I am having a recurring check engine light that keeps going back to the passenger side cat throwing a fault. Initial guess from mechanic is the cat on that side is toast. Going to have it diagnosed, but assuming it is, I am considering getting an aftermarket sstl cat-back exhaust system.

Shout outs as to the best one from your experiences, and where to buy?

Thanks,
Roberto
'02 C4S, 60K, bone stock, arctic silver

 

you could buy a oem cat on ebay, you can buy plenty of aft mkt exhaust parts on ebay, or agency power or maxspeed

 

With apologies for the pedantry, isn't a "cat-back" exhaust system the part after the catalytic converter(s)? So in our case just the mufflers and tips?

Before shelling out $$$ on new cat(s), though, it's worth trying a couple of tankfuls of decent gas with a bottle of Techron in each. I had a CEL and P0430 code at one point after filling up with cheap gas. Now I use one BP station exclusively, because it's on the way home from work and has consistently one of the lowest prices around for "top tier" 93 octane fuel around, and no more CEL.

 

As Jimmy said - "cat-back" means "back of cat" so finding a cat back system isn't going to fix your cat problem

 

You need new cats not a catback....

I would get an X pipe with High flow cats... if I was in your position.

 

...unless you live somewhere that mandates emissions testing.

It is correct that a "cat back" exhaust does NOT include cats. The reason this term is so ubiquitous is because it denotes systems that do not affect your emissions. A cat back exhaust will not cause trouble when You get the car smogged; in CA, using ANY other catalytic converter (aftermarket, hi-flow/"sport" cats, and most definitely cat delete pipes) will result in failing the visual inspection, even if you pass the emissions test. The Cargraphic rebuild and buying new OEM or used cats off another 996 are our legal options in CA...

 

Or buying a CARB legal weld in replacement.

 

I see you have 60k on the clock ad 14 years on the calendar, not unusual to need new a new cat(s) if I understand the intent of your question, mine "rattled" sooner than that and eventually popped a code consistent with a failed cat. So I replaced both the cats only (not mufflers or cat-back) with a Fabspeed 200 cell unit and have been very satisfied with it- and they sound better than stock. My car was bone stock too so I understand the angst of the first aftermarket component, but for me it was the right decision as I have been doing more DE's, I plan on lighter wheels and Cup tires next spring.

 

+1 for sure, one of my cats started rattling around 65k and rather then the $2k per OEM cat I too went Fabspeed 200 cell sport cat x pipe. The sound is awesome!

 

Any problems with emission testing...Fabspeed has a CARB label?

 

Fabspeed does state that for California they are off road use only, and NOT C.A.R.B. certified... That is the kicker, I plan on either swapping back in the oem's or doing what I need when the time comes to smog...

 

Thanks for the kind words guys! The 996/997s are notorious for factory cat failures, and we are happy to offer a quality Sport Cat X-Pipe replacement that at the same time nets you a bit more sound and performance

Factory versus Fabspeed



Pricing is at $2295, but fellow Rennlist members get a discount so give me a shout

No CARB certification, but will pass a sniff test. You'll have to know someone that won't look at it visually, or swap it out for factory cats every 2 years.

 

I Do have emissions testing and I still pass with High Flow Cats.... they put our cars on rollers here (like a dyno) and get the readings in 2nd and 3rd gear

 

Passing the sniffer isn't the issue in California - we have visual inspections, and for some cars (like both of my sports cars) it's mandatory to have them inspected at "STAR" stations. "the STAR Program...establishes performance standards for Smog Check stations and inspectors...these stations and inspectors are provided vehicles that can only be inspected at a STAR-certified station [including] vehicles with emissions levels that exceed allowable state standards and vehicles most likely to fail their next Smog Check. Stations maintain their STAR certification by having their inspectors perform quality inspections on these higher polluting vehicles. "

In other words, "we think there's a good chance your car might fail - or you might be one of those people who 'have to know someone that won't look at it visually.'"

In addition to more rigorous inspections, the STAR stations are also monitored by the California Air Resource Board to make sure they're not doing favors to any buddies; the small business owners who operate the inspection stations get a smack-down from CARB if they're caught passing a car that should shouldn't have passed.

As far as having a buddy who owns a station or "knowing a guy who knows a guy:"
For the consumer - A civil penalty of at least $150, but no more than $1,000, may be assessed to anyone who attempts to fraudulently obtain a smog check or inspection. This also applies to anyone who attempts to fraudulently obtain a vehicle repair or hardship waiver, or CAP assistance.

For the station owner - Fines and penalties for station owners can range between $5,000 to $250,000...Fines are almost always accompanied by the loss of the smog station's and smog technician's licenses....less serious offenses, usually due to negligence or improper training, the first fine is $1000.00. Subsequent offenses double to $2000 and triple to $3000; and the requirement to attend training classes apply in each case.

I "know a guy" I could rely on for my cars to pass visual and the sniffer, but after reading up on how extensively CARB can punish a shop owner for trying to game the system, I reinstalled the factory cats on both the 911 and Corvette. I'd rather lose a couple of peak HP/torque somewhere on the curve than put a friend out of business (or ask for a favor that results in a huge fine...).

 

Fabspeed should buy a bunch of the CARB certified cores and weld them up to new pipes and market them to us poor californians with rattly stock cats. I'd think they'd sell a lot of them over time. The cores are around $250 each...