SquidBeak

I just gutted precats a couple weeks ago and all is well.

I've read that there could be some advantages to gutting or deleting the main cat as well.

I would like to keep the exhaust looking stock.

Questions:

1. Is the main cat as easy to gut as the front precat? Does the catalyst material break up easily? I hope it isn't like the rear precat. That thing is the spawn of Satan himself!

2. Will the shape of the main cat housing cause problems? Turbulence? power loss? WWIII? Or should it be just like adding a test pipe?

Thanks

Donkeypunch

There are straight pipes that look like cats.
I would get one of those. Very aftermarket looking though.

Actually I would cut the top of the stock cat,
gut it, and weld in a straight pipe so it looks completely factory.

idk why you want to have a fake cat on your race car anyway.


Google "test pipe that looks like a cat" find all that you need.

cornholio

iTrader: (1)

Derrick2k2SE

iTrader: (3)

The main cat on an 02/03 has a heavy steel body. It's relatively easy to gut but it will change the sound and cause a drone.

A good option is to replace it with a resonator. At a casual glance it could look like a cat.

SquidBeak

Thanks Derrick,

That is helpful.

wellshii19

I have a question for the OP.
How many miles did the car have when you gutted the pre-cats?
How easily did they fall apart?
LAstly,what part of the country is the car from?

SquidBeak

[QUOTE=wellshii19;9146841]I have a question for the OP.
How many miles did the car have when you gutted the pre-cats?

>About 120K Miles and both were in very good shape.

How easily did they fall apart?

>Front is easy, 5 minutes. Rear is hard work, took me several hours.

Titanws6

Curious why you gutted the precat? Did it throw an SES or just strictly for performance? My SES went off for the precat and curious if gutting it will turn it off and fix the issue.

SubwayVQ

Get rid of them ASAP. If you got a code for them, it might be too late. Start keeping an eye on the oil level and make sure you're not burning a substantial amount. Gutting/eliminating the cats can only do good for the car.

Titanws6

Thanks for the heads up, will check the oil tomorrow. I have a new cat on order and am hardly driving the car for now. I just got it, but not surprised for 196k miles.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

just gut , and get a O2 sim, and you should be able to eliminate the light, buying new cats for our 15 year old car is crazy. unless you are in a strict emissions state

SubwayVQ

Unless they are performance cats...

Titanws6

Yea, surprisingly Dallas TX here has emissions testing. I'd rather just replace the Cat and call it a day, found a cheap one on Ebay so hope it works.


How hard is the install, looks pretty easy. Any tips or shortucts to keep in mind?

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

the install is the hardest part. front a little easier, rear is hard. but both a pain in the butt !

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

i paid a shop to remove and replace my cats.(which i gutted myself prior).. took them 10 hours becasue they had to saw of and torch old studs

sanford7575

Yeah, replacing the pre cats and main cat on this car is not easy. Time consuming due to deterioration of exhaust components (and the need to likely cut things outs) and lack of space (especially the rear exhaust near firewall)! I too broke 4 studs from the front and rear exhaust manifolds while doing this job and had to drill out. It took me the better part of many weekends to complete!

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

yes cutting old rusty components out is the wall you hit doing this job, hence a shop charging me 10 hours on just precats,

i would say the main cat isnt too bad when compared to pre cats