Need some input on path forward with bad cats

[Trent W]

I've had a Gen5 Whipple for 2 years, roughly 20k miles since boosted about 80k total. Got a P0430 code, cleared it was fine for a few days. Now when doing WOT pull anything above 5500 RPM will throw a misfire code, P0430 came back as well. At first I was thinking bad plug injector maybe sensor before the misfire code. I contacted Whipple they said my one of my cats is most likely toast and i should replace both since the other one might not be far behind. Which makes total sense now that i think about it. bad cat clogged= misfire codes. Car is basically stock other than the blower and a cat back exhaust. From what I understand the header and cat is one piece on driver side and if I'm going to all the work pulling that i might as well throw LT's on it. I'm asking for options as it seems regardless which option i go with it wont be cheap. Haven't priced out stock cats but I'm sure they would be similar or a little less than a LT setup.

1. LT's /Offroad pipes, Clutch (stock clutch on its last legs) Injectors BAP 132mm TB Custom tune $4k
2. Replace cats, Clutch, stage 2 kit (whipple tune included) $2500ish ???
3. Same as option 1 but with return style fuel pump. Only issue with this option id probably need driveline, shafts, and some engine modifications which will add a bit more to the price

Edit: Went with LT's/Offroad and clutch i'll add as needed later on. Just wanted to get the car back running again. So I pulled the headers WOW. Drivers side was totally plugged up.

Sponsored

 

[andrewtac]

3, then add the other items as you can afford them. Also, this will allow e85 if you can get it.

 

[XakwardX]

I would do long tubes and a clutch and leave everything else unless you just want it. probably 2k

 

[Jackson1320]

Get cheap eBay headers for $300 they work just as good

 

[WildHorse]

Gut em.

 

[I Bleed Ford Blue]

Before you spend money on new cats, make sure your injectors are good. If 1 or more are flowing too much fuel that can prematurely burn out and/or clog your cats. Also throw on a set of fresh o2 sensors, if the cats are starting to clog, I can guarantee the o2's are contaminated and giving false readings.

The fact that you stated you felt it was down on power is a common result of cats that are clogging up. Modern cars have very precise fuel control compared to 30 years ago so if your cats are clogging, there is a reason. Most likely bad injectors.

 

[engineermike]

Ford designed the cats to be easily serviced. It’s about a 2 hour job.

As I understand it, the passengers side header is way more difficult.

 

[Trent W]

The fact that you stated you felt it was down on power is a common result of cats that are clogging up. Modern cars have very precise fuel control compared to 30 years ago so if your cats are clogging, there is a reason. Most likely bad injectors.

Good point, I'm new to boost so I just didn't know if cats going bad sooner is normal or not. Like you said they wouldn't get clogged for no reason.

 

[Trent W]

I would do long tubes and a clutch and leave everything else unless you just want it. probably 2k

I wasn under the impression I couldnt run headers with the Whipple tune. Is that not the case? If its just as simple as throwing some headers on I'm all for that.

 

[XakwardX]

I wasn under the impression I couldnt run headers with the Whipple tune. Is that not the case? If its just as simple as throwing some headers on I'm all for that.

You could reach out to them and see if they have a file for long tubes

 

[Cory S]

How much power and what fuel do you run?

 

[engineermike]

Whipple will not tune for anything special since they are carb compliant.

 

[Trent W]

How much power and what fuel do you run?

91oc is all that's available around me I did have access to 100oc and E85 when i was still up in seattle but the car has ever only had 91. I never dynoed it, I just bolted on the blower flashed their tune and drove it. Figured it would be close to whatever Whipple claimed it would be. Unless your question was how much power do I WANT, to that I really dont care the car is plenty fast. I haven't had anybody beat me yet so never really felt the mod bug itch. There is a few hellkitties around but they will never play.

 

[Trent W]

Whipple will not tune for anything special since they are carb compliant.

right, but will it hurt anything if there were to be LT's on their canned tune? other than the standard CEL for the rear Cats either not there or using High Flows.

 

[Cory S]

91oc is all that's available around me I did have access to 100oc and E85 when i was still up in seattle but the car has ever only had 91. I never dynoed it, I just bolted on the blower flashed their tune and drove it. Figured it would be close to whatever Whipple claimed it would be. Unless your question was how much power do I WANT, to that I really dont care the car is plenty fast. I haven't had anybody beat me yet so never really felt the mod bug itch. There is a few hellkitties around but they will never play.

I only ask because maybe you have a slightly broken ring land.

Sponsored