As i was removing the old exhaust to install a new flowmaster cat-back, I noticed that the honeycomb filter in the cat was in pieces, there were even pieces in the intermediate exhaust pipe i removed. So i'm guessing i'm gonn have to change the cat the only problem is that i know if it stock or not. I heard that the stock cats were welded at the inlet but this one has a clamp on it and doesnt look like its welded. Also, should i be buying a 3" inlet for the new cat. What do you guys recommend?

PS, i've only had this car for a month and i dont know anything about its past repair jobs but i did notice it said "Midas" on the muffler i just took out so I cant say the exhaust is original.

 

How about at the outlet

If it bolted then probably orginal. Two bolts that hold the flange to the cat.

If it welded then its probably after market.

Just my experience.

 

i just looked through my Haynes and i guess the cat i got on is original because its just bolts on both sides i gotta remove. So in buying a new cat, I should get 3" inlet and outlet right?

 

Iam sorry but I dont know.

 

Just take the cat off unless you have smog testing. If you want to keep it really mellow, i would suggest a catco or magnaflow cat. It was only like 50 bucks for a universal and 12 bucks for a guy to weld it on.

 

another option is to take that cat off and break the insides of it using a screwdriver or some hard metal bar and break it in pieces until its all out then no need to buy anything.

 

well i gotta pass emissions next week so it looks like i'm gonna go with a Catco direct fit. It should bolt right up to my Flowmaster cat-back right?

 

just make sure you got the right inlet and outlet sizes for it and it should go right in where the old one was.

 

yeah i've installed the new cat, 3" inlet and outlet. Worked out fine. Except for removing the old cat, damn that was rusted on there.