IMPORTANT question about cat. converter removal

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Jan 31, 2004 | 10:23 PM

BushWacker1

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IMPORTANT question about cat. converter removal

I own a 1999 Ford F-150 ext. cab 2wd with 5.4. I already have a magnaflow si/do exhaust. I want to remove the two rear cat. converters, and just replace with a pipe. My question is will i mess anything up or run into any problems as long as i do not mess with the O2 sensors. I think i will leave the two front converters/resinators alone. By removing the rear converters, will i have an increase in power or gas mileage, will my exhaust get any louder? (many have told me yes to all) Please give me all the advice possible.

Jan 31, 2004 | 10:31 PM

coker0290

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From: in the sticks

you will get more power and better gas mileage plus louder sound. as with the sensors they do make little boxes that plug insted of the o2 sensors to trick the computer

Feb 1, 2004 | 12:35 PM

WhëëlMå1

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From: MA

Quote:

Originally posted by coker0290
you will get more power and better gas mileage plus louder sound. as with the sensors they do make little boxes that plug insted of the o2 sensors to trick the computer

That may have been true for older vehicles, but newer vehicles are so computer controlled that any inteference on our part with their sensors can give you all sorts of performance issues. Yes, even though you dont want to mess with the sensors, you will be messing with the substrate that the sensors measure. The sticky at the top of this forum should lay out how a cat works, and explain the principles behind it. They superheat the exhaust gases, and the sensors measure those hot gases. If you no longer superheat those gases, youre sensors detect that, and can alter the engines parameters, which can adversly effect performance. Have you thought about having a custom high flow Y pipe made, with a high flow cat?

Rich

Feb 1, 2004 | 10:45 PM

bob arrington

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From: alaska

Quote:

Originally posted by wheelMA1
That may have been true for older vehicles, but newer vehicles are so computer controlled that any inteference on our part with their sensors can give you all sorts of performance issues. Yes, even though you dont want to mess with the sensors, you will be messing with the substrate that the sensors measure. The sticky at the top of this forum should lay out how a cat works, and explain the principles behind it. They superheat the exhaust gases, and the sensors measure those hot gases. If you no longer superheat those gases, youre sensors detect that, and can alter the engines parameters, which can adversly effect performance. Have you thought about having a custom high flow Y pipe made, with a high flow cat?

Rich

amen

Feb 2, 2004 | 08:14 AM

bradleygt302

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From: michigan

isn't it possible to get a program written for a chip that ignores the downstream o2's?

Feb 2, 2004 | 10:11 AM

jvangel

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From: Maryland

My 1997 has the 2 Cats removed like you asked about, and to be honest...........I wish I would have never done it. No issues with the O2's, but it will be an issue when I decide to sell it. I didnt get better gas mileage, the sound difference wasnt really noticable.

Since were on the subject............where can I get CHEAP after market Cat. Converters for my 1997 5.4L I wanna get them back on.

Feb 2, 2004 | 01:04 PM

WhëëlMå1

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From: MA

I only know of one aftermarket cat manufacturer. "Catco" is the one, and they seem to be the biggest. I believe www.truckperformance.com carries them.

Rich