Thunderbolt® - Exhaust Manifold with Integrated Catalytic Converter

If you need to replace your cat and want to do it on a budget, you can't really get any cheaper than this without pulling one yourself at your local pick'n'pull. At least this one is technically new. It's functional, but maybe unremarkable beyond that. Product claims to improve exhaust flow, which it technically did, but maybe that's more to do with the fact that my previous cat had about 225k on it and was giving me a check engine code begging to be replaced. I will note, this thing makes my Forester sound like a lawn mower. Literally. Imagine a lawn mower, or a little motorcycle, it has a loud fluttery "pop", like a "plp plp plp plp" sound. But you get used to funny sounds when you're keeping a beater alive. I noticed during the install that there were these really fat welds on the inside of the piping where the exhaust pipes meet the mounting plates, I'm guessing those welds are choking the exhaust flow a bit and causing the "pop" that I hear from underneath the car now. I made sure there were no leaks either, so it's not an issue with the mounting. I considered pulling it off again to dremel down the welds and see if that improves the acoustics a bit, but idk if I want to be bothered. Maybe if I decide the car is worth the love. In any case, it got rid of my exhaust code, and the little engine seems less restrained than before so that's a plus. If you're on a budget, this'll work. If quality is a concern, you could do better but you'll probably pay roughly double at least. Things to consider.