Has anyone completely eliminated their catalytic converter by gutting it? Or has anyone taken it off and removed some of the inside of it and put it back? I got this idea from a few friends who have done this to other cars and gotten good results. I just figured it would probably mess with my 02 sensor and I don't want my check engine light to come on. Anyone have any ideas?

You won't gain any appreciable performance increases. A few years ago a muscle car magazine (Popular Hot-rodding, I think) took a Z28 to the track. They made several passes with the cats and without. It made less than 0.10 seconds difference.

You won't pass any emissions tests and will probably get a check engine light. Don't mess with it.

I have done it on my Fererdal emisions 98. I have an 02 sensor after the Cat and my check engine light goes off about twice a month. i can reset it in under a minute, its easy.

1MAX2NV has also done it on his CA? emissions 99. He does not have an 02 sensor after his cat and he has not gotten a check engine light.

The power is their.

But you have to live with the whole tree huggin thing on your sholders. I have to put my cat back on when I go for my yearly inspections, but I can do that in ~45 minutes now.

Go for it.

[Edited by MardiGrasMax on 02-01-2001 at 07:53 PM]

From what I know you will gain some hp, but you will notice your gain most in fuel consumption. I had a friend who gutted his cat and got at least +5 mpg. By gutting your cat you will have emission issues, but here in Plano thats not a problem because we don't have emissions Also you'll lose some backpressure with the straight thru and probably gain some noise.
-hype