. I am in VA now and the fuel injector work report is in FL. It will be a week before I get back there.
Ok this is the results: I went with the Eurocustoms test pipes and had them installed. My overall set-up is : 04 360 Spider Stock headers Eurocustoms test pipes Capristo Twin Sound (Stage 1 when on quiet mode and completely by passes muffler when in loud mode). As you know with the Capristo Twin Sound you can either have the exhaust go through the muffler or with the press of a button the exhaust by passes the muffler entirely. Accordingly when I hit the Capristo loud button the exhaust goes straight out the back with essentially zero sound dampening. It goes out the manifolds, thru the precats (the only sound dampening on the system), through the test pipes and straight out the back. Needless to say it is VERY loud when on open mode. When it is on quiet mode is does all of the above except is routed through the Capristo Stage 1 muffler (quiet). I figured I go with quiet (not much louder than stock), and the F1 sounding when in loud mode. I also bought the Big Daddies Garage mini Cats and right angle o2 senor spacers (from the input from this thread). So far no CEL's. I have only driven the cart 3 times but each was a 45 min drive and both drives included lots of spirited driving. The Big Daddy Mini cats + right angled spacers (also from Big Daddies garage) seem to work so far. The sound is absolutely awesome in open mode, but is almost too loud. I love it, but think it may be a little too much/disrespectful for others-- it is straight out the engine block with zero sound dampening. I have not heard a Challenge car but I can't see it being any quieter given the only thing it goes thru is the pre-cat. The Stage 1 Capristo Twin Sound is too quiet for my liking, but servers its purpose of being quiet when needed. All the Twin Sound mufflers will sound the same on Open mode (since it by passes the muffler). The Stages refers to what it sounds like on Quiet mode when it goes thru a muffler. If I were to do it over again, I would have choose the Stage 2. As of now I mostly drive in open mode since Stage 1 is too quiet. With Exhaust set-ups the muffler is only one component-- headers, test pipes also make a difference in sound. I do not feel any difference in power-- if anything maybe a slight decrease in low end torque. Thanks to the contributions on this thread, once again FChat input provided great info. Also it introduced us to the Big Daddie mini cats and right angle spacers.
Good write up about your setup and impressions. Maybe sometime you switch up to the stage II muffler. Main thing is to enjoy the sweet F-car music!!!!!
Well 3 more days of driving and still no CEL (Check Engine Light), so it appears the Eurocustoms straight pipes + Big Daddies Garage mini cat o2 sensor extensions + Big Daddies Garage right angle extensions prevent a CEL from coming on even when you delete Cats and go with straight pipes. I've driven the car about 6 times and 150 miles and no CEL. All is good. I am enjoying the loud sound as well. There's a huge difference in Decibel levels between WOT and driving lightly. So even when on loud mode (open exhaust with no sound dampening) its not that loud if you drive gently. Then when you give it some gas, it really comes alive-- true race car/F1 experience every time you drive. Puts a very big smile on all passengers who have been in it-- bigger than before the test pipes. "Makes my heart flutter" was my 14 year old daughters response. Gives me goose bumps was another persons. After a WOT acceleration to 8000 rpms through a few gears and when you slow down and look over at the passenger they all have that look people have right when they come off a roller coaster-- wide eyed, big smiles with a look of excitement. Lots of fun.
That's great, keep driving buddy! I know it's hot here in Florida but just crank up the AC! I too am using the Big Daddies MiniCats....crossing my fingers for sure! I did the ecu tune as well and the powerband curve is So much better not to mention 18 extra ponies
With the Mini-CATs installed, I thought I was done with the CEL issue, but it came back. I added the angled extenders after the Mini-CATs and cleared the codes. I will be putting some miles on in the next few weeks and hope CEL is put to rest. To be continued...
My follow-up as well: I recently got the CEL. Apparently the o2 right angled spacers AND the Minicats AND the Euro customs test pipes which have a resonator bulb out section will still throw a CEL. I do not want a CEL, so I am going to deinstall my Euro Customs straight pipes (and the o2 right angle spacers, and the Big Daddie's Minicats). I will go back to having catayltic converters. Besides it was too loud with my Capristo Twin Sound when it was on bypass mode (true straight pipes-- no cat, no muffler= too loud). If any wants 'em, make me an offer.
Frank over at Raging Bull Performance in Costa Mesa CA has a simple option that sounds great and improves performance. He's got his own 200 CEL cat, and redoes the 430 exhaust to fit the 360. The performance improvement is noteable and the sound is pretty cool too. No CEL issues and no ECU to flash....and a LOT less expensive than what you are contemplating (lower risk too) Straight pipes with a CAT delete will give you better top end and sound, but you lose lower end torque - something that the 360 is already horribly lacking because of the small displacement. I would give him a call - a set could be shipped out to VA.
I will have to check the specs on the Kinetic high flow CATs that are in the car now. I really don't want to spend any more money on this issue. The ECU seems to be overy picky.
Mr B, are you sure your CEL is related to a cat efficiency code? Check to make sure it is NOT something else before you start to tear out the exhaust.
I have always tweeked 02 extenders and they always work. But if that does not work or people are not willing to tweek then make o2 simulators. It is a pretty simple circuit.
I am going to upgrade the headers on my new DD 360 at its major service. Here are the combinations I am considering and I am looking for comments on these: 1) Fabspeed Headers (eliminate Pre-cats) Stock Catalysts Muffler 2) Fabspeed Headers (eliminate Pre-cats) Fabspeed Sport Cats Fabspeed ECU Flash Tubi Muffler 3) Fabspeed Headers (eliminate Pre-cats) Fabspeed Cat-Free Test Pipes Fabspeed ECU Flash Tubi Muffler I am also considering all three exhaust setups with Fabspeed Max-Flo mufflers. I have heard cars with Capristo exhaust and it seem awfully loud, but I understand Capristo has a less-noisy option as well. I am looking for the good/bad/otherwise with any of these set-ups. My goal is to (1) eliminate the failure-prone pre-cats (2) accomplish that with *Zero* CEL issues, and (3) improve sound without excessive dB's or drone/resonance. Power improvement is a distant 4th... these cars have more than enough power for me dead stock. Forza, David
Guys sorry to revive this old thread -- I'm looking to do the test pipe install on my car which has stock headers and Tubi exhaust; has the Big Dadie's Garage product proven to work ok for keeping the CEL away? From at least one post I see that the CEL eventually came back... This is the product I was thinking of getting: O2 Simulator Mini Cat Cel Fix best oxygen sensor simulator made. Thank you.
Another product I just found is this: Griffin Motorwerke Mini Cat O2 Sensor Spacer - Griffin Motorwerke | U.S. Importer for Milltek Sport Exhaust | Recaro Seats | Stoptech Brakes | The 90-degree version seems to be a good match for the physical install of the test pipes?
Another thread revival. I was encouraged at the start of the thread, but then @mr_bock said he got a CEL (still unknown if cat related??) with the BigDaddiesGarage mini-cat and angled extension. Teetering on buying a pricey exhaust system but do not want to deal with a CEL. Anyone else with experience/miles with the minicats and test pipes?
I had Big Daddies mini cats AND 90* extenders and I still got CEL’s. Constantly. To the point where I opened up my Autel app as soon as I started the car and ran the live data stream while driving until the CEL came on, and I’d clear it as I was driving. That became my normal routine. I was running Tubi blanketed headers, 200 cell sport cats, and various cat-backs (Gruppe M, S-Line, Capristo Twin Sound). Until I got the 360 Trev tune, CEL’s were a normal part of life. Ever since, gone. Plus, if you’re considering a pricey exhaust system, you should consider the Trev tune anyway to maximize the benefits had from a free flowing exhaust, and eliminate the CEL.
Definitely considering the 360trev tune once i get an exhaust setup. Haven't looked into the details of the remap, but how is the cat efficency CEL eliminated? Is the sensor just turned off? That would still be problematic as state inspection here requires a OBDII scan showing sensor readiness. Also, how are the ECU's programmed? Does it require sending them in or can it be done remotely?
It is done remotely now. You have to ask Trev, or his US affiliate, Sam Feng, about the specifics of how they code it out, and emissions compliance specifics.
