Gutting Catalytic Converter

[Bobd1001]

So my stock cat clogged about a week ago and my car immediately started running like a slug. I go tit to my neighbors dealership right away (he is also a mechanic), and a direct fit cat costs about 350 plus install, and he said welding in a universal is a pain. So what he said we can do is gut out the old cat, and reinstall it to pass visual inspection (AND IM PRETTY PSYCHED TO HAVE NO CAT).

I know that this will set off my O2 sensor, so im gonna need an O2 sim. I'm thinking of getting the one at 3800Performance (3800performance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=3800P&Product_ Code=O2-EMU). Will this one work, or does anyone have any recommendations for a different one?

Thank you,
Bob

[Choppers]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

I would get a high flow cat from gvperformance.com before I gutted a cat. They are relatively cheap and welding in a Magnaflow high flow cat isn't that hard any exhaust shop can do it.

[Bobd1001]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

Ok, Ill ask him about the high flow (i just figure running notcat will be a good power boost). Ill still need the O2 sensor though right?

[Blizzard242]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

If you do end up gutting the cat, get a pipe that fits into it so it's a straight shot through. Otherwise it's a bit of a bottle neck and the flow isn't ideal.

[ssms5411]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

If you do end up gutting the cat, get a pipe that fits into it so it's a straight shot through. Otherwise it's a bit of a bottle neck and the flow isn't ideal.

X2 if you gut it , you need a pipe to go in it or just pull the shell apart and weld it over the straight pipe, my gutted cat, after awhile started to fall apart and then leak , if you have inspections for emisions they'll see the cat still so you'll be good, and either get a sim or hptuners the code out. I put a huge desiel resonator in place of the CAT , 4" long 6" round really helps since my exhuast is dumped before the axle with a turn down. Good luck.

[Bobd1001]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

So will that O2 Emulator from 3800performance work? Does anyone have any experience with using this O2 Sim?

[Blizzard242]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

I have one. I don't think I got it from 3800performance but it's been working for years. I don't even need it anymore since I have HPtuners. If you're close to anyone with HPtuners they can tune it out for you so you don't have to buy anything. However, if they haven't unlocked all vehicles of your year they may make you pay for the credits which is 100 bucks.
I just did it for another member of the board but I did a little extra tuning for him too. Some transmission tuning and spark correction since he's taken off his EGR. As soon as he get's a wideband I'm doing more tuning for him.

[VTJosh]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

350!!!!!!!! Talk about being raped much? My Magnaflow high-flow only cost me like $110 with shipping and $30 to have a shop weld it in. And that included the reducer's since it was a 3"in 3"out cat. Stay away from that guy and look elsewhere

[SixShooter'00Camaro]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

my gutted cat, after awhile started to fall apart and then leak.

X2. I gutted mine, its starting to leak going to put a piece of straight pipe in place when I do my cam swap and headers since the county I live in has no emissions :burn:

[nascar24jd]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

So my stock cat clogged about a week ago and my car immediately started running like a slug. I go tit to my neighbors dealership right away (he is also a mechanic), and a direct fit cat costs about 350 plus install, and he said welding in a universal is a pain.

Welding in a universal is a piece of cake for any respectable exhaust shop.

Take it someplace else.

[Bobd1001]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

So my neighbor (the mechanic) and I gutted out the stock cat today. We popped it off, cut the top open and took out all the catalyst. then welded it back shut (we didn't have spare tube to put in the cat to make it a straight shot through, but the welds are flawless, so I don't think its gonna be leaking anytime soon (and I'm not too concerned about the visual inspection since my neighbor inspects my car for me at his shop). Once we put the gutted cat system back on, my Magnaflow exhaust sounds ten times better, and its driving GREAT! def a good power booster, but now its a bit loud, but I can live with that. So far I have driver it about 15 miles with the gutted cat, and my engine light hasn't come on yet (but I'm guessing within a day or two ill be seeing it). So ill be ordering that O2 emulator very soon.

[VTJosh]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

I laugh my *** off if he turned around and failed you during inspection, lol.

[SixShooter'00Camaro]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

Yeah your SES light will come one, I have had mine turned off about 4 times and it just keeps coming on, im going to have the code programed out.

[Bobd1001]

Re: Gutting Catalytic Converter

Sixshooter, do you have an O2 sim on it? or just running without it?

VTJosh: yeah that would be pretty ironic! I would cry....:cry: