I've searched a good while about turbo back exhausts and I still can't seem to find the info I need. I came from a v8 and this is my first turbo'd car so this may seem like a stupid question so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. What does a tbe consist of?

From my understanding, starting from the rear, there's the cat back, then the cat, then the down pipe. Texas has strict emissions and I want a street legal tbe. I was thinking about getting a decent cat back with a down pipe and just keeping the stock cat but I don't even know what size the stock piping is. Most tbe are 3'' so would I be able to run that set up? I've seen some hi flow cats but most are kinda pricey.

This would be a weekend project for me and would like to get a little more info before I commit to buy anything. Thnx.

 

The factory cat is 2.5in if I remember correctly. It is supposed to be a high flow unit but you will indeed loose power keeping it on there. Either way as long as the downpipe and catback portion are meant to bolt up to the stock exhaust then you will have no fitment issues.

 

I wouldn't keep the stock cat because its a 2.5" pipe vs the typical 3" downpipe. Most of the time "street legal" just means noise violations with the exception of my state which includes anything more than a catback.

High flow cats choices are up to you, typically no matter what you do you end up slapping the stock cat back into the car for emissions.

 

Do I have any other options besides swapping the stock cat on and off every year?

 

I guess the insane option is a electronic cut out .

Works sells the stock cat with 3 inch pipes.

There are some "stock looking" high flows out there with 3".

I can do the swap from cat to other cat in like 30 minutes even on a slow hot day. The car's exhaust is very accessible so its not really a pain to do.

 

I pass PA emissions with the magnaflow 3" high flow cat.

I have read that it can be a major Pain to get the bolts off of the stock cat. It is very easy to install if you can just drop the stock exhaust off in one piece and install all new parts. I am not sure what size the stock flanges are on the cat, but my downpipe and cat back both have 3" openings connecting to the cat. I don't know how the stock cat would fit.

Here in PA emissions testing is done with the OBDS port. If you don't get a check engine light, than you are good to go. You can use race cats if you get a mechanical fix. ebay sells those, or you can make it.

 

Can you guys post any links to those hi flow cats? My work computer is being a lil bastard. And yes, I'm at work haha!

 

what is your price range???

 

Lets just say about 800 - 900 ish. I know you get what you pay for but I heard Megan Racing is good bang for the buck and I found a website that has the cat back, down pipe, and test pipe for 550 which I think is a good price. Also my girlfriend is 13 weeks pregnant so this and a tune will be my last hurrah for me for the forseeable future haha.

 

haha i have an APEXI turbo back and it sounds really good. good luck with the baby!

 

haha yea thnx ill need it! What apexi tbe you running? I'm checking out their website and they have quite a few...

 

Not sure how the laws are concerning emissions in your area but in PA it's a visual inspection to ensure the exhaust is in good repair and a check to make sure your computer isn't throwing any codes.
If you are mechanically inclined or know someone that is you can disguise a test pipe as a cat. Do some research online, I know of a few people that have put that little heat shield thing over a test pipe to make it look like a cat. I also did the same thing on my 1st generation Eclipse.
Not a guaranteed way around emissions but it might save you a few bucks, the hassle of changing out cats, and give you the best performance.

Disclaimer: I am in no way condoning breaking the law.

 

getting the o2 sensor off can be a killer.. i stripped mine

 

Bah, maybe I should just stick with a cat back for now until I figure out what I'm gonna do. My co-worker's brother works at a nissan dealership in they Katy area and they let us use their lifts after hours so I could always just bring it back and install the other parts if I decide to go that route. It'll gimme another reason to work on the car.

 

TBE= o2 housing, downpipe/hi-flow or test pipe,and exhaust.