catalytic converters do I need them?

[tholyoak]

Unless you reprogram the DME the car will trip a CEL. The OBDII program looks at the before and after cat readings to determine catalytic efficiency.
The ROW program or a custom program could be used to ignore the secondary O2 sensors and just use the primary sensors for mixture adjustment.


Todd

Originally Posted by Automon

I live in Michigan and we do not have to have our cars smog tested. Would the sound and breathing improve if i pull off the catalytic converters? or would my service engine light come on?
Has anyone tried this ?
Regards,
Automon

[steve00s]

When I first put headers on my car I also had the secondary bypasses so no cats. The throttle response was noticeably improved but the sound was horrible. I have the PSE on my car and it had always produced a great growl at RPM's. Without the cats, the sound was higher pitched and raspy. I slunk down in my seat it sounded so bad though others really liked it. I tripped a cel about every 300-500 miles. I put the secondary cats back on. I little less HP but much better sound.

[Lil bastard]

Well, since nobody's brought it up, I'm going to state the obvious.

It's illegal in most states to remove, or otherwise tamper with, emissions equipment.

And, without the cats, you are certainly producing more harmful emissions.

If you don't have any moral conflict over this, then go ahead.

[steve00s]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

And, without the cats, you are certainly producing more harmful emissions.

If you don't have any moral conflict over this, then go ahead.

I guess the way I look at this is we all make choices everyday. If you drive your car versus riding a bike or walking you are producing more harmful emissions. Should I feel bad about taking my car to the track and creating the resulting emissions for a day of driving for pleasure? I'm not aiming this back at you Lil bastard, you are just stating facts but I get irritated over some of the hypersensitivity in our society that in many instances is just personal feel-goodism. There are people in my area that are letting their yards go to rat infested jungles because they want to spout out how noble they are because they are no longer polluting the environment with emissions from their lawnmowers as they drive off in old volvos belching blue smoke. Ok I'm done. Whew!!!

[Lil bastard]

@Steve00s,

It's all good, I take no offense.

As you point out, I was only stating the facts. I did not endorse or condemn such a move.

But, there can be some issues if the car is sold, inspected, etc.

I'm nobody's priest, and I ain't preaching.

But, there are lots of newbys here and it's helpful to know all the potential consequences of your actions.

[steve00s]

You are right. Its all good. Other than it is snowing here when it should be sunny.

[JP-s-in st. louis]

Originally Posted by steve00s

You are right. Its all good. Other than it is snowing here when it should be sunny.

Steve do you still have the cat by-pass pipes if so. I can hook up with you this week if you want to sell them.

[shaman1204]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

Well, since nobody's brought it up, I'm going to state the obvious.

It's illegal in most states to remove, or otherwise tamper with, emissions equipment.

And, without the cats, you are certainly producing more harmful emissions.

If you don't have any moral conflict over this, then go ahead.

Just replace all you household light bulbs with energy efficient ones and hook up a generator to your stationary bike to power your PC while using it and you will even everything out.

[dcporsche99]

Hey Toolpants,

Very cool setup!

[pteam]

Well alot of guys on the viper forums remove cats and can gain 20 or so hp 4-5% on a 500 hp car. The guys with twin turbos or superchargers almost always have all cats removed and performance exhaust or no exhaust for max horsepower. It will trip a CEL if you have no cats, you can buy O 2 simulators but they may or may not worked based on what I've read on other cars.

[Cloudsurfer]

Toolpants- Which exhaust is that?

Patrick