1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Power difference between Bonez cat and straight pipe?

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Old Jan 10, 2007 | 02:04 AM
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Power difference between Bonez cat and straight pipe?

I did some searching, but I never really found any direct comparisons here.

Right now my car (84 GSLSE) has the stock manifold, Racing Beat cat replacement pipe and a crappy muffler. The pipe made a HUGE power difference in the car over the old stock (and probably clogged) cats, and I love it. The problem is that it's not street legal since I have to worry about a visual emmissions inspection, and it is way too loud.

So, I was thinking to correct both of those issues I could put on a Bonez high flow catalytic converter, that would help make the car quieter, legal, and cleaner, but does anyone know how much of a power loss I may take, if any at all? I used to have one on my 91 FC, but I never had a straight pipe on it to make a comparison.

I will also probably end up with either a Borla XS or a Racing Beat muffler on the end of it eventually.
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Old Jan 10, 2007 | 08:20 PM
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When I went from Bonez cat to RB cat replacement pipe in the old car in my sig, with the stock manifold, it made a noticeable difference. If I had to guess I'd say around 5 hp maybe?

With that setup (and the rest of the mods in my sig) I was able to beat a slightly modded SE that had headers and Borla muffler in a 50-100 mph race.
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Old Jan 11, 2007 | 12:06 AM
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I could probably deal with losing 5 hp, if I really had to. How loud was the car with the straight pipe and RB muffler?
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Old Jan 11, 2007 | 10:51 PM
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Not too loud, thanks to the muffler. Even when I replaced the stock manifold with an RB header, it sounded like this (bear in mind that's the sound of the engine at mostly 6-8k rpm):


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Old Jan 11, 2007 | 10:57 PM
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Ah, I love the sound of an RB exhaust. So sexy...

Maybe I'll just fork out the extra bread for the powerpulse muffler instead of the Borla.
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Old Jan 11, 2007 | 10:59 PM
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I think it's worth it.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 01:26 PM
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as a side note, if you do end up giving up on the cat replacement pipe, I'll be happy to give you a pile of dollar bills for it.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 10:00 PM
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If I do end up getting the cat, I'll put my straight pipe up in the FS section. I think I'm going to get the RB muffler first though and then see where the sound level is sitting at first, though.
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Old Jan 12, 2007 | 10:21 PM
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I have the bonez universal, but my muffler is homebuilt. I just found out I'm exempt from emissions as of the 1st of the year. I may leave it on until it goes out again. No sense polluting just for the sake of polluting powerfully, lol.
I may put in a small diameter glasspack on to cut the noise down at that point. With an RB street header, universal bonez cat and the home made muffler it gained a decent bit of power. I used 2.5 pipe all the way past the header. Before I could get a little rubber from a stop and barely chirp second sometimes. After the exhaust I can get rubber easily and a healthy chirp to a decent squeal in second depending on temps outside, and road surface. The RB muffler will probably be quieter for you, but I like the power increase I got. No dyno nearby, so I have to go by SOP factor. It was a big bang for the bucks.


Love it or hate it, here is the sound clip.....


http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n...v?t=1168661952
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 01:02 PM
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Please tell me that is your leafblower or chainsaw and not your car
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 04:27 PM
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Any more bright comments, or are you done?
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 05:34 PM
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He was just poking fun at you... Did you take the file down??
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 05:46 PM
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yup. Everyone acted excited to hear it during my muffler building thread, then only about one comment was made. Posted it here, and got this comment. It must sound pretty horrible for those reactions. This way the only people that have to listen to it are me and the people I pass
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 09:22 PM
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Ah, but do YOU like it? That's all that matters.

I have the opposite reaction-the rotary guys like the way my car sounds, and I hate it because it's too damn loud. Plus, I'm spoiled since both my Miata and the FC I had before it had RB exhausts.
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Old Jan 13, 2007 | 09:26 PM
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Yup, actually I love it. It will give the civic drivers something to listen to through their firewalls, hehe. It also serves another purpose. It lets people know their car alarms are too sensitive.

I will have to make a recording of it going through the gears, complete with burning rubber sound effects.

Last edited by Blk82GSL; Jan 13, 2007 at 09:39 PM.
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by Blk82GSL
Posted it here, and got this comment. It must sound pretty horrible for those reactions.
You're right about that.

Please don't post it again. Kthxbye.
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 08:49 AM
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Thanks a$$hole, I won't.

Last edited by Blk82GSL; Jan 14, 2007 at 09:12 AM.
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 10:54 AM
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Yup, way too many children on it. Oh wait, there's one less now.
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 11:31 AM
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Oh you're leaving too? That would make it one less then? Or in your personal opinion, two less.

"unsubscribed"
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 11:38 AM
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i want to hear your exhaust please put the file back up. I won't make any disrespectful comments. I just want to hear what it sounds like.
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Blk82GSL
Oh you're leaving too? That would make it one less then? Or in your personal opinion, two less.

"unsubscribed"
You "unsubscribed", but are showing as online right now?

What, forgot something and had to come back and re-subscribe? you're amusing and funny.
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 12:34 PM
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Nope, simply forgot to log out. Was outside working on the RX.... I will correct that.
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 12:38 PM
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can you get the sound clip back up please?
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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 12:59 PM
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C'mon blk82GSL, don't take it so personally. Look, I even apologized in response to your last PM.

No hard feelings. Here, I'll post the clip for you:

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Old Jan 14, 2007 | 01:10 PM
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No, you said you were sorry and apologized that I was offended. There's a difference between that and actually apologizing. Maybe you typed it incorrectly, I don't know? I keep getting the response notifications anyway, go figure. Unsubscribed and logging out once again. Maybe it will take this time? This has dragged on way too long, and on a good thread too. I apologize to the OP sincerely. Please feel free to start another thread, as this one has gone way out of control.
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