High Flow Cat ... Solo vs Autowerks

[JesseB]

Hey guys... Have a few questions here...I have been told my next upgrade should be high flow cat...and most people recommend SOLO, here's
My question...SOLOs cat is $405, right now, autowerks cat is 25% off of $375 (about $280) ...so my question is...is solo worth the extra $125 and if so, why...I don't plan on track racing , just looking for better sound and more power (preferably acceleration) ...are both direct replacements (both just as easy to install) I believe autowerks is 3" where SOLO is 5", not sure what this means, can any input for me?

[MeanGXP-R]

I have had SOLO Performance GXP Mach Performance Exhaust on my GXP for 4 years and earlier this year had their High Flow Cat professionally installed. I love the sound my car makes with SOLO exhaust but it sounds even better with their High Flow Cat. As far as performance goes when I added the Cat you could easily tell the difference. I have not had any issues with their Cat or Exhaust. I would highly recommend them to you they are very professional and make quality products.

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Alan

[Northern Sol]

Originally Posted by MeanGXP-R I have had SOLO Performance GXP Mach Performance Exhaust on my GXP for 4 years and earlier this year had their High Flow Cat professionally installed. I love the sound my car makes with SOLO exhaust but it sounds even better with their High Flow Cat. As far as performance goes when I added the Cat you could easily tell the difference. I have not had any issues with their Cat or Exhaust. I would highly recommend them to you they are very professional and make quality products. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions. Alan

I have the same set up on my GXP and completely I have a hi flow cat question that I might as well throw out there on this thread. Does it pass emissions tests that most states / provinces have you go through as the car ages?

[TomatoSoup]

Originally Posted by JesseB Hey guys... Have a few questions here...I have been told my next upgrade should be high flow cat...and most people recommend SOLO, here's My question...SOLOs cat is $405, right now, autowerks cat is 25% off of $375 (about $280) ...so my question is...is solo worth the extra $125 and if so, why...I don't plan on track racing , just looking for better sound and more power (preferably acceleration) ...are both direct replacements (both just as easy to install) I believe autowerks is 3" where SOLO is 5", not sure what this means, can any input for me?

So, a question first... is your car a 2.4 or a GXP? Not sure about the 2.4, but if it's a GXP you'll make no more power with ANY exhaust or engine changes, unless you already have a tune (GMPP or decent 3rd party) as the ECM will 'learn down' otherwise.

[JesseB]

It is a GXP and I did trifecta tune as my very first upgrade

[Goat67]

The dyno results I got with my GXP ( done in stages) show me that the tune and solo cat worked well together. Later adding a Hahn intercooler was another good gain. The next addition of an aftermarket exhaust did nothing for power but it sounded better. So the gains there are only to your ego. I did look at a cheaper(not autowerks ) cat before I bought the solo. It was not constructed very well, having a lip that protruded at the outlet, it would have restricted flow and probably caused a hot spot.

[SkyPilot]

Soooooo, what were the dyno results with the tune and cat?

Sent from my DROID4 using AutoGuide App

[Goat67]

I posted my results about 6 weeks ago. I don't have the print outs here in front of me, so I may be off by a HP or 2 but as I recall wheel HP was 283. That was with the GMPP tune, the GMPP cold air intake and the solo cat. I then added the Hahn intercooler, and it jumped up to 309. Last, I added the solo Mach shorty. Sounds great but HP was actually a few horses less at 306. Temperature and atmospheric conditions probably played a part in these results. One thing I did, was to drive the car for a week or more after each mod, so the system had a chance to readjust itself, before trying to get a reading.

[rob the elder]

I do not have any experience with Werks, but have met them at the Nationals and seen nothing but good from their customers.

I do have experience with Solo and can highly recommend them. They sell good products and stand behind them very well.

If price is your primary concern, then give both a chance to price match and your decision should be easier.

[GaryMacDonald]

I have the Autowerks hi flow cat and I love the sound and performance improvement. My 2006 2.4 NA also passed the emissions test in Ontario with the Autowerks cat.

[Northern Sol]

Originally Posted by GaryMacDonald I have the Autowerks hi flow cat and I love the sound and performance improvement. My 2006 2.4 NA also passed the emissions test in Ontario with the Autowerks cat.

Thanks for answering my question about "emissions tests". I should be fine with my Solo HFC then.

[cdflint]

Solo has a 5" coil inside when OEM is 3" +/-. I'm not sure what Werks coil is but both have a 3" mandrel bent opening to the exhaust for better airflow. I'd email Dave at Werks to check coil size (not on website).
I have Solo's and I love it. I've not had experience with Werks version but I've not heard of any bad products from them. They build for performance Kappa's and I dont believe you can go wrong with either.

[Sloowstice]

cdflint - I see in your sig you have the HF cat and 3" Magnaflow. Did you lose any power down low?

[brap]

I am ordering the Werks catted dp along with a few other parts on the holiday sale. The Werks dp also comes with an O2 extender so it won't throw a cel.

[Shadofax]

Originally Posted by Goat67 I posted my results about 6 weeks ago. I don't have the print outs here in front of me, so I may be off by a HP or 2 but as I recall wheel HP was 283. That was with the GMPP tune, the GMPP cold air intake and the solo cat. I then added the Hahn intercooler, and it jumped up to 309. Last, I added the solo Mach shorty. Sounds great but HP was actually a few horses less at 306. Temperature and atmospheric conditions probably played a part in these results. One thing I did, was to drive the car for a week or more after each mod, so the system had a chance to readjust itself, before trying to get a reading.

I don't mean to interrupt this thread about cats, but I am deciding the same thing, except I'm not so focused on cat maker yet, I'd like to know Goat67 if you felt the cat was the better choice first over the IC? Given your gains, and the fact our coupe will have to go through Colorado emissions before too long, I am thinking I'd like to do the IC first and pass the emissions before even thinking about a performance cat. Your stats prove the Hahn IC peak wheel HP numbers they post, and it's only a couple hundred more than the cat. Big bang for the buck.