I don't see any Catco cats. in summit that have a flange to attach to the cat back. I'm most likely going to get the Hooker cat back, and the picture shows a flange to connect the I-pipe to the cat. Can I just slip the I-pipe over the cat.? Will the flange rattle around and make noise if it's not connected? What exhaust are you guys running and how is your cat. connected. Thanks.

 

get an exhaust shop to cut off the flange and weld the cat to the pipe. Won't have to worry about anything then...the flange on the bolt on i-pipe isn't round, so the cat won't fit inside.

 

First, the direct-fit cats will have the flange connection. Call them for the p/n.

Second, if you get a slip-fit cat, the flange on the I-pipe will not be on the pipe when you receive it, but rather in the parts bag - because you slip it on the pipe before you attach the muffler. So, just don't install it.

Also, if you go slip-fit, rather than have the flange cut off of the I-pipe, you'll need to have it expanded so it will fit over the cat pipe (not sure what the "not round" comment means). Then it can be either clamped or welded.

This is assuming you're going for an '86-later TPI 3" set-up. I did the slip-fit cat, really wish I would have done the direct fit. So much easier, no muffler shop needs to get involved, more alignment flexibility, worth the few extra $'s.

 

I have the direct-fit 3"/3" Catco cat on my car. It has a ball-flange, which mates to the flare that most aftermarket catback I-pipes have.

It's a Catco #9118, and it has a 3" slip-fit inlet (fits perfectly to the SLP 3" slip-fit adapter), a 3" ball-flange outlet, direct-fit flange-plate for a 5.7L cat bracket, and AIR tube hookup.

 

The Catco 3" in/out slipfit universal has a 3" ID connector, so it fits fine over a 3" pipe (since the catback will have 3" OD).