any power increase from removing catalytic converter on 96 cummins?

[rsturdevant]

will there be any power/hp increase if the catalytic converter is removed? Decrease back pressure? Any ideas?

 

[Barry]

I'm interested too. Just bought Dad a 97. Bone stock... ..... I can't stand it. OK dozen valvers... ... tell us!

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2001 2500 QC, ETH/DEE,4:10s, LSD, EZ with elbow(26. 5PSI)Stage 1 injectors from Carl, Boost/Pyro Guages, 4" Turbo back, BD Brake,Mag-Hytec Cover, Kleen Wheels, Energy Release, 70 gal. fuel, 20K Reese. 31,000 Miles on 03/01/01(Auto/Truck/RV Dealer)

 

[radixr]

I removed my muffler and cat at the same time when I installed a 4" exhaust. I didn't notice a seat of the pants power increase but the turbo definitely spun up faster yielding quicker response. Don't know how much of that benefit was due to the 4" pipe, cat "running away" and muffler "loss".

My cat did not seem to be plugged with soot but others have said their cats were plugged significantly. If you don't need the cat to pass a visual emissions test, set it free! #ad


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1996 Dodge 2500 4X4 SC, SLT, Cummins 12V, 5-spd. , JRE 4" exhaust (my kitty ran away into the woods and the muffler fell off!), TST 280 HP/685 Ft-Lb Uprate Kit, AFC Spring Kit, Horton Fan Clutch, Jacobs/Ram Exhaust Brake, MagHytec Differential Cover, Prime-Loc, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Combo Gauge, K&N Air Filter, Brite-Box, Geno's finger-touch oil pan drain plug, Optima Yellow Tops, no turbo silencer ring, full-time fog lights.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

If the cat isn't plugged, almost nothing. Read Air + Fuel = Power in the featured articles section of the TDR homepage.

 

[Barry]

OK, if there is no diff in performance, then how much does the 4" system reduce EGTs?

 

[Turbo Thom]

Thats it:
NO more power. Just breathing easer. Like putting a rag over your mouth and nose and trying to run. You can do it but sure makes it hard to breath easy. There, I said it.
By now.
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system, AutoMeter Pyro & boost, Primeloc

 

[illflem]

Preston, that's good way to put it. Another way is to say if you don't have the power to run fast then a rag in the mouth will make little difference. If you aren't bombed a larger unrestricted exhaust or intake will do you little good.

 

[Jeff Burke]

I have a '96 and removed the cat. I saw no difference in the power, but noticed that the turbo whine was louder. Since I was not expecting the turbo change, I would have to say it was not just my imagination. That alone should say that the cat is causing some type of impedance in the system.

 

[hank]

Barry:
My Cummins runs 100-150 deg. cooler EGT. The cat was clogged so much that I could barely see light through it. I drove out to Pheonix last weekend and got 18. 6 mpg on two lane mountain roads, returned via I-10 with the cruise set at 75 mph and got 20. 4 mpg. I don't miss the cat, or the muffler. I do not notice any power increase, just a louder rumble and noticeable turbo whine. If I shut it down and jump out to listen at the tail pipe, I can hear the turbo spooling down, kinda cool.

 

[Skydiver]

I noticed no major power increases from gutting the cat. Only a slight increase in noise. We used some type of air powered muffler cut off tool. It split the sides on the cat quickly in 3 places.
I think ol Saint Pete may have closed the pearly gates for a breif moment. Shame on me.
Tim

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96 3500 Feline deceased. Ready to upgrade. 86K. auto,3. 54,Ext. cab.
K&N air,Star wheel spun,silencer ring hanging on a nail.
Truck looks just like the truck on left side of page 6 issue 31.