Preventative cat and exhaust change

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
1

Picked up our NBFL last Friday, and have a prioritised list of things to do. After a visit to Paul at Arrow 5, in addition to getting a small bit of rot removed and some anti rust treatment, he pointed out that we still have a Scrote Magnet - the original Cat.

So high up on the list is an aftermarket replacement.

I’ve had a brief look on here and found similar threads, but from a couple of years ago, so just wanted to check the 2023 situation. What are the most effective cats to buy? I’ve seen a few comments that some only last for a couple of years. Any links much appreciated.

Not sure if I should replace the rest, apart from manifold maybe, while we are at it, too. I’ve only had a brief look underneath and the pipe into the back box looked a little cruddy, although no advisories on the last MOT. Is the existing setup mild steel rather than stainless? If so, it will go at some point. We will very possibly go down the supercharger route again, sometime in the future, so I guess we need as free flowing a setup as possible, but I’m aware that induction and exhaust on their own do little to affect bhp, so not sure if that is even a consideration.

And we don’t want a noisy one, although we accept the will be an increase in decibels, that isn’t our aim and we want to keep noise levels as sensible as possible.

Any guidance will be much appreciated, as I’d like to get this sorted ASAP.

Thanks in advance!

Lee

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2

The scrotes won’t know it’s a lower-value cat until they’ve jacked the car and cut it off, will they?

3

I dunno. I’m not sure how they go about these things, but someone said that the OEM and a/m ones are visually different. So if I were a scrote, I’d not waste 10 minutes and a possible beating without having a shufty underneath first.

But this is all based on the fact that there is a distinct visual difference, and the scrotes are experienced scrotes. Assumptions…

4

You could fit a plate underneath if you really want to. I think mx5 restorer do one, and there’s another company who does it as well

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5

I’ll investigate the plate option, but without knowing exactly what is done, a plate fitted will be designed to be removed, but possibly with difficulty. So might just generate more damage, if the cat is stolen.

6

If you go on mx5 restorer website, product page they have a video about what it is and how it fits.

Like anything its a deterrent and making it too much hassle to go through it. I think the plate is also aluminium and that also clogs the tools they use.

7

There i googled it for you

8

OK thanks.

I have to admit that I think that we will go down the route of cheaper after-market (but effective) cat, and sell the OEM one to fund most of a new exhaust system.