I am interested in having my Y-pipe optimized, and my res. removed. Where around here have people gone to have this done (y-pipe especially)?

Also, I am thinking (just thinking) about having my pre-cats gutted. Has anyone in Virginia done this? If so, what were the effects on emissions testing? Lastly, if I do decide to get the pre-cats gutted, who will do the work?

I prefer to use people who have done this work on our cars before.

Please let me know.

Thanks all!

MSDS headers- Not just for breakfast anymore!

Emissions with gutted pre-cats and an "optimized" Y-pipe will not be a problem so long as your main cat is in-tact and functional.

I would go with MSDS headers- Gutting pre-cats give the exhaust gases spewing out of your engine a lovely large chamber to expand, cool, and convect to non-laminar flow (though a certain amount occurs even with headers). You also do not get the scavenging effect of the individual header tubes. Do it once, do it right! Headers!

And with the headers, your exhaust note will increase- No need to remove the resonator (which increases rasp!)

Yeah, but who/where can do the y-pipe optimizing and know what they're doing?

I have an Optimized 2-bolt flange Y-pipe...$100 ready to go. That is what I paid for it but couldn't use it when I realized I had a 3-bolt flange. I now have MSDS headers and y-pipe on my car. PM me if interested.

Originally posted by DanG:

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Emissions with gutted pre-cats and an "optimized" Y-pipe will not be a problem so long as your main cat is in-tact and functional.

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Hah, I need to find my emissions test with my old contour SE, all 3 cats gutted with an SVT exhaust and I passed the dyno emissions test here in MD with flying colors.