Random Technology High Flow Cat. Review

[nsl]

Originally Posted by ErichPryde

I have the exact same exhaust, and my R/T cat is in the mail right now. From everything I have read, it replaces the stock catalytic converter exactly. this being the case, I can see no reason why it wouldn't fit our medallion, as it is made to bolt directly to the stock cat.
unless you beat me to the install, I'll let you know if it doesn't fit later this week!

edit: I just re-read what you wrote. I thought you were hoping it would FIT, but you're actually hoping it will work well with the tanabe exhaust.
I second that, although I see no reason that it won't work well. I love the tanabe catback, by the way. what do you think of yours?

Don't mean to change the subject,but would you say the Tanabe is quieter than stock?I love the way the Comptec and Tanabe look,but I don't see much of a point in spending $600 if it is quieter,or the same as stock.

[JasonC.]

Originally Posted by ibanez37

I don't think anyone has done any baselines and installed dynos to see a difference,

I have - I gained of 3 HP tot eh wheels..........

Car sounds much better with stock exhaust - and butt dyno feels like it pulls harder at high RPM's. Worth the $$$......I think so.

[Excelerate]

Originally Posted by fd to fg2

I have heard the Random Tech unit comes with a 2-3/4" inlet and a 2" outlet.

I am waiting for mine to arrive, and hopefully it will work well with my Tanabe Med. touring catback with 60mm piping.

It will bolt up fine to the Tanabe M/T. Also on a side note I have some of the Tanabe M/T coming in stock for the both the Si and EX/LX.

[ibanez37]

Originally Posted by JasonC.

I have - I gained of 3 HP tot eh wheels..........

Car sounds much better with stock exhaust - and butt dyno feels like it pulls harder at high RPM's. Worth the $$$......I think so.

You have a chart to post up?

[fd to fg2]

Originally Posted by ErichPryde

I have the exact same exhaust, and my R/T cat is in the mail right now. From everything I have read, it replaces the stock catalytic converter exactly. this being the case, I can see no reason why it wouldn't fit our medallion, as it is made to bolt directly to the stock cat.
unless you beat me to the install, I'll let you know if it doesn't fit later this week!

edit: I just re-read what you wrote. I thought you were hoping it would FIT, but you're actually hoping it will work well with the tanabe exhaust.
I second that, although I see no reason that it won't work well. I love the tanabe catback, by the way. what do you think of yours?

Hey Erich,

I expect both of these pieces to arrive and install for md next week. Please let us know what results you get, as you're getting yours in faster than mine... thxs...!

[JasonC.]

Originally Posted by ibanez37

You have a chart to post up?

I do....but my scanner is down.

Plus it was done on 2 different dyno's. But that is the number I got. One of these days I'll scan and post. I can tell you it is certainly not 10hp like some say.

[ErichPryde]

Originally Posted by nsl

Don't mean to change the subject,but would you say the Tanabe is quieter than stock?I love the way the Comptec and Tanabe look,but I don't see much of a point in spending $600 if it is quieter,or the same as stock.

hmm. the differences are very subtle, it's not quieter, but it is deeper. I love the tone of the tanabe exhuast. I will say that it isn't louder.
if you're looking for a loud, meaner sounding exhaust, look for something else- Magnaflow, Evo2, DC Sports, Skunk2... and a bunch of others listed on here are most likely louder. I am an elitist and would stay clear of anything DC related, though.... but that's just me.
as for the comptech system, I know that it runs 2 or so decibels higher than the tanabe and is probably louder than stock. you'd have to ask someone here who has that system to find out for sure. I'm really impressed with both Tanabe and Comptech, and I think it would be difficult to go wrong with either system.

although I've heard with the addition of the R/T cat, the car gets louder anyway, but this absolutely would not surprise me. :)

Originally Posted by fd to fg2

Hey Erich,

I expect both of these pieces to arrive and install for md next week. Please let us know what results you get, as you're getting yours in faster than mine... thxs...!

I will certainly let you know. unfortunately, I don't have as easy access to a dyno as sickyute/marv apparently does. you'll have to take me at my impressions....

[ErichPryde]

okay, so I got it all installed. I was definitely happy with the craftsmanship of the R/T cat.
I would suggest, however, that anyone installing this be careful with the bolts holding the cat to the header. I managed to strip the first few threads on one, and had to re-thread it.
there might be an increase in power, or it may be the bolt-on placebo. I don't know. it does sound a little different, but it doesn't sound bad by any means. I have a lot of pictures... but they will have to wait.

[Agnt004]

I had no problems with the bolts for my cat when installing my exhaust. I put a hollow metal tube over my ratchet about 2 feet long and effectively doubled the power of my arm. Barely had enough room though under the jackstands....Isn't physics great?

[KidnKorner]

Originally Posted by slostjoe

I had this bolt problem it was like the bottom one was cross threaded

Me too, I put on my own cat back exhaust and I was like WTF, I had to literally cross thread it back on and wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get it back on all the way.

[thehov]

Originally Posted by Skylinegtr06

Im worried about how this will effect emissions

IT WONT...

[shutter13]

question... the power increase for this cat would probably be amplified with the reflash - correct?

[eugenekim.net]

Originally Posted by shutter13

question... the power increase for this cat would probably be amplified with the reflash - correct?

correct

[cornerstrike]

Just though I should let you guys, who are worried about passing emmissions, know that I had RT Cat on my old 97 240sx and it passed with no problems. Attached to it was an HKS exhaust.

[fatality122887]

Originally Posted by KidnKorner

Me too, I put on my own cat back exhaust and I was like WTF, I had to literally cross thread it back on and wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get it back on all the way.

when i put on my cat back some of the threads broke off the stud and stayed w/ the nut i was shitting my pants cuz i had 2 be at work in an hour and anyone that has been in the military can tell u its not fun when your late 2 work unless your being rushed 2 the ER. but yea took me forever 2 clean up the threads on what was left of the stud, and clean out the threads on the nut i had 2 put the tap into a table mounted vice and use an 1/2 breaker bar 2 break the stuck part of the stud outa the nut... its funny how the stress and adrenaline of a situation like that can make u work better :)

also have u seen any increase in Gas milage? thats how i really rate a mod even if it dosn't make me faster or add 2 much power as long as it gets me some extra MPG its worth it in my opinion.

[cas909]

Just installed mine this morning!!! I noticed that the exhaust had a little more growl to it. When I took it out on the test drive, I noticed that it picked up rpms faster but due to the drizzle and the wet ground we are experiencing here in San Diego I couldn't open her up! Install was straight forward and easy!

[Young Money (K20)]

when you have to saw off the bolts on your stock cat are you still able to put the stock cat back on if you ever have to put it back on

[Uncle_Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Young Money (K20)

when you have to saw off the bolts on your stock cat are you still able to put the stock cat back on if you ever have to put it back on

This is what I wanna know too...I just installed my evo2 last night, and I got all the stock stuff taken off within like 10 minutes, hung the mid pipe, hung the muffler and then attached to mid pipe....last step, tighten nuts on flange between cat to mid pipe...none of the nuts wanted to thread right, even trying them in different spots...I got one on half way easily, and then it seemed to bind up and cross thread...I have a suspicion these studs and nuts are poorly made. So! That all being said, I'm going home tonight to try and heat the crap studs up, and hammer them out to replace with new 10 mil nut and bolts. Has anyone actually done this before??

[07NHBCivicSi]

Originally Posted by Uncle_Ruckus

This is what I wanna know too...I just installed my evo2 last night, and I got all the stock stuff taken off within like 10 minutes, hung the mid pipe, hung the muffler and then attached to mid pipe....last step, tighten nuts on flange between cat to mid pipe...none of the nuts wanted to thread right, even trying them in different spots...I got one on half way easily, and then it seemed to bind up and cross thread...I have a suspicion these studs and nuts are poorly made. So! That all being said, I'm going home tonight to try and heat the crap studs up, and hammer them out to replace with new 10 mil nut and bolts. Has anyone actually done this before??

I had an issue with the bolts. I found that if you leave all the bolts loose on the mid pipe to muffler that it is easy to bolt to the cat. Once you get those on pretty much all the way you can start to tighten the others. If you are changing the bolts, make sure they can deal with heat. Good luck with w.e you do.....Anyways back to topic. Im hoping to have enough money to get one of these bad boys..

[06BlackSi]

i was the original guy who had the comtech exhaust and header with injen CAI when I put the R/T cat on. I gain minimal peak gains but a good amount of torque throughout the power band.

I now have the reflash too, but I have yet to dyno it.

I have dyno's to prove the gains too