200 Cel Sports Cat recommendations?

[OllieVRS]

Thanks for the replies lads.

For those suggesting the magnaflow 59959 (@Pudding and @ROH ECHT  ), how is that welded in, just replacing the standard cat on the OEM downpipe? And the pre-cat is left in, so I assume that's something I have to ask the welder to delete as well?

It seems like less hassle getting a whole generic sports cat down pipe off eBay, but if the Magnaflow is really such good value for money I'd like to find out how it's supposed to be installed and also how people deal with the pre-cat too.

Cheers.

If replacing the OE with a Magnaflow 200 cell, 59959 is a 200 cell for a 3 inch pipe, and you would want the Magnaflow 59956; it is 200 cell for a 2.5 inch pipe.
Install requires cutting the original and welding in the new.

As far as doing a pre-cat delete...that would require a skilled tube former and welder to make a replacement section once the pre-cat is cut away. It must have a transition from the turbo outlet plate, then add a bend, and a reduction to match the pipe prior to the flex section. The secondary cat is straight forward...cut and weld.

Thank you, that image is perfect to use a reference image when getting a quote for welding. Much appreciated 

Found a generic 2.5" 200 cel shipped from Poland in stock, €207 shipped: https://inter-rally.pl/product-eng-85642-Powersprint-HF-200-CPSI-sports-catalytic-converter.html

EDIT: Or a locally available one, for €239: https://shop.mcgautostyling.com/browse-by-parts/exhaust/catalytic-converters/srs-exhausts-high-flow-catalytic-converter-200-cell-ss-2-5.html

Do you think the OEM 2.5" downpipe with a 200 cel is much more restrictive than a aftermarket 3" with a 200 cel? Don't really want to lose a couple horses over 100 quid.

I've booked an NCT (Ireland's MOT) for 22nd June, I'll get it installed after ;)

Cheers

[OllieVRS]

I found a source online the OEM exhaust piping isn't actually 2.5", but 2.36" (60mm)? Would that make the welding work more difficult to adapt it?

2.36" sounds pretty restrictive in terms of airflow, especially at the cats. Maybe @Pudding could chime in on this, he seems to be pretty knowledgeable about this stuff (from previous posts of his I've read).

I'm starting to think just getting that €400 3" sports cat downpipe off eBay is the best option, much less hassle getting stuff to fit and no complex pre-cat weld needed.

Cheers

[ROH ECHT]

I too would opt for a new prefabricated DP over removing sections from an old pipe.
Just wanted to give you an idea of all that would be involved.

Yes, the OE pipe is near 2-3/8 inch...so; 1/16 inch overlap all around when mated to a 2-1/2 inch.

I have a Techtonics Tuning turbo-back. It is 2-1/2 inch, with a K04. With the GIAC K04 tune it makes 340 to 350 BHP on the dyno/RR. "Is the 2-1/2 inch I have restrictive?" I don't know...I'm sure some will say "yes, it must be." And they are likely correct, but without comparing turbo spool up time with both 2.5 and 3.0 inch....we are only speculating on restriction, right?

So in looking at tuner's power figures, one (APR) shows power with the HPFP upgraded, but with unaltered intake and DP only being near 20-25 HP less than what they show for one with the HPFP; and intake and DP but an unspecified diameter. Tuners will always post their max numbers seen. So real numbers may be more like 15 to 20 HP.

[FatWelshBoy]

I just measured and can confirm the OD of the stock DP is 60mm.

[pudding]

60mm    Jeez, no wonder big bore DPs free of power 

Yeah I wouldn't entertain chopping up the oem DP. Keep it for when you sell the car as they are becoming rare.

I would be tempted by a 3" DP and fit the biggest cat that will fit under there, which will also have better muffling than the tiny sports cats.  Some aftermarket DPs can sound really tinny and crap, almost like an exhaust leak.  Most lose the deep bassy rumble of the stock DP.

[OllieVRS]

Just just ordered a vRS-specific downpipe with a 200 cel sports cat from MPDevelopments, for £461.50, including a £15 discount code they gave me via email. Very decent of them. Thanks for the recommendation @FatWelshBoy.

MPDevelopments couldn't guarantee I wouldn't get charged customs or duty charges, so I decided to go for the less-dodgy method of shipping the thing to Deliverme.ie's Northern Irish address. And no joke, their warehouse is actually 55 metres from the ROI border . Now that's what I call proper tax-dodging

They use a third-party for delivery man for delivery from NI to ROI, who apparently doesn't take responsibility for in-transit damage to parcels, so I'm just gonna take the 1 hour drive up to collect the thing myself. They told me on the phone it's a 20 euro flat fee for collection from their warehouse.

Add roughly 30 euro for fuel, and I'll have a decent brand sports cat for under 600 euro.  . On their website, total cost of shipping to Ireland was €604, but God knows what Irish customs would extort me for on top of that.