Removing CAT Converters?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Mateo
Removing CAT Converters?
I had a summit exhaust system on my truck which I installed about 6 years ago. Anyway, the muffler went bad so after doing my research I brought it to the muffler shop and had them install a Flowmaster 40 series. I liked the sound and heard a lot of good things about this particular muffler. After picking my truck up from the shop, I'm a little disappointed. The sound is pretty much the same as my old muffler. It's a little louder but not that noticeable. The guy in the shop said it is because my truck has two CAT converters and these are why I am not getting the deep, loud rumble I expected. They also have O2 sensors on them so I cant just take them out. Any suggestions, I know I cant do away with them completely because of the smog but is there any other way around this?
I have to say though, I can definitely feel the difference in performance with my new muffler.
I have to say though, I can definitely feel the difference in performance with my new muffler.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 8
From: Edmonton AB, Canada
First off what is your truck?
I have a flowmaster super44 on my truck with The cat removed and I love the way it sounds. Leaving the cat in will definatly make it quieter.
My 95 has one o2 sensor before the cat so removing it doesn't change anything
I have a flowmaster super44 on my truck with The cat removed and I love the way it sounds. Leaving the cat in will definatly make it quieter.
My 95 has one o2 sensor before the cat so removing it doesn't change anything
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,791
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From: Edmonton AB, Canada
My 95 had 1. On mine anyway the y pipe is shielded at the end and couple be confused as a catalytic converter and Then the cat is after it. Not sure if on the 96 they changed it or not
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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I have the power robbing 2 cat system in my 96 as well. I will check but I believe my 02 sensor is before my second cat. It's a totally power robbing system.The only reason I must comply is because the 95's are obdI and the 96's are obdII. I may be mistaken, and if I am I will be corrected.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,062
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From: Dallas, TX, USA
Replace the old-tech cat with a modern free-flow one; they don't cost much, you stay legal, you don't pollute the air and compared to a straight pipe you lose a whopping... 1hp. That's it. No-lose situation there.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Mateo
Would the high flow cat make much difference with the sound? And does that mean I have to replace both
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Pre 96, OBD1, uses a two cat system, the first for NOx and second with air injection for CO & HC's. If you need to run an air/smog pump for emissions visual check, run a single 3 way cat with air input from the pump. If you don't have to have the air/smog pump you can run a single three way cat without air input and still pass emissions if required.
If you don't have emissions testing, consider keeping the air cleaner and know that in doing so you might be giving up only a couple of horses.
I will be installing a large, Magnaflow, three way cat on my rig this week, 3" inlet and outlet, and know it will flow great. I currently have the three way cat that came with a Bassani "Y" pipe and it isn't cutting-it, won't pass emissions.
The high flow cat will take the sound down some but not near as much as the stock dual cat set-up. I think yo will like it as the 40 series is very loud.
If you don't have emissions testing, consider keeping the air cleaner and know that in doing so you might be giving up only a couple of horses.
I will be installing a large, Magnaflow, three way cat on my rig this week, 3" inlet and outlet, and know it will flow great. I currently have the three way cat that came with a Bassani "Y" pipe and it isn't cutting-it, won't pass emissions.
The high flow cat will take the sound down some but not near as much as the stock dual cat set-up. I think yo will like it as the 40 series is very loud.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Mateo
Ok, I'm in CA so the emissions bs is what I have to deal with. I'm not completely understanding you. Should I replace my two cats with something like the magnaflows you were talking about?
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
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Since you are in CA, you need to check and see if the Magnaflow or other fine brand cat is approved. Not all applications have approved cats, and likely never will.
The law was changed to stop the sale of junk cats that don't work--talk to any smog guy who's been around for a while about people testing worse with their "new" cat than with the bad stocker.
The law was changed to stop the sale of junk cats that don't work--talk to any smog guy who's been around for a while about people testing worse with their "new" cat than with the bad stocker.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Mateo
Sounds like I'm just gonna have to deal with it. I think its gonna be much of a hassle to start changing up cats, that might even fail the smog test. Damn, I was hoping to get the full potential out of my new muffler.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: San Mateo
Is it possible to cut out the two cats, then bolt a replacement pipe that has been drilled and tapped to accept the O2 sensors, then come smog time, bolt the cats back in and so on?
