O2 Simulator Questions Inside, please look

[cboney2000]

I'm going up to the muffler shop next weekend to have the cat removed completely and a cutout installed in it's place. I know that doing this will throw an SES light. My question is do I need to install the O2 Sims to maintain performance (proper air/fuel and such) or are they just to keep the SES light away. If they will help the car run better after the cat is gone, I will spend the $100 on them, but if they just prevent the SES light, than I could care less, I can live with that. Please give me some input, I don't want to waste $100. (Also, it is the four pin connection, not the square one for my 97 Firebird right?) Thansk again!

[Silver3800V6FBodyKY]

The O2 Simulators only trick the computer into thinking that you have the correct Oxygen readings past the Catalytic Convertor. They do not correct your air/fule ratio, besides that won't change once you remove the convertor. It is illegal for a Muffler shop to remove the convertor, so if for some reason they do decide to break the law for you, make sure you don't tell anyone that they did it for you.

[Ttop34]

Just a suggestion, you might try to get a cut out put in before the cat. That way you can start the car without waking up the GF's roommate every time you leave, at least that's my problem. That and setting off the neighbor's car alarm every time I back into the garage.

If I had mine to do over again, I would have put a cut out in right before the cat with an electric switch inside the car. This gives you a lot more options. Might even look at doing something after the cut out to give you a little back preasure and cutting down on the noise some because with open exhaust our cars sound horrible. I think it was Car Chemistry or something that had some plates that you could stick inside the exhaust tube that would quiet it down and not restrict flow much.

You will probably have better luck finding a shop to do this rather than taking off the cat. I eventuallly just had to do mine myself and with the help of a few friends, a carpenter and a underwater arc welder actually. Then I clamped on the pipe untill I could take it to a exhaust shop and have them weld it up. You can see pictures on my site if you want.