Catco or Magnaflow?

[FlareSide]

Alright, Im in the works for a new catalytic converter for my 305 Vortec. I've looked under Summit racing and found a unit sold by Catco for $225 and two Magnaflow units, one for $275, and the other for $338. Im trying to decide which one I want. I cant figure out the differences between the Magnaflows either. Any ideas? Im somewhat on a budget, so Im looking at the cheaper Magnaflow or the Catco one. Here is a link to the page: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+4294908216+4294908015+42949246 77+4294840138+4294923429+115+4294867633

Im not looking for a huge power increase, but if any of these outflow the factory unit that would be an added bonus. Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys!:head:

[aaronb]

im running the catco on my 98 5.7L. it's been on there for over 2years and shows no signs of rust. it bolted up to the stock manifolds with no problems. i noticed a slight increase in the low end power with it also.

[FlareSide]

Thats good to hear. I've heard Catco makes good stuff. I live in Ohio so rusty exhaust is common. If it flows any better at all than stock I should be happy with it. Thanks for the quick input.

[FlareSide]

Anybody else have any opinions on these two brands? Im also wondering why there are two Magnaflows of different prices. Im sure the Catco is a good unit, but does anyone really have an idea which performs betetr of the two? The expensive magnaflow is a little bit much for my budget, but the one costing about 275 is alright with me. Any idea on which one I should choose. I just put a custom dual cat-back system on, and I really want a throaty tone and good exhaust flow. Any ideas? Thanks a bunch guys. ;)

[no2guncntrl]

I assume the reason the price is different is due to one
coming with the y-pipe and the other not so ? I have a Catco
and have passed Ca test only smog tests twice with it and
my ride is a 92. However I heard that the Magnaflow cat
flows a bit better and sounds a bit better, but have no
solid proof.

Well after looking over at Mag's site, I guess they
both come with the y-pipe. The only diff is the
more expensive one is Ca certified while the
other one is 49 state certified. Looks like it's
cost more money to kiss Ca's 6 regarding emission
parts...Figures. What's worse, I survive here!

[FlareSide]

Ahh thanks man. Looks like i can spend less money on the same part since I live in Ohio, sweet. Thats what I wanted to know. Looks like I might go Magnaflow.

[cedjunior]

I had the catco direct fit, bought it 2 or 3 years ago. It crapped out its guts into my muffler last month. Replaced it with a magnaflow universal. If I ever had to put on another direct fit, it would be a magnaflow.

[FlareSide]

Yeah I will probably be going Magnaflow then. The only last thing item I need to complete a full exhuast setup is a good set of headers. I would like ceramic coated ones but they all seem sooo expensive. I'm on about a $300 dollar header budget. Anyone have some good recomendations on what i can get for my truck. My engine is the 305 Vortec. Not sure what brand I can turn to and what finish. My truck is a daily driver and play toy, so huge performance isnt neccessary. Will probably just go with a shorty set up. I helped my buddy install a PaceSetter brand header on his 2.2L S-10 yesterday, and within 15 minutes of running the truck the black finish burned completely off.

[Synergy]

Any finish other than Ceramic with either burn off or discolor with time. If you want the headers to look good for a long time spend the extra dime on ceramic. My Throley Tri-Ys are ceramic in and out. This helps the exhaust gases to exit the headers faster and also decreases engine compartment temperature.

[Big Greenie]

Alright, Im in the works for a new catalytic converter for my 305 Vortec. I've looked under Summit racing and found a unit sold by Catco for $225 and two Magnaflow units, one for $275, and the other for $338. Im trying to decide which one I want. I cant figure out the differences between the Magnaflows either. Any ideas? Im somewhat on a budget, so Im looking at the cheaper Magnaflow or the Catco one. Here is a link to the page: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=700+4294908216+4294908015+42949246 77+4294840138+4294923429+115+4294867633

Im not looking for a huge power increase, but if any of these outflow the factory unit that would be an added bonus. Any input is appreciated. Thanks guys!:head:

I used to have the Magnaflow hi-flows on my '96 5.7L. I had to swap thm out after about 38K miles. I was sort of disappointed with the durability of the Magnaflows. I switched to the CATCO's with GM O2's. My shop that did the work does a lot of exhaust work and they told me they see more Magnaflow cat failures than CATCO. I put on the direct fit setup from CATCO an so far all is good.

[FlareSide]

Well that sucks to hear about your Magnaflow cats. I know different people have different opinions on these brands, but I hope that in the end what ever i choose lasts a good while. Im still confused though about which brand, same for the headers. Ceramic coating isnt super important, but it would look nice. If I had to buy black painted ones, Im sure they would still look nicer than my factory manifolds for a long time.

[96thebossgrnchv]

my dads running a catco cat. on his 88 vette, made out of stainless steel though

[FlareSide]

Im guessing all the Catco's are stainless? ARGH! Which one to choose..i want something that will last a couple years...

[TigerEyz3]

Don't know pricing info, but since you are looking for quality converters (as am I), consider the Random Technology converter. From what I've read on here, they're the creme-de-la-creme of the high-flow converters - meet emissions requirements, flow very well, and don't crap out. Second to them (based on various threads I've read on here), is the Magnaflow cat. Don't know if you are stuck on the direct fit, or have considered the universal fit (what I'm considering since I have headers), but if you are looking at headers, I would definitely consider the universal fit converter. They're cheaper and you're not purchasing piping that you'll later discard with header (mid-length or LT) installation.


I know you mentioned you are on a budget... but consider the long term cost of header ownership when you have to replace your headers due to rust (living in Ohio with salty roads only increases the rust/corrosion factor) every couple/few years. I've been very happy with my ceramic-coated Thorley's. My rig is a DD, tow rig, and people hauler.

[FlareSide]

Alright! I knew TigerEyz3 would chime in. You seem to be the FSC exhuast guru, so your input is much more than welcome! I havent heard of the Random technology converters before, but i will definitly check them out. Another thing, the direct fit cats are made for the stock manifold set-up? And the universal cats "come close" and may allow the use of stock manifolds and/or headers as well? A 100 percent perfect fit isnt a huge issue for me since I will be looking for headers withing a couple months. Also, everything after my cat is custom exhaust. Thanks for the input!

[cedjunior]

Universal cats don't come close at all. They are basically a converter with 3 inches of pipe on each end, so that you can just saw out the old cat and weld in a new one. Direct fit comes as one piece, the Y pipe, the converter all the way down to the flange that connects to the cat-back portion of the exhaust.

Direct fit:
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/cto-9333.jpg


Universal Fit:
http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/mpe-43005_6_9_w.jpg

[no2guncntrl]

Random without a doubt is the best converter made. And the price
proves it..They ain't cheap. I know Spintech makes cats too,
though I don't know if they make direct fit cats.

[Big Greenie]

Well that sucks to hear about your Magnaflow cats. I know different people have different opinions on these brands, but I hope that in the end what ever i choose lasts a good while. Im still confused though about which brand, same for the headers. Ceramic coating isnt super important, but it would look nice. If I had to buy black painted ones, Im sure they would still look nicer than my factory manifolds for a long time.

Yeah, I was a little pi$$ed off after I shelled out more cash for new cats. FYI: the ones I got are the CATCO direct fit, $450 delivered to my shops door step. Add another $480 for GM O2's, install labor and labor to modify the cross over pipe to clear the front DS, taxes, blah, blah, blah, totalled out at $1250. For headers, I am running JBA cat forwards, shorty type, ceramic and TI coated. They cost a fortune but after 5 years of daily driver duty and 45K miles, they are holding up great. Whatever header you select and if you can afford it, get the ceramic coating. Also, try and get the thickest flange header you can find -- again, cost is a factor here as well.

[FlareSide]

Alright guys, i was looking at the radom tech cats, and the direct fit unit for my truck is not a whole lot more than the Magnaflows. The hard part is finding a place to buy the stuff. For headers, I have been looking at the Edelbrock shorty cermaic coated pieces. They are a little over 300 dollars, but seem pretty nice, and have a 3/8" flange. Anybody have experience with Edelbrock headers? Thanks a bunch, i owe a lot to you guys.

[TigerEyz3]

cedjunior hit the nail on the head with the difference between direct-fit and universal. With shorty headers, you can use the direct-fit converters as the shorties are direct manifold replacements - mate to existing exhaust without modification.

I've only been looking at universal fit converters in my searching. My headers have 2.5" collectors and cat-back has 2.5" inlets - stock piping is ~2". I'd like to keep my 3-bolt flange setup on the cat-back, but haven't been able to find a cat-side 3-bolt flange in 2.5" (only stock piece of my exhaust). Looks like I'll have to fab something up when the time comes.

No personal experience with the Edelbrock headers, but I've read that they are of decent quality. I've also read that some people have had installation difficulties while others had no problems. I'm sure you're aware that you won't have the same gains with shorty headers that you will with mid-length or LT headers.

As far as places to purchase your headers, check out SummitRacing (http://store.summitracing.com), AutoPartsWarehouse (http://www.autopartswarehouse.com), and TruckPerformanceCenter (http://www.truckperformance.com) (I bought my shocks from TPC, my headers & sway bars from Summit, and my cat-back from APW). I've been looking at the same places (as well as others) for cats - the above sites don't seem to carry the same products so once you decide on the quality you want, you'll have to do some price hunting to find the best deal.

Thanks the compliment, FlareSide. I never claim to be a guru (there's always someone that knows more), just try to pass along information/knowledge that I have acquired along the way (hopefully without too much bias).

[1Bad454]

Edelbrock make great quality products but I would recommend going with Doug Thorley headers for your application. My vote is definetly for the Random cats. They are the best bar none.

[no2guncntrl]

Here's a list of Dealers for Random. If you can afford a Random
cat, you will not be disappointed. They are simply the best.
http://www.randomtechnology.com/contact.html

[FlareSide]

Ive looked under that dealer list from Random the last couple nights and havent found a sinlge place the sells a cat for my application and/or lists a price. I'll keep looking though. Thanks again!

[1Bad454]

96-98 305(5.0): PN 923000
Installation Kit: PN 516005

These part numbers are old so you may want to double check them.

[FlareSide]

Alright, thanks 1Bad454. Quick question though, are those numbers for the direct fit piece with the y-pipe? Also, what is all included withthe installation kit? Thanks again!

[TigerEyz3]

Based on my reading of the website, those are the direct fit numbers for a 96-98 305 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck.

From the RT website: (http://www.randomtechnology.com/chevy.htm)
Installation kits, which include stainless steel nuts and bolts and gaskets, or clamps (depending on requirements) are optionally available for all converters. Although not an absolute necessity, these kits make installation much easier.

[TigerEyz3]

FYI: Keep an eye on this thread (http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263545).... seems to be very similar in nature.

[FlareSide]

Alright TigerEyz3, thanks again man. i will keep my eye on that other thread.

[89cowboyup350]

I know that ceramic coated headers would be in your favor, especially since you live in a salty area, but you may also want to consider long tube headers, for performance reasons, but ceramic coated LT's will prolly be beyond your price range. You might like the Flowtech Afterburners. They're $175 from summit racing, and I think they perform just as well as my friends Hedman LT's. Just some more info for ya to think about.

[FlareSide]

I have heard they are pretty good. Can you get these painted and/or ceramic coated. I know the performance of long tubes surpasses shorties, but my truck is a daily driver, cost is more of a concern for a near future college student. However, anything is possible, just takes some planning. Keep the info coming guys, everyone has been a great help.