How does a cat back system help a truck's performance??
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Johnson City, TN
How does a cat back system help a truck's performance??
One of the things that I am considering for my V10 F250 is a Gibson cat-back exhaust system. My question is how exactly does this help a trucks performance. Does it truly help or is it all hype?? I have a stock motor, 3.73 gears, automatic tranny V10. I plan on lifting the truck within the next couple of months and was hoping that the cat back system would help out on any power loss on the truck. The lift would be a mild 4-6 inch lift with 35" BFG's.
Thanks for any insight as to why it will or won't help on power for my truck.
Tony in Alaska
Thanks for any insight as to why it will or won't help on power for my truck.
Tony in Alaska
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
A cat-back system is just a performance exhaust system which goes from the cat back, it will improved performance, if it is a good, gibson has some very good kits worthy of going on my truck, just a matter of buying it.
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From: Calgary Canada
IMHO, and others will disagree I'm sure, but it DOESN'T. The stock exhaust system on an SD is pretty open already, with only the muffler creating any real restriction.
I don't buy the HP claims the exhaust guys make. If I were you I'd ask for dyno charts and get them to tell you exactly where the HP gains are. A gain of 25HP doesn't do you much good if that gain is at 4500 rpm, and the gain at 2000 rpm is 2HP, or in some cases -5HP.
IMHO, cat back systems are another cosmetic add on, they are more to provide a unique "performance sound" than to actually provide any real performance that you'll feel in the seat of your pants.
Waxy
I don't buy the HP claims the exhaust guys make. If I were you I'd ask for dyno charts and get them to tell you exactly where the HP gains are. A gain of 25HP doesn't do you much good if that gain is at 4500 rpm, and the gain at 2000 rpm is 2HP, or in some cases -5HP.
IMHO, cat back systems are another cosmetic add on, they are more to provide a unique "performance sound" than to actually provide any real performance that you'll feel in the seat of your pants.
Waxy
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I talked to a gentleman who is a turbocharger engineer for Ford, on another bbs I frequent, about this very subject. I asked him if the stock computer could keep up with the increased airflow on my V-10 if I installed headers, dual high-flow cats, spin tech mufflers and two and a half inch tailpipes to the rear bumper and his answer was yes it could, and it would boost performance a noticeable amount. In a nutshell anything that boosts airflow through the engine on a V-10 should improve performance, how much it will boost performance though is directly related to how much it improves airflow through the engine.
Last edited by L_Lucas; Jan 21, 2004 at 11:14 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Texas
A cat back does not improve flow that much. If you want the sound go for it. but don't expect much in performance or MPG
To improve performance you will have to really open it up. intake, Headers, chip, The list goes up.. To get you have to give. dependability most of the time..
To improve performance you will have to really open it up. intake, Headers, chip, The list goes up.. To get you have to give. dependability most of the time..
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I'm no expert, but from my past experience I would up grade the intake end first. Like Waxy said the exhaust i already pretty open, just get more cold air in. My .02 if it's even worth that.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Its been said more than twice. Save your money or buy a chip or a super charger....Some guys just have to spend the stuff on junk..I'm kinda pissed at the industry very misleading!! I'm from the old school where we used to put bigger valves large intakes, two 600 cfm carbs, headers and cams and they would really go. Today with the restriction of the intake and fuel inj its hard to get any real gains.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Johnson City, TN
Thanks everyone, it sounds like that unless I do the headers, chip, etc the cat back system won't help much. I think that I'll pass on it for now.
Appreciate the responses.
Tony in Alaska
Appreciate the responses.
Tony in Alaska
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