Best solution for clogged cats?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Best solution for clogged cats?
Hello,
41k mike 86 corvette. I smelled my cats going a month ago with that firework smell. Tonight it wouldn’t rev past 3 Grand in neutral or driving. The engine bay also smells of exhaust and the exhaust has metal flakes shooting out. What is my best course of action? I’d of course love to remove and replace but it is defiantly a pricey option. I have no emissions in this area or anywhere I visit. Any solutions would be healpf to get it back on the road!
41k mike 86 corvette. I smelled my cats going a month ago with that firework smell. Tonight it wouldn’t rev past 3 Grand in neutral or driving. The engine bay also smells of exhaust and the exhaust has metal flakes shooting out. What is my best course of action? I’d of course love to remove and replace but it is defiantly a pricey option. I have no emissions in this area or anywhere I visit. Any solutions would be healpf to get it back on the road!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 81
From: Hamilton Virginia
You kinda answered your own question. I guess the cost depends if your turning the wrench or a shop is.
To make it cheaper for now, just remove the cats and spice in a piece of pipe. then when you have the money, put new cats in.
To make it cheaper for now, just remove the cats and spice in a piece of pipe. then when you have the money, put new cats in.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
on your 86, you have a pair of pre-cats and a main cat, so is it both, pre and main that are the issue, or just one or the other?
let me chime in on the removal thing. just because you don't have emissions inspection in you state, it still against federal law to remove such emission equipment as originally installed by the manufacturer. lots of folks seem to ignore this. personally, and i'm not a tree hugger, but i'd keep emissions equipment intact.
as a maintenance item, I would suggest replacing the front y-pipe (with pre-cats) with a cat-less assembly and install a new main cat. the newer main cats are more efficient that OE and somewhat eliminates the need for the pre-cats. the new main cats are also an improved design that flows much better than your original equipment. if you go this route, your half way to replacing you entire exhaust system. so, if it's in the budget, and you're somewhat handy with the wrench, you can install a new OE style, walker system, front to rear, including rear y-pipe and mufflers for around $600. with your corvette being 31 years old, even with lower mileage, it may be time to replace the entire system. the insides of your mufflers are probably toast, and if you're having cat issues, might as well bite the bullet. just my 2-cents....
let me chime in on the removal thing. just because you don't have emissions inspection in you state, it still against federal law to remove such emission equipment as originally installed by the manufacturer. lots of folks seem to ignore this. personally, and i'm not a tree hugger, but i'd keep emissions equipment intact.
as a maintenance item, I would suggest replacing the front y-pipe (with pre-cats) with a cat-less assembly and install a new main cat. the newer main cats are more efficient that OE and somewhat eliminates the need for the pre-cats. the new main cats are also an improved design that flows much better than your original equipment. if you go this route, your half way to replacing you entire exhaust system. so, if it's in the budget, and you're somewhat handy with the wrench, you can install a new OE style, walker system, front to rear, including rear y-pipe and mufflers for around $600. with your corvette being 31 years old, even with lower mileage, it may be time to replace the entire system. the insides of your mufflers are probably toast, and if you're having cat issues, might as well bite the bullet. just my 2-cents....
Last edited by Joe C; Dec 18, 2017 at 09:31 AM.
Oil Producer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,367
Likes: 2,735
a306, sask?, comes down to $.
what i did when i didnt have the $ was to simply remove the cat, grab a long metal rod or bar, and i smashed the broken honeycomb out and tossed the crumblings in the garbage. it took some forceful jabs to break it up. reinstalled the cat. it was a tad noisier.
Now i would just get a new cat. you gotta do what u gotta do.
what i did when i didnt have the $ was to simply remove the cat, grab a long metal rod or bar, and i smashed the broken honeycomb out and tossed the crumblings in the garbage. it took some forceful jabs to break it up. reinstalled the cat. it was a tad noisier.
Now i would just get a new cat. you gotta do what u gotta do.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,648
Likes: 1,059
From: N.E. Ohio OH
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
most importantly, a business will not remove the cats unless they are replacing them with some type of replacement converter. you have to jack it up and do it yourself.
Last edited by drcook; Dec 17, 2017 at 05:09 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,430
Likes: 3,282
From: Hartford WI
Hello,
41k mike 86 corvette. I smelled my cats going a month ago with that firework smell. Tonight it wouldn’t rev past 3 Grand in neutral or driving. The engine bay also smells of exhaust and the exhaust has metal flakes shooting out. What is my best course of action? I’d of course love to remove and replace but it is defiantly a pricey option. I have no emissions in this area or anywhere I visit. Any solutions would be healpf to get it back on the road!
41k mike 86 corvette. I smelled my cats going a month ago with that firework smell. Tonight it wouldn’t rev past 3 Grand in neutral or driving. The engine bay also smells of exhaust and the exhaust has metal flakes shooting out. What is my best course of action? I’d of course love to remove and replace but it is defiantly a pricey option. I have no emissions in this area or anywhere I visit. Any solutions would be healpf to get it back on the road!
Best as in lowest dollar paid? That would be cutting off all emissions stuff and cat and weld pipes in place. That would also mean it makes more noise.
Best as in emissions friendly? Replace all the cats. $$$
Best as in performance? Replace all with a set of LT headers and weld a pipe for the main cat if it is similar to my 91. Not sure what your configuration is.
