Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Got a few bloody bites, but the cat is finally dead and gutted!

[Hogan]

What a pain in the butt, took me about 2. 5 hours start to finish. Hardest part was getting the thing off in the first place without totally mangling it, which was made more difficult due to the fact that the muffler shop welded the tailpipe to the cat when I had it removed a year or so ago. The cat and the rest of the pipe back came out in 1 piece. Oof...



Using a drill, small tubing, and a sledge I was able to get enough material out from the center so it was the same diameter as the rest of the pipe, if not a little bigger. I was very tempted to just get a turndown and leave the rest off, but I don't think the wife would appreciate that.



Looking at the chunks of material that came out, I could see there were a lot of passages full of soot, so with 174k on the clock I think it was about time to do something anyway.



In the end, I'm pleased with the results. During a quick jaunt down the road I didn't notice much, if any, improvement in power or spool-up, but I didn't get a chance to really romp on it. I think I enjoy the sound of the turbo cruising around at 1000-1500rpm the best... ah what a sweet sound it is... Best part is I can't notice a difference in noise inside the cab with the windows up.

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Next time, get one of those 1" paddle type wood drills, with the 18" shank, That stuff drills out easily with one of these. When you drill through it from all angles, from both directions, it's easy to break the rest of it out with a pice of pipe. (Wear a resperator)

 

[TPCDrafting]

I took mine out a couple weeks ago. Got the replacement pipe and connectors from Napa. I haven't noticed any seat of the pants acceloration increase. I even tested it on the local test hill and had the same results as before. I think maybe spool up is a bit faster. I only have 98k on the odo, but the kitty looked a bit clogged. I don't have guages yet, so don't know if it's running cooler or not. I put some big mudflaps on with custom bent diamond plate mounts right behind the tires so I had to move the tail pipe back anyway and replacing the kitty with a longer pipe was the easiest route for me. I don't notice it any louder or tone either, but it's slightly different standing behind it at idle. I figure less back pressure and less temp when I start bombing the better off I'll be. That's next month hopefully!!

 

[98rammer]

i punched through mine with a mini sledge hammer and prybar. once a hole is put through the center, the rest starts to crumble easy.

 

[wsmalley]

Cat? what cat???

 

[bubba_zanetti]

My kitty is ready to run away... I have been leaving the gate open.



But once the cat is gone, how should I fill that void in my life?



If the National Association Preventing Aimlessness (N. A. P. A. ) has a replacement... would it perhaps be stainless steel? And what would I ask for?



Thanks

 

[TPCDrafting]

Originally posted by bubba_zanetti

My kitty is ready to run away... I have been leaving the gate open.



But once the cat is gone, how should I fill that void in my life?



If the National Association Preventing Aimlessness (N. A. P. A. ) has a replacement... would it perhaps be stainless steel? And what would I ask for?



Thanks

3" TO 3 1/2" adapter, 36" of 3 1/2" pipe, 3 1/2" to 4" adapter and all the clamps. I got this recipe from one of illflem's old posts. The cost ended up being around $50. For about the same price you can get a test pipe from the Dodge dealer. Do a search for "test pipe" In there you will find the part number. Give that to the dealer. I went with the parts from napa because I wanted to put my tail pipe back an inch or two so my new mud flaps would work. Came out nice. You may not need 36", I just bought extra to make sure it worked and ended up cutting off about 7 inches. Measure twice, cut once.

Keep in mind if you have emissions inspections, this setup will fail.



On edit: the parts were not stainless steel but I live in a dry climate and they don't salt the roads heavy, so I'm not worried.

 

[Pit Bull]

I read my wife the title of your thread and she say "This guy needs to be turned into the police" She thought you were torturing a cat :-laf I told her in California it was agains't the law because of emissions. She then started to beat me :-laf

 

[skorski]

CAT

How can i check if the cat is cloged ?? did not know it could clog