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I was going to ask a very similar question but thought it as convenient to jump on this thread... I was under the S3 today fettling the handbrake before MOT in two days time and then realised the damn thing doesn't have a CAT fitted - unless its cunningly disguised as a flexi joint lol. Will be instant MOT fail in NI - no local friendly garages doing MOTs here - thats obviously how it passed the test last year as there isn't even an obvious place on the system (76mm downpipe straight through to Milltek back box) for a decat pipe.
So I got to looking for universal sports CATs (200 cells) online - trying to avoid the cheap nasty ones on eBay - even though it will just be used for MOT on the S3 (and the S2 eventually).
I see Milltek and Magnaflow seem to offer a universal sports CAT and the total diameter is 100mm - which I seem to have room enough for. Milltek is a good bit more expensive - whether that is down to grade of materials or the premium label I don't know yet.
I am considering having the CAT fabricated with a short section of 76mm pipe (I have a spare length in the garage) using V-band fittings at each end. Again there are lots of cheap ones on eBay but I would be concerned about quality... Anybody know of reputable sources of stainless V-bands that don't cost the earth?
There's a couple of local exhaust places that should be able to knock up what I need if I supply the parts along with the section of pipe where I need to slice in a CAT (or DECAT pipe).
I really need a proper look at that front flexi joint on a ramp - hopefully there is a sports CAT already there and it will save me the grief... This pic of a similar looking sports downpipe with CAT & flexi on a Mk7 Golf gives me some hope. The MOT test will soon tell me.
So... the S3 failed the MOT... but not for emissions. It failed for absolutely kak handbrake operation - not unexpected - the cost of two new rear calipers will actually end up more than parts required for a sport CAT, but that is easy work compared to the hassle of getting the zorst off the car and custom pipes made.
Anyway getting back the plot on the CAT - turns out that a CAT test is only required in NornIron if the car was "first used on or after 1st July 2002" so the 2000 model year S3 can run free and legal without a CAT here - I think it must be the only good thing about car ownership in this armpit of Western Europe. It actually hit a respectable score of 0.7% CO and 168ppm for HC on idle so its well within the non CAT test limits of 3.5% and 1200ppm respectively. I had it in my mind that all cars from 1st Jan 2000 had to pass a CAT test but very delighted to be wrong about that.
I had decided the universal 76mm stainless 200 cell sports CAT from Milltek was the way to go for around £150 plus V-bands & fabrication etc but I can keep that in mind for the S4 someday (dream on).
Nice pussies (ahem). But yes, magnaflow looked a decent option too - think they have stainless as an option, but not 100% sure their lowest cost one is stainless - no biggie if its just annual fitment to pass an MOT though.
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