I have a 98 f150 with the 5.4, the exhaust system I have on the truck is beginning to meet its bitter rusty end and as I am trying to buy parts and such for it I have decided to replace the cats since both of them are rusting apart. I was wondering if anyone has had or has problems with removing the pre-cats involving passing emissions tests, check engine lights etc etc, I would appreciate any input, thanks



Kevin
Bronco88302@comcast.net

 

I have a f-250 light duty with a 5.4 in it. i cut my cats off. and my mech said fords have a sensor that has something to do with back pressure on the motor. when i cut the cats off my check engine light came on. my mech said it wouldnt hurt anything. its still running strong as ever with 160,000 miles on it. but thats BUILT FORD TOUGH!! for ya

 

Your mechanic is a moron.

If you get rid of the cats, the rear O2 sensors will throw a code (thus the CEL), but will have absolutely no effect on the way the truck runs. They make MIL eliminators to keep the CEL off.

If you have to pass emissions, just throw on one or two aftermarket hi-flow cats and call it good.

 

thanks for the info.what exactly is a MIL eleminatar? and where can i get one?

 

MIL is an acronym for "malfunction indicator light".

You can buy some from here.....http://www.rpmoutlet.com/gmo2s.htm

 

Which is it? "Decided to replace the cats" or "removing pre-cats?

If you have emissions testing they could very well visually inspect to see that the cats were inplace. If I were you, I'd check to see what's required. Here in FL there is no inspection at all. In CT guys who hated cats were tempted to 'rod out' cats so as to pass the visual inspection, only to fail the emission test & be forced to replace the 'defective' cats. Others went through the hassle of temporarily installing cats just to pass the inspection & running 'test pipes'.