Removing catalytic converter

[oilrunner]

Is it possible to remove the cat on the new 2004. 5 HO turbo-diesel? I would like to install either a high flow muffler or replace cat with straight pipe. I know this should help keep overall egt down and improve performance with ie. , better air filter, along with a few other mods.

 

[y-knot]

Of coarse it is possible, it will also void your warranty and it is a federal crime, other than that no problem.

 

[JHayward]

Don't do it, man! It's good to drive a clean machine!

 

[RobertBolinger]

I once knew a muffler shop that cut cats off-put them in a steel box around back until they cooled off-then into the dumpster. It was well known around town (Durham, NC) that he did this. G-men came calling one day. $10,000 fine per CAT. 'nuff said...

 

[JHayward]

Good to breathe clean air!

 

[nickleinonen]

Originally posted by tman

Is it possible to remove the cat on the new 2004. 5 HO turbo-diesel? I would like to install either a high flow muffler or replace cat with straight pipe. I know this should help keep overall egt down and improve performance with ie. , better air filter, along with a few other mods.

aftermarket turbo back exhaust for a 2004. 0 model year. simple eh? [assuming the hangers are all the same]

 

[Steve M]

The big cats on diesels aren't as restrictive as the ones on gas engines. Even they are pretty free flowing unless they get clogged from too much idling or never getting up to running temp. They don't do their thing with EGT under 350*F. I would suggest leaving the cat and replacing the muff with a Geno's kit or a cat back kit. I dont' think you'll gain much by removing the cat and the fine could be ugly if you got busted. Just my humble opinion.

 

[XcumminsX]

question: who will actually walk up to your truck and check if you have a cat... . When you get your truck go home and take it off... I took mine off my ford a long time ago. .

 

[RobertBolinger]

XcumminsX you are right-but you will have a hard time finding a shop to do it because of the story I told above-as long as your truck will pass inspection no problem. They don't even do emissions tests on diesels in this state (NC), so unless they are real sharp and know it supposted to be there, or you brag about taking it off, you woulden't even get nailed on the tamper (missing hardware) inspection.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by RobertBolinger

XcumminsX you are right-but you will have a hard time finding a shop to do it because of the story I told above-as long as your truck will pass inspection no problem. They don't even do emissions tests on diesels in this state (NC), so unless they are real sharp and know it supposted to be there, or you brag about taking it off, you woulden't even get nailed on the tamper (missing hardware) inspection.

Diesels in CT have to go through emissions if they are under 10,500 gvw. I sure wouldn't be in a hurry to get caught messing around with the emissions, it can get really nasty. That cat may not be as bad as you think, but guess we can see why D/C "threw in" the "full 4" exhaust"



Dean

 

[XcumminsX]

yeah no emissions in illinois for diesel. Gas engines was every 2 years. And if you didnt go they cut off your liscence and you lose your insurance. . Then your screwed

 

[RobertBolinger]

They are pretty hard on gassers who don't get inspected in NC to- 4 months late= $250 fine and no registrations with DMV (even your diesels!)



But (right now at least) Diesels are exempt from emissions testing...

 

[Blakers]

The cats on the 1994-1998 12 valves were prone to sooting up and becoming real restrictions. Most folks gain a lot of flow and reduce egts by removing them. Who knows if the new cats will be different? Diesels and cats generally don't mix.



If I didn't need it to pass some gestapo inspection, I' take it off, oil it up good and put it in a box for future need. That way you're preserving your emissions system and it will last longer than leaving it on the truck.



Some guys gut the cats and leave them on, but they are mighty expensive if you have to make it work again someday.



Perhaps a 4" full exhaust system for an 03 or early 04 will bolt right in to eliminate it?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I wonder if someone could install a trap door on the side of Catty-Con for desooting access every couple of years?

 

[Dieselnut59]

My ole 1996 had "Cat be gone" treatment the week I bought it. I still have the well preserved virgin kitty in the barn with no plans to ever use it. For my first fix, I ordered the cat-delete pipe (factory Dodge product on 1994 trucks built in 1993 which had no cat).

Later I purchased a 4" down pipe and fabricated my own dual stack system.

If you want to simply delete the cat, measure the length necessary, cut out the cat and install a piece of straight pipe yourself. It is not that hard to do.

If you want a whole system, order a 4" system for a 1998. 5-2002 truck to put on your 1994-1998 truck or a system for a 2003-2004 truck for your 2004. 5 truck. Unless someone REALLY knows their stuff, it will be difficult to know which trucks actually came factory equipped with cats anyway.

The main reason I went ahead and bought my new 2003 was to have one of the very last produced vehicles with no CAT. I am sure glad I'll never have to have one of those things on mine!!

BTW, I just added Rip Rooks exhaust on the '03. Would be a great way to do "cat be gone" treatment to a 2004. 5. Simple installation with common tools.

 

[kshimizu]

If the cat is anything like the ones on the 12 valves, you can just knock the guts out so that it is straight through correct? This way for visual inspections it looks like you have a cat.



Do the 600s come with an exhaust brake as an option or is it standard equipment?

 

[JPM]

If it cleans up the exhaust, and removes the smell , I'll take one and install it!

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by JPM

If it cleans up the exhaust, and removes the smell , I'll take one and install it!

If anything, it will smell much worse with the cat. Gasoline engines certainly do.

 

[mfelix]

no cat?

on my 97 3500 cc i have a cat but on my 03 2500 came without one. does anybody know why a 1 ton has one yet a 3/4 ton don't?:--)

 

[Dean Upson]

Re: no cat?

Originally posted by mfelix

on my 97 3500 cc i have a cat but on my 03 2500 came without one. does anybody know why a 1 ton has one yet a 3/4 ton don't?:--)

It has nothing to do with the GVW, but the emissions requirement for the engine. My '94 (12 valve) had a cat, but my 98. 5 (24 valve) didn't, nor does my '03. All trucks have been one tons. I believe that all trucks meeting the CARB requirements have had cats, but I could be wrong on that.



Dean