Hi-Flow cats for MKV R32

[CSR]

Hi,

I'm looking at getting some hi-flow cats to complete my exhaust set-up and have been looking at HJS.

I can't seem to figure out which one I require, there are two that would suit my car:
Tuning Catalytic Converters / 200 C.P.S.I. - 9095 0099 (Up to 1.6L / 180HP - 3.2L / 320HP) - HJS North America, LLC : Hi-Flow Universal Catalytic Converters
Tuning Catalytic Converters / 200 C.P.S.I. - 9095 0097 (Up to 1.6L / 180HP - 3.2L / 360HP) - HJS North America, LLC : Hi-Flow Universal Catalytic Converters

Also, they seem to have one type for sale that is EURO 5 compliant and attracts about a 50% premium on price due to this.
HD Catalytic Converters / 200 C.P.S.I. / EURO 5 - HJS North America, LLC : Hi-Flow Universal Catalytic Converters

The blurb on the site says it is suitable for European vehicles manufactured 2008 and later. My R32 is a late '08 model but I don't understand what would have changed in the car from 2007 to 2008 to have one type of cat over another. Would anyone be able to shed some light on this and let me know if I actually need this or not?

My other question would be, these things are almost $500 each + shipping + fitting, so let's say by the time I get them fitted it would have cost me around $1,500~...
I know I can't expect huge power gains, but would there be ANY real benefit? I have an aftermarket cat-back exhaust and only reason I want to upgrade the cats is basically to "complete" the exhaust system, but for $1,500 I think I would be better off doing something else...

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
CSR

[Lucas_R]

That's alot of hard earned cash for a catalog convertor mate. Have you considered some of the excellent ones available locally? Metalcat / Xforce etc...do a Google search.

Power increase would be minimal (if any!!). Personally I would spend my money on an air intake (GruppeM) or and ECU reflash to pick up a few extra hp

[CSR]

I already have both (gruppe M is fantastic )..My next upgrade is the Haldex Gen 2 but always have this nagging thought at the back of my mind to finish off this exhaust by getting some hi-flow cats.

I guess I should compare prices with other brands & shop around, i'm just very picky about getting good quality parts which I can fit and never have to worry about again.

[Lucas_R]

I can tell you that the Metalcat's are absolute top quality product. Just as good if not better than the European brands you are thinking of getting.

Metal Cat - The Hi-Flow Cat - Arguably the world's best high flow catalytic converter

And (although a cheaper option at than Metalcat), i had a complete XForce exhaust system on my previous car, a Nissan 200sx, for over 6 years and never had 1 single issue with any component of the exhaust system. Great quality product at a decent price. The Xforce cat's are around $200 or thereabouts (depending on the pipe diameter you want?)

X-Force

Another couple to consider are Catco (USA brand) although you would probably have to cut the flanges off. Just Jap Auto Imports

Or SMB Exhausts? SMB Catalytic Converters

[Guy_H]

CSR, When we build our headers for this car (almost 6 years ago), we tested some cats. From memory, stock are 200 cell, so to get an improvement in flow, you need 100 cell. The testing yielded about 3 whp, so it wasn't an economical mod. Hence we built headers & used the stock cats & gained around 9kw.

[CSR]

Thanks Guy, that's actually really helpful - I did look around for some info on the stock cats for the R32 but couldn't find much.
Also sent you a PM regarding headers !