Removing Cat

[JMichelson]

I have a 1998 12 valve with 90000 miles on it. It seems a little short of power and mileage. I have been reading the messages on removing the Cat. I ran a search to find the part number for the Mopar replacement pipe so you can test your catalytic converter. I couldn’t find it. Does any body have the part number. Can a person just remove the existing cat and take the guts out of it and reinstall it? I have to pass emissions and all of the smog crap has to be on the truck. If you remove or gut the cat is their any thing else you need to do? Thanks, Jeff

 

[Todd G]

I gutted my cat a few years ago. We have emmissions testing here and I didn't know if they would look for the cat. The hardest part is getting the cat off the truck. I used a torch and split the exhaust pipe a few inches around the flange and clamp. Then just stand the cat on end and wail away with a pipe or other heavy object untill all the clogged honeycomb comes out the other end. It will take a good hour and several beers! I'm sure the airflow going through the empty cat is not good but it has to have less restriction than before.



Todd

 

[The patriot]

jeffmic, you have to ask for a part # for a 1994 truck. They didnt have the cat, so it was just a straight pipe.

HTH

Eric

 

[Cooker]

Yes you can "gut" the cat, but IMO it will still have some turbulence and it's better to replace it with the test pipe. I don't have the part number in front of me, but try a search for "test pipe" and see if you can come up with it. If not shoot me an email and I'll find it.



-Ryan

 

['956Wheel]

The feline was surgically removed and I find that the change is not detectable, the truck is a 1995 with 155K+ miles on it and is stock with the exception of dead cat. Bottom line... ain't worth the trouble, IMO



Do keep in mine that gutting will expose you to I believe Cadmium, a known carcinigin. (cancer causing material).

 

[1tuffram]

JeffMic,



Test pipe part # is: P52019170AB

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I found the easiest way to remove the media in the cat is not by banging away with a rod or pipe, but with an 18" long 1" wood bit. One of those thats pointed on the end, with flat blades. You can drill completely through that stuff in seconds. Drill as many holes through it as you can, then go after it with a piece of pipe ow whatever to knock the rest of it out. It's cemented in place, so it's kinda hard to get all of it up in the wide side areas. Drill from both ends & at every angle you can & it will come out. I personally didn't notice any difference at 110k when I altered the Cat, except for a whistleing, turbo sound at idle. No power increases or MPG gains, I guess it wasn't clogged after all.

 

[DavidGardner]

I removed my cat and installed the test pipe. Results were slightly more exhaust noise and no noticible power change. My cat looked very clean when looking through it so I saved it incase it ever needs to be reinstalled. Never know when the exhaust nazis are comming for me.

 

[wrk2mtch]

Can you still pass the emission test up here without the cat?

 

[drawson]

I have had mine kitty off for two years and there is no problem passing with out it.

 

[R.ebel]

Feline gutting

Helped a friend with his plugged up cat we found that a rotary hammer type concrete drill works very well. Just drill a bunch of holes in the core and bust the rest out with a bar or pipe



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[DavidGardner]

Terry

So far, Thurston county where I live does not require emissions test (yet). I understand King and pierce countys do require emissions test. Guess its just a matter of time. When the time comes I hope it wont be a problem, if it is thats why I saved the cat without knocking the guts out of it.



Dave G.

 

[JohnE]

clear those cat turds

I regular cleanse my cat at the suggestion of a fellow at a Puget Sound area performance shop. Once the whole system is warmed, periodically STAND ON IT!



Diesels have a big advantage over the gassers. We run much higher cfm through the engine and exhaust than a spark ignition & throttled engine. That helps keep the honeycomb clearer, but it will still gather <em>dust</em> that needs a good shaking.



Last I recall, Washington only tests for opacity on a diesel. A cat ( or lack of) won't change that reading. Go for it!



Cheers;

John E