removing cat converters
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 533
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From: Myrtle Point, Or
I took off all my smog, but before I did, I took off my main cat. I think u have two, one right behind the y-pipe, and another farther back. If I remember corectly, there is nothing that goes to the cats, and the 02 sensor is before the smaller cat.
Right now I run full lenth headers and side pipes with no smog, still runs fine.
Right now I run full lenth headers and side pipes with no smog, still runs fine.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 7
From: PA
yea i have two cats 1 is behind y pipe and the second is about 2 feet or so farther back quick question if i still have my smog stuff on will it affect anything with the running of my engine yes or no so i can get this thread over with and get those cats off
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 328
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From: Eastern Ohio
With the sensor location on the 87, you can remove them and the computer will run fine, altho there are pros and cons to pulling them, as the previous posts have all pointed out. There is another option open to you tho. Being an 87, (the cutoff is 1990) you can run a true dual system. Use one cat per side, mount the O2 sensor in the right pipe only (the motor will run fine) and skip the mufflers. Gives the best of both worlds. True duals, cats for cleaner air, and a nice performance sound, not too loud, not too quiet. I have this setup on my 90 EB. Used 2 1/2 pipe all the way back with no problems. Its a bit snug on the left side around the driveshaft, but a good pipe bender should have no problem with it.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 533
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From: Myrtle Point, Or
Originally Posted by Breeze
With the sensor location on the 87, you can remove them and the computer will run fine, altho there are pros and cons to pulling them, as the previous posts have all pointed out. There is another option open to you tho. Being an 87, (the cutoff is 1990) you can run a true dual system. Use one cat per side, mount the O2 sensor in the right pipe only (the motor will run fine) and skip the mufflers. Gives the best of both worlds. True duals, cats for cleaner air, and a nice performance sound, not too loud, not too quiet. I have this setup on my 90 EB. Used 2 1/2 pipe all the way back with no problems. Its a bit snug on the left side around the driveshaft, but a good pipe bender should have no problem with it.
not a bad idea
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by mustangman65_79
As for the Air pollition, big industerial pants put out way more then ours cars. One airliner,in one flight makes at least as much as your car in a year. Plus, what does a cat do? It takes air and mixes it with left over gas and maybe some oil, then burns it, just adding more carbon monoxcide to the air. My smog system on my bronco just took air from a smog pump, and put the air into my exhaust, for what? To burn some left over gas? To hide the fact that maybe my motor isn't running at it's best? I rather have no cats so that I know when my motor may be burnning some oil, or puttin off some excess gas. Cats tend to hide this untill your next smog check. A good clean engine is better then a tired engine burnning oil, but having cats hide that fact. I bet my truck would pass smog, without all the equipment. But I'm not going to spend $100+ to prove a point.
The changes in air quality that have been made since the introduction of more efficient running vehicles is very substainstial and the removal of your smog control equipment affects us all.
If your running your vehicle without the cats as you say, you are not passing smog. You do have biannual inspections in Suisun City, so you must be runnig your cat.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
Good link wheelMA1, it explains in detail how the catalytic converter works and how it interacts with the sensors in your computer control system.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 192
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From: Cary
My 89 came to me with no cats, just two pipes all the way to the back. I've been driving the truck for almost two years now and it runs fine (with regards to the cat/no cat issue). I used to get codes when the outside temp was chilly, and I always thought it was because the truck was missing all of the emmissions stuff.
After recently replacing my water pump and thermostat; I've yet to get a code, so I'm thinking that it was not the missing emissions parts after all. Next year, when my county starts requiring emissions I'm going to have to replace everything, or sell the truck. Well, I ain't selling my truck.
Aside from all the reasons, legal and ethical, you should leave it there. Consider what you may have to go through when/if you ever go to sell it. Had I known my county was going to require emissions so soon after buying it, I would have passed and bought another truck.
Two things to consider:
Would I rather have all the emissions stuff on there for all of the reasons metioned? Yes.
Does it seem to adversely affect how the truck runs? Not to my knowledge.
After recently replacing my water pump and thermostat; I've yet to get a code, so I'm thinking that it was not the missing emissions parts after all. Next year, when my county starts requiring emissions I'm going to have to replace everything, or sell the truck. Well, I ain't selling my truck.
Aside from all the reasons, legal and ethical, you should leave it there. Consider what you may have to go through when/if you ever go to sell it. Had I known my county was going to require emissions so soon after buying it, I would have passed and bought another truck.
Two things to consider:
Would I rather have all the emissions stuff on there for all of the reasons metioned? Yes.
Does it seem to adversely affect how the truck runs? Not to my knowledge.
