Thinking about removing the cat
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Thinking about removing the cat
Does anyone have any input on removing a cat and just going with a system from manifold to muffler, to rear exits? I was told by the shop my cat needs to be replaced but I am wondering if there would be any gains by omitting it (performace and money savings). My buddy at work says it would smell too bad and gas would leak out the tail pipes.I live in florida and there is no emissions check but would like to know if anyone else has done this. I am thinking of replacing my cracked manifold and running with a flowmaster 40 muffler. Also, will new pipes make a difference??? I have huge pipes on there now which might be aiding to my poor low end. Ideas?
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it is illegal to remove your cats, but it will help your motor run better, giving it more power and fuel economy. unless your truck has major issues you wont notice the smell much and gas wont run out of your tailpipes. if you run true duals go with 2.25'' pipe. hope this helps.
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Thanks for the info. I thought there were only certain states that you had to keep them on because of emissions like CA. I wasn't aware it was required in all states. One more question, the shop I took my truck to said I had to replace the cat, why would it need to be replaced (do they clog or something) and will replacing it will help with power?
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From: Rio Rancho USA
Cats do clog, or otherwise go bad. My opinion would be to get a high flow cat. Almost as good as no cat, but its still legal. Almost all states have emissions laws of some kind.
Fuel leaking out of your pipes would indicate a bigger problem than just a bad cat.
Fuel leaking out of your pipes would indicate a bigger problem than just a bad cat.
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first what year truck. if its a 96 and up you need the cats because of the obd 2 and i would go with high flow cats, but if it helps 96 and down or obd1 you will gain power and throttle responce to eliminate the cats. For the emissions its a federal law not state to have the cats on the car. I would go with headers and true dual 2.5 or 3inch.
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The truck is an 87 so I don't think the sensor would be an issue. If it's a law I am guessing shops will not remove it so replacing it would be the only real option. Are there major differences in brands or just stick with anything "high flow"?
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smokem hit the nail on the head. i do exhaust for a living and i would get a huge fine if i was caught removing cats. thats why they want to replace them. if your truck is obd2 and you dont want cats you can try to find simulators for the rear o2 sensors, then you could run with no cats. im not so sure about the big pipe tho. it may be ok with restrictive mufflers like the flowmaster40, otherwise you wont have enuf backpressure on a stock motor. you will lose low end torque and mpg. also more seriously you can do lots of damage to your heads with inssuficient backpressure.
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How will I know if the cat is bad or the shop is just trying to make a few extra bucks? I'm just curious if they run some sort of test to confirm that. The shop has been very accomidating and looked over the truck from bumper to bumper for free and prioritized a list of "to do's" for me with no pressure to do any work. I guess I am trying to determine what is most important and what can wait. I have to replace a cracked manifold for sure but what should be next? Muffler or pipes or cat??? I'm new at this!!
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if cats are plugged you will notice power loss and mpg drop significantly. if they are broken you will hear them rattling. most shops can do a backpressure test to see if they are plugged. i would put a new manifold on first especially if where you live gets cold!
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I am getting about 12 mpg and power doesn't feel lacking. I've never had a truck before so I don't have much to reference. I've always wanted this generation F150 so I bout it as a project truck. I'm in Tampa, FL. I was thinking of doing the manifold and muffler then pipes and cat to spread the cost out. Is that a good idea is there another combo of upgrades that would be better???
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From: Rio Rancho USA
Originally Posted by disfunctionals
otherwise you wont have enuf backpressure on a stock motor. you will lose low end torque and mpg. also more seriously you can do lots of damage to your heads with inssuficient backpressure.
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Originally Posted by Bertha1
I am getting about 12 mpg and power doesn't feel lacking. I've never had a truck before so I don't have much to reference. I've always wanted this generation F150 so I bout it as a project truck. I'm in Tampa, FL. I was thinking of doing the manifold and muffler then pipes and cat to spread the cost out. Is that a good idea is there another combo of upgrades that would be better???