Cat removal?

[donm]

Would there be any benifit to removing the origanal cat from my1980 Spiderand replacing it with a newer one, which I understand would be less restrictive?

How about if I remove the cat altogther? Would that be any better? They don't test for emissions on old cars in my state.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Don

[Foster48x]

Don,
Here's what I did with the clogged up cat on my 80FI.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9199

Rick

[sptcoupe]

I just cut it out on my '81, and replaced with a straight pipe. Seems to work fine. I did notice a bump in performance (I think), but I also installed a header and a K&N intake system at the same time, so I have no idea how much removing the cat helps perfomance.

[Mathew26]

Well test pipes are always cheaper that cats. A correctly flowing cat vs a test pipe is really no HP difference. So if there's no emissions in you area then go with the cheaper option of a test pipe.

[zachmac]

Well test pipes are always cheaper that cats. A correctly flowing cat vs a test pipe is really no HP difference. So if there's no emissions in you area then go with the cheaper option of a test pipe.

Does anyone sell a 4 bolt test pipe for the FI cars or do I need to have one made?

[adrians]

Does anyone sell a 4 bolt test pipe for the FI cars or do I need to have one made?

I've been tryng to buy one for months, and no one had one, so I've just brought the 2 X 4 bolt flanges to build my own !

[narfire]

When I bought my Ansa headers, they came with the down pipe and a test pipe(4 bolt) . Perhaps a dealer that has a conection with Ansa might help. Bought them from Ital Motors in Edmonton AB.

[Foster48x]

I looked into a 4 bolt test pipe for my 80FI but couldn't find a cheap one quickly. I ended up going the route that's posted in the link above just to get the car back on the road.

Someone mentioned that Bruce's Parts Bin may carry them but don't quote me on that. I never had time to verify if they did or didn't. Here's a link to the website http://www.fiatparts.com/

Rick

[zachmac]

I looked into a 4 bolt test pipe for my 80FI but couldn't find a cheap one quickly. I ended up going the route that's posted in the link above just to get the car back on the road.

Someone mentioned that Bruce's Parts Bin may carry them but don't quote me on that. I never had time to verify if they did or didn't. Here's a link to the website http://www.fiatparts.com/

Rick

I'm 90% sure I called a while back and Bruce's did not have them but offered to sell me a used cat for the ends.

[Foster48x]

Jeff, your right they probably don't have them then. Their catalog hasn't changed in a while.

Rick

[Mathew26]

I'm not here to sale anything, but I can look and see if we got some in on our last muffler order from Italy. Sometimes we get extra goodies in the box.

[pastaroni34]

If Bruce or Vicks doesn't have one, we have the flanges.. I'd just have to order some tubing and weld it up.

[stefhahn]

I have a 4-bolt test pipe spare - no need for it anymore as I have a stainless steel one in my car now - but shipping overseas from Germany costs a fortune. Nevertheless - if anybody is interested send me a PN.
ciao,
Stefan

[eddy314]

Remove it all. I had my cat , resonator and old muffler removed and replaced at a local mom and pop shop. He replaced it all with a larger diameter pipe front to back and put in a very small free-flowing muffler like a Thrush I think. He welded it from front to back and also installed twin chrome exhaust tips. All for $150.00! At first I was concerned that it would be too loud but it sounds fantastic. It sounds like an italian car is supposed to sound like, a lot meaner than it actually is, like a little Ferrari. You may have to remove the cat yourself before you take it to a shop. Shop owners can be subject to a fine if they remove one.

[rellispider]

I don't know if they have them in stock but I know they carry them. Di Fatta Brothers, difatta.com.