Rep Power: 0

We always see these threads about what cat-back exhaust sounds the best or which size we should go with or what brand, but I never see any threads on catalytic converters and I have some questions that I would like answered. In an effort to plan the best build for my budget when I get home, I am looking for a catalytic converter that is going to last me and improve performance. I stumbled across Random Technology and they seem reasonably priced and their website actually shows different gains via their dyno graphs. Has anyone had any experience with Random Technology's Cats? Either direct fit or universal? I am looking at direct fit preferably to avoid any extra welding but that will all depend on the inlet/outlet sizes, plus I still need the outlet size on my down pipe to be sure before I order. Found the product on procivic.com website and then proceeded to their actual website to look at it. If you have any other experiences with other cats please feel free to let me know. I here the Hytech Renault Cat is also very well made but is pretty pricey too.

http://www.procivic.com/pages-produc...890/index.html

http://www.randomtechnology.com/

 
Rep Power: 812

random tech is cheap junk that will not last you more than a year maybe. you might as well get a straight pipe and it would be the same thing. theres a reason why these things dont cost $1k+ because they have hardly any catalyst in them. you might be able to pass smog once with a new random tech cat but thats about it.

 
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What about the Hytech Renault Cat? That was my next option.

 
Rep Power: 285

There are lots of cheap cat options that work, I don't know anyone who would pay $1xxx for an OEM cat. To expensive, not enough difference in quality. Sure cheap ones have a much lower precious metal content, but they get the job done well enough to pass emissions and that's what counts on an older car. Putting the right cat for your engine set-up will make a HUGE difference in the amount of power you make.

Going from memory..
Mac25 is using a magnaflow high flow cat
Maxiternity is using a reactive high flow cat
xRiceboyx is using a random tech cat

I can't think of anyone running a hytech renault, but I'd say without hesitation, I'd put any hytech product on my car.

 
Rep Power: 314

I've heard magnaflow is ok but is more expensive, xriceboyx uses random and says its ok too.

 
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Most of Magnaflow's cats are not carb compliant though. I am looking for carb compliant. I havent heard bad things about any of the cats really other then what gearbox has said already.

 
Rep Power: 812

i would search around online for reviews. i dug up one with a few seconds of looking. if cars making 500+whp are doing just fine with an oem cat, i dont see how a civic would benefit from a "hi flow" cat where the stock one already flows more than it will ever need to. this guy said he actually lost power on the dyno after installing the random tech because the insides were not welded in place properly. he still got the engine light on because the catalyst didnt work, and eventually the whole thing fell apart.

http://www.preludeonline.com/f28/do-...ow-cat-186412/

 
Rep Power: 812

some more

http://www.superhonda.com/forum/f13/...low-cat-39968/

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/mecha...vibration.html

 
Rep Power: 294

I've actually got a Random Tech. I got it ceramic coated before I put it on the car. I knew rust was an issue with the cheapo metal construction/coating. It's illegal for me to have, so I swap it out with the OEM, before I smog. OEM CATS ONLY in CA.

 
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I would have kept the OEM cat, except it never came with the car when i bought it and I didn't find out till after I bought it because I was not present. Anyhow, I have been trying to get the cat from the owner but I dont think he has it. He didn't have to do emissions in his county, so he had it coming straight out of the downpipe. I am probably going to end up going with the Renault Hytech Cat since I talked with him and he said it is very close to OEM specs and durability. I understand you have to pay for quality, but I am just not going to pay that much for a new stock cat.

 
Rep Power: 314

Well.. I'd keep my OEM cat too but its got a huge hole in it and it costs 1000+. Random Tech is only 400 ish dollars. I think I'll try the cheaper route when I replace mine.

 
Rep Power: 314

LoL One of those guys that has issues with it is "Running Rich" . Gee I wonder why his cat went.

 
Rep Power: 211

I'm lucky that I'll pass emissions as long as no check engine light is on and my exhaust only spews out what it's supposed to...I went with a magnaflow cat and although I have yet to actually drive my car, when it was running it wasn't smelling like a car that was missing a cat lol.

 
Rep Power: 812

most civics run rich from the factory. the newer si is the worst it almost looks like the car is tuned for a turbo.