Cats after Glasspack

[echonightsi]

So I have to keep doing new crap to my exhaust to keep it cheap and not melt my engine. Which turns out was more expensive than doing it right. Anyway I added cats to lower some sound and help the environment and the exhaust shop put them after the glasspacks? I would have no idea on this but is that a good idea? can any debris from the glasspack get caught in the high flow cat? set my car ablaze?

[amc49]

It's utterly incompetent, cats don't work except by being placed up close to the exhaust exit from engine, they need the heat to work correctly. You NEVER install them after mufflers. If you told them to of course, then all bets are off.

Fiberglas like used in glasspacks technically doesn't burn, and why it gets used in fire retardant stuff but it can melt to plug up the cat matrix.

[NolimitZ32]

^This. If they did it of their own accord then you need to shove it down their throat, go get your money back and get a competent shop to do the work correctly. If however (as mentioned) you asked for this, then you sir just ate whatever cost is involved in the remediation.

[DCaff300ZX]

Ouch...Not good as mentioned above.
There's just plain cheap which never works well, then there's shopping for the best current price for competent work from known competent sources...best to learn to work with the latter.

[echonightsi]

Of course I didnt ask for this. I assumed the fiber glass leaving the packs would get caught in the cats. I specifically asked for them to be swapped when it comes to location. I was just seeing if it wasnt so much a problem so I can just leave my damn exhaust alone until the TT swap. Which I cant do cuz my exhaust is such a nightmare of my own choosing. So now I know its bad and have to get all this s*** ripped out again and redo it for an NA that wont be in 2 years. ahhhhhhhhhhhh

[echonightsi]

While you are all here, I shall ask this. And the answer will determine if I jump off my roof tonight head first. I assumed that an after market 2+2 exhaust would not be universal for the Turbo and N/A. Am I correct? Please say I am and I didnt just give myself 40 lashes.

[NolimitZ32]

I don't remember all of the nuances, it's been years since I've had to deal with this but it is going to ultimately depend on the headers/downpipes your running. The Z1 swap guide should have info on this, search for it and read through the exhaust section. IIRC the stock NA cat section would bolt up to the JDM turbo downpipes but not the USDM ones.

[echonightsi]

But then its 2.5 and not 3 and if it is 3 Ill go def with NA. Just leave me to mourn in peace. I have to bury my wallet.

[NolimitZ32]

Stock I believe they are both 2.25"

[echonightsi]

Well do to the frankenstiening of the entire exhaust system, I will also have to get new downtubes, cuz the orig cats were attached. ......

[echonightsi]

by downtubes i mean the long pipes attached to the cats

[NolimitZ32]

Those are referred to as the cat sections which are followed by the resonated mid section and then the axleback. Your best bet at this point is probably to source a stock cat section (if you can find one that's not mangled) and then either go stock with the rest or get an Ebay exhaust (mid pipe and axleback).

[echonightsi]

Yeah that's what I was thinking, in the meantime, my car wont catch on fire or nothing .... correct?

[NolimitZ32]

No, its just not going to run at the peak of its abilities

[echonightsi]

Story of my life

[NolimitZ32]

I saw that you bought some coilovers. Maybe should've spent those funds on getting the exhaust right. Always best to get the car to 100% in stock form before throwing money at modding.

[echonightsi]

Bought it 100% stock. Ill leave the exhaust for now. Lesson learned I ordered HKS catback already for the new motor.

[NolimitZ32]

You may have bought it 100% stock but its not 100% IN STOCK FORM until you have caught up on all maintenance and ensured that everything is upto OEM standards or better (oil, belts, bushings, ball joints) the list goes on and on. It usually costs around $5k to get a Z32 that has not been religiously maintained or has been run on dimes not dollars into perfect (100%) shape mechanically. The 100% doesn't mean it doesn't have upgrades, it means there are no creaks and shudders. Take my advice how you will but I've been through 3 of these cars and unless you're paying a premium for a mint car you need to dump $$$ in maintenance before upgrading Unless your upgrades cover the maintenance items needed first.

[echonightsi]

Well not to brag, but I bought it from the Dukes of Hazzard stunt man who had it for 27 years, and is super old now. But either that means its been run like the general and it just hasnt broken yet, or its been treated like gold. But I'm just another college idiot, who just wants to impress the ladies with a cool car.

[echonightsi]

You may have bought it 100% stock but its not 100% IN STOCK FORM until you have caught up on all maintenance and ensured that everything is upto OEM standards or better (oil, belts, bushings, ball joints) the list goes on and on. It usually costs around $5k to get a Z32 that has not been religiously maintained or has been run on dimes not dollars into perfect (100%) shape mechanically. The 100% doesn't mean it doesn't have upgrades, it means there are no creaks and shudders. Take my advice how you will but I've been through 3 of these cars and unless you're paying a premium for a mint car you need to dump $$$ in maintenance before upgrading Unless your upgrades cover the maintenance items needed first.

Kidding aside, Im a poorly paid college idiot, who wants to not put his college money into a 300 more than he has to. Little things here and there. Come graduation , great job, an actual garage, and if you 2 old guys are still alive and kicking will see me on here, "sparing no expense." Until then, I hope you understand me, doing some dumb things.

[NolimitZ32]

Dude, do as you will, I had my first Z32 at 18, started my TT swap at 18, didn't get it running till I was 22 or 23. I missed out on 5 years of enjoying the car because rather than maintenance I threw the money at upgrades but never had enough to get it done right, it's been 14 years (I'm 32) and 3 bodies and 2 engines later I'm finally doing it right. Its your car and you understand the condition better than we do since you have your hands on it, we're just trying to share the benefit of our experience with you. I hope the car treats you well and stays on the road without issue. All that said, if you find a woman that actually likes the Z32 you hold on to her. My wife endlessly gives me crap for the way my Z looks (design not condition) but it took her 1 time driving it to fall in love with the ugly puppy (as she calls it).

[echonightsi]

If I had the know how I would, also a place to work on it. It runs like a top except for the cold start runs like crap issue I have yet to find. I appreciate you and Dcaffs help more than you realize. I've got a lot done due to you 2. So I assume good karma is giving you much love. The z32 is an acquired taste, but always looks better than the 350 or 370. Ha ha small town Utah I am not going to shoot that high for female company.