Going Catless? GT Exhaust n00b Q

[GTdude]

Hey everybody. I've got some extra cash that I had set aside after I put a few hundred bucks away for holiday spending money and I'm planning on grabbing an Invidia axleback exhaust system. From what I've heard, they sound pretty deep and at a reasonable price (380). Just a few questions if you guys can help me out...

- Will the axleback cause a constant CEL w/o the catalytic converter?
- Are there any downsides for putting on an axleback, such as decreased MPG?
- Will this cause me to fail emissions come inspection time?

Sorry to sound stupid, I just want to get some facts straight before I go ahead and do this. I appreciate any info you guys can give, thanks agn!!!

[.2002SilverGT]

axleback doesn't get rid of your cat. its just a bolt on replacement of the tip and muffler. You should look under your car sometimes

[slidr]

As already said, the cat is in the middle of the car, almost directly under the drivers seat. You would not remove it if you installed an axleback exhaust. If you wanted to remove the cat, you would get a CEL unless you did the O2 emulator mod in the install section, and you would not pass visual inspection or emissions testing if you have that in your state.

[vehicle_5]

If you were wanting to do a straight pipe up to the axelback Invidia exhaust, I would strongly disagree with that idea!!! Your car will sound like just another ricer car. Very loud and annoying sound!!! :thumbdown Either keep your Cat or get a high-flowing one.
To answer your questions.

- Will the axleback cause a constant CEL w/o the catalytic converter? It won't cause a CEL unless you only use one O2 sensor. Use 2 and you'll be fine.
- Are there any downsides for putting on an axleback, such as decreased MPG?
No downsides, if anything you'd get better MPG because of the better airflow.
- Will this cause me to fail emissions come inspection time?
Taking off your Cat will cause you to fail emissions, if it's a visual test. (not sure otherwise)

[Lo_Pro_Life]

There Is A Beautiful Thing Called A Diffuser. **** The Cat Keep The Diffuser and you will be happy.

before anyone gets on me. diffuser causes minimal back pressure. and all it really does is cause the sound waves to reflect back at each other.

example
______________________Cat________/-Diffuser-\____
Engine Loud And Raspy))))))))))))))))))(())(())(())))))))Clean Deep Sound
-----------------------------------------------------
Simple Yes!

Save Yourself The Money Hit Up A Local Muffler Shop Cut Out About 5 Feet Of Pipe And Muffler and Send The Pipe As Straight Back As Possible. no reason to keep the rally track exhaust system toyota stuck on there from stock.

worried about what the exhaust will hang on? tell them to weld and mount a Vibra-Mount on the Arm under the center of the rear end. now you can bottom out and never have to worry about one of the original stock brackets braking and then you will have the V-TEC Exhaust that bounces with the car. :rofl:

[ZaneMan]

There Is A Beautiful Thing Called A Diffuser. **** The Cat Keep The Diffuser and you will be happy. :rofl:

Um.... are you talking about the resonator? A diffuser is a car part that acts in the areodynamics of cars not the exhuast.

[Sancho]

Invidia without a cat is gonna sound loud! I've heard sound clips and that thing drones on the highway.

[vehicle_5]

^Yes it is very loud and annoying. It will sound much like a gas powered RC car but about a 1000 times louder!!

[03GTSTRD]

Removing the cat will not change the sound much. If you remove the resonator than watch out. The car will sound like it has a million pissed off bumble bees in the muffler. It will be so raspy you won't be able to stand it.

My advise is the get the Invidia axleback. Then go to a local muffler shop and get a 2.5" mandrel bent midpipe made with an 18" Vibrant or Magnaflow resonator welded in where the stock resonator is supposed to be.