What's good about carsound (magnaflow) cats is they are built really well, probably the best in the industry. I've run them for 4yrs so far and they have held up better than the mac or dynomaxs I had in the past.

And you get a certificate for each cat so the smog guys can't fail you as long as you run the run size. Cause there's no way you're going to get a new h-pipe from Ford (no stock), you have to reweld new cats.

And you'll never get OEM looking cats, they are just HUGE.

 

Thanks for the info, sounds like Magnaflows last awhile.

So why is it that the Magnaflows don't have a provision for the smog pump? That's probably my biggest concern. The smog techs will take one look and see the smog pump isn't hooked to the cats. Then they will say no pass, thinking I am an undercover federal agent conducting a sting operation. They are notorious in California for being hardasses on smogs. Although they are only following the rules.

 

I dont know why magnaflow woulnt have them. did you specify when you ordered? I am running a stainless bassani x-pipe and it has them in the stock location. can you weld them in?

 

Couldn't you just weld in the little tube that goes up to the back of the smog pump?

I've heard DPS are hard asses out there in So-Cal but DAMN, I didn't think they were that strict...

 

Yeah, I was thinking of putting a tube on there as well. However, I dont own a welder and finding someone to do it will be difficult.

Shops won't touch anything smog related that may even be slighlty against the rules. The fines out here for altering smog equipment, passing cars that shouldn't etc... are enough to scare anyone away. Not to mention that person's shop wouldn't exist anymore.

I tried calling BBK to get their recommendation on replacement cats, but they don't have a number listed on thier site....

 

I have been running the Magnaflow Cats for the last 2 years and have no complaints...They did quiet my car down quite a bit, but I can just hear the blower whine better now!!!!

 

You need the 3-way cats for air tube. Nearly all OBD2 cars have the newer 2way(?) converters w/o air tubes.

Get the Carsound 82xx universal series-- I have them and they are 3-way with the air tubes (you'll need to fab up a Y-connector tho). The longer/larger the cat, the longer it will last--not much difference in cfm.

UPDATE: looks like CA has the new restrictions in place and the part #s have changed. You're looking for something in the range of a 36xxx or 38xxx series
cat: http://www.car-sound.com/02product/universalCARB/380.asp They have the air tubes.

 

Thanks for the info and the link. Looks like I could use the 36016 for my application.

Are the Magnaflow's a true-hiflow converter? Are they capable of flowing well enough for a 500rwhp blown setup?

And Rich, the shield may be a possibility. However, I put on a set of Mechanix gloves and felt them while the car was running. They didnt seem loose...

 

The loud rattle is prolly the heat shield, just fix it