ph1: Decat - silenced - management light

[ianeire]

My ph1 passed it's NCT yesterday (Irish version of an MOT) having previously failed for emissions. It now has a clean bill of health until it's re-test in April 2011. My cat though, needs changing. The baffles inside are broken/loose and are rattling.

I'm looking at either a replacement second-hand cat or a decat. Preferably a decat seeing as it won't need to be removed for nearly two years. I'm after the gains, but not the noise. Current system on the car is the standard manifold/standard cat/k-tec stealth. I expect that the unsilenced decat will add a lot of volume ... how well does the k-tec silenced decat work?

I assume there will be no issues with an engine management light in a ph1 as there is only one pre-cat lamda?

Ian

* would love to compare audio clips of the silenced/unsilenced decats if anyone can provide?

 

[Greeny.]

Silenced imo is a total gimmic, here is my car with a silenced de-cat, it was SO loud with a custom stainless stealth system and I know for a fact with a K-tec stealth it will be boomy on motorway trips. Sounds epic though

 

[ianeire]

What silenced de-cat is that Greeny, the K-tec one?

 

[ianeire]

Anyone else care to venture an opinion on a silenced/non-silenced decat before I put the order through tomorrow?

 

[TheEvilGiraffe]

My non silenced decatted Ph1 K-tec Stealth is fine on motorways. Sitting at 70 under no load is as quiet as any normal car..

Give it hell at any speed, and it's loud ! Sounds awesome (IMO + friends that have been in car next to me on dual carriageways) under load over 4k !!

No videos tho' .. sorry

 

[fraserd007]

Silenced imo is a total gimmic, here is my car with a silenced de-cat, it was SO loud with a custom stainless stealth system and I know for a fact with a K-tec stealth it will be boomy on motorway trips. Sounds epic though

i hagree

 

[Henry]

haven't tried the silenced one but have had the straight pipe into the same exhaust as yours and, tbh, the slight gains didn't justify the din for me

sure you're aware, but the cat's so effective at silencing as it's not straight-through, whereas the silenced decat is; it's also a pretty small box, so wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't much quieter than a straight pipe

i'd say, if you're at all worried about noise, go straight for another cat

 

[Greeny.]

haven't tried the silenced one but have had the straight pipe into the same exhaust as yours and, tbh, the slight gains didn't justify the din for me

sure you're aware, but the cat's so effective at silencing as it's not straight-through, whereas the silenced decat is; it's also a pretty small box, so wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't much quieter than a straight pipe

i'd say, if you're at all worried about noise, go straight for another cat

Speaks the truth and yes mine was a K-tec

 

[ianeire]

I priced a new cat from Renault Ireland - almost €900! So it's second hand cat or de-cat are my options. It's a shame that there are no audio/video clips of the unsilenced or with the combination that I will have on the car.

If there was negligible difference between the two sound wise I would save some cash and get the straight pipe - as it stands I see myself buying the silenced version. If it turns out a lemon volume wise with everyday use I'll sell and pick up a second hand OEM replacement.

 

[Brett]

Sports cat an option. About £270 from ktec iirc.

 

[ianeire]

Considered it Brett but it's too expensive. 2nd hand cat delivered I'm looking at probably 100stg, while the de-cat as part of a larger order is 125stg.

 

[Andyman]

Silenced imo is a total gimmic, here is my car with a silenced de-cat, it was SO loud with a custom stainless stealth system and I know for a fact with a K-tec stealth it will be boomy on motorway trips. Sounds epic though

Ask folk who have removed centre exhaust system silences and see if it made any difference. Theres your answer to the gimmic thing

 

[gex23]

I have a silenced decat coupled with piper catback system on a ph2 cup, impressed with it as it seems to 'free' up the revs but the overall volume hasn't really increased at all (going from the standard cat).

 

[ianeire]

One last Q - about to put the order through just now. I obviously have a late model ph1 as a quick glance underneath just now has shown a lambda post-cat. Will the de-cat cause the dashboard to light up? Can anything be done to prevent it?

Answers on a postcard please

 

[Greeny.]

I have a silenced decat coupled with piper catback system on a ph2 cup, impressed with it as it seems to 'free' up the revs but the overall volume hasn't really increased at all (going from the standard cat).

wtf, mine doubled!!

 

[Greeny.]

One last Q - about to put the order through just now. I obviously have a late model ph1 as a quick glance underneath just now has shown a lambda post-cat. Will the de-cat cause the dashboard to light up? Can anything be done to prevent it?

Answers on a postcard please

Mine didnt light up after 3 months use before I sold it.

 

[gex23]

One last Q - about to put the order through just now. I obviously have a late model ph1 as a quick glance underneath just now has shown a lambda post-cat. Will the de-cat cause the dashboard to light up? Can anything be done to prevent it?

Answers on a postcard please

Not really, the EM light appeared on mine after a couple hundred miles, but its not affected performance in any way.

If you hate it that much - put tape over the dash / light - job done:rasp:

 

[ianeire]

All ordered and winging it's way to the emerald isle.

Front dampers, sportlines, ITG filter, silenced decat, centre exhaust hanger I'll just have to live with the EM light on if it comes on in the ph1. A good days shopping complete!