Catalytic Convertor

[slvrdrgn]

I know that this has been stated before somewhere that removing is illegal as all heck, but, my Alero has been down for weeks now due to a clogged cat. I just need to get it back on the road until the end of the week before I can get the new cat installed. Is it possible to remove it, and also, where do I have to cut it to remove?

[2fst4u]

you would need to replace it with a piece of piping. you can't just leave it open right there. and, you're going to throw a code because of the downstream O2 sensor. good luck.

i'd say just buy one and have it welded in.

[slvrdrgn]

I was planning on buying one and having it installed but, the problem is, she will barely run. I guess it's clogged that bad. So was looking for a temp fix until Friday.

[Fast Eddie]

Temp fix would be a straight pipe but that would be almost as difficult as putting in a new cat.

[slvrdrgn]

Guess I'll just have to get a straw and suck it up until Friday for the new cat.

[Redog]

If you cut it out, it will be loud as hell and exhuast would be comming out the bottom front of the car.

Not very stealth

[xbxradxsx]

I would think that it'd be fine for a temp fix. Might be a small task to complete in the yard. Just don't wait too long to get it done right.
and I wouldn't drive aorund alot to avoid cops.

[Coupe]

Dude just get out your saw zaw and hack that bish out. So it will be loud as phock for a few days, no biggie.
Since you asked where to cut it out you might just wanna leave it to a pro. I mean thats like asking where your supposed to park in a parking lot.

[2fst4u]

won't the vehicle go into "limp mode" or whatever, tho? because it doesn't have that rear O2 sensor reading.

[slvrdrgn]

It was dumb of me to ask where it was, I realize that now. LOL. I don't plan on driving it around much, just from home to work. I did find it as soon as I had asked where it was.

[Fast Eddie]

Originally posted by Coupe+Apr 25 2006, 09:41 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Coupe @ Apr 25 2006, 09:41 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Dude just get out your saw zaw and hack that bish out. So it will be loud as phock for a few days, no biggie.
Since you asked where to cut it out you might just wanna leave it to a pro. I mean thats like asking where your supposed to park in a parking lot.
Quoted post
[/b]
Open exhaust below the passanger compartment can get fumes into the cabin, not cool.

<!--QuoteBegin-2fst4u@Apr 25 2006, 09:45 AM
won't the vehicle go into "limp mode" or whatever, tho? because it doesn't have that rear O2 sensor reading.
Quoted post
[/quote]
Probably not. Would just get a SVS code for a bad cat.

[Coupe]

Originally posted by Fast Eddie+Apr 26 2006, 08:13 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fast Eddie @ Apr 26 2006, 08:13 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>Originally posted by Coupe@Apr 25 2006, 09:41 AM
Dude just get out your saw zaw and hack that bish out. So it will be loud as phock for a few days, no biggie.
Since you asked where to cut it out you might just wanna leave it to a pro. I mean thats like asking where your supposed to park in a parking lot.
Quoted post

Open exhaust below the passanger compartment can get fumes into the cabin, not cool.

<!--QuoteBegin-2fst4u@Apr 25 2006, 09:45 AM
won't the vehicle go into "limp mode" or whatever, tho?Â;-) because it doesn't have that rear O2 sensor reading.
Quoted post

Probably not. Would just get a SVS code for a bad cat.
Quoted post
[/b][/quote]


No it will not throw an SVS light, it will throw a SES light. Not a big deal since you know why its on anyway.

[Coupe]

You guys are giving him false info, i hate it when people give others bad info.
If he cuts out the cat it wont hurt a thing, it wont hurt him or the car, plain and simple.

[slvrdrgn]

Thank you Coupe, that coincides with some other info that I was given. Well, I'll have it cut out prolly by Friday and let you know how it works. I just gotta get it up and running. Tired of driving wife's car. LOL.

[Coupe]

Just be prepared for how loud its gonna be and that you will have a SES light on, no biggie if you dont mind.
I run open headers at the track and thats MUCH louder than just cutting out a cat lol

[slvrdrgn]

It actually doesn't sound too bad. I just gotta wait a few days to get the new cat. Luckily I have till like October before inspection. Is it supposed to do anything performance wise getting rid of the cat?

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

getting rid of the cat improves the flow of the exhaust. gains will be minimal, but noticeable.

**check your state's inspection laws. if emissions tests are a part of the inspection, removal of the convertor is illegal**

[Cliff8928]

Removal of the converter is illegal regardless of where you live, it's a federal requirement, not local.

[AlbinoMonkeyRat]

my bad. better to have it on when it's expected anyway. Just hope you don't get pulled over for a surprise inspection in the short time that you have it off. lol

[Coupe]

Originally posted by Cliff8928@May 1 2006, 06:37 AM
Removal of the converter is illegal regardless of where you live, it's a federal requirement, not local.
Quoted post



Yeah but what you gotta understand is like here in Michigan we have no inspections of any kind. I could take the cat off my truck and car and no one will ever know. Just becuase its a federal requirement doesnt mean its enforced.

[natedawg9640]

hey... cut the cat off... get some cambells soup cans... cut the ends out of em... slice them down the side... put em over your pipe to connect the two and heat tape it... good temp fix... and wont mess with the 02 sensor... :thumb:

[Cliff8928]

Originally posted by Coupe@May 1 2006, 05:05 AM
Yeah but what you gotta understand is like here in Michigan we have no inspections of any kind. I could take the cat off my truck and car and no one will ever know. Just becuase its a federal requirement doesnt mean its enforced.
Quoted post



I totally realize that, I was just saying that it's never legally OK to remove it. Heck, I even had a car pass the emissions test in IL without one. (it has one now though)

[slvrdrgn]

Thanks all for the help!!! She died this morning on the way home from work so had take it to the shop and got a performance cat put on her. Runs like a dream now.

[Coupe]

Died?

[2fst4u]

good idea coupe.

[Coupe]

Cutting out the cat will not make your car die.....period.

[natedawg9640]

he didn't cut it out... it clogged up

[slvrdrgn]

Yeah, the cat was clogged. i was going to take off the cat that day but plans changed really fast, since i couldn't get her home. None of the shops in the area would let me get out with out putting a cat on her so I was stuck.

[Coupe]

I knew it had nothing to do with cutting out the cat, not having a cat simply will not make your car die.