Review: Fast Line Performance CAT by HeelToe Auto

Tsx536 · 07-07-2009, 03:53 PM

I had the 2.25" version of the FLP CAT installed last week and I am very happy with the results!

Setup:
Icebox Intake, K&N Filter, DC Header, FLP CAT, Stock Exhaust, Supercharger

Power:
I've been able to drive around for the last few days with it and I can definitely feel an improvement in power. I feel a little more pep taking off, and a definitely increase in power and air flow in the mid/high RPMs. Before with the Stock CAT, it felt like the air was not quite moving through the system as smoothly. Whenever I would go Wide Open Throttle, there would be a tiny delay before I could feel the power kicking in. With the FLP CAT, the small delay has dissappeared and the air just flows right through the system. This has in turn improved my throttle response and driveability. The increase in power is especially felt in the top end of the RPMs range when I have the throttle wide open!

Sound:
In terms of sound, I was actually worried about that the FLP CAT was going to be louder than stock. I daily drive my car and I value the quietness of my setup. I don't like coming into the neighborhood, drawing attention, and waking everyone. I am happy to report that the FLP did not add any additional sound to the car at low RPMs. (750-3500 RPMs) There is no drone or raspyness and my girlfriend said that the car didn't sound any louder to her! This was a pleasant surprise, because I don't have to hear her complaining on long drives about how she can't hear anything over the exhaust.

With that being said, the CAT did seem to add a more deep sound in the 4000-7600 RPMs. I don't mind this at all though, because the sound is not over powering at all and I can still hear my Supercharger whine. I actually like the extra sound up top. The sound is louder, but definitely not too loud. The strange thing is that when had a Random Tech CAT in the past, I remember it being louder/deeper than the stock CAT, especially when I was on the freeway. I'm not sure if this is a result of different/thicker piping on the FLP cat or if I simply don't remember correctly.

Quality:
I can't say enough about the quality of this product. The welds are absolutely perfect and best of all there are no floating flanges! I hate to say it, but I hated the floating flange design of the RT CAT. I felt like they kind of cheaped out by putting those on there. I was impressed by the overall fit/finish of the product and almost didn't even want to put in on the car because it looked so "pretty". :tomato:

Fitment:
The FLP CAT has nice beefy flanges that line up perfectly. The nice thing about this is I didn't have to go out and buy extra gaskets to put between the CAT and exhaust. It bolted right up, and there were no exhaust leaks! I think we are lucky to have a parts specialist that knows the TSX so well. It seems like HeelToe really went above and beyond in order to make sure that everything is of good quality and fits wells.

CEL eliminator / Heatshield tabs:
A feature of this CAT is that there is a built in CEL eliminator. I thought that it was simply a longer O2 sensor bung, but when I looked on the inside I can see that there is actually another plate welded in their to protect the O2 sensor from seeing more exhaust fumes. I think this is a really trick idea! See the pics below. I tried to take a pic of it. Another nice feature of this cat is the stock heatshield will bolt up to it.

Customer Service:
I was happy with the Customer Service. Marcus is a very busy guy, but was always there to answer any of the questions I had. When he wasn't sure of a couple of things, he even called up Shawn from Church Auto to get me some more educated and informed answers. He knows his stuff and really went above and beyond. This didn't surprise me though, as I've read many times on the forums about his good customer service.

Conclusion:
I'd definitely have to consider this as one of the top Bang for the buck mods! It is up there with the Hondata reflash. The reflash costs more though, so you should take that into consideration when you are planning out your mods. I highly recommend getting the FLP cat. I think it has added a perfect balance of power and sound my setup.

Pics:

fanbanlo · 07-07-2009, 04:03 PM

does the car smell any worse than stock cat when idle?

TSX_WS · 07-07-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsx536

Before with the Stock CAT, it felt like the air was not quite moving through the system as smoothly. Whenever I would go Wide Open Throttle, there would be a tiny delay before I could feel the power kicking in. With the FLP CAT, the small delay has disappeared and the air just flows right through the system.

I got the same effect with my RT cat and thats the first thing I noticed right after the installation. The car now doesn't have to build up a bit of backpressure to push the exhaust gas through the cat itself. The gas pedal now feels connected to the motor

Its definitely a very worthy performance mod for 04-05 TSX's.

Good review, BTW.

CoopEuroR · 07-07-2009, 04:38 PM

Just curious, why didnt you opt for the 2.5" one, wouldnt it have flowed even better with your SC?

1TSXer · 07-07-2009, 06:44 PM

^Probably because it would still bottle-neck into the stock exhaust. 04-05 stock exhaust is just slightly smaller in diameter then 06-08's.

xjohnkdoex · 07-07-2009, 07:03 PM

interesting, i didn't know you were still running the stock exhaust on your setup.

are you planning to change it down the road?

Tsx536 · 07-07-2009, 07:36 PM

I didn't notice any additional smell. I didn't sniff my tail pipe

, but it's definitely not something I have noticed. This is coming from the stock CAT too.

I went with the 2.25" primarily because I do not plan to go with an aftermarket exhaust later. I wanted the diameter of pipe to stay consistent throughout the exhaust. I drove a Civic with exhaust for 7 years, and I like having it quiet. I know I can make more power with an exhaust but my car is fast enough for me at this point. My dyno numbers will be up soon!

T_ripletsx · 07-08-2009, 10:14 AM

any sound clips?

EuroRspec · 07-08-2009, 02:10 PM

Since you are in Cali, do you think it will pass a smog test? If you look at the second o2 sensor hole, it's so small. The reason for that is so it doen't meassure the same reading as the first o2 and think the cat is busted.

MrHeeltoe · 07-09-2009, 07:18 PM

Thanks for the great write-up! I am glad have the opportunity to do this stuff. Really, I feel a little guilty that I have my dream job

For the record we do somewhat agree with the stock-exhaust making the 2.25" cat a good choice, although we do not feel there would be any detriment to people running the 2.5" with a stock exhaust. Church actually told me he thought a 2.5" might be better, but it is kinda based on theory...really it don't matter

Darkside TSX · 07-14-2009, 12:17 AM

Ok im a little confused. I got a evo2 exhaust. What CAT should you recommend ?

TSX_WS · 07-14-2009, 12:51 AM

^ FLP is wider, RT has less cells per sq inch. It is ultimately up to u. Altho.... there will be a good amount of extra raspiness

bc811 · 07-14-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSX_WS

^ FLP is wider, RT has less cells per sq inch. It is ultimately up to u. Altho.... there will be a good amount of extra raspiness

so what's the benefit of wider CAT and the benefit of less cells per sq inch? Sorry if this is too "Noob"

audioserf · 07-14-2009, 08:12 AM

Good write-up Kenny. I'm thinking of going with the 2.5" in the future, since I'm running an aftermarket catback and don't mind a loud tone (in fact, I love it). I wonder how much life my RT Cat has left in it, being nearly two years old now.

TSX_WS · 07-14-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bc811

so what's the benefit of wider CAT and the benefit of less cells per sq inch? Sorry if this is too "Noob"

Wider= more area of the cat's "filter" for gasses to go through.

Less cells= easier for gasses to go through the same amount of area of the filter.