Gutting Cats
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Livonia MI
Gutting Cats
Well, Not actual cats but the catalytic converters. Is it worth a HP gain? I have stock headers, cats, H pipe and Borla 2 tips. Supposing it is worth it -how is it done? Just stick some rebar in there and beat the crap out of it? I would take them off for the gutting ceremony. Also concerned about resonance and weird (Boat type) noises.
Some one who has done this please answer.
Thanks
:flag
Some one who has done this please answer.
Thanks
:flag
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,808
Likes: 344
From: Albuquerque NM
Re: Gutting Cats (a6fan)
Don't do it, it's not worth it. A bud had a spare set, so we gutted them and dyno'd, made a whopping 6 horsepower more. :rolleyes: You'll never feel that little power, it'll smell bad, it won't pass smog check, it's a federal crime, and why add to the pollution for that little gain. :smash: Plus it's not free, you'll need to buy a set of O2 simulators for the rear O2 sensors or pay to retune with LS1 Edit to turn off the rear o2's.
[Modified by 6Speeder, 1:59 PM 12/15/2003]
[Modified by 6Speeder, 2:07 PM 12/15/2003]
[Modified by 6Speeder, 1:59 PM 12/15/2003]
[Modified by 6Speeder, 2:07 PM 12/15/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,205
Likes: 40
From: Tucson AZ
Re: Gutting Cats (6Speeder)
Don't do it, it's not worth it. A bud had a spare set, so we gutted them and dyno'd, made a whopping 6 horsepower more. :rolleyes: You'll never feel that little power, it'll smell bad, it won't pass smog check, it's a federal crime, and why add to the pollution for that little gain. :smash: Plus it's not free, you'll need to buy a set of O2 simulators for the rear O2 sensors or pay to retune with LS1 Edit to turn off the rear o2's.
[Modified by 6Speeder, 2:07 PM 12/15/2003]
[Modified by 6Speeder, 2:07 PM 12/15/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 179
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
Re: Gutting Cats (mcd_57)
I agree about the "don't wastre yout time". From what I've read, thios procedure is done on cars that live most of their life at the track... and not daily drivers and are not used for much of anything other than running at the track.
About the "and why add to the pollution for that little gain" comment...
Ignore the environ-mentalcases and make your decision based on the cars intended main useage.
About the "and why add to the pollution for that little gain" comment...
Ignore the environ-mentalcases and make your decision based on the cars intended main useage.
Advanced
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: san antonio tx
Re: Gutting Cats (a6fan)
I gutted my stock cats and personally I like the change. The car sounds better than before. I also got the O2 sims. It rarely smells if any. It does feel that the car runs better without it. I would do it all over again.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 9
From: Columbus OH
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
From: NE PA
Re: Gutting Cats (Wah)
Thanks, Wah! :)
Those are just what I've been looking for because, after March 1st, this part of PA is going from no emissions testing whatsoever to a gas cap test and visual check. The gas cap test won't present a problem, but the visual would have. I'll be welding a pair of these babies in place over the winter! :yesnod:
Those are just what I've been looking for because, after March 1st, this part of PA is going from no emissions testing whatsoever to a gas cap test and visual check. The gas cap test won't present a problem, but the visual would have. I'll be welding a pair of these babies in place over the winter! :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,896
Likes: 3
From: New Bern NC
Re: Gutting Cats (XTrooper)
I don't know about puting this type of info out on the web for everyone to see. You might have someone show up for a look that you do not want. No flame intended, just an observation.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 0
From: NE PA
Re: Gutting Cats (6 speed Sid)
I don't know about puting this type of info out on the web for everyone to see. You might have someone show up for a look that you do not want. No flame intended, just an observation.
Having spent a lifetime in law enforcement I can guarantee you have a better chance of being killed by a rogue elephant in your living room than having a Federal EPA official appear to inspect your car (who, btw, have no law enforcement powers).
[Modified by XTrooper, 7:42 PM 12/16/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 14
From: Kansas City MO
Re: Gutting Cats (a6fan)
don't waste your time gutting them. replace them with straight pipe instead. i love mine. here's what i did:
- TTS long tube headers
- removed cats and replaced with straight pipe
- Bassani x-pipe
- Borla XR-1 exhaust with no mufflers
- dyno tuning (of course, i also added an ATI kit with 8 lbs of boost, so i needed the tuning)
and i don't notice any smell or have any problems. of course, it is loud as all hell - probably one of the loudest cars in town - but it sounds awesome. force a bunch of air through the system with an ATI kit and its even louder. ;)
and no, it won't even come close to passing inspection. i went and paid $20 extra for "the special $40 inspection". ;)
- TTS long tube headers
- removed cats and replaced with straight pipe
- Bassani x-pipe
- Borla XR-1 exhaust with no mufflers
- dyno tuning (of course, i also added an ATI kit with 8 lbs of boost, so i needed the tuning)
and i don't notice any smell or have any problems. of course, it is loud as all hell - probably one of the loudest cars in town - but it sounds awesome. force a bunch of air through the system with an ATI kit and its even louder. ;)
and no, it won't even come close to passing inspection. i went and paid $20 extra for "the special $40 inspection". ;)
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 14
From: Kansas City MO
Re: Gutting Cats (6Speeder)
Plus it's not free, you'll need to buy a set of O2 simulators for the rear O2 sensors or pay to retune with LS1 Edit to turn off the rear o2's.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 5,377
Likes: 14
From: Kansas City MO
Re: Gutting Cats (XTrooper)
Who would "show up" and where? At your home? The Feds? It's no secret that many run without cats.
Having spent a lifetime in law enforcement I can guarantee you have a better chance of being killed by a rogue elephant in your living room than having a Federal EPA official appear to inspect your car (who, btw, have no law enforcement powers).
Having spent a lifetime in law enforcement I can guarantee you have a better chance of being killed by a rogue elephant in your living room than having a Federal EPA official appear to inspect your car (who, btw, have no law enforcement powers).
:lolg: :lolg: :lolg: