No Cats........Any Problems????
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Midland, TX........ 550 RWHP/520 RWTQ (A6)
No Cats........Any Problems????
I've heard of a high number of hi flo cats failing after a short time. I don't know anyone running without cats , so I pose these questions here: Any problems without cats (we don't have emission testing here)?
I've heard conflicting stories about the smell (any opinions)?
Are Billy Boats the only headers that will bolt up to the factory h pipe (eliminating the cats)?
Thanks for the replies....I know of several people thinking of ditching their cats.
I've heard conflicting stories about the smell (any opinions)?
Are Billy Boats the only headers that will bolt up to the factory h pipe (eliminating the cats)?
Thanks for the replies....I know of several people thinking of ditching their cats.
Last edited by Bushong572; Jul 4, 2007 at 08:29 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 5
From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
Just because you dont have testing there does not make it right. If you buy high quality cats you will not have a problem.
Do the right thing for all of us.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville Tx
I have high flow cats on mine and there is still an odor. It smells like rich exhaust and is very penetrating. Its most prominent after a cold start, on the road you dont really notice it. Even with high flow cats, I doubt you will pass emissions tests. The sound is great, but if you're exhaust drones right now, it will drone more after headers.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 3
From: FNDA Beach Florida
I have high flow cats and never had a issue of smell. Got them with the Melrose header system. Forgot the name of them. Not worth going without and is illegal so why even go there for no noticeable gain anyway.
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I just had Kooks installed with NO CATS.
No CATs =
1. 4-5 RWHP gain
2. louder exhaust with way more burble
3. slight smell if you're standing behind the car
I love all 3. The odor is spent gas. That's a good car smell IMHO
No CATs =
1. 4-5 RWHP gain
2. louder exhaust with way more burble
3. slight smell if you're standing behind the car
I love all 3. The odor is spent gas. That's a good car smell IMHO
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 205
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From: Regina Sask
I went catless on my Vette and I am currently catless on my Viper. What did everyone do back in the 60's and 70's when there was no cats? They smelled unburnt exhaust. It's not bad. Do it. I loved the sound. On my Viper it makes a huge difference in the side sill temps. Those cats get DAMN hot. No more burnt legs when I get out...lol.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,989
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From: DFW This user does not support or recommend the product or service displayed in the ad to the right
I went catless on my Vette and I am currently catless on my Viper. What did everyone do back in the 60's and 70's when there was no cats? They smelled unburnt exhaust. It's not bad. Do it. I loved the sound. On my Viper it makes a huge difference in the side sill temps. Those cats get DAMN hot. No more burnt legs when I get out...lol.
ThanksJust remember
Hollowing out a catalytic converter or replacing it with a test pipe or straight section of pipe is a violation of Federal Law punishable by fines in excess of $25,000 and/or jail time for both the vehicle owner and the person doing the work.
Removing a catalytic converter will result, at most, in 5 HP in power improvement.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 266
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I have cats and 386 RWHP with headers and ported intake only through 3.90 gears. The cats don't cut power much if any. For sure you can't feel 3-4 hp (if that) lost through the cats.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
I've heard of a high number of hi flo cats failing after a short time. I've heard conflicting stories about the smell (any opinions)?
Are Billy Boats the only headers that will bolt up to the factory h pipe (eliminating the cats)?
Thanks for the replies....I know of several people thinking of ditching their cats.
Are Billy Boats the only headers that will bolt up to the factory h pipe (eliminating the cats)?
Thanks for the replies....I know of several people thinking of ditching their cats.
only some during cold start up but once i get moving, i don't smell anything.
Last edited by don.donc; Jul 6, 2007 at 05:11 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 17
Great, no more burt legs for you, Burnt lungs for the rest of us. Thanks
Just remember
Hollowing out a catalytic converter or replacing it with a test pipe or straight section of pipe is a violation of Federal Law punishable by fines in excess of $25,000 and/or jail time for both the vehicle owner and the person doing the work.
Removing a catalytic converter will result, at most, in 5 HP in power improvement.
ThanksJust remember
Hollowing out a catalytic converter or replacing it with a test pipe or straight section of pipe is a violation of Federal Law punishable by fines in excess of $25,000 and/or jail time for both the vehicle owner and the person doing the work.
Removing a catalytic converter will result, at most, in 5 HP in power improvement.
Get off the soap box. I don't believe anyone here is ignorant of the laws regarding cats. HUGE driveability improvements can be found by removing cats. If the car is a track only car, I don't even think it is against the law.
P.s. I thought my stainless steel random tech cats were high quality, but they blew out in pieces, and I'll be damned if I'm going to spend another couple hundred to have the restriction back.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 809
From: West coast CA
I do. It's a very common perception that where smog tests are not required, catalysts may be legally removed.
The emission systems on these cars are amazingly good. Removing them to produce an eye-watering, fume-emitting gross polluter for a pretty pathetic gain in horsepower strikes me as a lousy bargain.
This is one of those health/environmental issues where the problem is obvious to anybody and there's no question that the solution has been very effective.
The emission systems on these cars are amazingly good. Removing them to produce an eye-watering, fume-emitting gross polluter for a pretty pathetic gain in horsepower strikes me as a lousy bargain.
This is one of those health/environmental issues where the problem is obvious to anybody and there's no question that the solution has been very effective.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,091
Likes: 17
I do. It's a very common perception that where smog tests are not required, catalysts may be legally removed.
The emission systems on these cars are amazingly good. Removing them to produce an eye-watering, fume-emitting gross polluter for a pretty pathetic gain in horsepower strikes me as a lousy bargain.
This is one of those health/environmental issues where the problem is obvious to anybody and there's no question that the solution has been very effective.
The emission systems on these cars are amazingly good. Removing them to produce an eye-watering, fume-emitting gross polluter for a pretty pathetic gain in horsepower strikes me as a lousy bargain.
This is one of those health/environmental issues where the problem is obvious to anybody and there's no question that the solution has been very effective.
I really don't think there is any misunderstanding about the legality of removing cats, just as people realize speeding is against the law-but still do it.