That lack of a maze above the rear axle makes the 4th gen easy as apple pie......

 

Wiz, you have those pictures uploaded yet?


you guys didn't happen to take any video of the sound did you?

 

I would not expect a complete exhaust system (that you could listen to) to be created during an initial fitment session. Its for taking measurements that are used to set up the manufacturing fixture and establish specifications for the bent tubing and other components that will be made specifically for this system.

Brian

 

Going above the rear axle makes it a bit tough, its a tight area using the 3" piping.

 

Oh, I guess i got the wrong impression of the process from this part James' post

I assumed everything was welded up to make the prototype for the jig. Figured you would have used that as a time to test a couple different combinations of resonators/mufflers for sound levels and tonal qualities since your other cat-back is "The only system acoustically designed to sound great with aftermarket Y-pipes..."

Not playing devil's advocate or anything, just trying to understand the process.

 

I'll try to explain to the best of my knowledge. As Brian eluded to, the intent of this session wasn't to finish a complete system from head to toe; and then fire it up to see what it sounds like.

I believe the intent was to design/fabricate and mock up the 3" system and take lots and lots of measurements, check for over the axle clearance, check tip placement etc, and that's exactly what took place. The final products will be similar to the pics you see below, but refined and much better in many, many ways.

If you look closely in the pics, there are measurements and little notes scribbled all over everything. You'll also notice a few other things: the system is only tack welded together just enough to hold it together for fitment/measurement purposes. Secondly, there is no resonator just yet (for those of us who opt for it). Thirdly, the original muffler tips were cut off and a 3.5" single tip was welded on for the purpose of mock up. What you see will change according to Scott the fabricator's measurements/fitment session and Brian's input/expertise with exhaust systems. A jig will then be built around what you see, so the initial batch of ten or so systems can then be built with the real materials Brian has in mind for us.

This is my understanding, I'm sure Brian will correct me if I'm wrong.

Surely, it would have sounded nothing like the final product had I fired it up, so there was no point in doing so, or recording it for that matter.

 

On with the pics.....remember that these are only teaser pics. The muffler will look 1000x better, the piping will have awesome welds etc etc.

 

Few more pics.

 

it's really not bad, I made my own 3inch exhaust a few weeks ago

 

You think it's tighter than a 5/5.5th gen?


5/5.5thgen have a matrix of bracketry above it's rear axle...the fabricator will find the 4th Gen to be extremely easy....

 

What did you use t409,t304 or aluminized steel tubing? Looks nice but it's one gigantic catback (1 piece) or is there more than 1 flange??

 

Looks great so far but I notice that the exhaust tip appears to sit flush with the bumper. Im hoping that the final exhaust tip will protrude a least 1/2 ' pass the bumper on the 97 like it does with my 2.5" Cattman. This is exciting stuff.

 

Was the prototype for fitment SS or aluminized? Nice tip size and placement, awesome pictures wizard! Take a picture of your exhaust system that you drive up there with........please.......

 

I assume they will be extending the tip since " + 1/2"" is written on the tip.
I like the current look of having the tip flush. Though, that is probably because my current exhaust is recessed by about 1/2".

 

If you look in the last pic I posted, it reads " +1/2" ". The more and more I looked at, and tried to envision what it would like like another 1/2", and trying to take into consideration the 95/96 guys (might stick out too far for them), I was starting to thing that 1/2" might be too much. I expressed that only 1/4" to 3/8" more would look the best IMO. He said he would take it into consideration and finalize the details with Brian.

Not sure what the prototype was, sorry. Why do you ask?

Not sure I follow your second request....are you asking for a picture of the OEM catback? My 98 was the test subject and is bone stock for the time being.

 

Since, you're the first 4th Gen being fitted with a Cattman 3" catback in preparation for the rest of the world "YOU ARE THE PROTOTYPE"! So is the fitment exhaust being fitted to your vehicle stainless or mild steel.....Since it's mainly for fitment (R&D)?

 

I don't know, and I don't see how it matters. What does matter is the final product, and to my understanding, it will be full SS just like the rest of the catbacks Brian has sold to us over the last 10 years.

 

[QUOTE=The Wizard;7747298]If you look in the last pic I posted, it reads " +1/2" ". The more and more I looked at, and tried to envision what it would like like another 1/2", and trying to take into consideration the 95/96 guys (might stick out too far for them), I was starting to thing that 1/2" might be too much. I expressed that only 1/4" to 3/8" more would look the best IMO. He said he would take it into consideration and finalize the details with Brian.

Oh Yes I totally missed the 1/2" inscribed on the muffler there. In any event if Brian makes the exhaust tip protrude like it does for the 2.5 exhaust then IMO it will be perfect for the 97. My tip extends about 1/2"(maybe) now and it looks sweet. I don't know what it looks like a 95/96. Brian certainly shouldn't change it around now on the 3" exhaust. BTW I think a recessed tip looks horrible and a flush tip so so.

 

It was just a simple A** question....Wow it's like I'm pulling teeth!!!

 

And I answered you.... what else do you want to hear? Call Cattman if you want to know so badly...good grief.

 

I can add a couple things here. The entire system you see here is a throw-away, its only purpose is to establish measurements for the manufacturing fixture. The bent pieces were mandrel bent specifically for this fitment session; their dimensions were estimated based on the 2.5" system we make and they were just about dead-on. Those pieces had better be aluminized steel; stainless would be a waste.

We don't use fitment sessions - or any other session - to play around with resonators and mufflers. Sounds like a very effective way to spend a large amount of $ needlessly. When you've got a bunch of exhaust design and manufacturing experience in general, and 9 years of experience with this particular vehicle/engine, you don't need to experiment.

 

I think we should have a survey about tip length. People can vote in favor of "past the bumper" distances ranging between 1/4" and 1/2", let's say in 1/16" increments.

(Yes, I am kidding.)

We'll figure something out.

Brian

 

Wizard,

Is the test car lowered? I have seen catbacks having some movement when lowering car and at time causes that dreaded knocking in the rear with the section rubbing on the chassis. Not sure if anyone else exerienced this before

 

I know exactly the problem you're describing.

No, my 98 Max is on OEM suspension. But don't worry, Cattman knows most of us are lowered, and I even discussed this with Scott the fabricator on the test fitting day.

 

Sorry Wizard I thought you were there on location and knew the difference between SS and Aluminized steel, It was only a question concerning the mock up exhaust system's material type.....I realize that the finished system is gonna be SS.....

 

Like I said, the bent tubing used for the fitment had better NOT be s/s, that would be a waste of money (and I'm paying for it!).

 

uh,...NO. LOL

 

Thanks Brian , That's what I was thinking as well....aluminzed would be cheaper to mess up during fitmemt.......

 

FWIW, clearance over the axle is better on the 4th gen. In fact, the slip-fit/clamp arrangement we have to use where the 5th gen tubing goes over the axle is not necessary with the 4th gen - no slip-fit/clamp.

 

Damn Brian, are you ready to do a 3rd Gen twin tip rear muffler or 3rd gen 2.5" catback line out of T409 to keep cost down since you're on a rol??? LOL! I think if you made some extra 4th gen and 5th mufflers rear mufflers maybe with hangars and some without, you could sell the hell out of them....IMO!

 

Wizard, ya got any updated pictures?

 

Not yet bud.

On the bright side, it will be two weeks tomorrow since the test fitting. We're getting closer!

 

Cool! Probably building the jigs for mfg etc.....Can't wait to see the finished 3" prototype....for the 4th Gen!

 

At this point, we're just waiting for some muffler components. All the tubing is in the shop, ready to go.

Brian

 

Well any updated pics or the like? How's the system coming?

 

PROGRESS REPORT:

No teaser pics, these systems are basically in pieces until the last stages of the fabrication process. We don't make one system and come back to do the rest - they're all done at once.

So here's the GOOD NEWS... I expect this batch to be complete by the middle of next week. If they're in my hands by Thursday, I should be able to ship to customers on Friday.

I'll send out an email to everyone who's placed a backorder, but i need to know who wants an extra O2 port (they come with one port standard) for a wide-band sensor (or whatever), by Monday morning (18 October). Cost will be $30 per stainless steel O2 port, and that includes a screw-in plug.

Brian

 

I already talked to you on the phone about this, but I do want an extra bung on mine.

 

+1 here

Can't wait!!!

 

Bored studying for a test....


ITS MY CATBACK AND I WANT IT NOW!!!

/boredom+impatience

 

We hope to receive catbacks on Thursday (21 October), and if that works, all backorders will shipped by Friday. [If there's a glitch, we'll receive them on Monday and ship Monday/Tuesday.] Catbacks being held for pickup in LA should be ready late Thursday or Friday, but you 3 guys will want to confirm with me before heading over there.

I'll begin charging CCs for the balance later today (after sending an email to all the backorder customers).

I'm excited...

Brian