Upgrading headers on Scuderia, how to avoid CEL

Scuderia manifolds don't have cats; the CEL issue applies only to the F430 when replacing the standard manifolds with aftermarket.

Do you also have seperate cats on order?

 

you will absolutely have a cel - you need a new ecu tune or mini cats which dont always work

 

Hard to know for sure as there are so many various reports on header/cat/muffler/tune combos... but from my research for a Scud (not a reg 430) the headers alone probably won't trigger a CEL. But the 100 CEL cats might. 200 CEL seems to be a safer zone (600 CEL OEM) but you'd have to ask the manufacturer if they are willing to guarantee something (unlikely). Also of note not all Cats are created equal, so beware on comparing anecdotes across brands and flow ratings.

 

Just as a reference, I put 10,000 miles on my scud with Capistro headers and never had a CEl. Then about 1,000 miles ago I did cspistro 200 cel cats. No cel. No o2 extenders. But I installed new O2 sensors when I got the car, just as preventative maintenance, in 2020. Not sure if that makes them more resistant to throwing a light. And by the way, I highly recommend the upgrade. I was very pleased with the package.

 

I have Kline 200 cell cats with my sline xpipe. The 200 cell cats have mini cats integrated in the 02 bung. I did not have any CEL light for the 6 months or so before getting a tune.

However, I would consider getting a tune. After the install of the 200 cell cats, the car seemed to have lost low end torque due to the lack of back pressure. The tune addressed that issue.

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I should also note that for me, I detected absolutely zero torque loss anywhere in the rev range. And I am very sensitive to that. I believe my experience may be attributable to the fact that I have a valved rear Kline muffler. I did in fact notice a little bit of torque lost down low when I was using an agency power X pipe (With no valves obviously). With that said, I’m gonna do a tuna as well, because, why not optimize things?

 

OK, I'll say it... Nice Wolf in the background... now back to topic...

Why the aversion to getting a tune? Since the Scud doesn't have cats in the headers I would think the advantage of doing the whole exhaust from the engine back would not be a major upgrade without the a tune.

 

Also, I’m used to very loud exhausts. I had a cup car exhaust on my old 997 Gt3 and my vintage 911s have minimal muffling. But my scud with stock headers, 200 cell cats and non-valved s-line x-pipe is extremely loud. So much so I’m considering adding a valved version of the Sline xpipe. The setup sounds amazing, but the volume draws quite a bit of attention.

 

I would recommend changing it to 200cel to be on the safe side.

 

@rarrijawn its pretty straightforward to source a second set of ECU's if you want to keep your original set untouched.

 

With a normal 430, manifold tubi+ 200 cel lettieri + ecu stock: ok

 

Thats my setup. I get the cel without the minicats

 

Header change on a Scud doesn’t trigger CEL. Now that we’ve got that out if the way…


100 Cell cats will throw CELs.


200 Cell cats… maybe, maybe not. Keep in mind not all cats are created equal. Highest quality cats are going to use HJS cores. Kline and Capristo uses HJS cores hence the price. Tubi might also, but I would triple check with them.


Cats have expensive metals in them such as platinum which drive up the cost of manufacture. There’s always a chance a particular core from a misc less pricey brand skimps on material, hence reducing effectiveness and triggering CEL.

 

So now you tell me the larini cats you told me to buy are ****?!

 

I had no experience with them to know if it would throw CELs or not. It’s a coin toss with these things. Plus, you wanted everything from one brand . Fwiw, I have Larini 200 cells for my 355, but CEL isn’t a thing on 95 355s.

Sport Cats are gonna do their jobs for the most part. Improve flow, performance, sound, getting rid of smell… but triggering CELs or not is a whole different thing.

 

Just kidding-i like my headers and cats. Need a kreisseig muffler next i think

 

I also paid $3-4k for my Kline Inconel 100 cell cats. It threw CELs, but I already knew it would. I had always planned on using a fooler.

 

Perhaps someone should contact Kline and ask them if their 100 cells also have mini cats built-in now. Mine didn’t. I bought mine ages ago. That could help with CELs if they do.


Fwiw… when I ran stock muffler no valve mod then switched back to normal operating (valve functioning) mode, I felt immediate improvement low end. Better response.


When running Kline valved muffler and switching between stock cats and 100 cell cats, I didn’t feel a loss on low-end power. If anything, maybe some gains with 100 cell. Whatever it is, it’s not life-changing enough to be absolutely certain.