Kitty Fixing

[DAZ]

I want to fix my converter by running a TEST pipe. I called the Dodge dealers in the area and the parts guy said he will not sell anything that was not on the truck when it was sold new. So he will not sell me a test pipe.



I do not want to take the guts out of the converter so I am left with making a test pipe. Has anybody done this and if so what kind of pipes do you need? Or is there another source for a test pipe.



Thanks

DAZ

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

Get under your truck with a hack-saw, or if you have a saws-all, cut the cat and muff off and take her to the muffler shop, or buy a piece of flex pipe, that works really well. Best advice I can give you. This is all assuming inspection is not a problem.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Dodge never made a test pipe. However, the early 1994 models did not have a cat (EPA tightened emissions Jan 94, so that is when the cat was put on. ) Dodge used the same pipes and mufflers throughout the 1994 model year, and on the early trucks substituted a stainless steel 4" pipe, necked down to 3" at one end, instead of a cat. That pipe is PN 52019170. I believe it has been superceded once or twice (probably different vendors, and the late ones seem a bit thinner steel tubing) so will have AA or AB suffix, most likely.

Some states may have a visual inspection, including spot checks on the road. Be careful.

 

[WDaniels]

I notice that you have a 97. What I did when I got my 96 3500 was to buy what the dodge dealerships call a "canadian extention" what it does is replace the cat. It will work on the 2500 also. It was 23. 00 here in Fairbanks. I don't know if you can get them anymore. Just gave it away 2 weeks ago cause I never installed it on my old truck. Hope this helps

WD

 

[WDaniels]

I notice that you have a 97. What I did when I got my 96 3500 was to buy what the dodge dealerships call a "canadian extention" what it does is replace the cat. It will work on the 2500 also. It was 23. 00 here in Fairbanks. I'm not sure if you can get them anymore. Just gave it away 2 weeks ago cause I never installed it on my old truck. Hope this helps

WD

 

[Deezul1]

The local muffler shop charged me $50. 00 to remove the cat and install a straight pipe.

 

[WDaniels]

OOPS! Sorry for the double post.

 

[illflem]

Deezul, don't tell anyone which shop did that. It's hard to find a shop that will do it because if caught it will be the last exhaust system they will work on.

 

[Dave Remillard]

I agree totally with Illflem. Be very careful. Here in Oregon it would be very bad news if caught in the DEQ areas without all emissions equipment. However I understand that if you went to a muffler shop and asked for a straight piece of 3" pipe at a certain lenght, they could sell it to you. I also had the Rhino 911 muffler that Midas Muffler sells recommend to me by Bill K at DDT. Sometimes the resonators need to be taken out and tested. Good Luck.

 

[dphillipsx]

spot checks

has anyone heard of any spot checks in ca ?? We are not required to get ours regularly inspected yet.

 

[Steve Roseman]

DAZ, My Dodge dealer did sell me a test pipe. Parts guy had never heard of one before, I gave him the number and he pulled it up.

I ended up going with a full straight pipe so I donated the test pipe to another member.

What I would recommend is talking to the guys in the 24 valve forum. If you could find someone that has upgraded their exhaust, they might be willing to donate their old resonator. That's what I ended up doing to get rid of the drone.

The 24 valve resonator looks like a direct swap for the cat. Straight thru shot for the exhaust, and most people looking under the truck wouldn't know the difference between it and the cat.

 

[tschwab]

Is the "drone" only a problem if you don't have a muffler? Can anyone reccomend (private message or e-mail me) a muffler shop in western WA which will do the work? Thanks-Terry

 

[Whitmore]

of course I have never done this but take the cat out and have someone put a straight pipe thru it , then when re-installed the cat looks like its in place... ... ..... but... ... ... ... ... . is it???