I can't put off getting a new catalytic converter any longer. I also want to add headers to my 3.8, so I may as well do them at the same time and add a new cat-back system later when I get the money. My question to those that have installed Pacsetters themselves is this:

Which cat should I pair up with the headers to keep it all as simple as possible? After I buy the parts, there won't be much money left to spend on welding. Hell, if I could get away with clamping the cat in place, I would. The goal is to make sure I can just bolt on the new exhaust system later without any fuss.

Thanks in advance,
^JR^

 

My whole exhaust is clamped together, it works perfectly fine and there's no leaks, just have to get the right kind of clamps. I also have Pacesetters and I love them, you can get to the spark plugs with no problem from the top now.

 

Awesome!!! What did you do about the S pipe after the cat? I think I've seen one cat-back that comes with that...everything else comes with all the hardware after it. Universal Cats don't come with it and I'd hate to buy a direct fit cat and cut it to fit the header collector. Any ideas?

 

Well, I did my exhaust differently. I didn't get a full cat back. I had my headers installed with the y-pipe and the rest from the y-pipe back to the muffler was left stock. My stock muffler was replaced with a Magnaflow with dual 3" pipes. It's all clamped together though and is holding strong. Why do you need a new cat? Welding of course would probably always be the preferred method, but if you use the right kind and size of clamps, it would probably last long enough to get the money together to get it all welded up. I'm waiting for some nice weather so my bf can weld my exhaust together (he just bought a welder). So I'm not sure if this helps at all, but my point is that it is possible to clamp together the exhaust, but you should eventually get it welded.

 

I recently installed Pacesetters on my six and it was, honestly, a huge pain to do. The main issue I had was related to the EGR tube hookup - the flange is WAY off and I don't see how its even possible to get the tube to line up. Mine broke trying to bend it. I ended up capping the egr port with a stainless plug, removing the EGR system, and reprogramming my computer to ignore it. Sucks though, as it reduces fuel economy quite a bit to do this.

I replaced my cat and s-pipe at the same time and I used a universal Magnaflow. My whole system is clamped and it works, but i would recommend getting band-clamps (not u-bolt clamps) as they seal better and don't deform the pipe itself. As for the s-pipe, I used a SLP s-pipe but i had to modify it to accept the O2 sensor bung.