N/A exhaust resonator/cat question

Headers, cats, uppipes, downpipes, midpipes and mufflers.

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
Zoo Mob
First Gear
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:55 am
Location: Kalamazoo, MI

N/A exhaust resonator/cat question

Post by Zoo Mob »

Hi,
I'm having some noise in the rear area of my exhaust and was wondering if the thing closer to the engine from the muffler was a catalytic converter or just a resonator? Can it be deleted and simply replaced with straight pipe? Would this have legal ramifications, and would it effect performance?

Thanks
1993 Legacy L AWD 5-sp wagon
Mattheww044
Fourth Gear
Posts: 2045
Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:17 am
Location: Spokane, WA

Post by Mattheww044 »

I'm guessing your talking about the cat. You certainly can replace it with a straight pipe, but it most likely will not pass emissions. It would be less restrictive, and probably a bit louder. The effect on performance probably wouldnt be noticable. I have 3" TBE, with 1 resonator, but I don't have to pass emissions, so its great for me :D
1991 Subaru Legacy SS 5MT: Revtronix Stage 2 Set-up with a few other "tasteful" mods :D
Zoo Mob
First Gear
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:55 am
Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Post by Zoo Mob »

I know what a typical cat looks like, do our cars have two from the factory?
1993 Legacy L AWD 5-sp wagon
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

Yes there are two cats on the non-turbo cars
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Mattheww044
Fourth Gear
Posts: 2045
Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:17 am
Location: Spokane, WA

Post by Mattheww044 »

O, I was thinking it was a turbo for some reason. So ya its really up to you what you wanna do with it. None of us can really promise that youll pass emissions without a replacement though...
1991 Subaru Legacy SS 5MT: Revtronix Stage 2 Set-up with a few other "tasteful" mods :D
Zoo Mob
First Gear
Posts: 67
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:55 am
Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Post by Zoo Mob »

Ahh Michigan, no emissions testing here. Now to get the thing off. Honestly, I'd rather keep it stock if I could find replacement parts, but I'm not down to spend the same money I spent on the entire car for some exhaust work.
1993 Legacy L AWD 5-sp wagon
Mattheww044
Fourth Gear
Posts: 2045
Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:17 am
Location: Spokane, WA

Post by Mattheww044 »

yea, exactly my point. You can find a used one, if you feel its worth the trouble...
1991 Subaru Legacy SS 5MT: Revtronix Stage 2 Set-up with a few other "tasteful" mods :D
Mattheww044
Fourth Gear
Posts: 2045
Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:17 am
Location: Spokane, WA

Post by Mattheww044 »

finding one that is worth putting on your car that is.
1991 Subaru Legacy SS 5MT: Revtronix Stage 2 Set-up with a few other "tasteful" mods :D
fishbone79
Second Gear
Posts: 502
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2004 3:14 am
Location: Armpit, USA

Post by fishbone79 »

This guy http://www.mufflerexpress.com/ made me a stainless mid-pipe without a cat (put a resonator in place) for ~$80. John is his name, and he's a hell of a nice guy. He also made me the stainless intermediate pipe, and I'm going to have him make me the tailpipe to which i will weld my muffler of choice (all stainless). I told him that people on the board would probably be interested (especially at that price for mandrel-bent stainless) and he said he'd definitely make more for whoever gets in touch. His pipes were direct fit with my system, very high quality OEM duplicates, but you can get larger pipe too. If anyone is interested, email him (mufflerexpress@bellnet.ca) and tell him I sent you from the boards, he says "he'll help out."

I was about to write a review on them anyhow.
Cheers,
morgan

1992 Legacy BF
1946 Ford 1.5 Ton Truck (The Beast): http://community.webshots.com/user/fishbone79
scuba steve
First Gear
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:53 am
Location: Portland, OR

Post by scuba steve »

In your original post you asked about legal ramifications. It is illegal to remove a cat on any street car whether you have testing or not. Whether you encounter anyone could possibly give a crap, is another story.
Post Reply