Question about cats
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
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From: Rockland co. N.Y.
Question about cats
I am planning on putting an exhaust on my truck this weekend from the y pipe back, I don't have enough money for headers right now. Anyway there is that metal tube that goes from the cat to the back of the engine can I just plug it or do I need to do something special. Truck is a 97 with 460 I don't need a cat anymore so I'm just going to get rid of it
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Manchester, NH
That is correct. It is part of your AIR system. If you are planning on removing the cat, look into 'smog pump delete' and remove the entire system, rather ten hack off half.
That said, you are not going to notice any performance gains fr om removing the AIR system. Also, unless you have decent internal upgrades to the engine, you really have no reason to remove a cat.
That said, you are not going to notice any performance gains fr om removing the AIR system. Also, unless you have decent internal upgrades to the engine, you really have no reason to remove a cat.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
An exhaust system is much more than just a catalytic converter. A normally-operating cat and AIR pump are absolutely no detriment to performance. To truly "wake up" an engine of this era requires lots more than just halfhearted, piecemeal exhaust work.
Besides, removing them is a Federal offense under Section 203(a)(3)(A) and (B)of the Clean Air Act and, if you're caught, can cost you thousands of dollars in fines and I don't know that you'll be able to legally sell the truck like that.
See Transportation and Air Quality | US EPA
See Title II | Clean Air Act | US EPA
See http://www.epa.gov/oms/regs/fuels/cff/memo-1a.txt
See Clean Air Act | US EPA
Just sayin'...........
Besides, removing them is a Federal offense under Section 203(a)(3)(A) and (B)of the Clean Air Act and, if you're caught, can cost you thousands of dollars in fines and I don't know that you'll be able to legally sell the truck like that.
See Transportation and Air Quality | US EPA
See Title II | Clean Air Act | US EPA
See http://www.epa.gov/oms/regs/fuels/cff/memo-1a.txt
See Clean Air Act | US EPA
Just sayin'...........
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
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From: Central Indiana
Just my 0.02 USD worth
Removal of the Cats and the AIR system gains about 2 - 3 h.p. at best. Not worth the effort in my eyes, unless you absolutely want to proudly say to anyone that will listen, "I removed the cat and smog pump!"
Here in The Peoples Republic Of Kalifornistan, you can forget about smogging a truck modded in that manner. It's also a "Big fines and no more registering said vehicle until all items are reinstalled" type of infraction if you happen to get caught.
You really want to wake that sleeping beast up? Headers, mild ecm-friendly cam, mild portwork to the heads, cut off the horns on the intake and set timing to 12 to 14 degrees. Maybe add a Gibson cat-back exhaust system.
An (in)famous "Six Litre tune-up" wouldn't hurt, either. Just don't buy one of those blasted K&N air filters! The only thing they do is lighten your wallet and by design, due to the larger openings in the filter weave, let more dirt into your engine!
Half-baked muffler replacements just to make a butt-load of noise really won't do a thing for performance but it's your truck. We can only make suggestions. Whether you listen and weigh the merits or not, that's up to you.
Just my personal opinions. YMMV. Void where prohibited. No coupon required. Only one offer per day, per person.
Here in The Peoples Republic Of Kalifornistan, you can forget about smogging a truck modded in that manner. It's also a "Big fines and no more registering said vehicle until all items are reinstalled" type of infraction if you happen to get caught.
You really want to wake that sleeping beast up? Headers, mild ecm-friendly cam, mild portwork to the heads, cut off the horns on the intake and set timing to 12 to 14 degrees. Maybe add a Gibson cat-back exhaust system.
An (in)famous "Six Litre tune-up" wouldn't hurt, either. Just don't buy one of those blasted K&N air filters! The only thing they do is lighten your wallet and by design, due to the larger openings in the filter weave, let more dirt into your engine!
Half-baked muffler replacements just to make a butt-load of noise really won't do a thing for performance but it's your truck. We can only make suggestions. Whether you listen and weigh the merits or not, that's up to you.
Just my personal opinions. YMMV. Void where prohibited. No coupon required. Only one offer per day, per person.
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OP is in NY. ---------------------------------see next post-------------------
NYS DMV - Vehicle Safety, Inspection, Repairs and Dealers
NYS DMV - Vehicle Safety, Inspection, Repairs and Dealers
Last edited by 85e150; Jun 28, 2012 at 01:59 PM. Reason: remove bad info
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OP is in NY. IF he is over 8500 GVWR, he is exempt from the smog inspections. If not, he is subject to inspection.
NYS DMV - Vehicle Safety, Inspection, Repairs and Dealers
NYS DMV - Vehicle Safety, Inspection, Repairs and Dealers
1995 or older model year vehicle, or a vehicle that has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVRW) of 8,501 lbs. or more is required to have a low-enhanced emissions inspection
The low-enhanced emissions inspection includes a gas cap check and a visual inspection to find evidence of tampering and to prevent malfunctions in the air pollution control devices.
These motor vehicles are exempt from the OBDII and low-enhanced emissions inspection:
Vehicles that are less than two model years old, or more than 25 model years old (for example, a 1986 model in 2011).
Diesel-powered vehicles with an MGW of 8500 or less
The low-enhanced emissions inspection includes a gas cap check and a visual inspection to find evidence of tampering and to prevent malfunctions in the air pollution control devices.
These motor vehicles are exempt from the OBDII and low-enhanced emissions inspection:
Vehicles that are less than two model years old, or more than 25 model years old (for example, a 1986 model in 2011).
Diesel-powered vehicles with an MGW of 8500 or less
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: May 2011
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From: Rockland co. N.Y.
yea i dont need a cat my mechanic told me so because of the weight and the fact that in n.y. if a vehicle is 15 years or older it dosnt need to pass inspection and next year my truck will be 15 and i just got the inspection so by next inspection time the truck wont need it anyway. im not getting rid of it for a load of noise i figure anything in the exhaust system that is not smooth pipe is a restriction. if cats arent restrictive why would they sell high flow cats. there has to be some restriction there or just a very good sales scheme. i dont want my truck to be stupid loud anyway thats not my goal i just want it to breath a little better. i am just going to replace from the y pipe back because i dont have the money for the whole system right now or i would be doing headers and all. i am planning on doing the timing and the air horns too. im not some dumb little kid trying to make noise and wake the neighbors i just have read in lots of posts that an exhaust does wonders for these restricted trucks.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kentucky
The F250 and F350 actually have a decent exhaust already. The huge single converter and dual down pipes flow pretty good. The F150/Bronco on the other hand use a completely different design y-pipe and converter scheme. There is plenty of room for improvement on those.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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yea i dont need a cat my mechanic told me so because of the weight and the fact that in n.y. if a vehicle is 15 years or older it dosnt need to pass inspection and next year my truck will be 15 and i just got the inspection so by next inspection time the truck wont need it anyway.
