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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Four Catalytic converters

  • Thread starter Thread starter fastrev
  • Start date Start date Aug 24, 2004
F

fastrev

New Member
Aug 5, 2004
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Aug 24, 2004
#1
  • Aug 24, 2004
  • #1
I am new to Mustangs and while installing some new mufflers I noticed I had 2 catalytic converters per side. One is close to the header and the other just before the H pipe. Sorry if this is a dumb question it's just when looking at Jegs and Summit all the systems they show have only one per side. The car has an H pile and had Flowmasters on it. I don't know if the whole system is flowmaster.

Thanks
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
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89
Dallas, TX
Aug 24, 2004
#2
  • Aug 24, 2004
  • #2
The stock H-pipe has 4 converters on it. Aftermarket ones only have 2.
 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because
Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
2,773
17
89
Dallas, GA
Aug 24, 2004
#3
  • Aug 24, 2004
  • #3
The 4 cat H pipe is a joke, I heard of some of the 96-98 models having 6 converters. On our cars, the first two cats are more or less pre-heaters and the second two are what does most of the work. Just an example of outdated emmisions technology. Modern, high-flow cats do not need two on each side to clean up the exaust gasses. They don't restrict the flow nearly as much as the stock style.
 
F

fastrev

New Member
Aug 5, 2004
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Aug 24, 2004
#4
  • Aug 24, 2004
  • #4
Will getting rid of these and putting a newer 2 cat system make a big change?
I also have the stock headers, how much of a performance gain would aftermarket headers be?

Thanks!
 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because
Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
2,773
17
89
Dallas, GA
Aug 24, 2004
#5
  • Aug 24, 2004
  • #5
I would just get a new H pipe with the cats on it, it will be larger pipe and be mandrel bent, probally cheaper than having 4 cats cut off and 2 new one's welded on.

Big performance gain, it will make a difference, but a big difference, I guess that up to your idea of big performance.
 

04sleeper

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2002
2,674
14
89
Dallas, TX
Aug 24, 2004
#6
  • Aug 24, 2004
  • #6
fastrev said:
Will getting rid of these and putting a newer 2 cat system make a big change?
Click to expand...
You will pick up a significant amout of power. Go here for some good quality exhaust. http://www.vrsexhaust.com/X-PIPES/x-pipes.html
fastrev said:
I also have the stock headers, how much of a performance gain would aftermarket headers be?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
You will loose power with aftermarket headers unless you have head work done.
 

BlackFox5.0

Founding Member
Aug 7, 2000
3,514
1
0
Massachusetts
Aug 24, 2004
#7
  • Aug 24, 2004
  • #7
I think that the stock system has more cats because of the design of the cat. one pair is a 2 way converter, and the other pair is a 1 way. Newer aftermarket cats are a 3-way converter.
 

cevtv

Founding Member
Sep 15, 2002
1,113
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37
Massachusetts
Aug 24, 2004
#8
  • Aug 24, 2004
  • #8
fastrev said:
Will getting rid of these and putting a newer 2 cat system make a big change?
Click to expand...



Check your local laws first. Some states, like CA, require the car to have the same amount of cats that it had from the factory, even if the 2-cat system runs cleaner. Check to see if you need to pass a visual inspection...........
 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member
Sep 23, 2000
1,250
41
88
CA.
Aug 25, 2004
#9
  • Aug 25, 2004
  • #9
cevtv said:
Check your local laws first. Some states, like CA, require the car to have the same amount of cats that it had from the factory, even if the 2-cat system runs cleaner. Check to see if you need to pass a visual inspection...........
Click to expand...

Exactly.... 100% Correct
 

88stangmangt

Active Member
Nov 25, 2003
2,332
1
48
Stafford,VA
Aug 26, 2004
#10
  • Aug 26, 2004
  • #10
cats bummed me out too so mine are sittin next to the shed................but if anyone asks yes i have em............
 

_jb_

New Member
Mar 4, 2004
808
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0
Michigan, Berrien County
Aug 26, 2004
#11
  • Aug 26, 2004
  • #11
88stangmangt said:
cats bummed me out too so mine are sittin next to the shed................but if anyone asks yes i have em............
Click to expand...

That's what I would do if I had a smog test here in MI. After the testing, I would put back on the goodies!
 
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