I've been doing a little bit of searching and I've decided I would like to get a Flowmaster Super 44 muffler. However, I don't know what I should do about the Cat. Will it affect the sound? I'd like to have a nice sound and still be able to pass emissions. Also, is it required to weld the new muffler in, or can I just use exhaust clamps? If it has to be welded, I have no issue paying a shop to do it since I don't have welder.

 

You have to have a cat. Its against federal law to remove it

 

Go with a Thrush Welded muffler. They're built exactly like a flow master but half the price. They sound just like a FM44 as well.

http://www.jegs.com/p/Dynomax/Thrush...63864/10002/-1

O'Reilly's sells them also.

I'd have the muffler welded.

 

I used a magnaflow hi-flow cat before my super 40 - sounds great

 

Yeah, I forgot about the rule. I wasn't planning on removing it at all, I just know that some people DO remove it and wasn't sure if the videos I was watching were with or without cats. I actually had another question that I forgot to type out regarding the cat.. that was which brands you guys recommend? I figure I may as well replace it since I have 177k miles and they're not that expensive...

 

Lame.

 

Awesome, you just saved me about the cost of getting it welded. I figure I should be able to get it welded for about $40 or $50 at the radiator shop down the street from my house...

 

You can only replace the cat if its malfunctioned, or if it just so happens to *fall off* from say rust or getting slammed on a rock.

 

I replaced my kitty cat when it fell off.

 

The was an easy fit-up in my '96 ...recommend you get a pipe-expander from HF for the install though (and if you don't have a BFH, get one for the removal: you'll need it). You might want to spend $10 ea for fr & rr band clamps (for "next time").

Here's what it looks like installed:

 

What's a good weld on LCA skid plate. One that will help with the chance of getting hung up on the mount and to protect it. Those bolt on ones are ridiculous expensive

 

You have a kitty lol

I have a flowmaster 40 and a magnaflow hi flow cat on mine. Having it welded was so cheap i dont remember what it was

 

I used 1/4" x 3" flat stock. Cut and weld. Done. Cost 8 bucks.

 

OK I did the cowl intake this weekend but now km getting 12 MPG. I was getting 17 before. Its all stock except for a front bumper. What's wrong?

 

Bah. So now I have to get a vacuum gauge and test it... someone told me that if I could hear a noise underneath then my cat could be bad?