Hi-Flow Cats Bang for the buck?

[Snowy79]

G'day

I have a VU S-Pack ute with the LS1 V8 Manual, currently it is fairly standard apart from a SS Cold Air induction kit, hi flow air filter and twin 2.5" Xforce cat-back system. I am currently shopping around Adelaide to get some Tri-Y headers fitted, to improve bottom end to mid range power (not fussed about top end power). I have gotten prices ranging from $950 to $1100 fitted. I also plan on getting a performance tune, but thats about it for the engine mods.

Two of the three places I have spoken to have also said I should do hi-flow cats. Now I know that they will improve flow, and give small power gains. But I am after independent opinions, are hi-flow cats worth the extra $600 - $700 as far as 'bang for you buck' goes, or is the improvement measurable on a dyno only?

Thanks in advance.

[JSTCOZ]

hi flow cat isn't that vital i dont believe. Just get some Hurricane Extractors on, cost me $500 installed and they make the car sound a fair bit beefier and it is noticeabley faster and you barely need to touch the pedal for it to take off. $1000 is too mch man, also if they are 'Genie' they will cost another $200-$250 more than hurricanes, and you dont get $200 more power for that, barely any difference at all in the 2 brands. Hi FLow Cats, probs not worth it, should only be $200 as well, dunno wtf you are being quoted man lol

EDIT: Mine is a V6. sorry about that, even so i dont knwo if it is worth the high flow cats.

[VTLS1]

its a simple formula dude. more fuel + more cold air + faster exit of waste = more grunt
with high flow cats you may not get to much extra power but every little bit counts.
as jstcoz says your quote for cats is damn expensive.
average retail price is $120-200 each,depending on brand,where you buy t from etc. trade price is about 60 bucks if you know someone in the trade

[wraith]

As said every bit helps. I bought a 2nd hand 100cpi cat and chucked it on the VR for a laugh and noticed a fairly big improvement so on a V8 it should be even better.

[Vt_vic]

man cats can go from 150-400 each depends on what size

[VT-565]

If the budget is tight, change them when you have to.
If they are rattling, they're ####ed.
If they're melting, they're ####ed.
If the car runs fine, change them later when you have the money.

[TI3VOM]

My opinion is to upgrade them, there is no point getting the extractors fitted with the cat back exhaust and not upgrading the extra pipe and cat's.