CAT options - long
10-26-2006, 05:27 AM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
CAT options - long
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In my search for a replacement CAT on my new facelift car, I probably spent 20 hours searching and talking to people. Here are the options from what I can tell:
OEM - about $1,000. I was going to suck it up and go this route to eliminate any fitment issues and "OEM is always best". I think I've had a little too much of the OEM Cool-Aid though because the one I was trying to replace was only 6 years old and the driver side was already replaced at the dealer before I bought the car. Can't be that great and I know I'm not the only one who's had one go bad.
Aftermarket - After doing extensive searches, all things point back to one company - DEC. I ordered one and was disappointed to say the least. The CAT itself is about 1/2 the size and the pipes are 1/2" smaller in diameter. It's also not Stainless like the OEM setup. NG - sending that back.
I then found a company in Mass who would take mine, make a template and send me a whole new setup for around $200. They stock the driver side already. As I was wrapping it all up to ship it out, I thought "what a waste", the OEM pipes are like brand new, stainless steel and I'm basically throwing them away to get an "aluminized steel" version.
I figured there's got to be a way to cut out the old CAT and weld in a new one. After a couple of calls, I found a place in CT who did just that. I shipped them my unit and they welded in a brand new SS CAT for $220. Cost me about $30 to ship and I had it back in a day. They did a real nice job and it fits perfectly.
Yes, it does look smaller but it's a free flow unit and I kept the OEM pipes so I didn't loose anything there. I installed it last night, no rattle (which was my original problem) and should probably last the life of the car.
Replacement - the Pass side is hard to do. There are three flange nuts that you need to remove and the top one is totally obstructed. You get to it (blindly) through the tie rod cutout. If you remove the plastic splash shield inside the wheel well you can get your hand on the other side of the flange bolt. Perfect time to replace the o2 sensor which is another feat on the 40v motors.
The Driver side CAT and o2 are a piece of cake.
Bob
In my search for a replacement CAT on my new facelift car, I probably spent 20 hours searching and talking to people. Here are the options from what I can tell:
OEM - about $1,000. I was going to suck it up and go this route to eliminate any fitment issues and "OEM is always best". I think I've had a little too much of the OEM Cool-Aid though because the one I was trying to replace was only 6 years old and the driver side was already replaced at the dealer before I bought the car. Can't be that great and I know I'm not the only one who's had one go bad.
Aftermarket - After doing extensive searches, all things point back to one company - DEC. I ordered one and was disappointed to say the least. The CAT itself is about 1/2 the size and the pipes are 1/2" smaller in diameter. It's also not Stainless like the OEM setup. NG - sending that back.
I then found a company in Mass who would take mine, make a template and send me a whole new setup for around $200. They stock the driver side already. As I was wrapping it all up to ship it out, I thought "what a waste", the OEM pipes are like brand new, stainless steel and I'm basically throwing them away to get an "aluminized steel" version.
I figured there's got to be a way to cut out the old CAT and weld in a new one. After a couple of calls, I found a place in CT who did just that. I shipped them my unit and they welded in a brand new SS CAT for $220. Cost me about $30 to ship and I had it back in a day. They did a real nice job and it fits perfectly.
Yes, it does look smaller but it's a free flow unit and I kept the OEM pipes so I didn't loose anything there. I installed it last night, no rattle (which was my original problem) and should probably last the life of the car.
Replacement - the Pass side is hard to do. There are three flange nuts that you need to remove and the top one is totally obstructed. You get to it (blindly) through the tie rod cutout. If you remove the plastic splash shield inside the wheel well you can get your hand on the other side of the flange bolt. Perfect time to replace the o2 sensor which is another feat on the 40v motors.
The Driver side CAT and o2 are a piece of cake.
Bob
10-26-2006, 09:24 AM
#4
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Re: what's the name of the CT company?
PipeSmithTM Custom Stainless Exhaust
731 Norwich Road
Plainfield, CT 06374
Tel: (800) 243-1170
Fax: (860) 564-4979
Email: sales@pipesmith.us
731 Norwich Road
Plainfield, CT 06374
Tel: (800) 243-1170
Fax: (860) 564-4979
Email: sales@pipesmith.us
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