Removing catalytic converter?

[Camarorulz]

I know that on the most recent cars (I have an '02) the sensor on the exhaust that helps with engine management is before the cat. That said, would it be ok for me to remove my cat and just run a straight pipe back to the muffler? I know I'll have to buy an 02 sim for the code that it will inevitably throw, but the engine should run normally, correct? My cat just went bad, I really need a car, and I can't afford to buy a new cat right now. I don't want to run it with the bad cat because I'm afraid chunks of it will go into my muffler and trash it.

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

you will be fine friend

[Camarorulz]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

It runs great now, hehe. Sounds good until upper rpm, then it kind of rasps. It doesn't lope like it did either: before the engine would shake back and forth, now it's smooth as a top. This thing will be a highway beast now.

The guy at the shop thought it might be a fuel problem that was making my cats go bad (had another one go bad at 20k, now it has almost 68k.) Any thoughts about this? Do I just need to clean my injectors more often?

[loser]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

too much fuel CAN kill cats yea, thats pretty weird you already went through 2 now. injector cleaner might help, im not really sure.

[eric v6]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

I am thinking about removing my cat I was wondering if I remove it will I need my cat shield or can I remove that also. Will a muffler shop do that for me and just put some type of pipe there to fit it or what. I will also be adding headers a whisper lid and a electric cutout to go along with that so who knows how its gonna sound and I already have a 80 series flowmaster muffler on it and it sounds good from idle

[slow6]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

no shop will remove your cat, its illegal
yes, you can remove the cat shield

[eric v6]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

My shop will trust me but I am confused about the 02 sim where does it go and is it hard to install. After removing the cat what kind of piping should I put to replace it will a 3 inch piece of pipe be good. What kind of gains can I expect from doing this and can someone help me out on what gutting an exhaust is I never heard of it

[Camarorulz]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

if your shop is removing your cat, just tell them to put that 02 sim in place of the 02 sensor AFTER the cat. That is the one that tells the computer that the cat is running right. This will give you top end gains, maybe a couple of horsepower, i wouldn't claim any more than that. If I was redoing my exhaust I'd go 3" but it depends on what you want out of it. Smaller piping can create more backpressure and helps torque.

Gutting an exhaust I believe is referring to removing all the contents from the catalytic converter, which is basically the same thing as running straight pipe, only it looks legal.

[eric v6]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

thanks for the help

[factoryfreak v6 firebird]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

get 2.5 i have the and it fits exactly like the stock but 35 pounds lighter rasp up top but better all around... i actually just put my race ready electric exhaust cutout where my no cat was.

[Chevy16]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

no shop will remove your cat, its illegal
yes, you can remove the cat shield

mine removed my cat no questions asked..

[factoryfreak v6 firebird]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

same here

[slow6]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

mine removed my cat no questions asked..

was it broken? clogged? etc?

[factoryfreak v6 firebird]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

it kept rattling and my speed shop said o we can take it off and put a straight pipe in for $100 installed and i was like whatever go ahead

[Chevy16]

Re: Removing catalytic converter?

it kept rattling and my speed shop said o we can take it off and put a straight pipe in for $100 installed and i was like whatever go ahead

can you say ripped off! i got mine for 31 somethin and i also got all new valve stems on my tires and got them rebalanced oh and did i forget to mention i also got a cut out installed...