High flow cat review

So i finally got around to installing a wagner high flow cat i bought last year. My mods are Cobb AP, FMIC, CP, PTF map.

Here are my thoughts..

Reasoning
I decided to go with the catted option over cat-less primarily for the fuel smell as my partner drives the car regularly.

Install
I know LHD car owners can get away with unbolting the steering rack and reaching the v-band clamp like that, but my car is a RHD with the steering column right up against the v clamp bolt. To overcome this, i removed the RH engine mount and support. This is pretty straightforward - remove 6 e-torx bolts while jacking the engine up maybe 2 inches. Accessing 1 or 2 of the bolts is a little tricky, but extensions, swivels will get you there. The nut for the engine mount is JUST accessible from the engine bay, past the turbo inlet pipe and steering column. As has been mentioned in previous threads, disconnecting the 02 sensors at the plugs and letting them hang, then removing from the cat once taken out is much easier than doing so in-situ. The worst part was affixing the v-band clamp while holding the cat - a second set of hands would come in handy here.
The complete install took maybe 3hrs at a leisurely pace. No photos as my phone is lost

Product
The wagner cat appears well made. Nice welds, good finish. It is also slightly lighter than the stock cat, maybe 1-2kg.
Fitment was easy. Only problem was that i couldn't reinstall the transmission mounted bracket as the bolt holes would not line up easily. I made the decision to omit the bracket.
Cold starts are noticeably louder than with the stock cat (note rest of exhaust has not changed). The tone is also different - sounds angrier, a little lower in pitch.

Driving
Sound - not a noticeable difference in sound during part throttle driving. The difference is at higher throttle openings and certainly at WOT. The sound is a little deeper, has more of a bark with a few more pops/crackles. It now sounds fantastic.
Spool characteristics - definitely improved, response seems better as well.
Power - Does feel more powerful, but i think the real gains will be when i get a new PTF map.

Overall
Early days, but definitely worth the upgrade. For those looking at the catted option, it looks like your only choice now is wagner or cobb now that ardesign is no more. I can definitely recommend the wagner.

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High flow cat review