Advantage of a gutted cat (if any)

[Dennis Garrett]

Have 120k on my 97. It's been the best vehicle Ive ever owned on any type. It has the 230 TST kit, and it's still so quick it scares me sometimes. The Cat is still intact, and I've been wondering if I have anything to gain by removing the media, and putting it back on gutted. I have no reason to believe it's plugged, power & fuel mileage haven't changed. I'm just snowed, running out of ideas, & feel the urge to start tearing up expensive stuff! What will I notice with a gutted cat vrs. one that's probably still working fine?

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Locomotive Engineer/Red Ram Driver! 97, 2500, Auto,3:54, 2WD, Re-sale Red, Loaded w/Leather, Diamond Tread running boards & box, Bumper guards, "Bull Ring" tie-downs, Front bumper guards, Clearance lights, TST 230 HP kit (slid forward), Missing silencer ring K&N, Combo exhaust temp & boost gauge, Eng. & Trans. temp gauges, 3 Pos. Lock up switch.

 

[RHARVEY]

Check my signature and it will show that I have removed my. It is one of the best things that I have done along with installing Scott's air induction system. If you don't like a loud exhaust, just install a straight thru muffler.
DO IT,,,its worth it. .

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer,Silencer Ring Removed
12,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[fortunate1]

Dennis, my truck is similar to yours, only 2 years older. I removed my cat to inspect the innards and found that seeing daylight out the other end was nearly impossible. I hadn't noticed any problems with power or milage either; I was just curious. I wound up getting a 3" to 4" reducer for $10 and 48" of 4" dia. pipe for $18 to replace the cat and the club-cab extension piece. It was a "poor man's" partial 4" exhaust! That really freed up the exhaust. Turbo spooled up quicker, and boost was a couple pounds more at max-boost (up to 32#). I think that the extra fuel that the plates allow through the engine just end up clogging the ceramic grids in the cat. If you have never taken off your exhaust pipes, cat, or muffler - get ready to RUMBLE. I used a sawzall for my weapon of choice. I would still be trying to remove the pipes if I had just tried to pull them apart and off. Have fun!! Merry Christmas to all!!

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95 2500 SLT, clubcab, 2wd, longbed, a/t, 3. 54, 140K miles, "all the usual refinements"

 

[illflem]

If your cat isn't clogged aready it will be,get rid of it when you have the time,not when you are forced to.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,Driftwood,Banks&Phscotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

[DavidGardner]

I removed my cat at 90,000 miles and could hardly see daylight when looking thru it. I also have the tst 230 plate and really havent noticed any difference performance wise because I havent towed with it yet. kkWhat I do notice is the noise is slightly louder in the cab when driving and I can hear the turbine whine better. The exhaust brake sounds much better inside and outside of the truck. Kind of like the big guys.


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95 slt auto,bd exhaustbrake, TST 230/605 plate K&N airfilter, primelok fuelfilter relocator. Who say"s six in row don"t go?

 

[Jff24Gordn]

63000 miles, and the pieces showed that most of the passages were blocked. I couldnt see through it. I have been told that high sulpher fuel makes it clog, as well as more soot. I think my truck should have had enough red fuel in it to turn the injector pump red. The off road fuel has more sulpher in it. Also, my truck as been known to smoke from time to time. This also didnt help it stay clean. It ran alot better after the useage of a pipe cleaner(1" pipe and a sledge hammer). The cat is still on there, looks normal, except for a few dents caused by it not cooperating with removal, cleaning, and instalation.

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1996 2500, 4x4, 5 speed
-- email address removed -- Great Lakes TDR
PURDUE STUDENT 
GO BOILERS

 

[Dennis Garrett]

One more equestion. Will a gutted cat or pipe replacement make any difference in the way the exhaust smells? I've been around diesel equipment all my life, and have never smelled any exhaust from anything that smells like my truck does. It's smelled more like a gasoline engine exhaust every since I've had it new, and the only difference I can see is the cat.

 

[drawson]

Here is what I would do. Get on it right after it is warmed up and watch the smoke then after about a minute or two get on it again does it smoke less the second time? If so the cat is clogged. When I took mine of I had about the same set up as you a 230 TST kit and there was just a small core inside the cat that was flowing the outsides where completely clogged.
Oh yes now it smells like a real diesel #ad
#ad


[This message has been edited by drawson (edited 12-22-2000). ]

 

[Deezul1]

I believe I have seen posts that mentioned lower EGT also, mine was gone when I got it so I have nothing to compare to, how about guys is that a benefit also? Pull it off and save it, replace with a straight pipe or good muffler, a new CAT is about $600. 00 and fun police may require it someday.

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96 SLT Laramie CC 5spd, 3. 54, no muff, no cat, 5"turn down tip
. Member NRA/USPSA

 

[Dieselnerd]

With my "Cat" replaced with the Mopar Test Pipe I am running 50 to 100 degrees lower egt depending on load. My cool down time (post turbo egt probe) has been cut almost in half so I think mine did have a big restriction. No apparent power or mileage gains yet but I haven't driven all that much since the change. I'm getting ready for my annual trip to Tucson AZ so I'll see if I notice any significant difference.

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Ron

'96 Club Cab 2500 4x4, 4:10LS, Camper/Tow package, Auto, BD Pressure Loc, Mystery Switch, TST 230/605, Cat Test Pipe, Cummins Chrome, Mag-Hytec rear and trans covers, Boost, Pyro and trans gauges, Optima Red Tops, All black. Tow 14k HitchHiker triple glide 5th Wheel. Also use 9. 5' Lance camper. NRA Life Member.

 

[sanger]

Without a dought the exhaust will smell different and the noise from the exhaust will be different. The smell is a dirty diesel smell until the engine is run for a minute, after that not much difference. Milage will improve... mine went up 2 1/2 miles per gallon. Nice christmas to all.

 

[PSInt]

Well, my cat fell off yesterday. Feels like I released the emergency brake ! #ad
: (well, almost) Went to a Heavy Duty Truck Parts place, picked up a 3"-4" adapter, a 3" clamp and the local muffler shop supplied me with 32" of 3" pipe, swedged on one end. 26* F outside and I worked up a pretty good sweat ! Had to get out the "Blue Wrench" and the BFH to get it apart. #ad
Gonna' run a few tanks through to see if mileage improves. one thing at a time... #ad


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1996 2500 4X4 Auto 3. 54 gears... Cat fell off!!

 

[Cooker]

PSint,

Keep us informed on the mileage. I have a similar truck with the CAT still sleeping under it. Wondering what will happen if it runs away.

 

[C Schomer]

I had to gut mine at 19k. Once it started running poorly, it went fast. In a period of about 350 miles, I lost about 5 mph on the mtn. passes. Spool up is noticeably quicker, slight increase in top end power, no big change in milage. Craig

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97 3/4Ton, 2WD, 5SP, #11 Plate, AFC kit, 14 Housing, AF942M Air filter, Gutted Cat, 4"From Turbo, Airlift, Shortened Frame, Custom Bed, HEY FORDBOY POWERSTROKE THIS!

 

[smitty]

Don't gut it... . CUT IT!!!!

 

[Bill Lins]

It's the only way to prevent hairballs in the exhaust. #ad


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Bill Lins Wharton, TX 98 2500 QC SLT,12 (the CORRECT # of)valves,NV4500,3. 54 LSD,Manik grille guard,Semi-Psychotty Air,Amsoil everywhere, Reading aluminum utility body and bumper,Optima yellow tops- silencer ring & muffler stolen.

 

[dieselshadow]

Took my dog for a ride and my kitty ran away. #ad
Kitty Kats are over-rated anyway. #ad

 

[1tuffram]

Can that "cat test pipe" be purchased from Mopar4less or is it a dealer only item?

Anyone having problems with dealer wanting to sell the cat "eliminator" pipe. Don't want any hassles. Just my luck dealer would say "I can sell it to you, but I'll have to report you to emissions control/EPA".

 

[PBaker]

I got a cat removel tool for Christmas so that is next and to decide on whether to change mufflers at the same time and to increase exhaust size also. Decisions, decisions #ad


Paul

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'96 2500 ext. cab, LB, 4x4, 5 speed, 3. 54, TST 280 cam plate, AFC spring kit ,pyro and boost gauges mounted on A-Pillar, tinted windows, 16x8 Eagle alloys series 1219, 285/75R16 Durango A/T's, stainless steel rocker panels and alluminum stirrup steps

 

[R.ebel]

1tuffram,
Yes you can get the 'test pipe' from Mopar for Less. I got mine from them #ad


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1997 2500 Ext Cab 4X4,5 spd,3. 54's,Pac brake,Rancho 9000's,Centerforce clutch,K&N airfilter,Missing
Cat,Isspro gauges,and #11plate(280hp/680tq)AFC medium spring