well, a few weeks ago the random tech cat thread was a hot topic.

how does everyone like their cat?

my impression is still the same, the gains were impressive, and you can def tell on the high end.

the engine note is great!!!

i'm just curious, that's all :troutslap

 

I'm curious as well. I have the random tech cat as well, but it is not installed yet. I'm waiting to receive my comptech header first so I can have them installed together. I have a 5AT by the way.. so i hope it helps with the 9.2 sec 0-60time.. lol

I was reading on another TSX forum that aftermarket CATs provide no performance gain.. and any gain would be negligible.

 

Well, mine is still sitting next to my header in the basement. I'm terrible, but I haven't had time or good weather to put it on... not to mention I'm not sure I want to get used to the power before my summer wheels get put back on.

As for the nominal gains, I believe that person was saying that either cat or headers will give you little improvement... conclusion, you really need both.

 

Running strong for about two months. Jtso installed mine and have had no problems. Definitely feel an extra kick from the engine. In my case, I didn't necessarily hear an increase in cabin noise.

In addition to the CAT I have a DC header, Hondata Reflash and Gasket, Comptech Icebox.

 

I have had mine on for about a month, I installed it while the UPS driver watched. I am very happy with it so far.

 

^^

After getting my exhaust leak fixed, I am pleased with the result.

Quality = A+
Install = A+ (granted my area gets little weather for things to rust)
Vendor = Dezod = A+
Exhaust Note: B+ (some will not agree, but mine is louder w/Comptech Exhaust, not necessarily a bad thing)
Test Mule = Dzuy = A+
Wifedar = F- (well she knew I ordered it, but did not care for the xtra noise)


I really have no complaints.

 

HAHA you kill me with the Wifedar. My wife didn't mind me buying it per se, but she couldn't understand why I wanted to make my car louder. I was like...

I told her, "You do realize the headers and cat untap extra horsepower." Her response... "Oh! I thought you were just doing it to make more noise."

 

LMAO

I have to order a set of quiet tips.

The great thing about my wife is she can tell when I do things to my car. She is technical (Digital PBX Technician) so there is no way I can BS her on mods. However, she has also been known to figure things out after I have thrown a few sockets, bent a few wrenches, and mutilated the instructions.

Her response after the RTC install was, "I can no longer hear the intake we installed last month, so it is louder." It being the RTC.

 

to those with aftermarket exhausts....


is it louder in general? deeper? louder idle? raspier?

 

That awesome that she tries to help instead of just rolling her eyes

 

A review from an installer point of view....

Build material (stainless) = A
CAT core (200 cell metal substrate) = A
Welding (TIG) = A
Ease of install = A
Free flow flange = A
Flange design for mounting = C
Exhaust sealing = B
Pipe sizing = B

Flange design for mounting: It would've been great if the flanges are recessed to fit the flared pipe-ends without creating a gap. I bet Dan Martin can create one in minutes with some CNC equipments. When tightening the bolts, the flanges are distorted due to the gap. Since RT has a stock CAT as template, there's really no reason why an universal rear flange is used.

Exhaust sealing: It works but not the most reliable. Hot cold temp variation can potentially cause a leak.

Pipe sizing: The outlet is smaller than the stock CAT. The gain might even be greater if it's slightly larger.

 

^^ Have you put the Cat that you just made on yet?

 

This has been my concern from the time I saw it. I know I can make it seal from the Comptech header, but from the cat back, I need to get a universal seal for that flange like another member did. One more reason why I haven't installed it yet.

 

Ive installed mine on my bone stock 05 AT. No change in sound. I dont know if its mental but it seems like when I step on the gas to pass traffic, there isnt the same hesitation there at any rpms. I cant be sure, because I hardly drive the car (6 months old / barely 4,500 miles).

Comptech header in the plans soon. I'll have to search and research that on here how much louder it is over stock. No other exhaust plans at all in the future, so trying to get an idea if this would be a beneficial performance mod.

 

My impression initially was (and still is) that the Random Cat really opened up my other mods to that point (CAI, reflash, header); it was the missing link. My TSX definitely pulls harder from about 3k on up, and on the dyno the jump in tq curve bears that out (jump from just intake/reflash to i/r/h/c). My sense is that just the cat won't get you much, but combined with those other mods, it's essential to increasing the pumping efficiency of the K24.

The change in sound, to me, is under part-throttle. Under light throttle, it sounds stock. Under full throttle, the sound is mostly intake. Under part throttle, the car has a really nice rumbling growl that is inobtrusive but definitely not stock.

And, best of all, my wife bot it for me for Christmas. She still rolled her eyes at me and thought it was the stupidest Christmas present ever. Whatever!

 

I've yet to install mine as well, and also have concerns over the design of the flared ends (I assume they fit into the recess that a usual compressed ring seal would sit in and are clamped down when the bolts are torqued up to form the seal).

Once I've had my DC header fixed my plan is to get an emissions (NOX) test done, then a dyno (never got around to it after first installing the DC)....have the guys at the dyno place swap out the stock Cat with the RT then re-dyno followed by another NOX test.

Oh and I also need to get a stiff metal bristled brush....it looks like welding slag dropped down on the inside opposite face from the sensor hole. I've no idea if the brush will work but anything like that is a nice way to detrimentally effect flow.

 

Didn't yield any more performance than the Magnaflow I had on there before. I posted a thread about it.

 

Thanks for the kind words.

I am glad all of you enjoy the cat.

 

I took a shot of the rear gaskets I used just as a reference.

 

Wait....I'm confused. Will this fit with no gap if you have the Comptech cat-back system, or do you need a spacer/gasket?

 

^^^

Yes, there is some confusion. I think it is a case by case thing. I have the Comptech Header and Exhaust. I needed the gaskets on the rear (at the exhaust) to get a good seal. I had to use 2 of them back to back.

The front of the RT cat, at the header, required nothing for a good seal.

 

If you have an OEM exhuast, then I believe that it will also seal fine.
Is that correct?

 

 

doh.. so the gaskets are necessary then? I have the oem exhaust..

 

There is no leak, checked it right after install and a couple months again. Visually, it would have better fitment with a gasket that is thick enough, or as gsclifton used, 2 gaskets back-to-back. I will be getting some gaskets when I get around to it. Gonna try Honda to see if they got any.

I would recommend all future RT owners to get a gasket to ensure 99-100% fitment, as right now, without them, it looks like 95% or so...

 

Did you pick your gaskets up anywhere in particular?

I think this weekend I'm going to go to a local muffler shop and see if they can help me out.

 

I got mine at a local tuner shop, but I would think most exhaust places would have them.

 

Where did you get those gaskets at? I was going to install it last week, but I forgot that I needed gaskets for a good seal. I just have stock header and exhaust.

 

Forget where you got them. What size is the gasket? Do you think I can get it at Autozone, Pepboys, or Kragen?

 

Would an inproper seal cause a CEL to appear?

 

 

Well I got the CEL checked out with a code reader from AutoZone, and it came up defective cat. Thankfully it wasnt something serious with the motor, tranny, or gas cap issue.

I wonder if we can order rear gaskets from Dezod? I guess my "make a gasket in a tube" didnt work.

 

is there a part # for the gasket from Honda or Acura? I need to pick a couple up asap.

 

Honda uses O-rings in the exhaust system so the ones from Honda wouldn't work. You could try bringing the CAT to your local Napa auto parts to match one up. I know for sure they have one with the correct bolt patten and the center bore is 2.5".

 

Just lucky, I guess, but I used high-temp copper RTV on the back flange (mating the RT cat to a stock exhaust) and have neither leaks nor a CEL. Still, I will likely get a couple gaskets to have in the event that I do get a CEL (or develop a leak).

Thanks for the info, gents!

 

I just got back from NAPA. Took my RT Cat with me to work today since there is a NAPA near... here's the partnumber... this is a perfect match (again, for the connection between the exhaust and the cat):

NAPA #: 31369 $6.67USD/ea

I bought 2.

 

Cool. Thanks moda. What about the front one? Do you think I need to get one for the front? I have stock header.

 

No you shouldn't need to worry about it although Comptech sends a new one. As I recall it is fairly cheap.

Part#: 18302-SP0-003 and is about $5.81 at acuraparts247.com