Originally posted by Mr Hyde
The poster made no mention of a turbo, and in that case there are high flow cats as well.
Also at least here in NYC aftermarket exhausts are NOT illegal, and there is no code to have your car confiscated for removing your muffler. All you'd get is a ticket for the noise. Remove your cat on the other hand, and you could lose your car.
Also who said a high flow cat or no cat always gives more power??? Ive been on this board a looooong time and seen a ton of info on it. On a NA 4 banger Accord, dropping the cat for a straight pipe, or using a highflow cat will give negligible, no gains or even a loss in power. For the money, time and effort, its a pointless mod even with Headers, Intake and Exhaust.
Ive seen dyno's on 4 cylinders putting out more power than the Accord which LOST HP with a highflow cat, and more with a staright pipe. SCC did a test within the last 2 years that showed the same.
Actually on a turbo eclipse you will get a 15hp-20hp increase with a straight pipe, not sure about NA though.