I have a '06 3.0 4X2 Sport with 4:10 rear end. I love this truck. Anyways,
I came accross a guy through work that owns his own garage and he is willing to take my catalytic converters off for free as long as he gets to cash them in, and then he will run a straight pipe. Is this a bad idea?

I figure that I may get a few more MPG's with it gone and in my state we don't have any emmisions inspections. Maybe even a few horse power gain?

Will my CEL always be on with the catalytic converter gone? I figure that it may not be because the O2 sensor may be upstream from the CC. If its downstream I won't do it.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

Do not do it, your cel will be on all the time, you do have a downstream O2 sensor. No gain in power unless it is plugged ( not likely)

 

A) It works
B) It works as designed
C) Replacements are expensive when you decide it was a bad idea


I don't intend to sound harsh, but this is not some '80s carburated heap-o-junk. Change a constant and the ECU attempts to keep it's design parameters by changing the variables. You might gain power, but you won't gain economy.

 

You might not even gain power, but for sure will be out some bucks when you have to replace it.. when the Indy regulators decide to do inspections statewide. Some engines use the slight backpressure from the converter to tune the air/fuel charge coming into the cylinder. If you do it right, you can extract more power with some backpressure. Just ripping it out is not a very thought through idea. IMO.
tom

 

I would doubt that you would gain power, and yes, it would be very expensive to replace. All 1996 and newer vehicles under 8,500 lbs are compliant with OBD-II standards, which means in part that they have sensors to monitor the catalytic converters. If you remove the converter, you will get a CEL. Also, your mechanic friend is being very dishonest about the whole thing. He'll cash in your old cats for extra money, and you'll get stuck with replacing them for however much your system costs (I'm gonna guess around $1200 - $1600). Either he is inexperienced to even suggest that, or he is aware that it will cause problems and he just doesn't care. Either way, I don't think you want to have anything to do with his idea. Anyway you cut it, it leaves you on the losing end.

 

Hmmmn if he went with a universal converter from your site it is only $65 , and if that is wholesale to a retailer even if they mark it up 100% that is only $130 for parts +$X labour to fix. He still should leave it in.

 

Some states will not allow for 'generic' converters to replace 'factory' by statute. At least that is my memory from California. Only could do it if the OEM was no longer available, and had to go to a 'referee' for the 'permission slip' otherwise no tickee no license plate...
I would not be my paycheck, but that is my memory.
Try to sell a jacked-up truck in Maryland. Good luck. They haf rules for the rest of us...
Still would not let a 'friend' take the converter. You could pay for a straight tube if you really want one, or could buy a 'gutted' converter and bolt it in yourself, while keeping the original for when the STATE gets around to picking on your county for compliance with EPA statutes.
The county where I live did not do annual tests until the larger metro area could no longer put off the EPA, and they had to figure out a way to get in compliance. They just added my county and now they have million or so more vehicles to dilute their smog into, at least in their spreadsheet back in DC. The detector station they used to use was located at the north end of the county... and got no readings of non-compliance. Good? Nope. They relocated it down south nearer to the 10-15,000 house subdivision so there would be a reason for their existence. We have and had good clean air, and they didn't want that known, so they moved the station to a dirtier air area.
I don't get it...
tom

 

With OBD-II ('96 and newer), the vehicle monitor their own emissions, so you get a CEL if it is not working like it is supposed to.

 

not sure... Euro-III-iV gas. engines have oxy sensor before cat and emission sensor after, like Mercedes cars have. Mercedes V6 have 4 lamda ontroll sensors... but they operate properly if engine has electronic throutle controll (no cabel from pedal to throutle).

American cars are of Euro-II standard. So 2nd exaust sensor will turn CEL on any time you deepress gas pedal agressively and release it immideatly. For operating properly anty-jerk controll is necessary but it is possible with "electronic throutle controll" only...

So american car turns CEL on when mixture is reach ore lean but can not recognite bad catalistic converter. Weld a pice of steel pipe instead cat and all will work fine, but CO and NxOx emissions will appeare!

 

Your buddy wants your cats because of the very high scrap value of platinum, palladium and rhodium. He's going to make a killing off your scrap, and you're going to pay the price when the smog-man looks under the truck and sees the cats missing.You'll have to pay for replacements, and likely a hefty fine for tampering with a pollution-control device.

Gutted cats are no help. The empty space inside the can creates turbulence, which slows down air movement and causes a restriction in the exhaust. The cat substrate in the can is oriented for smooth airflow.

Keep the cats and find an honest friend.

 

I just replaced mine from autoanything for 298.00, and would like to find someone to buy the old ones from a 98 3.0

 

Thanks for the advice guys. I won't do it now.

 

I take them to my local scrap dealer, if they don't rattle, I get $35 each for them. YMMV

 

Dude, you are getting taken. Most converters are worth 2 - 5 times that.

 

I have heard that they get like 100.00 for them