I've decided on getting a set of mid-length headers for my car. I know I could go with longtubes, but ground clearance and cats are my biggest issues. The roads in my area suck, and a lot of the store entrances have inclines and speedbumps. And I know that my exhaust would sound like pure crap without the cats to tone down the rasp. Plus, my dad's a cop, so I need cats anyway.

My car is a 97 with the dual cats. I see that MAC offers both single cat and dual cat mid-length headers.

Now, the dual cat header/y-pipe costs $729.99. http://fasttoys.net/shop/product_inf...roducts_id=476

The single cat header/y-pipe is only $439.99. http://fasttoys.net/shop/product_inf...roducts_id=475

That's a $290 difference. Could I use the single cat headers on my 97 without any problems, other then just buying one high-flow cat and having it welded on after the y-pipe? I think I read somewhere that the cat-back exhaust set-up is different between the 93-95 and 96-97 cars, is that true? What I have to do in order for the y-pipe/cat to have them line up with my Borla cat-back?

Thanks

 

I'm not sure you have a choice, i think you have to go with the dual cat... but i would definitely go with two cats if you do have a choice. You're guaranteed more HP with two cats over one.

 

bump

 

That is not true. The design of the MAC headers with the dual cats is MUCH more constricted on the drivers side than the single cat style. The decision on which set to get should be based on what kind of emissions you have. Here in IL, if you have a 96 and up car with OBDII then all they do is hook your car up to a scanner to see if the cars computer says its ok, then if it is, youre good to go. If you need to get smogged and if they do a visual, then im not sure what to tell ya. The single cat MACs are a much better choice than the dual cat MACs. This gos for any Header brand. If they offer a dual cat model, look at the drivers side and if it looks all scrunched up, then go for the single cat model if possible. Also, to hook up your exhaust to the 94-95 single cat style headers, all youd need is an S-Pipe. A few places sell them but you can also get one fabbed up real easy at an exhaust shop.

 

I probably should have added that I don't have emissions testing in my county. [But other counties in Ohio do].

 

Sent you a PM man :-D

 

yep like someone else said, get the single cat headers, less restrictive then the dual cats.
you will need to do 1 of these 3 things also, get o2 sims for the rear o2 sensors, get them tuned out with a custom tune, or have 2 bungs welded in after the cat for them...

cheapest would be the o2 sims

 

No emissions testing at all or just a visual? If there's a visual emissions, your state might not allow any changes to the cat (other than replacing a damaged one).

 

There is zero emissions testing [visual or sniffer] in my county. But the police will still give a ticket if they find no cat, especially the state cops.

 

I converted mine over to the single cat style. I'm running an o/r pipe (no cat). I'm in Ky. and there are no emmissions sniffing. Maybe go with a hi-flow cat or just gut the factory one so it passes the visual test. Macs are damn good headers, great plug access. here's a link with some pics

http://gallery8926.fotopic.net/show_...n.php?id=23663

 

I'd go with the single cat headers. Then again, a local guy was running insane times with the dual-cat Mac's.

 

Definately go single cat if you can [I dont see why you couldnt as long as you have a cat]. I can only wonder why you dont consider some RK Sport Mids since they are going to have larger primaries and be a better supporting mod for that cam your talking about getting. Plus they are ceramic coated and only $450. $20 more for coating and larger primary tubes. Nice thing about either setup is that you can buy a Off road pipe that bolts in place of the cat if you feel like dropping it for the track or race.

-Dustin-

 

I heard that the Mac's have better plug access then the RK's.

 

Where are the RK Sport Mids 450? Does that include a ypipe?

 

2 things, it won't sound like pure crap without cats, and go with the single cat set-up, thats what I have.