034Motorsport - 1.8T High-Flow Catalytic Converter Testing

[034Motorsport]

After seeing quite a few posts and remarks saying that there is no benefit to a high-flow cat over the stock one, we decided to do some back-to-back testing on a car that we were tuning in-house.

We verified the functionality of the stock catalytic converter, to ensure that it wasn't clogged, rattling, or had its flow obstructed in any way.

Here are the results of the stock catalytic converter vs. our 034Motorsport High-Flow Catalytic Converter (HFC):



The tuning was left unchanged between the two runs.

This vehicle passes smog with the 034Motorsport HFC, and there is no nasty hydrocarbon buildup on the back of the car from the exhaust.

The results speak for themselves, and prove that a 034Motorsport HFC is a great alternative to a test pipe for those who want to pass smog, save the planet, seduce hippie/environmentalist chicks, etc.

034Motorsport B5/B6 1.8T HFC Results:

- 400 RPM quicker spool
- 14.5 HP / 35 ft-lb Gain @ Peak
- Peak Horsepower Gain of 31.99 HP
- Peak Torque Gain of 35.29 lb-ft

[Drew-B6]

How much?

[grimlock]

Will it throw a CEL?

[034Motorsport]

Test Vehicle Info:
- 2000 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro
- GTRS Eliminator
- ATP High-Flow Stock-Fit Manifold
- 415cc Genesis Injectors
- TT225 MAF
- 034Motorsport Motronic Tuning
- 91 Octane
- 2.75" Milltek Exhaust
- EVOMS FMIC
- Stock Airbox
- 034Motorsport Turbo Inlet Hose for Eliminator Turbo & TT225 MAF

[mrbacardi35]

will this bolt on with stock exhaust?

[034Motorsport]

How much?

$295 retail, and we have gasket kits available here: http://www.034motorsport.com/product...ducts_id=18175

But, we will have a group buy going soon for these guys!

Will it throw a CEL?

On the cars we've had here, it did not, but the 250-cell cat is right on the verge of keeping the ECU happy. It shouldn't, but if it does, a simple spacer for the rear O2 sensor will do the trick.

We have O2 sensor spacers available here: http://www.034motorsport.com/product...ducts_id=18938

[034Motorsport]

will this bolt on with stock exhaust?

Yes!

[grimlock]

But, we will have a group buy going soon for these guys!

Nice, looking forward to it . So if were to get the rear O2 spacer, then I shouldn't need to get the CEL delete flash?

[034Motorsport]

Nice, looking forward to it . So if were to get the rear O2 spacer, then I shouldn't need to get the CEL delete flash?

Exactly.

Time for me to get to work on setting up the group buy. Feel free to post or PM me with any questions!

[mrbacardi35]

GB FTW!!!!

[actlsub9]

Thanks for posting Would have been cool to throw a test pipe in the mix as well.

[mrbacardi35]

do you have pics of it installed?

[dirtybrd]

Nice info!

[034Motorsport]

Thanks for posting Would have been cool to throw a test pipe in the mix as well.

Yeah, unfortunately we were a bit rushed with the comparison, but the test-pipe seems to be a time-tested, proven upgrade.

do you have pics of it installed?

Sure thing, I just snapped some:



And the stock cat, just for kicks:

[initiala4]

How about testing it with a stock car or a car with just ECU tuning?

[downhillracer]

does your cat have a c.a.r.b eo # or does it not need one because it is a direct replacement part? What cell count is the stock cat compared to the 250 of this one? I am also looking forward to the group buy!

[onlyaudis]

It sounds like a great product and I am interested in one, as a test pipe doesn't cut it for me living in California . How long do you estimate it will last on a good running engine compared to a factory cat? That is the one thing I heard about most of the high flow cats, is that you'd be lucky to get 20,000 miles out of them. Has anyone run one of these for longer than a few months/few thousand miles yet?

Also, are you planning/do you have one for the 2 liter FSI yet?

If I came down to see you, how long would it take to install one on my 2002 Quattro, and what would the install cost be?

[A4OrlandoB6]

would this be pointless on a stock b6?

[onlyaudis]

I noticed just now that in the test, you ran it on a car with a big turbo, not just a chipped car, which would of course showcase the limitations of the factory cat even more so, as it wasn't designed to flow that kind of volume. So I can see the benefits with a big turbo over the stock cat for sure, but will the results be as noticeable for cars running 100 less HP on a chipped K03?

[downhillracer]

would this be pointless on a stock b6?

not really, anytime you can free up the exhaust, especially right behind the turbo, is a good thing, not to mention you are prepping for future mods.

[onlyaudis]

My main concern is if they are going to be a part that needs replacing on a regular basis. Its not like changing a coil pack!

[034Motorsport]

How about testing it with a stock car or a car with just ECU tuning?

We'd love to do that, perhaps we can find a local customer with a stock turbo for that. However, the opportunity arose on this car, and this data definitely indicates the amount of restriction that the stock cat creates.

does your cat have a c.a.r.b eo # or does it not need one because it is a direct replacement part? What cell count is the stock cat compared to the 250 of this one? I am also looking forward to the group buy!

No CARB EO#, and that's a touchy thing here in CA. The nice thing is, it's hard to see that it's a HFC, and it will pass visual inspection at most smog check stations. Not sure on the cell count of the stock one; I'll look into that tomorrow, or perhaps someone else can chime in.

It sounds like a great product and I am interested in one, as a test pipe doesn't cut it for me living in California . How long do you estimate it will last on a good running engine compared to a factory cat? That is the one thing I heard about most of the high flow cats, is that you'd be lucky to get 20,000 miles out of them. Has anyone run one of these for longer than a few months/few thousand miles yet?

These metal cats last quite some time. The ceramic ones almost always end up melting. We have had quite a few customers running them for over a year without any issues, even on BT setups.

Also, are you planning/do you have one for the 2 liter FSI yet?

We have one that is currently being tested on my B7!

If I came down to see you, how long would it take to install one on my 2002 Quattro, and what would the install cost be?

It should take about 1 hour, IIRC. Our standard labor rate is $115/hour. We also have a nice discount for local AZ members looking to install our parts. If you're still on the stock turbo, we'd love to do a free before and after dyno.

would this be pointless on a stock b6?

Not at all! You'll still pick up a decent amount of low-end torque; perfect for that extra push when you're leaving stoplights, or cruising at low RPMs.

I noticed just now that in the test, you ran it on a car with a big turbo, not just a chipped car, which would of course showcase the limitations of the factory cat even more so, as it wasn't designed to flow that kind of volume. So I can see the benefits with a big turbo over the stock cat for sure, but will the results be as noticeable for cars running 100 less HP on a chipped K03?

Yes, the stock cat is still a restriction on K03s/K04s. The results would be a bit different, with a greater pickup in low-end torque, but a smaller effect on top-end HP.

[QTC]

Does it sound/smell like a test pipe? With a gb waiting in the wings, $300 seems almost worth it to upgrade. Wonder what improvements it'll show on a chipped car...hmmm...maybe time to dyno again....

[034Motorsport]

Does it sound/smell like a test pipe? With a gb waiting in the wings, $300 seems almost worth it to upgrade. Wonder what improvements it'll show on a chipped car...hmmm...maybe time to dyno again....

These get rid of the stench and the annoying black hydrocarbon buildup associated with running cat-less.

Hopefully someone local on a stock turbo can stop by for a free before and after dyno.

[034Motorsport]

Here is a link to the Group Buy! http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=282961

[B5 SLPR]

I'm running a stock turbo and live in sd, willing to come up and have u throw one on my car for testing if you want, i currently have a test pipe but would be willing to see a compairason. I'm also running APR 1+ tuning for those who would want to see it with tuning on a stock turbo

[Turbo1A4]

will this work on an auto??

[034Motorsport]

I'm running a stock turbo and live in sd, willing to come up and have u throw one on my car for testing if you want, i currently have a test pipe but would be willing to see a compairason. I'm also running APR 1+ tuning for those who would want to see it with tuning on a stock turbo

PM replied.

will this work on an auto??

Yes, it will!

[A4OrlandoB6]

hmm...very interested. dont think the ETA guys here would mind doing this for me! haha i'll throw this near the top of my list.. if i could just get my car back from paint!

[kwimberly]

hmm...very interested. dont think the ETA guys here would mind doing this for me! haha i'll throw this near the top of my list.. if i could just get my car back from paint!

Dave installed my test pipe - did a great job and even drove to the stealership for a gasket.

[034Motorsport]

We now have stock turbo data!

Many thanks to AudiRob for taking time out of his day to stop by for the install; I hope he's enjoying the drive home.

These results surprised all of us; we were expecting 8-9 WHP / 10-15 WTQ gains. The car ended up making a ton more power everywhere!

These are the kind of gains we'd expect to see on a test-pipe, so I con't wait to do back-to-backs on a 034Motorsport Test Pipe vs. 034Motorsport HFC.



Test Vehicle Info:
- B6 Audi A4 1.8T
- Unitronic Stage 1
- Custom Exhaust
- Stock Downpipe
- Stock Airbox

Stock Turbo Test Results:
- 150-200 RPM Faster Spool
- Gain in Peak WHP: 13.7 WHP
- Gain in Peak Wheel Torque: 19.7 WTQ
- Peak Gain in WHP: 15.9 WHP
- Peak Gain in Wheel Torque: 26.7 WTQ

[old guy]

Wow!! I never would have guessed that it could make that much difference on a relatively stock setup.

Nice product!!

[grimlock]

Aaargh, damn you Laszlo, now I have no excuses not to get this . GB is effective until June 15th correct?

[034Motorsport]

Aaargh, damn you Laszlo, now I have no excuses not to get this . GB is effective until June 15th correct?

No excuses!

And yes, the GB is in full effect until the 15th of June.

We will try to start making them ahead of time, so you folks don't have to wait that long to receive yours.

[Exanimas]

Do you need to buy the gasket kit or does it come with all hardware necessary for install?

[034Motorsport]

Do you need to buy the gasket kit or does it come with all hardware necessary for install?

The gaskets and hardware are available as an additional option.

Some people reuse their old gaskets and fasteners, but I highly recommend replacing them with new parts to ensure a hassle-free installation.

[onlyaudis]

That much more bottom end torque must feel almost like a performance software flash. Does the noise level of the exhaust go up considerably, or is it just more turbo sounds?

What is the multiplication factor to convert 4 wheel HP and Torque to crank numbers?

[034Motorsport]

That much more bottom end torque must feel almost like a performance software flash. Does the noise level of the exhaust go up considerably, or is it just more turbo sounds?

The car feels considerably faster. The noise did increase a bit, but it is in no way "loud" or "obnoxious." The test car actually sounded quite nice, which is rare for a 1.8T.

What is the multiplication factor to convert 4 wheel HP and Torque to crank numbers?

Converting to crank HP numbers is a bit sketchy.

Our 80TQ motor made 703WHP on 100 Octane on our dyo, and 848 CHP on an engine dyno with the same tune...

Sooo, roughly a 17% drivetrain loss with that data.

Assuming that calculation is correct, divide the WHP numbers from our dyno by 0.83 to estimate crank HP figures.

[onlyaudis]

Thanks for the info. I think I may have to get in on the group buy. My only concerns are how long the cat will last,(40,000 miles is OK, 10,000 is not) and how good a job it does at cleaning things up as far as being able to pass California smog without having to sweat it every two years. Last thing I'd need is a failed tail pipe test and a trip to a referee station. Would have been interesting to do an exhaust gas analysis before and after to see just how much more Co and HC there were compared to the OEM cat.

[onlyaudis]

If you use the .83 numbers, then this guys Stage 1 Unitronic with the stock cat produced only 175 HP and 210 foot pounds torque at the crank. Nowhere near the promised numbers of a stage 1 flash. Is that typical from your experience? With the high flow cat, the numbers on 91 gas are more in line with the promised gains from most of the stage 1 chip upgrades, which then comes in at 192 HP and 233 torque. Boy these cars were underpowered stock.