So I'm about to commit to getting headers for my RCF and the only thing that I can't seem to confirm is if the catless headers really make it smell bad in the cabin or is it not that bad? I honestly want catless headers since I don't think it's worth it spending almost 3k for catted headers to gain a few hp over stock when I can just replace the cats on the OEM manifolds with high flow cats instead no? I am also running an Invidia catback exhaust.

 

It's not too bad. I have PPE EL in stock. Can make you a deal on UEL catless if you want to go that route.

Also if you can't deal with the smell, you can always weld in cats into the midpipe.

-Josh

 

Yes it smells bad, especially when the car is warming up in the garage even with the garage open.
​​​A good set of high flow cats (Kooks, GESI or PPE) plus install won't be much less than just getting the catted headers. It really depends on your budget and if you want a one and done situation. Also, cats help tone down the raspy sound of headers. So that is a big + on top of reducing the smell. If I could do it all over again. I would get catted.

 

I’m actually thinking about headers soon myself, Toprawman what do you currently have installed and what would you install if you were to do it again? Mind if I ask how much you paid for your install and headers? Is the smell noticeable while driving too?

 

I have PPE UEL headers. The catted PPE headers were released after I purchased and installed my headers. I paid $1200 for the install plus alignment and new starter, motor mounts and all the miscellaneous replacement pieces in Northern California. if Catted headers were available when I purchased my headers. I would have for sure got them. The smell is most noticeable on spirited driving. When I am just driving around town chilling. I really don't smell it.

 

Do you think the catted PPE UEL header will have a noticeable gain over the stock setup? That's why I'm having a hard time deciding. Also I see RR racing uses a 400 cell GESI cat and modinjapan offers a PPE cat, not sure how many cells it is and how it compares to the GESI cat setup.

 

Catted headers you will absolutely have more HP over stock! Call RR and/or Mod In Japan and ask them about the difference in cats

 

I read on another forum that the catted headers from RR racing only add like 9whp.. which to me doesn't make it worth it for almost 4 grand with the install. might just get the non catted ones and just add cats if I cant deal with the smell🤷🏼‍♂️ Thanks for the input!

 

Why does every street driven vehicle, delivered by a dealer, on the planet have catalytic converters❓

It's for CLEAN AIR - Nobody mentions that. Everybody talks about what it can do for them, not what cats do for the environment Very disappointing.


And Yes, I have PPE EL headers PLUS GESI Cats.

Lou

 

You’re better off to get the standard headers without cats and then add the converters later in the midpipe where the secondary cats go if you can’t live with the smell or added noise. Running headers with cats sort of defeats the purpose, esp with the cats in the collectors.

Steve

 

All the headers are from PPE, and PPE pretty much uses the same cats for all their headers. The midpipe is a different story.

Yes a high flow cat will be noticeable over stock.

-Josh

 

You will notice the smell at first, but you will get used to it. I don't even notice it anymore. I have the Invidia catback as well.

 

Hahahaha. The environment? We want to do what we want to our cars that we paid for. If it was so important then why can anyone buy a street-driven vehicle in another state or a smog-exempt county without smog checks and take that cat right off? It's more about $$, and the environment second.

 

^^^^TSK TSK

Lou

 

I can confirm having the PPE catted headers that the smell is still pretty toxic when warming up the car especially in a garage. This is with an Apexi Non Resonated Mid-pipe with secondary cats removed.