Hey guys. I have a 2000 Acura Integra LS and i just ordered a full Greddy EVO2 cat-back exhaust system. I was looking around on ebay and saw replacement cat's and test pipes that were just straight pipes, to take the place of the cat, which holes in them for O2 sensor. Are these worth the 60 bux? it says 10-15 hp gain, even if it was 5, it seems like a good idea to me. My worry is that it will trip my check engine light. Would it work the same if i just knocked everything out of my stock cat? My biggest fear is having a wrong O2 reading and having to deal with a check engine light. PLEASE respond to this ASAP. thanks everyone

 

A test pipe will make you throw a CEL, and it won't make you any power.

The stock catalytic converter, especially on an LS, will flow plenty fine for the engine unless the motor is built up in some way or the cat is old and clogged.

 

Yeah, you'll definetly throw a CEL if you use a testpipe. I'd go with a high flow cat, same performance as a test pipe without all the trouble.

 

yes.. think of the earth before you polute it .. try the carsound cat.. plus the test pipe would make your car sound horrible

 

I have test pipe on my teg, sounds ain't that bad, BUT...just LOUD as hell when my VTEC pop...I'm gonna put a carsound cat on soon.anway..

 

Like I already mentioned, the stock cat flows enough that it won't really restrict the LS motor. If you're convinced that it needs to go then by all means go ahead and spend some money. I personally would buy a header before replacing the cat.

 

i disagree, i know from experience
remove your cat ,instead of buying a testpipe go to your local parts house and get a piece of pipe and 2 clamps, shouldn't be more then 15 bux
you'll lose very little low end but at about 4300 rpm you'll be able to watch your rpms climb quicker, and you'll feel a difference
put your car on a diet also

 

WTF...you say "Instead of a testpipe..." then you go on about telling him to get a testpipe made???

Anyway, the cat is a restriction on the exhaust system and should be considered as piece to be upgraded. Only good it does is on a stock exhaust system. If you want to run a higher flow all the way through, get a carsound or other high flow cat's. Like I said, same performance without the crappy noise and air pollution.

Whether you upgrade the cat or the header first makes no difference as long as you plan on upgrading both. Your only hurting performance by getting a higher flowing header and exhaust piping while keeping the stock cat.

 

true
but what i'm saying is, don't buy the test pipe off ebay for 39.99 when you can make one yourself for 15 bux, just trying to save the guy money

 

hehe didnt think about that till after I posted...I got it now though.