C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

No Exhaust??

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Old Dec 7, 2014 | 01:11 AM
  #1  
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Default No Exhaust??

I am curious if I could run only catalytic converts on my 1992 corvette (lt1). There are two cats with O2 sensors. I am thinking of going cutouts at the cats and then leaving the exhaust on for when I want it quiet. I'm just unsure if the engine needs back pressure or if it would cause any harm to the engine just having the exhaust manifolds and cats for exhaust. Thanks for any input.
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Old Dec 7, 2014 | 11:31 AM
  #2  
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Originally Posted by strotter13
I am curious if I could run only catalytic converts on my 1992 corvette (lt1). There are two cats with O2 sensors. I am thinking of going cutouts at the cats and then leaving the exhaust on for when I want it quiet. I'm just unsure if the engine needs back pressure or if it would cause any harm to the engine just having the exhaust manifolds and cats for exhaust. Thanks for any input.
You'll be fine.
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Old Dec 7, 2014 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by strotter13
I am curious if I could run only catalytic converts on my 1992 corvette (lt1). There are two cats with O2 sensors. I am thinking of going cutouts at the cats and then leaving the exhaust on for when I want it quiet. I'm just unsure if the engine needs back pressure or if it would cause any harm to the engine just having the exhaust manifolds and cats for exhaust. Thanks for any input.
I think I'd be more concerned with dumping that much hot exhaust gases under the car in that area. Sounds like a very bad idea to me, unless your goal is to cook the transmission, wiring, shifter boot, floorboards, etc.

Live well,

SJW
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Old Dec 7, 2014 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by SJW
I think I'd be more concerned with dumping that much hot exhaust gases under the car in that area. Sounds like a very bad idea to me, unless your goal is to cook the transmission, wiring, shifter boot, floorboards, etc.

Live well,

SJW
I am going to assume that the average person would direct the cutout outlet down, not up, so I don't think a cookdown scenario would happen. I would be more concerned with exhaust gases entering the interior with the cutouts being this far forward. If the OP wants cutouts, I would mount them in front of the mufflers.
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Old Dec 7, 2014 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by SJW
I think I'd be more concerned with dumping that much hot exhaust gases under the car in that area. Sounds like a very bad idea to me, unless your goal is to cook the transmission, wiring, shifter boot, floorboards, etc.

Live well,

SJW
I'll agree with this but installing cutouts between the cats and the resonator can very well lead to excessive exhaust heat causing problems. And you can expect some really bad drone in the interior with cutouts open.

There should not be an issue with a lack of back pressure; it's really no different than running open headers.

I would suggest getting a good cat-back exhaust system. You can gain some HP and won't have to worry about the noise police....
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Old Dec 7, 2014 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by arbee
I am going to assume that the average person would direct the cutout outlet down, not up, so I don't think a cookdown scenario would happen. I would be more concerned with exhaust gases entering the interior
that heat is not a real concern with properly mounted cut outs.

I also agree that CO poisoning could be a concern.
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Old Dec 7, 2014 | 02:41 PM
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I ran it for about 10 miles or so just for the test drive, with only the cats, it is way to loud for my liking, the rumbling is ridiculous! I am going to put the old exhaust back on.

Thanks for the help and input everyone.
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Old Dec 7, 2014 | 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by strotter13
I ran it for about 10 miles or so just for the test drive, with only the cats, it is way to loud for my liking, the rumbling is ridiculous! I am going to put the old exhaust back on.

Thanks for the help and input everyone.
I just redid part of my exhaust. I originally took out the mufflers but left the resonator and cats on. A lot of people have deleted their mufflers. Sounded good but the droning from the resonator was really loud in the cabin. I just replaced the resonator with an X-pipe. It's pretty quiet in the car now. Here's a video.
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