Installed AWE cats- WOW
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 246
From: East Bay, Northern California
Rep Power: 32
Congrats Cattman on the new (to you) discovery of additional power and sound.
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,953
From: ATL
Rep Power: 201
CATTMAN
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 407
From: UK
Rep Power: 42
So I've already got an extensive list of performance mods, including:
-LWFW
-EVOMS CAI
-AH Mufflers
-Custom ECU tune
-RSS/IPD Plenum
And this weekend I installed AWE cats. Install was a royal hassle especially since I left the rear bumper on, and I don't have a jack (required a couple calls to Stacy, my lifeline) but I enjoy the satisfaction, so it was worth it. If you have jack stands, patience, and the right tools, it's definitely a DIY.
I've only driven about 30 miles, just to make sure no CEL warnings, etc., and all I can say is WOW!
The sound is incredible, and with the AH pipes, it's actually a little more refined than the AH were with OEM cats. There's less interior drone, too, and the whole ensemble is wicked.
As for performance, it seems to have really opened things up. Acceleration feels more fluid, and comes on stronger past 3,500 RPM's straight to redline. I've felt more after this mod than just about any other- definitely recommend it.
But the sound, whoa. With the AH pipes it's obviously loud, but it's refined now, and just insane. I will make some videos and post some pics of the trickier parts of the install. I am also going to get it on a dyno this week, anyone hear of a "Land-and-Sea" dyno?
CATTMAN
-LWFW
-EVOMS CAI
-AH Mufflers
-Custom ECU tune
-RSS/IPD Plenum
And this weekend I installed AWE cats. Install was a royal hassle especially since I left the rear bumper on, and I don't have a jack (required a couple calls to Stacy, my lifeline) but I enjoy the satisfaction, so it was worth it. If you have jack stands, patience, and the right tools, it's definitely a DIY.
I've only driven about 30 miles, just to make sure no CEL warnings, etc., and all I can say is WOW!
The sound is incredible, and with the AH pipes, it's actually a little more refined than the AH were with OEM cats. There's less interior drone, too, and the whole ensemble is wicked.
As for performance, it seems to have really opened things up. Acceleration feels more fluid, and comes on stronger past 3,500 RPM's straight to redline. I've felt more after this mod than just about any other- definitely recommend it.
But the sound, whoa. With the AH pipes it's obviously loud, but it's refined now, and just insane. I will make some videos and post some pics of the trickier parts of the install. I am also going to get it on a dyno this week, anyone hear of a "Land-and-Sea" dyno?
CATTMAN
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 8,875
From: Vancouver
Rep Power: 684
I will give you first dibs on mine when I take them out!
Great deal, just for you
Registered User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,295
From: deep inside my other half
Rep Power: 0
just make sure I get the common courtesy reach around
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,224
From: Oregon
Rep Power: 80
Congrats Cattman and good to see your latest mod. This thread is getting me pretty excited as I'm picking up the AWE mufflers, headers, and cats from the original owner of my car this Thursday. He had them on the car and took them off right before I bought it as a previous potential purchaser said he wanted to purchase the car with the stock exhaust. Anyhow, the seller who is a great guy is practically giving me the full AWE exhaust for free. Hoping to have my local shop put them on in the next week or so.
Only concern I have is that I was told I'm totally safe from a warranty standpoint putting the mufflers and headers on but if I put the cats on, I could potentially void my warranty. True?
Only concern I have is that I was told I'm totally safe from a warranty standpoint putting the mufflers and headers on but if I put the cats on, I could potentially void my warranty. True?
Registered User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,295
From: deep inside my other half
Rep Power: 0
I would have to remove u from earth
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,953
From: ATL
Rep Power: 201
CATTMAN
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,953
From: ATL
Rep Power: 201
The hardest to reach spots were 2 of the 3 bolts connecting the cats to the headers. They were only accessible with various socket wrench joints and extensions, and a short handled driver. I did the entire job on my back, and have the cuts and bruises to prove it. It was certainly not ideal.
As you noted, HATTRICK, I should have invested in jack stands or ramps. I will likely buy those now anyway, as I am sure I'll continue to tinker with my car.
Removing the bumper definitely would have helped, but again, without a jack to create clearance between the tire and the bumper (or to remove the wheel altogether), I couldn't get to the bolts at the seam in the wheel-wells.
I started the job without proper tools, obviously, and had to take my wife's car to lowe's a couple of times to collect various ratchets (shorter drive handle), sockets (joints, adapters, two inch deep 1/2 inch bit, and a 22M open wrench for the O2 sensors).
Again, better instructions (and a list of necessary tools) from AWE would have been helpful.
CATTMAN
Last edited by Cattman; Sep 1, 2009 at 08:50 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 283
From: Virginia
Rep Power: 34
Good---you're tougher than I thought.
Nothing more satisfying than seeing, hearing and feeling the results of your own work----blood shed not withstanding.
Nothing more satisfying than seeing, hearing and feeling the results of your own work----blood shed not withstanding.
I am slim. My hands are normal sized, but shreded to heck after the job.
The hardest to reach spots were 2 of the 3 bolts connecting the cat to the headers. They were only accessible with various socket wrench joints and extensions, and a short handled driver. I did the entire job on my back, and have the cuts and bruises to prove it. It was certainly not ideal.
As you noted, HATTRICK, I should have invested in jack stands or ramps. I will likely buy those now anyway, I was am sure I'll continue to tinker with my car.
Removing the bumper definitely would have helped, but I couldn't get to the bolt at the seam in the wheel-well without a jack to create clearance at the wheel.
I started the job without proper tools, either, and had to take my wife's car to lowe's a couple of times to collect various ratchets (needed a shorter drive handle), sockets (needed joints, adapters, and a 2" 1/2 inch bit, and a 22M open wrench for the O2 sensors.
Again, better instructions (and a list of necessary tools) from AWE would have been helpful.
CATTMAN
The hardest to reach spots were 2 of the 3 bolts connecting the cat to the headers. They were only accessible with various socket wrench joints and extensions, and a short handled driver. I did the entire job on my back, and have the cuts and bruises to prove it. It was certainly not ideal.
As you noted, HATTRICK, I should have invested in jack stands or ramps. I will likely buy those now anyway, I was am sure I'll continue to tinker with my car.
Removing the bumper definitely would have helped, but I couldn't get to the bolt at the seam in the wheel-well without a jack to create clearance at the wheel.
I started the job without proper tools, either, and had to take my wife's car to lowe's a couple of times to collect various ratchets (needed a shorter drive handle), sockets (needed joints, adapters, and a 2" 1/2 inch bit, and a 22M open wrench for the O2 sensors.
Again, better instructions (and a list of necessary tools) from AWE would have been helpful.
CATTMAN
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,574
From: CA Bay Area, US
Rep Power: 100
Jacks and stands (2 of each at the minimum) is definitely more useful than ramps - though I have both. Ramps are great for basic work - oil changes, etc. But on these cars, accessibility is often aided by removing the wheels at the end of the car that you're working on. Even for an oil change, it's nice to jack it up to work, and keep it level. I'm sure lots of things can get done without lifting the car - as you've learned. But for me, this is a hobby, and anything that makes it simpler and more enjoyable is worth it.
