do the dots on top of the pistons face the intake or exhaust?

1996 z440 fan

exhaust

Dots go toward the exhaust.

I did not mean to make an echo..... I had walked away for a sec in the middle of my 5 word reply. lol.

thanks
thought it was exhaust

is this true for all cats?

yes, on the newer machines that have intake and exhaust on the same side, the dots still go forward.

Yes, All Cats point toward the exhaust.
On some of the older engines including most older Polaris engines, the exhaust arrow or dot points toward the mag side.

If you are ever are in doubt, the gaps in the rings are always on the carb side.
Mike