Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance SVT Cat vs SE Cat.

Anyone with a 2.5 SE notice that after the Cat the pipe is necked down from what appears to be 2.25" exhaust pipe to the standard 2" that comes on stock contour SE? This would be a perfect place cut the pipe and remove the 2" restriction that is in place on the standard SE. Any SVT owners know if the exhaust manifolds and Y pipe are the same as on the SE model contours? I would guess that the cat is the same with the exception that the SVT isn't necked down to the smaller 2" exhaust. They probably used the same Y pipe and exhaust manifolds as well since the headers and Y pipe upgrades are the same. And easy upgrade for any SE owners that have the SVT exhuast already or a upgraded catback system would be to replace the 12 inches of 2" pipe. While doing this it would be fairly easy to correct the restriction in the Y pipe as well. I would think there is enough room to get access inside the Y pipe with a small cutting torch. (with the cat off of course) One would simply have to weld all the way around the outside of where the two Y pipes meet first. Then use a cutting torch to cut the restriction out and be done with it. Any one tried this yet?

Regards,
Dave

I'd like to know this too. On my Cougar, the cat has a full 2.5" inlet but only a 2.0" outlet. I would hope the SVT would exit to at least 2.25", but that would probably make too much sense...

Frank,
If you'll look real close at the output of you cat you'll probably see where the 2.25 is necked down to 2". The 2.25" is only about 3/4" to 1" long but it is enough to weld a replacement 2.25 pipe onto without to much trouble. I know that part of it will work. Double check your cougar and see if you have the same setup.

I had been meaning to do this for awhile now, but I've decided to go with a high flow cat instead. I'll be replacing that whole section with larger pipe and a bigger cat.

Honestly...skip all that work for what probably won't amount to more than a few HP. Just buy the Sho Y-pipe!!! I did.....and I love it! Only 3 more days til I test it at the track!!!!

I had understood that the SVT had different cats that flowed better, but now I'm not so sure. When my CEL was acting up from a code that showed that the rear car was below threshold effeciency, I priced a replacement. To my surprise, it had the same part number as the non SVT. My cat started working properly again, so I did not follow up on this to confirm that the part number was the same.

yes, the entire system from the engine to the main cat is the same wether you have a, contour or SVT countour

I'll have to check up on that. If that is true, some people have been blowing smoke around for 2 years...

I'll clear this up right now...

The SVT and non-SVT y-pipe assemblies are different, but the only difference is the exit pipe from the cat. The SVT has a 2.25" pipe back to the flange, whereas everything else has a 2" pipe.

Ray McNairy observed this first-hand when he purchased an SVT cat in case his "mystery" mod didn't pass CA emissions.

-Lance

I can say I've talked with SVE and they varify what Lance just said - same exhaust manifolds, Y-pipe, main cat with the bigger 2.25" exit pipe.