I wanted a catted pipe because I don't like the catless smell. But not all cats are the same, and it had been bugging me that I couldn't find out what kind of cat was in any given DP.

It seemed the answer would be to pick out a cat myself and have a pipe built around it. But cat makers are not usually forthcoming about their products. This was getting weirder and weirder.

It seemed first the pipe makers, then the cat makers wanted me to spend money based on a vague blurb with no solid information. I found cats priced from $59 to $400 and the makers didn't even provide enough info to say why they were cheap or expensive.

Then I ran into the Bear River 79130 with the Federally-mandated late model 5 year, 50k mile warranty. This is important to me. Why should I buy a DP which pretty much lasts forever and weld something with a 1 or 2 year life into it?

Seems this cat does what cats are supposed to do. The maker says it uses fewer holes per square inch for better flow and makes up for it by using more precious metals. And it's guaranteed not to throw a CEL.

Next thing was to find a pipe maker who would be willing to weld the cat into their pipe. A few wouldn't, then Treadstone said he would. So I had the cat sent to Treadstone and had the pipe in a few days. Here it is:



The cat cost me 231 shipped, the pipe 375 shipped, and sure I could have gotten a Megan catless that would have put out more power for 160, but I just had this thought, how close can I get to catless performance and not have to put up with the stink? So I spent the money just to find out.

I'll be running it with the stock exhaust. I like a quiet car, and catbacks don't add much power anyway.

 

Holy Pic!!!

 

yea, post a pic

 

I can see Treadstone making this an option when ordering a DP, incase someone like OP doesn't like the smell, or loud noise to keep it legal as possible.

 

Nicely done. I like that downpipe. If it was modular, it would be perfect

 

I don't have a smell after it got tuned. The "rich" smell is there becasue your cat is supposed to burn the extra fuel to turn NOX into 02. The fuel comusts and helps that, from what I understand. So once you lean it out it should go away.

But that being siad... That looks pretty sexy with that thing welded up all nice like that. Good stuff pbass. Treadstone puts out some really nice stuff. I love the kit they sent me. It works flawlessly with the MAF relocated. Very good quality.

 

So the cat have more platinum than most cats?

 

Dunno for sure. But what I *do* know is Bear River isn't afraid to let me decide if the specs are worth the money. They tell you it's spun metal at 200 holes per square inch. They rate it for 3.8 liters, 4250 lbs (there's a heavier duty one for bigger vehicles). They give a 5 year, 50k mile warranty. They say it's non-CARB for late models but passes other US standards. That's WAY more info than any other cat or pipe maker will give on their cats. As for whether it's truly the best out there, "Better the devil you know then the devil you don't know," AKA "Never buy a pig in a poke."

 

Haha pbass, there aren't 3 other people on the board that have any idea what you just said dude haha. Good stuff bro.

 

wait you spent 700 dollars for a catted downpipe?

 

That's 606 fish for a catted DP, shipping included, yep. I am a stubborn old fart, so (a) I want to know what I'm paying for or I won't pay, and (b) if someone says I can't have it my way, I keep going 'til I find someone who says I can. Since it is, generally speaking, a true PITA to find someone who'll do that, I'm willing (and able) to pay for it. It's one of the privileges of being old and stubborn, plus working while getting a retirement check.

 

lol wow that is all

 

well you paid a lot more than even hahn's catted dp. but you got what you wanted. If you get what you want and its quality, its worth it. As long as you are happy.

 

remember folks, you get what u pay for. some of you seem to have forgot that rule, but it never fails. except with hahn sometimes they indeed are overpriced.

 

Nothing wrong with being an old fart. I is.

 

Why not get the zzp catted dp? Its like $250 bucks.

 

cause he thinks there's some huge difference in the cats lol

 

read this

 

I'd rather buy the ZZP for $250 and replace it in a couple of years, if it came to that. $606 for a catted downpipe is kind of insane. Most people sell their cars in three years, anyway.

 

yes but the cat the op purchased is higher quaility, and it even comes with a warranty. if your going to do something, do it right. too many people on css.net cheap out.

 

What is this statement of quality based on, though? Is it some difference I would notice from the ZZP unit over the course of three years and probably 20K miles? I don't doubt it has more expensive materials inside, but I just don't keep cars for a decade.

 

it works better. do you think zzp's cat would pass emissions? the one the op's would if you read. its EPA certified.

if you dont care how good a cat works, why buy one in the first place?

 

who cares there's some things yes you don't cheap out on but a cat is a cat they can claim whatever the hell they want at the end of the day it's going to make less than an ass hair of difference

 

and also zzp uses magnaflow cats so yes the would pass seeing as how all of magnaflow cats are epa certified......i mean that's the whole point of a cat, they kinda have to meet that stipulation, so not quite sure why you're trying to use that as a justifiable crutch.

 

performance wise, no it wont make a diffrence

emissions wise, yes, it will make a diffrence, since thats what its made for.

buying an aftermarket cat isnt for performance or just to say u have a cat, its to do what it was designed for, reduce emissions, because some people actually care (i dont, im catless )
but the OP can pass emissions in any state (minus california) without swapping to the stock cat while everyone else has to swap back to the stock cat. also, if the zzp cat ***** itself down the road, your going to have to buy a new one while the op has a warranty on his.

so tell me, which would you prefer, pennzoil or mobile 1?