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OK.... Please help me give the final word on Test Pipes. Then move this thread to the 'things we've seen before' conference.
If you remove your catalytic converter, you will get a little performance boost. You will get even more of a performance boost if you have other modifications that allow your car to breath easier.
ie. Intake, Exhaust, Throttle Body, and yes Turbo.
Now you may notice a little low end torque loss, but probably not much. You will like what you hear and feel on the top end, however there are consequences to removing your catalytic converter.
1. It is illegal. Even in states that to not have emmision laws, it is still illegal due the fact that tampering rules with emmision devices on your car are controlled by Federal laws.
2. You will most likely get a Check Engine Light for having an inefficient catalytic converter (because its not there). This usually results in a CEL or MIL code 72. Even though our tech manuals say that the catalytic converter inefficient code is 64, you will get code 72. This is probably due to a misprint in the manual. The Dodge Neon tech manual that I have seen show this as code 72 and they are our closest engine relative. Some people do not get a CEL due to other modifications or a really clean engine, who knows?
3. Your downstream O2 sensor (after catalytic converter) will most likely not last as long as it should. It will be measuring the same amount of stuff in the exhaust as the front one. This does not really matter because you will probably replace both O2 sensors if one goes bad.
4. Your car will be much louder than before. Some people like the noise, some do not. The new sound out of your exhaust will probably be a little higher pitched due to more exhaust valvetrain noise not being absorbed by the catalytic converter. (how your car will sound can be completely debatable)
There are some other differences in the methods that people use to remove their catalytic converter.
1. Most people gut their catalytic converter. This involves removing the catalyst material inside the catalytic converter and then putting the empty shell back on your car. I do not recommend this and here is why.... I did this originally because my catalytic converter was clogged up. It was an easy fix, but afterwards my car's exhaust note was messed up. It sounded real bad and the empty gutted catalytic converter under my car acted like a resonator of some sort which made the inside of my car drone while on the highway. I did get CEL code 72 and also the code for the EVAP system.
2. The preferred way to remove the catalytic converter is to replace it with a Test Pipe. This will allow the flow of exhaust gas to smoothly exit your vehicle, but at the cost of a higher pitched and much louder exhaust note. The pitch volume of the exhaust will depend completely on the type of muffler you are using and if you are turbo'd or not turbo'd. I am using an off the shelf Ractive muffler, so I get a little buzzing sound above 5000 rpm's. (this will soon change, Thermal R&D here I come)
3. The most preferred way (my way) is to use a resonated Test Pipe. Basically it is an off the shelf resonator (or custom) put in place of the catalytic converter as a Test Pipe. This will eliminate a little of the noise (10%) and reduce the pitch of the exhaust note. I picked up a 16.25 inch long, 2.5 inch inner diameter resonated Test Pipe from www.testpipes.com for $50 shipped. The flanges were adjustable and it fit well and works well. Now when I go on the highway my car is not as droning as before and the car seems smoother to drive every day under normal conditions (this is determined by a seat of the pants testimonial).
I am currently working a way to modify the after catalytic converter O2 sensor to see less of what it is supposed to see in your exhuast. This should turn off that CEL light when code 72 is present. I will keep you up to date on that.
-Jared
96 GS
Melbourne, FL
Iceman CAI | RS*R Cat-Back | AFX Pully | Milled Head 10:1 CR | MP 60mm TB
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