Just welded in my full-length Steeda subframes last night at a reputable shop (no hack job here) and they went in beautifully, but now I've run into a majorly annoying problem. It seems as though the catalytic converters are whacking into the subframe connectors, and i'm getting a horrid banging/bumping sound when getting off the clutch (as the motor is vibrating then) and when going ove certain bumps that would cause the motor to shake a little bit. Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, how did you remedy it? I'd like to just get an O/R X-pipe or H-Pipe but I need cats for emissions. Any help would be appreciated as this clunking noise is REALLY loud and annoying.
Cats hitting new SFCs....help
- Thread starter superbuick
- Start date
superbuick said:
i would swap in a off road pipe. then when emmisions comes around throw the cat pipe back up.
UndeadRogue
New Member
maybe stiffening the suspension would help?
*I have no idea what im talking about but it could be a good idea
*I have no idea what im talking about but it could be a good idea
UndeadRogue
New Member
hognutz
New Member
Have you verified that it is hitting or just guessing?
I mean I would firsst check the clearance and where it is hitting. you may be able to just bend something a bit. Once you jacke the car up it should be easy to find the point of contact.
That being said I always ditch cats just cause I hate the sound of them.
I mean I would firsst check the clearance and where it is hitting. you may be able to just bend something a bit. Once you jacke the car up it should be easy to find the point of contact.
That being said I always ditch cats just cause I hate the sound of them.
UndeadRogue
New Member
I've verified that the cats are indeed hitting the subframes.
My concern with the Off Road X/H is that it will be way too loud with my SLP loudmouths.
Maybe an off-road prochamber? My first choice is to go with an X-Pipe, but again, I have SLP loudmouths and I'm worried it will be TOO loud.
-T
My concern with the Off Road X/H is that it will be way too loud with my SLP loudmouths.
Maybe an off-road prochamber? My first choice is to go with an X-Pipe, but again, I have SLP loudmouths and I'm worried it will be TOO loud.
-T
hognutz
New Member
UndeadRogue said:maybe stiffening the suspension would help?
*I have no idea what im talking about but it could be a good idea
the movement he is getting is from the engine torque. Motor mounts and try mounts are the only thing that minimize this. solid mounts will introduce vibration and would not be worth it.
UndeadRogue
New Member
I guess the real question here is how can I eliminate the noise? Plenty of people have installed steeda full-length subframes on their cars using the factory mid-pipe, so I'm not sure why its an issue for me. I know for a fact the SFCs were installed properly, it just seems like the midpipe cats are so big, its unavoidable that they would hit the subframe, but in reality, this can't be right, because no company would sell a product that would make all this noise installed. Surely I can't be the only person to have experienced this.....
UndeadRogue
New Member
hognutz
New Member
Well without pic's I don't know what to tell you exactly.
I would call steada first. ask their tech is this is something that can happen.
I would look if I could use a pry bar or something to try to tweek the cat away rom the subframe.
You could also take it to and exhaust shop and have the recomend somthing. I you have a digital camera and snap a pic and post it up.
I would call steada first. ask their tech is this is something that can happen.
I would look if I could use a pry bar or something to try to tweek the cat away rom the subframe.
You could also take it to and exhaust shop and have the recomend somthing. I you have a digital camera and snap a pic and post it up.
CaliLifeStyle
New Member
If the cats are hitting the Sub Frame then try to grind part of the sub frame so there is more clearance.
Just an Idea.
Just an Idea.
StangPro
New Member
Its a factory catted midpipe.
The shop didn't see (and neither did I, as I helped with the install) because it isn't touching at rest, only the torque of the motor makes it touch.
Not to worry though, I figured it out, I bent the flat sides of the cat (jokingly called "speed wings" by the guys over at modulardepot) ,where they are stamped together, downward to add about 1/2 inch of extra clearance. The problem is gone.
For those of you installing steeda full lengths with a factory midpipe, be aware of this problem. The picture below shows my car before the subframe connectors were installed, and you can see where adding a 1 inch thick boxed steel bar (the connector) would create a problem with clearance on the cats.
View attachment 515366
The shop didn't see (and neither did I, as I helped with the install) because it isn't touching at rest, only the torque of the motor makes it touch.
Not to worry though, I figured it out, I bent the flat sides of the cat (jokingly called "speed wings" by the guys over at modulardepot) ,where they are stamped together, downward to add about 1/2 inch of extra clearance. The problem is gone.
For those of you installing steeda full lengths with a factory midpipe, be aware of this problem. The picture below shows my car before the subframe connectors were installed, and you can see where adding a 1 inch thick boxed steel bar (the connector) would create a problem with clearance on the cats.
View attachment 515366
KronicRacer
Member
BlackenedSVT
Active Member
superbuick said:
Try switching to long-tube headers and a different midpipe. It would add more HP, and possibly fix your clearance issues
EDIT: and furthermore, I just re-read your picture post. Those are FACTORY cats on the H-pipe?! GET A NEW MID-PIPE!!!
BlackenedSVT
Active Member
KronicRacer said:what about grinding the speed wings (heat sheilds) down and tack welding the edges..
After seeing that picture....i agree.
There isn't anything a good grinder can't take care of 
