Anyone install Sport Cats???

[mc3456]

Has anyone gone the sport cats route instead of downpipes? I don't want to deal with the DPs emissions and CEL issues, but still want to improve the engine's ability to breathe at the top end in particular.

AFE has some on their website and is claiming 20hp+ gains but for $1,500. Curious if there are any real gains to be had, or if it would just be an expensive non-performing item like CAIs.

[ME4N M4]

I have the same questions basically..

[ES_TRADER]

same here...i saw AR has them too. not sure about quality and fitment.

[dmk08]

KennyPowers had the AR HFC ones on his car before he sold it. From what I recall he loved it. Maybe he will chime in here.

[nbennettksu]

Originally Posted by dmk08

KennyPowers had the AR HFC ones on his car before he sold it. From what I recall he loved it. Maybe he will chime in here.

KP already sold his car?? I feel like he JUST got it...

[r33_RGSport]

@mc3456 , just FYI, catted downpipe doesn't guarantee no CEL.

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by r33_RGSport

@mc3456 , just FYI, catted downpipe doesn't guarantee no CEL.

I hear you, but AFE is advertising them as no CEL and street legal, so I figure recourse might be better than with some other re-seller of a lesser known brand...although, I could be wrong!

[r33_RGSport]

Originally Posted by mc3456

I hear you, but AFE is advertising them as no CEL and street legal, so I figure recourse might be better than with some other re-seller of a lesser known brand...although, I could be wrong!

If they are willing to guarantee that, I would jump on it without a second thought.

[smedin]

Originally Posted by nbennettksu

KP already sold his car?? I feel like he JUST got it...

Not his car, he sold his AR catted DPs. To me. (Thanks, KP!)

SO. My car, with the AR downpipes, flap control and stock exhaust, sounds really really good, much growlier and more menacing than stock. You can hear the difference regardless if your running OEM flaps, or wide open flaps. I love it.

There is an obvious performance bump. The car is livelier, looser. The lag is down. It pulls harder at high RPMS. There is no downside.

There is no 60s-style stink, like with the catless downpipes. And no soot. (or at least not near as much as catless. I haven't seen any yet, FWIW.)

HOWEVER. I did get the CEL after about 75 miles, and it has not gone away since. I plan on buying something to kill the code. I also hope my dealer doesn't make a deal out of it.

So, to summarize: Way improved sound over stock for half the cost of the cheapest "full" aftermarket exhaust, with a bigger performance bump to boot. And a CEL. There is no getting around it.

Overall, I have no regrets (I also have the BMS stage 1. The car absolutely FLIES. 91 octane, no issues.) The AR units are flawlessly built as well.

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by smedin

Not his car, he sold his AR catted DPs. To me. (Thanks, KP!)

SO. My car, with the AR downpipes, flap control and stock exhaust, sounds really really good, much growlier and more menacing than stock. You can hear the difference regardless if your running OEM flaps, or wide open flaps. I love it.

There is an obvious performance bump. The car is livelier, looser. The lag is down. It pulls harder at high RPMS. There is no downside.

There is no 60s-style stink, like with the catless downpipes. And no soot. (or at least not near as much as catless. I haven't seen any yet, FWIW.)

HOWEVER. I did get the CEL after about 75 miles, and it has not gone away since. I plan on buying something to kill the code. I also hope my dealer doesn't make a deal out of it.

So, to summarize: Way improved sound over stock for half the cost of the cheapest "full" aftermarket exhaust, with a bigger performance bump to boot. And a CEL. There is no getting around it.

Overall, I have no regrets (I also have the BMS stage 1. The car absolutely FLIES. 91 octane, no issues.) The AR units are flawlessly built as well.

Would love to hear about how much louder your car is with the Catted Downpipe. I have done all my phase one mods, and looking for some further enhancement.

[TRKY]

I have AR catted with MPE exhaust. I got about 10hp and 20 torque on dyno with the added pipes. Sounds louder and deeper. Definitely feel the increase in power.

[mc3456]

Originally Posted by TRKY

I have AR catted with MPE exhaust. I got about 10hp and 20 torque on dyno with the added pipes. Sounds louder and deeper. Definitely feel the increase in power.

How much louder though...10%, 25%, 50%? Is it still civilized if driving through downtown Boston in front of my workplace. I love my MPE, but on rare circumstances, I feel it is appropriate to not make it too loud to draw attention, like if driving into a clients driveway for an appt or through the country club parking lot.

Other than those isolated situations, I love to hear it roar.

[TRKY]

For any civilized driving I use a exhaust flap controller to close flaps or put it in efficient mode. I measured about 90db with valves closed at the exhaust.
Valves open its loud and awesome. Loads of burble and pops. About 20% louder then MPE with oem cats. Will try measure db with valves open and let you know.

[ES_TRADER]

How's the smell with sport cats. I had the akra with high flow cats on my e92 and there was still some smell.

[TRKY]

I have not noticed any smell. Its probably because there are still secondary cats. I am curious if folks find any smell using catless downpipes with secondary cats still in place.

[smedin]

Originally Posted by mc3456

How much louder though...10%, 25%, 50%? Is it still civilized if driving through downtown Boston in front of my workplace. I love my MPE, but on rare circumstances, I feel it is appropriate to not make it too loud to draw attention, like if driving into a clients driveway for an appt or through the country club parking lot.

Other than those isolated situations, I love to hear it roar.

I'd say 20% louder, with a bit more growl. As long as flaps are closed, and you're being mellow, it's a non-issue.

No smell, either. And my CEL went away on its own. For now...

[bayareas1krr]

AR catted with FIexhaust. Definitely will throw a code on and off. Used a JB4 to correct it and will post updated dynos soon. If you plan on running an exhaust, make sure it's valvetronic or else you'll have major sound issues. I haven't smelled anything overpowering either. Overall one of my favorite mods.

I have a clip that can be seen on youtube or on my instagram: @munichmonster

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by smedin

Not his car, he sold his AR catted DPs. To me. (Thanks, KP!)

SO. My car, with the AR downpipes, flap control and stock exhaust, sounds really really good, much growlier and more menacing than stock. You can hear the difference regardless if your running OEM flaps, or wide open flaps. I love it.

There is an obvious performance bump. The car is livelier, looser. The lag is down. It pulls harder at high RPMS. There is no downside.

There is no 60s-style stink, like with the catless downpipes. And no soot. (or at least not near as much as catless. I haven't seen any yet, FWIW.)

HOWEVER. I did get the CEL after about 75 miles, and it has not gone away since. I plan on buying something to kill the code. I also hope my dealer doesn't make a deal out of it.

So, to summarize: Way improved sound over stock for half the cost of the cheapest "full" aftermarket exhaust, with a bigger performance bump to boot. And a CEL. There is no getting around it.

Overall, I have no regrets (I also have the BMS stage 1. The car absolutely FLIES. 91 octane, no issues.) The AR units are flawlessly built as well.

Nice write up. KP definitely sold his car and got an X5M.

[smedin]

Originally Posted by dmk08

Nice write up. KP definitely sold his car and got an X5M.

What the hell? Boooooo.