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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHprice check: fabspeed headers and tune $2,700
Leading reported evidence
Replace catalytic converters
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
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1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Suggestion · Original poster
Local shop says it's the cat, and recommends replacing both catalytic converters.
Leading evidence: 'Replace catalytic converters' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace catalytic converters' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
Get a mechanics stethoscope and listen in on the exhaust system piece by piece, also plan on extra labor time if replacing the header, will most likely have to drill out broken studs or bolts.
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Suggestion · Original poster
They were recommending replacing the headers but then after reading your comment I talked to fabspeed.
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Suggestion
I broke 4 when changing my manifolds and all 4 had to be drilled.
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Suggestion · Original poster
The recommend replacing with fabspeed header system.
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Suggestion
Get a mechanics stethoscope and listen in on the exhaust system piece by piece, also plan on extra labor time if replacing the header, will most likely have to drill out broken studs or bolts.
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17 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T201111Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I've got a rattle from behind my passenger side rear wheel of my 2002 base carerra. Local shop says it's the cat, and recommends replacing both catalytic converters. The recommend replacing with fabspeed header system. For that, plus install, plus a tune so it runs well, they can get me out the door for $2700.
Online the headers cost $1,600
it looks like. Local shop says $1,600 for the part, $300 for installing the headers, then $900 for the tune. Are those prices reasonable or unreasonable?
So the cat is rattling, and you are going to replace headers? I don't understand, unless you are getting headers, cats, mufflers and a tune? And for that, with all Fabspeed parts, $2700 is a bargain. Just the cat to muffler clamps are $50 apiece. Why not go to the Fabspeed website and check out the prices yourself. I think you will be shocked.
Man, thanks for your insight. My local shop gets great reviews and I've had good experiences overall, but they kind of blew it on this one. They were recommending replacing the headers but then after reading your comment I talked to fabspeed. I think local shop thought that the header kit somehow encompassed a cat delete or something...
Fabspeed said replacing headers wouldn't effect my cats, suggested I get either their cat bypass ($1,200) + tune ($900) or sport cat x-pipe ($2,500) with no tune. They said cat bypass, even with a tune, might not pass emissions, but that sport cat x-pipe would pass emissions with no tune required. So I guess that's what I'm leaning towards doing, and local shop quotes me $2,650 installed, which seems reasonable enough.
womp womp, both the fabspeed sport cat x-pipe and the "cat bypass" x-pipe are out of stock with fabspeed and have 8 week and 4 week lead times respectively.
I'm thinking I'll just order the part from fabspeed directly and then have the local shop install it.
what's the easiest way to make sure the rattle is indeed the cat and not the muffler? sure sounds to be coming more from the cat when I listen up close
Get a mechanics stethoscope and listen in on the exhaust system piece by piece, also plan on extra labor time if replacing the header, will most likely have to drill out broken studs or bolts.
There are some "tubes", inside the muffler that are about 3" long and 1/2" diameter that connect the sections inside the muffler. The welds can break and those "tubes" will bounce around inside the muffler. I had 2 of mine do that. I cut open the muffler and re welded them. Easy way to check it is to remove the muffler and shake it. It sounds like a bolt bouncing around inside. I had photos of what I did but accidentally deleted them.
I just ordered headers, cats and tune from these guys. They are 3 weeks out and much cheaper prices. Unfortunately two header bolts snapped removing the old headers, so got to deal with that now.
http://www.speedtechexhausts.com/
Sorry. Breaking those bolts is a bitch. Hopefully you can extract them otherwise they will have to be drilled and timeserts inserted. I would not use helicoils. I broke 4 when changing my manifolds and all 4 had to be drilled.
Happy to chime in here, have you confirmed that the cats are rattling? Personally I would hate to have you wait for fabrication on the headers and x-pipe and still get the rattle. Easiest way to determine what is rattling (without removing the whole exhaust system) get the car on a lift and start hitting each component of the exhaust individually. Baring the year of your car, I wouldn't be surprised with either the cats or the muffler. As far as power gains, the numbers 30-40 RWHP is considered stacking the power. You cannot do this when it comes to HP gains. Realistically, I would estimate roughly 20-24 WHP with the listed parts. Anything that I can do to help this process, feel free to reach out with any questions or for forum pricing!
I know this is an old thread, but having recently installed a SOULPP tune, I can tell you the gain must be at least 50 pounds of torque and 30 HP. Very noticeable. This is pre header/intake install.
If you get a repeatable, measurable gain from doing headers alone you did well. 30-40whp is a pipe dream.
Sorry but absolutely no way you got anywhere near 50tq from a NA tune on a M96. Probably just feeling throttle mapping.
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