Nate008

iTrader: (8)

I ran JoeZ exhaust and PPE headers and the gas smell was bad if. If you have the windows down while driving your clothes and hair smell like gas after a short drive (ask my wife lol). I ended up getting high-flow Magnaflow cats welded in behind the headers and the gas smell significantly decreased and made driving with the windows down bearable. Wife can attest to this as well lol

teddert2

I just had ppe headers and the joe z exhaust install tonight. I didn't notice the gas smell when driving, but when stopped it was noticeable when the windows were down.

wmjeffreyw

I am getting the best of both worlds. I have an appointment to go see Paul at PPE engineering and have a set of his famous headers installed. He is going to build my exhaust so I can run either test pipes or high flow cats. Paul had a great idea. He is going to use v-band flanges so the swap can be performed quickly. Once I get the headers and cat/testpipe configuration installed I will post some pics. I am scheduled to take the my F in on June 16th my Birthday (Happy B-Day to me). Most of the time, I will run with the cats on but on track days I will install the test pipes.

Jeff

JDMV8

iTrader: (6)

Errr...
Gas smell varying due to installation or header brand?
A catalytic converter uses metals (like platinum) arranged to maximize surface contact in order to convert noxious gases (like volatile hydrocarbons or nitrogen-based gases) to non-volatile/much less harmful gases.
Remove cats, hello volatile combustion products...they smell.

MYISF

Well since my car keeps coming up in the thread I figured I should post...LOL

The only time I smell anything and I would NOT explain it really as a gassy smell, is when I first start the car in the garage and it is not annoying but you can smell something??? Once I start driving I have not noticed it coming up again unless I am sitting in bumper to bumper traffic and then again it is not bad and really doesn't smell like gas...it kind of just smells like a new exhaust would burning in...does that make sense???

To ToothDoc's point I am hoping this is the case (built on a Wedneday) and I will be putting the car on a dyno soon...

To understand how my install went - I had Lexus of Tampa Bay install the Sikky headers, Joe Z (without Cats) and Joe Z intake (while they were at it)...other than making some adjustments along the way to make sure I had no rattle problems (which I don't) there also was one problem with removing one of the O2 sensors from the old exhaust...however, they thought it was okay and installed it in the new setup but when they threw the computer on it...it showed the sensor was bad so they replaced it. I have had no problems (knock on wood) like I have read in various thread so I guess from this point on I will consider myself "Lucky"...

Matt, I would "go for it" and then see if u get the gas smell and then just be prepared to install Cats...and hopefully your install goes as smooth as mine did...

Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

It also depends on the brand of fuel you're using too...

I've driven behind other F's with NO CATs... I had to roll up my window and switch to interior cabin air..
(For the long drives)

Basically smelling unburnt fuel & fumes being sent out the tailpipes..

If you're sitting at a light with the windows down and the wind blows in an unfavorable direction, it will enter the cabin easily..

Joe Z

MYISF

Hmmm interesting...well then Matt u will need to join Costco because that is where I get my gas due to crazy pricing right now...maybe I will run a few tanks of someting else to test Joe Z's hypothsis..LOL

What is the best 93 at the pump? BP? Shell? I don't know and have not kept up with that in a while???

Mrd916

I always use Shell gas station right near my house. This is very depressing right now with all the gas fume stories. My wife would go Lorena Bobbitt on me if I were to have car reek of gas fumes with her and baby in the car. Maybe Tom's kit for me instead of headers now.

PremiumG

I have the same dilemma, I want headers but not the fumes. I've driven behind F with no cats and I can smell it. I have a Borla catback setup. I plan to get PPE headers with the high flow cats. First install will be with no cats to experience maximum horsepower and at some point I will in install the cats. The fumes are just par for the course.

MYISF

I have a questions...is there a big difference in HP gain for the headers if you have cats versus no-cats? Because if not then why not just do the I/H/E with cats???

Matt I emailed you about the TOMS...

Nate008

iTrader: (8)

I agree with MYISF. Just get some high flow cats welded in. Headers are much more fun and are a better mod than any CF kit IMO. My wife rides in my F all the time now with the windows down and no complaint.

They also don't cost much either if that's an issue.

I believe it's around a 10 whp loss with cats. Well worth it to get rid of that smell if it's bothersome to you. I don't miss those few extra ponies.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

Here are dynos of my friends F with PPE Headers and JoeZ exhaust and no cats vs my PPE Headers with PPE Dual Mode exhaust run with the valve open and HiFlow cats. Not really Apples to Apples, but the closest I could come. My system with cats was a bit over 6HP less (at Peak) than his with no cats. But, we stayed pretty even up until about 5.5K RPM.

Lou

PremiumG

Not a big loss at all...I will do cats with the header install.

RSXiMUS

iTrader: (7)

Bumping an old thread.

Lou, is that dyno running with the PPE 5" high flow cats that they offer as an option when you order the exhaust?

Looks like only a 6-7whp loss which is not bad at all!

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

Its take sometime to get rid of the smell of after market headers but when it does , oh man its pretty awesome and now with tuned. Vroooooom vrooooom