It seems like my car has almost been receiving mods daily the last couple weeks

It started out with silicone vacuum tubing to try and cure a "vacuum leak" that Mechanic Dan believed was causing a P0171 Lean Bank code for me.

Moved further when the ported exhaust manifolds arrived from Hulkspeed (what'* their new name?) Front and cross over went on..back studs were stubborn.

New struts went in last Thurs/Friday, all 4

Tint happened the week before the struts as did some peel and seal all over the back deck. (Yes..it did seem to help sound deadening)

Here we are to today
Dropped the car off at the exhaust shop. New magnaflow catalytic converter. (I strongly suggest S2 owners get a direct fit cat. The flange IS part of the cat)

After picking up the car tonight, I take the truck over and pick up the new tires mounted on my "summer" rims. (Dropped that off last night)

And on we go to further plans.

Friday or Saturday night, I'll have some "Lift time" at mechanic buddy'* shop. My screaming fuel pump will be changed, along with strainer and filter (filter was replaced in Oct/Nov...but with the new pump it'* the smart thing to do)
The oil pan gasket will get redone (again) with GM engine sealant. (Thanks Highlander!!!) as well..that little spot in it from the jack will get pounded out.
And the rear exhaust manifold will get put on as Dan has the tools to snap or torch off the PITA exhaust pipe to manifold studs that were fighting me. I stopped at Napa last night for fresh new studs and will have them tonight.

Is vac leak cured
Did you notice difference with front and crossover and new cat
Explain about direct fit cat.i

I didn't seem to find a vacuum leak. Still working out the Lean Bank code by replacing the fuel pump that seems to be losing pressure over time. Have checked all the other possibilites twice.

Meanwhile I'm calling the cool blue vacuum lines a mod instead of a fix.

The cat is going on today. Will have more info later on that. I did notice a difference in KR and smoothness of pull with the ported front manifold.

I bought a universal fit catalytic for my pipe size on the car. And typical install would be to cut the pipe in front and back of the old cat, weld new one in. However on the Series 2 cars, the downpipe has a connecting flange right at the bottom of it, this couples to the catalytic converter flange that is the front of the catalytic converter. Therefore there is no pipe in front of the converter to cut and weld onto.

A direct fit catalytic converter would already have the correct flange welded to the front of it, making installation quicker, cheaper and easier.

Picking up the pace a bit, huh?

I also am curious about the direct-fit cat. I know that some have had fitment issues with the magna-flow hi-flow cats they bought. Is it just a matter of ordering a different part number or do we have to look for a different brand that fits better?

Edit: Got interrupted, so posted my question after the answer, lol.

Just a different part number. CorvetteCrazy and McGrath had both sent me the right part number at one time or another.

Boosty, you have an email from me about your injectors.

Who was the genious that jacked your car on the oil pan? Or were you/someone else trying to actually jack the motor?

That would have been me Putting on the manis. I went under to try the bolts. No go..lower car...try from top..nope..hmmm maybe if I try this from under..jack back up..roll under ....looking over see the jack moved an inch and caught the edge of the oil pan.

I put it in the crap happens..not causing an issue and will be fixed soon category. Moved on with life.

Picked up my tires/rims last night. They were immediately tire shined with Meguires endurnace shine.

Car was picked up a little later from a fresh catalytic. No difference in performance. A little more exhaust sound though. Muffler had cancer spots poking through. Time to start thinking about getting that done.

Also found some rubber tubing off the ELC compressor that was totally shot. Picked up more tubing and a necessary T from the shop. Will aim to get that fixed up when she'* up on the lift.

one word.........flowmaster...... you wont regret it.