Are people running CATS with their exhaust sysyem?

[bwoodard]

PLs send pics if you are I need to figure out my exhaust system

 

[Esteban86K5]

I'll be snapping some pics of a couple of other things under my truck today so I'll snap some of my exhaust for you.

 

[bwoodard]

Thanks a lot

 

[jekbrown]

pics in webshots... including ones that focus on exhaust stuff etc.

J

 

[fireinthehole]

I just replaced my cat about 2 months ago. It cost about $130, but its a stainless direct fit high flow model. Went on in the same place as the old one, I will have pics on webshots.

 

[ChevBlazin]

Buy good quality CATS, my cheaper ones smelled real bad.

Mmmm sulfer

 

[NITRO]

i run true duals from the headers, no cat.

NITRO

 

[rebelk5frk]

I thought straight duals were the only way to do it...

Besides who wants a cat under their truck making all that meowing noises. lol

 

[BlazerGuy]

Straight duals are the only way to do it.......until inspection sticker time comes around /forums/images/icons/frown.gif. I have two cheapo cats($50 ea.) and I haven't noticed any wierd smells.

 

[zakk]

none for me. If you know what to look for, you don't need cats.

In 1977 you could still get a "49-state" blazer with no cats, smog pump, etc. I will try to snap a pic tonight of the truck i am driving now...

 

[RockyRider13]

hey, do '89s have smog pumps?

 

[dyeager535]

Well if the serpentine setup I grabbed is truly an '89, yes they have AIR pumps

 

[blazentank]

How much louder will it make my exaust if i take the cat off. i have a 50 series 2 chamber flow that is dumped in the back corners. it sounds okay now but i need a new cat anyways. Will i gain performance by taking it off. I just don't want it to sound like crap

 

[dyeager535]

You won't lose much, if any, power from a properly operating cat converter, especially a newer design like are being sold now.

 

[blazentank]

So will i gain power or lose power or will it stay the same

 

[dyeager535]

Like I said, if it's in good shape (not broken on the inside) you won't see ANY seat of the pants improvement. Numerous dyno tests have proven that it is minimal, usually something like less than 5HP lost at peak. Another of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" items IMO.

 

[ChevBlazin]

I'm not sure about the power, but it will get louder. Last year my buddies and I got bored over spring break and decided to straight pipe my winter beater (77 Buick estate wagon w/ a 350, lol) First we took the exhaust off after the cat, and it sounded almost the same. Then we took the cat off and ran one pipe all the way back and Y'd it with 2 chrome tips out the back (lots of work for a car that only cost $150, but the looks I got were priceless, plus we did the exhaust for free) Any way after the cat was off the thing roared, It also rapped down nicely after it was revved up high. Man what a beast of a car.

 

[BurbinOR]

Run true duals from headers back to just behind the wheels with dual Catco cats and Flowmaster 40's............I happen to believe we should, if our trucks came with them, keep them on, regardless if our locales check for them. Removing them just gives environmentalists another reason to bang on us. Just my thoughts.

 

[dyeager535]

I'm with you....don't take them off just to do so.

My only problem with the whole cat converter thing is that they can't be removed for "off-road use only" anymore (racing) and the fact that even if an aftermarket company WANTED to produce a two cat exhaust system that was proven to work by EPA (or whoever) testing, and get it certified, so that you could retrofit two cat exhaust on any vehicle (and have less emissions to boot) you can't. "We don't want you removing cat converters which keep the air clean, but we don't want you to make the air too clean either!"

Not saying it's ok to break the law just because you don't like it, just saying that we as automotive enthusiasts REALLY need to keep up when these laws are proposed. (witness the last scrappage act failure : )