Is a cat-back enough?
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Alton, Ill
Is a cat-back enough?
Im getting ready to order the Superchips 1704 for my 05 and a set of gauges and im going to order an exhaust but i dont know if i really need a turbo back for the superchips or if a cat back will be fine. Thanks for any info.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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If you have a superchip and you plan on towing stuff you should get a Turbo back because it will lower your EGT temp where as a Catback will not lower EGT temps. If you dont plan on towing, or you tow very little, and little wieght a Catback would be fine, but if you tow alot, and serious stuff then you really need a Turboback exhaust. You could always just get the catback and see what your temps are, and if it seems high then just get the downpipe.
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Tennesee
The cost differential and the install time difference isn't worth it to most folks, they just get the turbo back and be done with it. Plus we all say we are gonna tow this much and never more or we are only gonna add this much HP with these products then a few months later we are waaaaaay beyond that and are looking to pay the extra for the down pipe and do the install a second time etc etc. We sell a lot of cat backs but they are nothing compared the the number of turbo backs we sell. Just some advice, hope it helps. Call us on the MBRP systems if you want they are the best value out there for the quality and performance.
Mark @ DPPI
Mark @ DPPI
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Whistler, BC, Canada
Most aftermarket 4" exhausts use a 3-1/2" downpipe. There are a few who offer a 4" DP, but they are the exception and not the rule. Hog offers a 4", and I believe AFE does too. MBRP and Magnaflow have 3-1/2" downpipes. Your stock downpipe is 3-1/2" and is mandrel bent like the others so it will be up to you if you want to replace the DP with something basically the same. You can save money on the parts and labour if you go with a cat back system and use a cat test pipe to let it flow better. Also, the variable vane turbo requires some back pressure to operate properly. This info I got from a semi local diesel performance shop which is doing my exhaust install. They did not try to upsell me on the turbo back system where they could have. The 4" downpipe systems work best if your goal is maximum power with chips, injectors, etc.
I'm having a cat back MBRP installed on Tuesday. It will include the cat test pipe and a 5" tip. I will buy a muffler delete pipe so I can then make a seat of the pants comparison to determine if I feel more power. I will determine if I can withstand the noise.
I'm having a cat back MBRP installed on Tuesday. It will include the cat test pipe and a 5" tip. I will buy a muffler delete pipe so I can then make a seat of the pants comparison to determine if I feel more power. I will determine if I can withstand the noise.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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yo let me know how you like your mbrp system, i was looking at the same one. not sure if the cool duals are worth it. i really like the look but they only offer it in the turbo back which i dont want. yea the 4inch downpipe is nice but make sure u buy a good "namebrand" because many of them will rattle and make alot of noise if they arent perfect.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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Also a heads up. MBRP says the cat test pipe will not fit stock down pipe. You must have the MBRP DP for it to work. The flang on the DP and Delete pipe are different. but allow the cat to be bolted to MBRP DP with use of a gasket. I bought the turbo back MBRP and have only installed cat-back so far. only have 6k on the clock.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Whistler, BC, Canada
Originally Posted by EPDP99
Also a heads up. MBRP says the cat test pipe will not fit stock down pipe. You must have the MBRP DP for it to work. The flang on the DP and Delete pipe are different. but allow the cat to be bolted to MBRP DP with use of a gasket. I bought the turbo back MBRP and have only installed cat-back so far. only have 6k on the clock.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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the MBRP test pipe and the DP have a flat flange the stock DP isnt. It kind of goes inside stock cat. That is why the gasket is needed for the MBRP DP and either factory cat or test pipe
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: san diego
Anyone of you deisel heads know if there is a bypass made to remove the cat system.Mine already had to be replaced with only 25k , Dam thing plug up and was making all kinds weird noises through the turbo .
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Other side of the sunrise
Originally Posted by ludie
Anyone of you deisel heads know if there is a bypass made to remove the cat system.Mine already had to be replaced with only 25k , Dam thing plug up and was making all kinds weird noises through the turbo .
Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Tennesee
Betaracer,
You info is incorrect the stock down pipe is 3.0 inches and not mandrel bent, the MBRP is 3.5 and mandrel bent. It makes a decent difference in flow rates and EGT drop. I don't have the info/formula here but the increase in pipe diameter by 1/2 inch represents a 25-30% change in crossection of the pipes flow capabilities.
FYI, the AFE down pipe is also 3.5 inches.
Mark @ DPPI
You info is incorrect the stock down pipe is 3.0 inches and not mandrel bent, the MBRP is 3.5 and mandrel bent. It makes a decent difference in flow rates and EGT drop. I don't have the info/formula here but the increase in pipe diameter by 1/2 inch represents a 25-30% change in crossection of the pipes flow capabilities.
FYI, the AFE down pipe is also 3.5 inches.
Mark @ DPPI
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: W. Philly Burbs
im not sure if the DP on my truck is 3.0 or 3.5 but it sure looked to be the same size as the exhaust i ripped out from the Cat back..........and i believe that was 3.5 but i may be wrong. However, i do know that there are no crimps in my downpipe, ive looked all around, there isnt even any heat shielding, its just a round non-crimped pipe leading to my cat. Im not exactly sure what mandrel bent means, but i thought it meant that they bent the pipe in such a way that there werent kinks on the inside radius.....Let me know if im mistaken, i love learning new things, or fixing my mistaken knowledge lol.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Whistler, BC, Canada
I crawled under my truck and measured. Yes it is a 3.0" DP. I had measured it a while ago and where I measured was ahead of the CAT and there it was 3.5". The info I received was wrong. Oh well, disregard everything I wrote above. I have been corrected I will accept any retribution I deserve. Now I need to determine if I should get the turbo back system tomorrow or stick with the CAT back.