Removing the catalytic converter?

ChopperCharles · 10-21-2008, 09:37 AM

I have a 95 2.2L, which is not emission-checked in NC. (96-up. Only cars that can be hooked to a computer). Is there any performance to be gained from removing the cat and replacing it with a piece of pipe? My 95 is significantly slower than the 98 2.2 I used to own, and I wonder if it might be the cat.

Charles.

MINTSICK · 10-21-2008, 12:52 PM

If the cat is clogged you'd notice a performance difference, if not you'd not gain anything other than a more annoying exhaust note.

Solid10 · 10-21-2008, 01:46 PM

I don't know, i've seen proven performance gains from people removing their "high flow" catalytic converter-now a stock cat? Pretty restrictive. And everybody knows, the faster your engine eats and shits, the better it will run

MINTSICK · 10-22-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Solid10

I don't know, i've seen proven performance gains from people removing their "high flow" catalytic converter-now a stock cat? Pretty restrictive. And everybody knows, the faster your engine eats and shits, the better it will run

Proof of "proven performance gains" ????

Solid10 · 10-22-2008, 01:09 PM

the dyno at school./...

beat-ol truck · 10-22-2008, 04:34 PM

usually removing the cat you loose some low end torque and gain some high end HP. Overall. not worth it. And removing it is technically a federal offence....e-checked or not.

Solid10 · 10-23-2008, 09:07 AM

yeah they got them cops with good ears now too....

Rhotpursuit · 10-23-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Solid10

the dyno at school./...

Said dyno sheets before & after...otherwise...

...that's what I thought..

MINTSICK · 10-23-2008, 11:00 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Rhotpursuit

Said dyno sheets before & after...otherwise... ...that's what I thought..

You got it!

Solid10 · 10-23-2008, 02:06 PM

oh then no don't believe me. I didn't stick around, they were doing it with their damn hondas and shit. It's not like it was some spectacular gain, just barely a few horses that only a guy with an accord would brag about. Maybe they were bullshitting? But i believed them-i figured if it was better for performance to have a flow restricting cat (or two!) under your ride then nascar, the truck series, drag racers, and amateurs would have environment friendly exhaust.

I mean really, can you blame me?
I'll ask my teacher but he'll probably get pissy because he's old and thinks vehicle modification is a fcking sin.

Rhotpursuit · 10-23-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Solid10

oh then no don't believe me. I didn't stick around, they were doing it with their damn hondas and shit. It's not like it was some spectacular gain, just barely a few horses that only a guy with an accord would brag about. Maybe they were bullshitting? But i believed them-i figured if it was better for performance to have a flow restricting cat (or two!) under your ride then nascar, the truck series, drag racers, and amateurs would have environment friendly exhaust.

I mean really, can you blame me?
I'll ask my teacher but he'll probably get pissy because he's old and thinks vehicle modification is a fcking sin.

Just asking..when you throw dyno sheets out there someone is going to call you on it. Modern cats flow pretty well. As for NASCAR, if more flow is better why do they run mufflers?? Seems to me I heard that somewhere but I don't have any proof, and it's not important enough to waste my time looking.

S15vortecpwr · 10-23-2008, 10:40 PM

the engine are tuned for a cat and muffler. when you start removing things you have to change tune to get any improvements.

only if a cat is clogged and removing it will you see a gain. if you install a new cat and do a dyno you will see gain.

My 01gmc has no cat due to clogging. it does resonate (sp) but still gets 25-26 mpg. so i ain't woried about it.

the reason nascar and other runs no cats is due to the fuel they use.

***philntx*** · 10-24-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by S15vortecpwr

the reason nascar and other runs no cats is due to the fuel they use.

Actually, the correct answer is that race cars are exempt from emissions regulations. However, not noise abatement restrictions. Hence mufflers.

ChopperCharles · 10-24-2008, 02:30 AM

Well, my 95 2.2 runs okay, or so I thought. Then I drove a 98 2.2 and it was amazingly faster. The 98 was an extended cab, so it had the 4.10 gears in teh back instead of the 3.73's I have in my truck... but it felt so much faster, smoother, quieter, and it just ran better than my truck ever has. The Vortex motor in the 97-up S10's is only supposed to be one or two horsepower more powerful, but it felt like a whole lot more.

I really can't think of anything else it could be. I've replaced the plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, everything. It still gets really good gas mileage (28mpg highway if I drive the speed limit. Less if I cruise at 85)

It could also just be the way it is, but it doesn't feel right after driving the 98.

Charles.

Solid10 · 10-24-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Rhotpursuit

Just asking..when you throw dyno sheets out there someone is going to call you on it. Modern cats flow pretty well. As for NASCAR, if more flow is better why do they run mufflers?? Seems to me I heard that somewhere but I don't have any proof, and it's not important enough to waste my time looking.

Yeah i don't have any proof i just know some tools bags at school talked about their proof so yeah i mentioned it.
but no i have no dyno sheets. I've never even dyno'd my truck.

Want to

Teacher thinks it's too damn loud tho.
And i agree-it doesn't matter enough to argue about it especially if i, personally, don't have any proof.

Solid10 · 10-24-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by S15vortecpwr

the engine are tuned for a cat and muffler. when you start removing things you have to change tune to get any improvements.

only if a cat is clogged and removing it will you see a gain. if you install a new cat and do a dyno you will see gain.

My 01gmc has no cat due to clogging. it does resonate (sp) but still gets 25-26 mpg. so i ain't woried about it.

the reason nascar and other runs no cats is due to the fuel they use.

i have to change tune to get any improvements?
I'm sorry, are you talking about carbureted vehicles or computer controlled vehicles?
Sounds to me like you mean adjusting the jets on a carburetor when you change exhaust or intake or something-because i've never heard of anybody having to adjust a OBDI or OBDII vehicle for something as small as a catalytic converter removal

snoplow · 10-28-2008, 11:02 PM

i test piped the converter on my 4.3 tbi and it lost abit down low but gained a bit up top, it sounds better and it gets around 25 mpg w/ the other mods.
and the differences between a 2.2 and a 2200 are a bit more than a few hp so yes it will feel a bit faster and at my college when i was in the gm classes we had a 2.2 wo the cat and it ran a bit funkierand kicked on the ses and didint really run better enough that i could justify doing it.

Solid10 · 10-28-2008, 11:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by snoplow

i test piped the converter on my 4.3 tbi and it lost abit down low but gained a bit up top, it sounds better and it gets around 25 mpg w/ the other mods.
and the differences between a 2.2 and a 2200 are a bit more than a few hp so yes it will feel a bit faster and at my college when i was in the gm classes we had a 2.2 wo the cat and it ran a bit funkierand kicked on the ses and didint really run better enough that i could justify doing it.

I completely forgot about him having a deuce deuce!

I like my 4.3 with turn downs and no cat...might not warm up as quick but that's all on me, it's my truck.
Yeah i wouldn't suggest this on a 2.2
I don't even know where a 2.2 hides it's O2 sensors!!

10-21-2008, 09:37 AM	#1
ChopperCharles Registered User Age: 30 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 224 Location: Durham, NC User is: OffLine	Removing the catalytic converter? I have a 95 2.2L, which is not emission-checked in NC. (96-up. Only cars that can be hooked to a computer). Is there any performance to be gained from removing the cat and replacing it with a piece of pipe? My 95 is significantly slower than the 98 2.2 I used to own, and I wonder if it might be the cat. Charles.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-21-2008, 12:52 PM	#2
MINTSICK Master's Apprentices Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 11,300 Location: Lynnfield, Ma User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? If the cat is clogged you'd notice a performance difference, if not you'd not gain anything other than a more annoying exhaust note.
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10-21-2008, 01:46 PM	#3
Solid10 long live italy. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? I don't know, i've seen proven performance gains from people removing their "high flow" catalytic converter-now a stock cat? Pretty restrictive. And everybody knows, the faster your engine eats and shits, the better it will run
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10-22-2008, 12:06 PM	#4
MINTSICK Master's Apprentices Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 11,300 Location: Lynnfield, Ma User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Quote: Originally Posted by Solid10 I don't know, i've seen proven performance gains from people removing their "high flow" catalytic converter-now a stock cat? Pretty restrictive. And everybody knows, the faster your engine eats and shits, the better it will run Proof of "proven performance gains" ????
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-22-2008, 01:09 PM	#5
Solid10 long live italy. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? the dyno at school./...
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10-22-2008, 04:34 PM	#6
beat-ol truck Certified Slacker Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 182 Location: Pittsburgh User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? usually removing the cat you loose some low end torque and gain some high end HP. Overall. not worth it. And removing it is technically a federal offence....e-checked or not.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2008, 09:07 AM	#7
Solid10 long live italy. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? yeah they got them cops with good ears now too....
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10-23-2008, 09:46 AM	#8
Rhotpursuit Ticket Magnet Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 3,639 Location: Spanaway, Wa User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Quote: Originally Posted by Solid10 the dyno at school./... Said dyno sheets before & after...otherwise... ...that's what I thought..
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10-23-2008, 11:00 AM	#9
MINTSICK Master's Apprentices Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 11,300 Location: Lynnfield, Ma User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Quote: Originally Posted by Rhotpursuit Said dyno sheets before & after...otherwise... ...that's what I thought.. You got it!
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2008, 02:06 PM	#10
Solid10 long live italy. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? oh then no don't believe me. I didn't stick around, they were doing it with their damn hondas and shit. It's not like it was some spectacular gain, just barely a few horses that only a guy with an accord would brag about. Maybe they were bullshitting? But i believed them-i figured if it was better for performance to have a flow restricting cat (or two!) under your ride then nascar, the truck series, drag racers, and amateurs would have environment friendly exhaust. I mean really, can you blame me? I'll ask my teacher but he'll probably get pissy because he's old and thinks vehicle modification is a fcking sin. Last edited by Solid10 : 10-23-2008 at 02:13 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2008, 10:08 PM	#11
Rhotpursuit Ticket Magnet Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 3,639 Location: Spanaway, Wa User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Quote: Originally Posted by Solid10 oh then no don't believe me. I didn't stick around, they were doing it with their damn hondas and shit. It's not like it was some spectacular gain, just barely a few horses that only a guy with an accord would brag about. Maybe they were bullshitting? But i believed them-i figured if it was better for performance to have a flow restricting cat (or two!) under your ride then nascar, the truck series, drag racers, and amateurs would have environment friendly exhaust. I mean really, can you blame me? I'll ask my teacher but he'll probably get pissy because he's old and thinks vehicle modification is a fcking sin. Just asking..when you throw dyno sheets out there someone is going to call you on it. Modern cats flow pretty well. As for NASCAR, if more flow is better why do they run mufflers?? Seems to me I heard that somewhere but I don't have any proof, and it's not important enough to waste my time looking.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-23-2008, 10:40 PM	#12
S15vortecpwr goin broke but n style Age: 28 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,444 Location: Alabama User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? the engine are tuned for a cat and muffler. when you start removing things you have to change tune to get any improvements. only if a cat is clogged and removing it will you see a gain. if you install a new cat and do a dyno you will see gain. My 01gmc has no cat due to clogging. it does resonate (sp) but still gets 25-26 mpg. so i ain't woried about it. the reason nascar and other runs no cats is due to the fuel they use.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-24-2008, 12:19 AM	#13
*philntx* Build it Right! Age: 53 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,387 Location: Plano TX User is: Online	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Quote: Originally Posted by S15vortecpwr the reason nascar and other runs no cats is due to the fuel they use. Actually, the correct answer is that race cars are exempt from emissions regulations. However, not noise abatement restrictions. Hence mufflers.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-24-2008, 02:30 AM	#14
ChopperCharles Registered User Age: 30 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 224 Location: Durham, NC User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Well, my 95 2.2 runs okay, or so I thought. Then I drove a 98 2.2 and it was amazingly faster. The 98 was an extended cab, so it had the 4.10 gears in teh back instead of the 3.73's I have in my truck... but it felt so much faster, smoother, quieter, and it just ran better than my truck ever has. The Vortex motor in the 97-up S10's is only supposed to be one or two horsepower more powerful, but it felt like a whole lot more. I really can't think of anything else it could be. I've replaced the plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter, everything. It still gets really good gas mileage (28mpg highway if I drive the speed limit. Less if I cruise at 85) It could also just be the way it is, but it doesn't feel right after driving the 98. Charles.
	[Reply w/Quote]

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10-24-2008, 11:18 AM	#15
Solid10 long live italy. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Quote: Originally Posted by Rhotpursuit Just asking..when you throw dyno sheets out there someone is going to call you on it. Modern cats flow pretty well. As for NASCAR, if more flow is better why do they run mufflers?? Seems to me I heard that somewhere but I don't have any proof, and it's not important enough to waste my time looking. Yeah i don't have any proof i just know some tools bags at school talked about their proof so yeah i mentioned it. but no i have no dyno sheets. I've never even dyno'd my truck. Want to Teacher thinks it's too damn loud tho. And i agree-it doesn't matter enough to argue about it especially if i, personally, don't have any proof.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-24-2008, 11:22 AM	#16
Solid10 long live italy. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Quote: Originally Posted by S15vortecpwr the engine are tuned for a cat and muffler. when you start removing things you have to change tune to get any improvements. only if a cat is clogged and removing it will you see a gain. if you install a new cat and do a dyno you will see gain. My 01gmc has no cat due to clogging. it does resonate (sp) but still gets 25-26 mpg. so i ain't woried about it. the reason nascar and other runs no cats is due to the fuel they use. i have to change tune to get any improvements? I'm sorry, are you talking about carbureted vehicles or computer controlled vehicles? Sounds to me like you mean adjusting the jets on a carburetor when you change exhaust or intake or something-because i've never heard of anybody having to adjust a OBDI or OBDII vehicle for something as small as a catalytic converter removal
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2008, 11:02 PM	#17
snoplow s-clusive oh. prez Age: 27 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,256 Location: rittman User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? i test piped the converter on my 4.3 tbi and it lost abit down low but gained a bit up top, it sounds better and it gets around 25 mpg w/ the other mods. and the differences between a 2.2 and a 2200 are a bit more than a few hp so yes it will feel a bit faster and at my college when i was in the gm classes we had a 2.2 wo the cat and it ran a bit funkierand kicked on the ses and didint really run better enough that i could justify doing it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2008, 11:05 PM	#18
Solid10 long live italy. Age: 19 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 569 Location: Memphis, tennessee User is: OffLine	Re: Removing the catalytic converter? Quote: Originally Posted by snoplow i test piped the converter on my 4.3 tbi and it lost abit down low but gained a bit up top, it sounds better and it gets around 25 mpg w/ the other mods. and the differences between a 2.2 and a 2200 are a bit more than a few hp so yes it will feel a bit faster and at my college when i was in the gm classes we had a 2.2 wo the cat and it ran a bit funkierand kicked on the ses and didint really run better enough that i could justify doing it. I completely forgot about him having a deuce deuce! I like my 4.3 with turn downs and no cat...might not warm up as quick but that's all on me, it's my truck. Yeah i wouldn't suggest this on a 2.2 I don't even know where a 2.2 hides it's O2 sensors!!
	[Reply w/Quote]