ok so ive got all the little things fixed on my wifes 02 lancer and now id like to free up a couple horsepower. My main goal is to improve fuel mileage and efficency here, im not looking to race this thing. Intake is a no brainer, ive got that one covered. My question is what about the exhuast? I know the benfits that a header can provide and would like to put one on the car but it seems pointless to install one without freeing up the dual catalyic converters first. Lets take into consideration that my wife drives this thing to work everyday so it CANNOT be loud AT ALL this thing really just needs to sound like stock unless your hammering it. Does anyone have any suggestions on a cat delete pipe or maybe a high flow cat system that will provide way better flow but still soundstock? i really dont even plan on changing the muffler as i know thats where alot of the decibals come from. Would it sound completely retarded with header/ high flow cats and a stock muffler??

Any other suggestions on what i could do the lighten up the work load on this engine and get some extra power/mileage out of it would be great. Free/easy mods are always a plus

 

went to my local autozone and found out my CAT is bad.. as my first post states I want to replace the header and downpipe anyways so i am thinking about a header. Now to my understanding (havent pulled the heat shield yet) there is a CAT basically on the header and one under the car. If i eliminate the exhuast manifold and first cat (replace with after market header) AND run a CEL delete on the 2nd 02 sensor anyone know if it will still pass emmisions in a state like texas?? Im assuming my leaky valve seals are the reason for the damaged cat and the engine running lean (white spark plugs) I would sooner eliminate both cats all together if i could find a way to keep the car quiet.. I dont see any muffler out there doing that.

new header/ high flow cat or stock 2nd cat/ 2nd 02 sensor CEL delete to the resuce? would that pass emmisions in a state like texas? and still sound good while obviously freeing up flow from a glogged *** cat?

emmissions isnt a HUGE deal to me as i have a way around it but it would be nice to not have to worry about it. anyone with experience please chime in as i will be looking to makes some serious exhuast chages this weekend while im under the hood changing valve seals

 

120 views and no one has any ideas?