how necessary is it to run a catalytic converter??the reason i am asking is because im gonna get exhaust piping for a crx and put it in my hatch....
i dont know if i should just get an extra piece of piping to connect the catback to the header or if i should get a test pipe or high flow cat....whats the difference between a test pipe and regular exhaust piping?

 

i guess a test pipe has flanges with an o2 bung...

 

IMO, i would just run a high flow cat. retain some back pressure and gain some torque. a test pipe is coo but it will make ur car pretty loud and u will smell gas fumes more...............my .02

 

how much do high flow cats go for?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Superdragr45 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IMO, i would just run a high flow cat. retain some back pressure and gain some torque. a test pipe is coo but it will make ur car pretty loud and u will smell gas fumes more...............my .02</TD></TR></TABLE>

Backpressure does not equal "torque", high exhaust gas velocity equals "torque" ; That myth comes from people putting on huge exhaust piping diameter and noticing a deacrease in their low-end power. This is caused my reduced exhaust gas velocity since the engine now can't pump out enough at low engine speeds to fill the pipes and therefor maintain good exhaust velocity, NOT because of decreased backpressure.

Anyways, all this just to explain that adding a catalytic converter will not increase your torque/power figures. However, on a N/A car, a well designed cat should'nt affect your power band in any noticeable way either. Superdragr45 was right in saying it will be louder though and it's not in a good way either ; a car without a cat, especially a Civic, makes the most awful sound imaginable. Finally, if your like me, you like knowing your car is working 100% and for me that includes it not blowing deadly fumes out the back and trowing engine codes (in the case your OBD2, you will be stuck with that annoying light).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Suck my DX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how much do high flow cats go for?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You can get a magnaflow on ebay for $55.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dwnthehatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You can get a magnaflow on ebay for $55.</TD></TR></TABLE>damn too bad i dont got an account

so now whats a resonator