I've been thinking about purchasing a Random Tech. Cat. but I'm still wondering about a few problem with it.

Can anybody with the RT cat answer these questions?

Will the Cat pass smog in California?
Can I still use the heat shield with the Cat installed?
How long do the RT Cat's last?
What's up with Cel's ?
Are there any installation problems/difficulties?

 

mind if I add another question to your topic?

What's the advantage/point of getting a RT Cat? I see many people getting this with their CT/DC header setup.

I wish I could search but "RT Cat" is too short... and last time I remembered, no one ever spelled out the full name of it in topics

 

The RT Cat frees up a lot of the back pressure which is in the OEM Cat. It's more free flowing which allows for more exhaust to leave the engine. Therefore allowing the engine to create more Horsepower and torque.

 

I have been wondering the same thing, i hope we get an answer

 

All of these questions are answered throughout the site, but its spread out. So here it is:

1. Probably won't pass California test, but the bigger answer may follow with Zyuan10's question.
2. No, the heatshield off the stock cat would have to be welded to hold in place, but it technically should fit over the cat.
3. Unknown and dependent on many factors, but it should technically last as long as a regular cat.
4. CELs are tossed when the O2 sensors read air that has passed by the catalyst plates which aren't being broken down. Remember, its a high-flow cat, so its job is to get the gases out and try to be very efficient about it. The other reason, someone broke the O2 sensor when doing the install.
5. As just mentioned, it is possible to break the O2 sensor. If your bolts are rusted, I've found it easier to remove at the cat-to-exhaust connection and drop the headers down, hence why most people just do the header and cat option. The header-to-cat connection is a bit more complicated due to the bolt patterns. Additionally, we have found the most restrictive parts of our exhaust is the header (if you look at all years of the 1st Gen) and then the cat.
6. So why do this?? If you have a 06-current, there really isn't a reason to do this. Us 04-05 TSXs got a very restrictive cat on our cars and this frees up some HP and torque, whereas all 06-current got a more free flowing cat. 04-05 (900 cell), 06-current (400 cell), RT Cat (200 cell).

I've been running my RT cat for quite a while... roughly 2.5 years or a little more. I put it on with my Comptech SS Header and strapped it to my existing Comptech Cat back exhaust. It is VERY loud IMHO and I often run with my quite tips in the exhaust, but I also haul my boys and wife around, so kinda sensible. I took them out recently and at WOT, the sound is so wonderful, but after a week of it, I'm already going to put the tips back in when the weather clears up. Only so much you can take. Oh, I do get CELs (especially with the winter mix of gas) and I just ignore it. I have a handheld OBDII reader and reset it. Additionally, I plan to install some anti-foulers to resolve the issue later in the month (too much going on at the house at the moment).

 

i passed NC inspection with i/h/e/c

 

Has anybody tried to reattach the heat shield back on with the RT Cat?

 

Hey, got your PM mav 3556.

I agree with Moda_way. It probably won't pass SMOG in Cali. You'll need to put your stock cat on during emissions. I haven't heard of anyone trying to attach the heatshield to the new cat. The stock cat is shaped different, so I'm not sure that it would fit. Although you can give it a try. Even with the heatshield off, I doubt you'll feel any extra heat in the cabin.

 

I know I don't feel any extra heat in the cabin. The cat is overall much smaller and there is great airflow through that area given its size.

 

I don't think the heatshield was meant to keep heat out of the cabin. I think it's there so that it doesn't ignite something under the car (or burn animals that crawl under the car).

 

So has anyone tried installing the cat themselves?

 

Very easy installation. I think most people put it on themselves. Do a search, there are a few DIY (do it yourself) threads.

 

lol...

No, it's not there to protect animals, rather it keeps the heat out of the cabin.

 

I talked to a guy at Magnoflow regarding applications for the TSX because they don't have any listed on their site. I asked specifically about the spun cats they offer, which are also 200 cell. I was told not to buy one for a 2.4L 4cyl engine because the cat would never get hot enough to be efficient. If I had a turbo or a larger displacement, then it might be a practical solution.

With this explaination, it stands to reason that the RT Cat may not be working very efficiently in our vehicles. The physical size and cell count of what I was told not to buy for this application and the RT were not too different. Perhaps it explains the lack of a heat sheild as well...

This may also explain all the CEL's. The ECU is looking for a difference in the oxygen content to determine if the catalytic converter is working. If the cat is wrong for the application, the difference could be minimal, if it is even measurable.

Some people running test pipes have figured out that you can trick the second sensor with a spark plug defouler or similar device, trapping some of the exhaust gas around the sensor to get a different reading than if the sensor was in the exhaust stream. Alot of the time this surpresses the CEL. Coincidently, people are doing the same thing as they would for a test pipe for an RT....

If people are passing emissions with the RT, is it cause the cat is working, or because the K-Series engines are pretty clean/efficient to begin with? Or maybe it's just a lucky side effect of running a little leaner with the decrease in backpressure?

 

Guess you missed the line where I said, "I put it on with my Comptech SS Header and strapped it to my existing Comptech Cat back exhaust."

 

that's not a *guess*

 

Ditto the CEL that gets thrown with the RT cat every so often. I've noticed that the CEL throws much more often on winter gas. I, too, ignore it and reset it when I get around to it with my OBDII tool.

The RT cat is a very worthwhile mod if you also have an intake, header, and/or exhaust mods. As part of an otherwise stock setup, the gain from just an RT cat are likely minimal.

 

I dont know if u have already installed the Random Technology catalytic converter, but it says in the description of the product that it is NOT CARB legal. However, that doesnt mean that you cannot find a private shop through your friends who would "help" you pass the SMOG check. It is totally up to you, of course, but I am just telling you what I know

 

This is an 8 month old topic...
Why don't you try checking post dates before you comment on something.

 

dude, u are getting a little annoying. you are the only one running around and telling me what I do wrong and what I do right. Why dont u save your little e-thugging tricks for youtube and just walk by past my comments ??? Thank you for understanding, I appreciate it.


PS: who cares if its an 8 months old topic? Many of us are interestad in high flow cats and new people may search for this topic, but no one has yet mentioned the fact that RT cat is NOT CARB legal.

 

Well its old for a reason.. its been gone over time and time again.. You have been bringing back the dead for some time now..haha. Are you running out of the T-Virus Serum yet Wesker?? If its an old thread and you want to know more about something just do a search and if you cant find what your looking for just start another thread with a question. I dont think he was being an E-Thug... more like your daddy..lol "Boy didnt i ..didnt i say not to bring back the dead?.." Noobs dont listen these days.. i recong..

 

Actually, I was interested in this high flow cat and wanted to find out if it gives any significant power gain. Then read people's curiousily about SMOG and so I told them the fact about CARB. gosh, people have so little sense these day...

 

since we are talking about sense.. here

Thats what the search feature is for.. Not really trying to bash you but your all over the place..haha. It was an old thread.. someone must've found their answer. All you had to do was just ask again by making another thread if you couldnt find an answer to your question. I'll be having my RT Cat for sale if interested let me know.

 

haha, I know I spend a little too much time here. Why are u selling it? noticed any power gains? BTW, this is a little off topic but did that hondata heatshield really do anything to improve your performance? I heard it is just a waste of money

 

I am not being an e-thug (whatever the hell that is). You are just bringing back up old topics for no reason, and it is really annoying to see all these old topics come back up. I learned plenty about the TSX just by searching and looking at old threads.

I am pretty sure if the OP still didn't know if the cat was CARB legal after 8 months he would just bump the topic up himself.

All I ask of you is that you use some common sense when looking at old topics Not trying to be a dick, you just don't seem to know the basics of forums

edit: I just did a quick search to see if that guy ever installed an rt cat, and found out he was trying to sell his car at the start of october. Search is your friend...

 

I'll be getting another cat soon thats coming with my exhaust system so i wont need it. I've noticed a pretty nice bump but it was with the install of a DC header as well so. It was enough to rape the new Civic Si coupe..haha. The Heatshield gasket isnt a power getter its just a really thick piece of plastic material that soaks up heat instead of the thin metal stock gasket. Not really a waste of money.. depends on how you look at it