Catless x-pipe advice

I�ve done a few weeks of research on the subject and wanted to see if anyone here could remark on an ideal street (and occasional DE) setup for a stock 3.4 C2. I�m adding Fister mufflers and in an effort to get a bit more sound (and preserve the working factory cats,) I�d like to also add an x-pipe on my vehicle. Looking at Fabspeed or FVD (have heard great reviews about build quality of the latter) for the catless x-pipe. I�m curious if it�s generally advised or necessary to run O2 spacers/extenders to avoid CEL or if the general consensus is to run without these and just clear out CELs with a scan tool as they�re seldom encountered. The other option is running 100/200-cell cat x-pipe and/or run a tune- neither of which I�m really considering, unless the consensus is that these are better paths. My state does not require emissions testing on my vehicle, so I have some autonomy here. Does anyone have thoughts on the best setup to mitigate CELs?

I went catless and xpipe it’s LOUD but amazingly exotic sound but unfortunately NYS changed sound regulation and offered $2400 tickets for noise pollution!!! I went 200 cell cats and fabspeed super cup exhaust with cheap eBay headers it’s good but not like prior at all

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Would you have the link or brand of the headers you have? I need headers now and am looking for options.

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I have a fister type mod and the FVD catless x-pipe with their tune. No CEL, but is loud. Around 100db wide open measured at the track. Here is a pretty good sample. You Tube

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Have seen your remarks on this topic from older threads, but you're spot on- that's pretty damn loud. Regardless of microphone position, that's comfortably louder than I expected. Great lap btw.

Every time I've put TRACK ONLY x pipe's on the 996's I've had I feel a big loss in mid range. I have a catted x-pipe which does not loose as much mid range. When I get in a customer's 996 with stock cats they feel stronger in the mid-range. --Aaron

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Love the sound you got but I think it would be a little much in my lazy neck of the woods, lol.

I went cross over Soul catless w stock mufflers. Removed the most restrictive part of the system and kept the sound down. Still growls wide open but otherwise very civilized. The cross overs loose less torque midrange and no one ever gets power out of just muffler replacement so that�s the way I went. Jmo

Cab please post a sound clip of your setup

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I've just become familiar with the Soul catless crossover as a third option here, sounds like a great product and some compelling audio clips online- this and some Fister boxes seem like a very viable street/DE option. Similar to @EVOMMM I would love to hear any decent quality sound clips you might have with your stock mufflers.

Decent quality might be the only issue lol I�ll see what I can do today

I have the FVD catless X and Fister-type mod on stock mufflers. It was LOUD, but sounds incredible. The blip-throttle match downshifts are incredible. But I couldn't take the smell. I ended up welding 100cel cats in and it's still pretty loud, but the smell is 90% gone compared to what it was before. It still sounds incredible when hard on the throttle, but the decel gurgle is greatly diminished compared to full catless (at least from the driver's seat), which I miss. My check engine light DID come on. I was going to do extenders, but figured I might as well just do the tune from FVD at some point soon anyway. I'll just wait.

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Very good intel and thank you for the thorough review. I had considered the FVD pipe; for every " sounds great/not too raucous " there is always one " it's LOUD! " so I look forward to hearing this setup in person eventually. Good call on the aroma without cats, I expect that this may be something I have to reckon with as well. I'm also preparing myself for the need of doing a tune if I opt to keep catless for a while.

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I have the same set-up. Its loud when you're on it. But no drone at least and not too loud just driving around. Old clip: Fister Sport Exhaust and FVD X-Pipe

That’s sweet !!! but too load for NYS unfortunately beautiful and strong sounds

Personal opinion but I don't think there is any real reason to not run a catalytic converter unless you really want the loudest option possible. Heck, even GT3 cup cars run high flow cats. You'll just get an overly loud sound and less than desirable exhaust smell. I've been super happy with my latest set up which is a custom made x-pipe with high flow cats I stole from FB marketplace (was used on a track only car) and combined that with stock headers and valved mufflers from TopGear. With valves closed it's it ever so slightly louder than stock and with open gets louder but still very reasonable until you apply more throttle. Here is how it sounds.... You Tube

Here's how your *4.1* sounds...

I have a full Soul system on my car (headers, catless XPipe, mufflers)�it doesn�t get any better sound Wise�s. Sounds amazing outside and very subdued on the inside when windows are up. Best of both worlds.