Cat-back exhaust..what is it?
 

What exactly is catback exhaust? And when u guys get your exhaust done from your headers to the tail pipe, do u just get rid of the resonator and catalytic converter altogether or what???

A cat-back exhaust is an exhaust system that replaces everything from the catalytic converter all the way out. It is possible to replace every part of your exhaust system with straight through piping, however it usually sounds like cr*p. It's also illegal to remove the catalytic converter unless it's not functioning properly and is being replaced.

well a cat back is replacing all your exhaust from your catalytic converter to the tail pipe. the catalityc converter remains. does this andswer your question ?

When i do the whole exhaust, i usualy refer to the headers, and the a cat back system....tho you can buy racing catalitic converters....which is basicaly a legal strait through pipe....(i think, correct me if i'm wrong bout that)

I believe its only legal to change out your cat after 100k miles or if a mechanic certifies that it is damaged and needs replacing.

uh. really?

wonder why that'd be.

But I do not think a racing cat just is a gutted cat. I'm.. almost positive that they do have some -emission- reducing properties that would keep the car somewhat NEAR legal.

I will run a hi-flo cat, but at the track, just the downpipe :)

I read that it had to do with some emissions standards or something like that... I'll try to find a link

oh..i think i remember one of the mechancis at work saying you dont' need a cat if your car was made after1990 or something..ic annot remember tho..hmm

yea i dont remeber the year law...it's kinda like the tint law...it's there but no one knows about it. ...my truck is straight piped cuz it's a 1978 and it's loud as sh!t. I've seen the gutted catalytic converters i beleive made by toucan industries (aka ractive).

chris

I'm 100% sure he's wrong. You need a cat to be street legal. I guess old classic cars might be exceptions, but cars after 1990 definitely need them.

the hell they do ;)

Yeah you do need a cat to be street legal....and the "straight pipe" somebody referred to is called a testpipe and its basically just a straight pipe of the same diameter as your exhaust where the cat should be (illegal). Racing cats (i.e. pacesetter, random tech) arent just gutted, they still eliminate the required amount of pollutants but just flow a lot better....