Hi all, after a couple of years away from owning a vrs I'm back in one again, fortunately picked up my sisters with only 61k that I found for her 4 years ago so I know the history on it is all good.

I'm just starting to sort out the bits and bobs on it and one of them is a blowing front pipe. I know they can be stripped, repaired and replaced but going to that effort I'd rather go down the new route which throws in the decat or sport cat options. I know there is the age old debate on decat and messing at mot time so does anyone have any experience or advice on the 'eBay' sports cat pipes @ £230? Or has anyone purchased a decat for £90 and a maganaflow universal cat for £95 and had it welded into the decat pipe? At the moment I can't afford the whole full on milltek cat/exhaust as we have our 2nd child on the way in just 8 weeks so funds are limited. I was contemplating the sport cat front pipe, straight through center pipe and standard back box for now, unless anyone has any decent 2nd hand stuff lay about?

Does anyone use the decats at all on the road? I've only ever had decats on pre 93 cars (200sx and vr6).

Thanks in advance on any imput.

P.s. It's already had a stage 1 remap.

I have that set up sports cat and just a back box miltek 2.5 all the way

I have that set up sports cat and just a back box miltek 2.5 all the way

Thanks for the reply, is the cat a milltek or an eBay option? No question on the milltek quality but trying to keep the price down I'm unsure on the quality of the eBay items although they may be great.

I've got a eBay decat be warned most of them are designed to fit onto a standard exhaust, so if you're fitting it to a Milltek or other system you may have to get a step down section. The one I got was good quality, welds are spot on, sounds well enough, turbo spools up quicker and only cost £89.

I've got a eBay decat be warned most of them are designed to fit onto a standard exhaust, so if you're fitting it to a Milltek or other system you may have to get a step down section. The one I got was good quality, welds are spot on, sounds well enough, turbo spools up quicker and only cost £89.

Cool, yeah that was my first thoughts, decat to diesel straight through center pipe to standard back box but then I started to change my mind on decat with messing at mot time. Have you declared the decat to your insurance? Would you still technically be insured even if they know about it being a decat? I'd rather the decat option as it's cheaper!

This is the route I'm going down. I'm going to grab one of the eBay decats and have a couple of v-band clamps welded on and a magnaflow 200cpi cat with v-bands on because my tame MOT tester isn't *that* tame...

 

EDIT - should point out that it'll probably be hooking up to some form of custom system. Don't really want to go decat ->two part flange section ->v-band cat/decat ->v-band adapter ->diesel centre for the sake of using a 12 quid centre exhaust piece when I could have it made from stainless.

 

Except if I go that route, why don't I have the whole system made like this in stainless and not bother with eBay decats.

 

Arrrrrggghhhhhh! My plans just got dashed 

Edited 28 February, 201412 yr by V8 Dave

Insurance companies vary, to be fair some companies don't even know what it is and some class it as a performance mod. Think as long as you declare it you've done your part. Yes it can be a PITA at MOT time unless you've got a sympathetic tester ( if you have keep it quite some people an here get on one about this subject) trick is to get a easy swap system so have a good look at what's out there to save some hassle. 

Haha, I feel your pain, the random constant circles of blokes decisions!

Insurance companies vary, to be fair some companies don't even know what it is and some class it as a performance mod. Think as long as you declare it you've done your part. Yes it can be a PITA at MOT time unless you've got a sympathetic tester ( if you have keep it quite some people an here get on one about this subject) trick is to get a easy swap system so have a good look at what's out there to save some hassle.

Thanks for that, I've done a fair bit of reading up over the past few days and appreciate what your saying, I think I'll give the insurance company a tinkle and see what they say. Worst case if I decide decat I could give Adrian flux a shout as from experience of years back they insured my 205 mi16 cheaper than as a Gti with the insurance group of the 405 being cheaper, I guess they seem to use the loop holes (ish). On a different note, I see in your sig the mods you have done, how do the FK AK coil overs ride as a daily? In time I'm going to drop it slightly, I had FK's on my VR6 and it was great but after some form of comfort these days with having a family so don't fancy pot hole dodging!

Their hard but not over the top having some issues with the rear springs ( have a look in my build thread more info there) the FK's do ride better than some springs I've had in the past just don't expect limo comfort, also even with the rears set to max. height they still ride fairly low. When I get my new rear springs gunna drop it properly low this time just for the look and see how it rides.

Thanks for the reply, is the cat a milltek or an eBay option? No question on the milltek quality but trying to keep the price down I'm unsure on the quality of the eBay items although they may be great.

 

Ebay Cat and Miltek cat back

Has anyone got experience on these sports cats on eBay?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181342018509?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#vi-ilComp

It states doesn't fit vrs but says fits AUQ, can't see why it wouldn't fit but maybe someone can shed some light?

I've got an aftermarket backbox, milltek mid pipe all unfitted but going to do front pipe with it all together, waying up if a cheap eBay sports cat will fit then the extra small outlay will be better than messing at mot time.

Cheers

2nd lambda rubs on heat shield but you can always blank that off will just get an engine light on with no adverse effects

Just been looking at the one you linked it does say fits the 180hp model but not the rs :/ strange that. Might be worth a message to them

2nd lambda rubs on heat shield but you can always blank that off will just get an engine light on with no adverse effects

need an angled spacer is fine then

I might take mine off get a 200 cell cat, as mot is looming

need an angled spacer is fine then

I done this on my old st amd never had any warning lights.

I have the eBay toyo sports 2 piece decat pipe. Advert said doesn't fit RS models..

But it does. ECU light hasn't come either.

I have a friendly MOT garage.

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Cheers for the info guys, I was hoping to get good replies like this. Angled spacer with sports cat will prob be the was forward if I can get one at this kind of price, the retail them at £230 the auction them to get the interest, one went for £78 a couple of weeks back. I'd still be interested with decat but for the little extra cash I guess it out ways the thought of mot's and I'm in the factors game so have many garage connections but still rather have piece of mind that hoping I can get a favour.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a bargain then I can get all the system on