Catco Vs. OEM cats
#1
Just Messing About
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Just West of Atlanta
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Catco Vs. OEM cats
I recently replaced my holy OEM main cat with a catco direct replacement from Summit (~$100). I thought I'd give you some impressions and hopefully, a photo of the two side by side.
The new cat is certainly smaller and lighter. The OEM was on the car since new so it's a bit crusty. it weighs about 13 punds. I didn't weigh the Catco cat but it's significantly lighter.
More info later when I go get the thing tested...
Cory
The new cat is certainly smaller and lighter. The OEM was on the car since new so it's a bit crusty. it weighs about 13 punds. I didn't weigh the Catco cat but it's significantly lighter.
More info later when I go get the thing tested...
Cory
#3
Just Messing About
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Just West of Atlanta
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another view.
Forgot to mention that with the Catco unit, it is possible to see daylight through the cat. With the OEM, even shining a flashlight in the other end, one can't see the light.
Forgot to mention that with the Catco unit, it is possible to see daylight through the cat. With the OEM, even shining a flashlight in the other end, one can't see the light.
#4
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
I purchased one of those cats about 4 years ago from Summit. I have had great luck with mine, however other forum members have bashed the Catco Cat.
They have written that the brick inside will melt from the high exhaust heat produced by a rotary motor.
I have yet to see this.
I recently had mine off and the brick inside looks fine.
A phone call to the company before my purchase also verified that they have not had any complaints from Rx7 owners who have used these cats.
Good luck with yours.
BTW, you will have to cut the split air pipe to get the Catco cat to fit properly. I shortened the pipe and used some hose and hose clamps to attach the two peices after I was done.
They have written that the brick inside will melt from the high exhaust heat produced by a rotary motor.
I have yet to see this.
I recently had mine off and the brick inside looks fine.
A phone call to the company before my purchase also verified that they have not had any complaints from Rx7 owners who have used these cats.
Good luck with yours.
BTW, you will have to cut the split air pipe to get the Catco cat to fit properly. I shortened the pipe and used some hose and hose clamps to attach the two peices after I was done.
#5
Just Messing About
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Just West of Atlanta
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by cblake3
BTW, you will have to cut the split air pipe to get the Catco cat to fit properly. I shortened the pipe and used some hose and hose clamps to attach the two peices after I was done.
BTW, you will have to cut the split air pipe to get the Catco cat to fit properly. I shortened the pipe and used some hose and hose clamps to attach the two peices after I was done.
Cory
Trending Topics
#8
I wish I was driving!
Originally posted by Cwaters
Mine fits alright...maybe they fixed that fitment problem.
Cory
Mine fits alright...maybe they fixed that fitment problem.
Cory
No they didn't.
You can see in the picture that the stock cat uses a flange to mount the split air pipe, and the catco pipe uses a male nipple.
Good luck with the cat though, let us know how it turns out.
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Ventura County, CA
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For that particular part, you may have a fitment problem they didn't forsee. I bought the whole replacement pipe (2 cats). It goes all the way from the exhaust manifold to the Y-pipe. No fitment problems with the split-air pipe whatsoever, and it is ALOT lighter.
PJ
PJ
#10
FC guy
iTrader: (8)
Ive had mine on for one year, it passed emissions testing on its own with the single catco cat, you can just have a shop cut the flange off your air tube on your old cat and weld it on to the new one, its a 5 minute job.
I paid $69 for mine because it wasnt a direct replacement due to the fact my whole exaust is custom stainless steel, for $69 if it lasts another year or so its WELL worth it compared to the price of other converters. Performance was identical to my Racing Beat pre-silencer with no cats, now no more stink and I dont have to worry about my clothes and hair stinking like rotory when I have the top down.
I paid $69 for mine because it wasnt a direct replacement due to the fact my whole exaust is custom stainless steel, for $69 if it lasts another year or so its WELL worth it compared to the price of other converters. Performance was identical to my Racing Beat pre-silencer with no cats, now no more stink and I dont have to worry about my clothes and hair stinking like rotory when I have the top down.
#11
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Pluto
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have used Catco on both my TIIs without problem.I have found that they last through 2 emission test cycles ie 4yrs.The fitment problem with the split air pipe was solved by cutting a piece of pipe out just after the none return valve and using an appropriate length of hi-temp rubber hose.
Anyone claiming to have melted the catalyst bricks clearly has problems with their car whether they know it or not.
Anyone claiming to have melted the catalyst bricks clearly has problems with their car whether they know it or not.
#12
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: St. Charles, MO
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good luck getting those cheesy-*** "floating" flanges to seal up tight. I had one of these on my car and could never get it to seal tightly to the Y-pipe. Always had one of those annoying little sputtering leaks.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Queens, NY-----Rockland, NY(School)
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i have a catco cat 3 inch in and out, waiting to get welded in. seems like a nice piece. and for 100 bucks, ill take that chance. my car smells like a 18 wheeler as of now.
cant wait to get it in though.
cant wait to get it in though.
#15
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MA
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well the responses here re the Catco are pretty even for and against. What I would bet is that all the catalysts in the different cats come from just a couple of places and all the exhaust manufacturers buy them and put them in their own cases. The catalyst needs special equipment to make and a couple of folks make them for the whole aftermarket and OEM industry. It would be interesting to know where each cat manufacturer gets its catalyst, then we could avoid the suppliers that supposedly burns out in short order.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Queens, NY-----Rockland, NY(School)
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by rotarygod
I had one on my daily driven n/a. It died within about 9 months or so. The ceramic element inside just disintegrated. The thing got so clogged up that my car made no power anywhere and the header glowed constantly. I hope you have better luck than I had.
I had one on my daily driven n/a. It died within about 9 months or so. The ceramic element inside just disintegrated. The thing got so clogged up that my car made no power anywhere and the header glowed constantly. I hope you have better luck than I had.
#18
FC guy
iTrader: (8)
Originally posted by rotarygod
I had one on my daily driven n/a. It died within about 9 months or so. The ceramic element inside just disintegrated. The thing got so clogged up that my car made no power anywhere and the header glowed constantly. I hope you have better luck than I had.
I had one on my daily driven n/a. It died within about 9 months or so. The ceramic element inside just disintegrated. The thing got so clogged up that my car made no power anywhere and the header glowed constantly. I hope you have better luck than I had.