Cat/testpipe/hi flow cat question - Honda Prelude Forum

WDW · 02-27-2002, 08:08 PM

If i was to gut out my factory cat on a 97base would the check engine light comeon. Emission checks or laws donot bother me in orlando. Also does the car Idel alot more when you gut out the factory cat. Im about to install the Apexi VTEC controller so ill get it tuned. Also has anyone lost power due to gutting out factory cat.

off the topic question: How often are we suppost to get the valves adjusted.

soloLude · 02-27-2002, 08:27 PM

if you run your car without a cat, then the check engine light will come on and you will idle weird. however, if you get a custom test pipe made with a o2 sensor plug, you will not have crazy idle problems. the check engine light will come on, but a simple ECU reset (removal of 7.5 clock fuse in engine bay) will take care of it until you shut off and turn your engine back on.

as for gains i was very very pleased with the gains i got from a test pipe. i have a 5th SS w/ I/E and a teammate has a 4th gen 5spd prelude SI with I/E and test pipe. with my stock cat i lost by 1.5 car lengths in the 1/4 mile. however, with a test pipe on i was able to pull up until his door at 80 mph, so i think if i was racing the 1/4 mile with him with the test pipe i would either be head to head or ahead by 1/2 a car.

in the car i really didnt feel any difference on the "butt dyno" but the results of the race showed me how much of a difference it made. the exhaust note on my GReddy PE was also much louder..a good loud

so if you are not worried about emissions and stuff i recommend getting a custom test pipe made. it makes a world of a difference! and if you have a 5spd you'l probably have more gains to the wheel than me

sorry so long btw

WDW · 02-27-2002, 08:49 PM

no i was going to just keep the factory cat but i was going to gutt out all the crap, i thought it would keep the honda Techs off my back when i have to get my car worked on, and it also be free. Will the check engine light still come one with the OEM cat gutted out, or would it just be better to get the test pipe.

soloLude · 02-27-2002, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WDW
no i was going to just keep the factory cat but i was going to gutt out all the crap, i thought it would keep the honda Techs off my back when i have to get my car worked on, and it also be free. Will the check engine light still come one with the OEM cat gutted out, or would it just be better to get the test pipe.

i think that if you gut your stock cat, then the CEL will still come on because the exhaust gases are free to move through the pipe without any restrictions. it is just that maybe later on when you decide to sell your car you might have to pass emissions or something. it is up to you. i didnt gut out my stock cat because i could just easily put the heat shield over the new test pipe and cops and shop people wouldnt know. and this way, if anything were to happen and it forced me to replace my cat to stock, i would still have it. if you are concerned about the CEL, you can do the obd2 workaround which will hide the CEL if you bring your car to the techs. it is really up to you tho...i think the new test pipe is the most effective way, without damaging stock parts

keep us posted on what you do tho

WDW · 02-27-2002, 09:06 PM

ya ill have to look into it more, all im worryed about it check engine light coming on. But im tired of thinking about that free HP thats just sitting there and all i would have to do it gut it out. Ill deffently get it dyno after i do it and ill also have to take it to the track and post results down here. I wished id had the mentalty to spend alot of money on a turbo and then gut out the cat, but i just cant seem to spend that type on money on my car.

soloLude · 02-27-2002, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WDW
ya ill have to look into it more, all im worryed about it check engine light coming on. But im tired of thinking about that free HP thats just sitting there and all i would have to do it gut it out. Ill deffently get it dyno after i do it and ill also have to take it to the track and post results down here. I wished id had the mentalty to spend alot of money on a turbo and then gut out the cat, but i just cant seem to spend that type on money on my car.

you can just do the obd2 workaround and not have to worry about the check engine light

WDW · 02-28-2002, 07:33 PM

how do you do that i have heard of people doing a conversion from obd2 to obd1 is that what your saying or is there a trick i can do with my setup now as ive got obd2. Will this type of trick need to be redone again and again or is this a one time modification.

soloLude · 02-28-2002, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WDW
how do you do that i have heard of people doing a conversion from obd2 to obd1 is that what your saying or is there a trick i can do with my setup now as ive got obd2. Will this type of trick need to be redone again and again or is this a one time modification.

do a search on the obd2 workaround or go to ntpog.org and go under "mods", 5th gen, and obd2 workaround

hit me up if you have any more questions