Guys,

I bought my 88 IROC with 5.7TPI (88,000 miles on it) in November primarily as an autocross car. I am closing in on mid-season with some success (these are great cars) and one trophy.

To stay in stock classes, I am restricted with regards to modifications to the car. The car currently has a dynomax cat-back system (this is legal), but I have a problem now.

In PA, a car must be state-inspected once a year. In addition, if the car gets more than 5,000 miles on it from inspection to inspection, it must pass an emission test. I am going to exceed this mileage number in August when the car needs to be inspected. So, I need to pass emissions.

The reason that this is a problem is that I am pretty sure that the cat was gutted by the previous owner and I will need a new cat.

I am looking for a cat keeping the following in mind:
1) I routinely run this car past 4,500rpm. I don't want to restrict the exhaust in this high-rpm region if I can help it.
2) While I love the sound of the car, sound is secondary - performance is first.
3) It probably won't need to last more than 3 years. I am pretty sure I will destroy the engine long before the cat will be used up. I run this car HARD.

What are your experiences with HP/torque/emissions/longevity/price for different catalytic converters?

 

My 86 TA is a daily driver. Prior to November, this car was a NJ-Titled car. While i lived in NJ, the vehicle needed a new catalytic converter, intermediate pipe, and muffler. As you see in my sig, I went high performance, and put a Random Technologies Catalytic Converter, and a 2 chamber Flowmaster Muffler with new intermedite pipe, all stock size. The car definetly has more "umph" now, and i am pleased with the results. I mean, it wont be like adding nitrous or anything, but you should feel it if you keep your engine tuned properly, which i am sure you do. After the car had the new exhaust, it was time for inspection...thats why i did it actually. The car passed NJ emmissions without a problem...and NJ emmissions are stricter than PA i believe..since where I moved to in PA, they dont even check emmissions. Not yet anyway. But in Pittsburgh, i guess it might be stricter. By the way, my car now sounds like it has an open exhaust....its loud...very loud...but 50 state legal. As far as pricing is, the Random Tech Cat cost me $279 with shipping. Expensive, but that is the only company i heard of when i was looking for the cat. I heard Catco sells practically the same thing, but probably alot cheaper. I do not have any info on them, sorry. Other than that, i have not been to a dyno or to the track since the new exhaust was put on....and its been 2+ years, and no problems with the exhaust yet. Good luck, hope you find what you need.

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1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Rolled Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides
http://www.pitt.edu/~zyhst/trans86/

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette Coupe
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH



[This message has been edited by PhantomTPI (edited June 09, 2001).]