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second cat '96 302

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Old Nov 4, 2007 | 10:56 PM
  #1  
wildcat99's Avatar
wildcat99
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second cat '96 302

Is there any good reason to hollow out the 2nd cat?

My truck goes to the shop for new catback exhaust in a week. Right now I have just a short piece of pipe after the 2nd cat and can see the honeycomb. It's now or never...once the exhaust is on it will probably stay that way forever. Should I take a broom handle to it or just leave it alone?
 
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Old Nov 5, 2007 | 03:52 AM
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92F150Flare
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From: Goose Creek SC
Reasons TO do it: Little better sound, little better performance, never having to worry about it clogging up.

Reasons NOT to: Emissions, might not pass tests and will let more of the bad stuff out.

All they are is a restriction in the system.

Good Luck
Bob
 
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Old Nov 5, 2007 | 09:57 PM
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i say the same as 92f150flare
 
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Old Nov 5, 2007 | 10:27 PM
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Nate81camaro
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From: Cheyenne, WY
Originally Posted by ford_boy_1996
i say the same as 92f150flare
As do I.


It really depends how stringent your emissions testing is (if applicable).
 
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 12:04 AM
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I'm going with no muffler, a y-pipe into duals and tips after the cats. No emissions testing here.

It sounds good now, I don't want this thing to be obnoxiously loud. How much louder would it be if the 2nd cat were hollow?

Also, is there any chance I could screw this up and get broken honeycomb lodged in there some how? Will a hollow 2nd cat effect the O2 sensor reading between the cats? (I have 3 O2 sensors on a 96)

I also don't want stinky, blue smoke rolling out the tips. Would I have this without the 2nd cat or is most of it taken out with the 1st?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for any opinions on this!
 
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 01:36 AM
  #6  
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Nate81camaro
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From: Cheyenne, WY
Originally Posted by wildcat99
I also don't want stinky, blue smoke rolling out the tips. Would I have this without the 2nd cat or is most of it taken out with the 1st?
Sorry to say the obvious (but, alas, I must ):
If your engine's good, you won't have to worry about "stinky blue smoke".
 
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 11:48 AM
  #7  
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From: Maine
It won't smoke as long as your motor dont smoke now.And with a good muffler it will sound nice not too loud
 
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 06:08 PM
  #8  
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The engine's good ... I'm not putting a muffler back on. Is there any real mpg or hp gain with a gutted 2nd cat?
 
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