Gutting the CAT
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: North East, PA
Rep Power: 0 
Gutting the CAT
I know many of you may have done this in the past with other cars...I know I have but I was considering gutting the CAT from my car rather than putting new headers on it. I know its a cheap move but I am willing to bet the gains are similar to that of a new set of headers.
I guess I wanted to know if anyone has done this or knows if this is possible. I have an HX and I think the CAT is on the downpipe but is it accessible, ie can I pound the hell out of it until it is empty and still have a place for all the crap from the CAT to fall out?
I know it will free up some power and won't cost me a dime.
I guess I wanted to know if anyone has done this or knows if this is possible. I have an HX and I think the CAT is on the downpipe but is it accessible, ie can I pound the hell out of it until it is empty and still have a place for all the crap from the CAT to fall out?
I know it will free up some power and won't cost me a dime.
Ricerus Maximus
iTrader: (5)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,926
Likes: 0
From: Statesboro, Georgia, US
Rep Power: 333 Just don't get caught 
Of course you might want to do some research on this or at least get an O2 simulator or mil eliminator so that you eliminate all possibilities of getting a CEL. Damn OBD II
Of course you might want to do some research on this or at least get an O2 simulator or mil eliminator so that you eliminate all possibilities of getting a CEL. Damn OBD II 
Escaped Convict
iTrader: (30)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 6,450
Likes: 0
From: Westminster, California, US
Rep Power: 368 there's more to this..
no it wont be gains similiar to a new set of header...
depending on ur year of HX, u may have TWO cat convertors.
one on front, and another on bottom.
I suppose it will flow better if u gut the cat though.
but swapping out that stock header to the kamikaze header for dx/lx (should fit the hX) should yield some more high end gain... course there's trade offs.
I think there should be more info. try a search "hx header" or "dx lx header" etc.
if you plan to gut the cat or get the kamikaze header (which'll rid of ur first cat convertor, but not the 2nd one) you'll need an o2 sim.
the MIL eliminator, from what I read.. doesn't work on our car... but I'm not too keen on that cuz I dont even know wtf the mil eliminator looks like.
go to www.hondaautomotiveparts.com and look up ur year of HX, and check under exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. then u can see what ur actual header looks like, and how many cat convertors u have and where it is located.
and seriously... trying to get performance gains outta a civic is tough enough.. trying to get performance gains out of a Civic thats specifically designed for economy, is even tougher.
no it wont be gains similiar to a new set of header...
depending on ur year of HX, u may have TWO cat convertors.
one on front, and another on bottom.
I suppose it will flow better if u gut the cat though.
but swapping out that stock header to the kamikaze header for dx/lx (should fit the hX) should yield some more high end gain... course there's trade offs.
I think there should be more info. try a search "hx header" or "dx lx header" etc.
if you plan to gut the cat or get the kamikaze header (which'll rid of ur first cat convertor, but not the 2nd one) you'll need an o2 sim.
the MIL eliminator, from what I read.. doesn't work on our car... but I'm not too keen on that cuz I dont even know wtf the mil eliminator looks like.
go to www.hondaautomotiveparts.com and look up ur year of HX, and check under exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. then u can see what ur actual header looks like, and how many cat convertors u have and where it is located.
and seriously... trying to get performance gains outta a civic is tough enough.. trying to get performance gains out of a Civic thats specifically designed for economy, is even tougher.
Thread Starter
Registered!!
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: North East, PA
Rep Power: 0 Its not really totally about HP gains. I drive over 1,000 miles a week and a boost in fuel economy, as you would get by removing the CAT, would be significant. I know I am not going to get huge HP out of a Civic and I didn't buy an HX to break speed records.
Unfortunatley I did look and I have two CATS, one on the downpipe and one under the car. Does a set of Kamakize headers replace both or just the one? Also I am in PA so emissions is not an issue.
Unfortunatley I did look and I have two CATS, one on the downpipe and one under the car. Does a set of Kamakize headers replace both or just the one? Also I am in PA so emissions is not an issue.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
jdh022764
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
18
Nov 3, 2015 06:44 AM
winanthony94
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
6
Sep 25, 2015 09:05 AM
blizza
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
3
Sep 20, 2015 04:09 PM
