Cat by pass pipes

So your state doesn't require emissions testing?

 

MY state does not either. Oklahoma. I would be interested in watching this thread to see what you decode to do and what they sound like after installed...Thanks

 

I purchased the ebay straight pipes that look like cats for my 1995 355 Spider. I have had them for about 3 years now and I have been very happy. The only thing I found is that they are a little longer than oem cats. I had to loosen my Tubi and slide it back about an inch, no big deal. The sound is awesome as well as fire bursts during high rpm gear shifts, just like Formula 1 cars....priceless!

Don't gut your expensive oem cats in case you decide to sell your car later, that would suck.

Good luck!

 

......I would most definately keep your original cats. I have test pipes and tubi on my 348 and yes awsome sound (didn't know about the flames bit :0) BUT your noise level will also likely be well over the acceptable EPA that you have in your state and like me here in Melbourne you may get pinged by the noise police. I did, however I was able to simply change the sytem back to std and get it tested and passed.

Even then the 'original factory system' technically failed at 82dB, the max allowable being 80. However a level headed tester passed it anyway admitting that current regulatory testing values dont take into account 'rear' engined cars and so you get extra engine noise effecting the reading.

 

.....I bought the car like that which included all the parts (cats + std mufflers) of the original exhaust so cant tell you about power changes but regardless....put them on. Sound alone will be worth it !! Just wait until your first tunnel or local shops. Drop a gear, foot down and oooohhhh what a feel !! better thatn sex.... (actually no......but really good anyway !)

 

I don't think you will notice an increase in power much, but the aural excitement alone is worth it. Your engine bay will also thank you for all the heat you just removed as well. Do it!

 

The firebursts are happening because your car is not running right. Better check it out. But then you are long overdue for a 30k....better get er dun soon. When you do the 30k, have the throttle bodies syncronized and your injectors cleaned. Right now you should find out why your are burning so rich. Very important to make sure your headers are not cracked. If you are burning rich then your cylinders are being "washed" which is not good.

 

Hi Gerry,

My car had its 30k service back in 2007 right before I purchased it at 10,200 miles. It had a previous engine out service at 5,000 miles several years before. Since 2007 I have put 36,000 miles on the car, yes I drive it a lot. I am proud to say it has never left me stranded. I have replaced the typical things that wear out. I had a manifold repaired about three years ago, and I think there is a leak on the other side now, as you mentioned. The car is over-due for a major service and at that time I am sure all the things you mentioned will get sorted out. Even with its problems, my 355 has been and continues to be very reliable and fun to drive. It now has 46,000 miles and I would say I got my money's worth, it is an amazing car!

 

Nice to see that your enjoying it to the full. If you know that you have a header leak, dont drive it. You will do many thousand in damage to cylinder walls on that bank.

 

I've measured the volume of a 1995 F355 before and after test pipes were installed. The difference was 3 db or less. In fact, at some point (can't remember if it was at cold start, or fully warmed up) the measurement of the car with test pipes was slightly more quiet than with cats. It makes sense that the wide open sound isn't that different, because the exhaust is diverting much of the sound through the Y-pipe cat, which is still in place. I'd guess that replacing that one with a bypass would be more exciting, sound-wise than replacing the other two.

 

Gut all the cats and let her rip!