To Decat Or Not... Clio 200

[Euan94]

So I've got a bit of a dilemma at the moment, over whether I should decat the Clio or not.

I have had a decat manifold fitted so that with the Akrapovic means the cars fairly loud, and I'm not sure how much louder I would like it to be really, but the car makes a fair amount of pops and bangs, is this slowly destroying my cat that's currently in there anyway?

My thinking is that I should fit a decat so that I can shove a cat on for MOTs and not have to worry about buying new cats every so often because I'm blowing them to pieces.
So, do i fit a decat as a sort of preventative measure to stop destroying the cat..
Or,
Is the damage to the cat minimal and I should stick with it because a decat will be unbearably loud...

Help me Cliosport!

 

[mossyv6]

My biggest worry with a decat is increasing the flat spot that these cars suffer from.
Can be mapped out but of course an added cost and inconvenience.
As for noise I'm not sure tbh.

 

[Euan94]

Good point, I'd not thought about the flat spot as mine currently isn't really noticeable I don't think.

 

[flebay]

So I've got a bit of a dilemma at the moment, over whether I should decat the Clio or not.

I have had a decat manifold fitted so that with the Akrapovic means the cars fairly loud, and I'm not sure how much louder I would like it to be really, but the car makes a fair amount of pops and bangs, is this slowly destroying my cat that's currently in there anyway?

My thinking is that I should fit a decat so that I can shove a cat on for MOTs and not have to worry about buying new cats every so often because I'm blowing them to pieces.
So, do i fit a decat as a sort of preventative measure to stop destroying the cat..
Or,
Is the damage to the cat minimal and I should stick with it because a decat will be unbearably loud...

Help me Cliosport!

I would be more worried why its making pops and bangs,that cant be running right.

 

[Euan94]

I would be more worried why its making pops and bangs,that cant be running right.

I'm not too worried, it made a few when I bought it with just the Akrapovic, but it's certainly increased since I had the manifold installed.

It had its cambelt done by a reputable specialist earlier this year so fairly happy it's not running rubbish.

 

[rich83]

Are you sure you even have a cat now, the Akrapovic system is manifold back and decats the main cat. Unless you just have the Akrapovic 'slip-on' which is just the backbox.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[flebay]

Are you sure you even have a cat now, the Akrapovic system is manifold back and decats the main cat. Unless you just have the Akrapovic 'slip-on' which is just the backbox.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

If he is getting pops and bangs with the cat in (slip on system) then there must be serious over fueling problems.

 

[Euan94]

The Akrapovic is the slip on back box so I should still have a cat. The main cause for concern is cold starts as any prolonged acceleration gives rather large bangs. It's in the video below.
The other video you can sort of hear them on overrun but it's not very loud on video more noticeable in the car.
https://flic.kr/p/L4RPaQ
https://flic.kr/p/KbdFai

 

[Knuckles]

Good point, I'd not thought about the flat spot as mine currently isn't really noticeable I don't think.

You know what mine is like :blush:

Imagine that daily, when pulling out of junctions and on to roundabouts

 

[197.]

The Akrapovic is the slip on back box so I should still have a cat. The main cause for concern is cold starts as any prolonged acceleration gives rather large bangs. It's in the video below.
The other video you can sort of hear them on overrun but it's not very loud on video more noticeable in the car.
https://flic.kr/p/L4RPaQ
https://flic.kr/p/KbdFai

You could get it on a dyno to see if fuelling is really out of sync but considering it's normally for cars to run rich when cold, I wouldn't worry about it, especially with a decat manifold. However that would be my first port of call before spending any money

 

[Euan94]

So we're reckoning put it on the dyno first and check the fuelling. I can't see a reason for it to be out, or will the addition of exhaust bits have caused an issue.

I'd rather keep the cat if I can but just don't want to be destroying.

 

[197.]

So we're reckoning put it on the dyno first and check the fuelling. I can't see a reason for it to be out, or will the addition of exhaust bits have caused an issue.

I'd rather keep the cat if I can but just don't want to be destroying.

Definitely. I mean I get the feeling that your fuelling is ok, because if it was really out you'd be getting pops and bangs like those in the video when the car is up to temp too and mpg would also be atrocious. Good thing is second hand cats for the 197/200 aren't that expensive, I mean there's a full 200 exhaust with cat for sale at £75 on the other forum. My car pops and bangs too with only a centre silencer delete on the OEM exhaust but it's higher in the rev range + not as loud compared to yours by the sound of it, unless changing gears.