I want to know the problems that will occur if i remove the catalytic converters from my truck?
(2010-05-30 16:10:06) 1. Says: i know all about the laws and EPA crap so no need there. i just want to know from someone with experience the damage, if any, that may occur if i cut off the two catalytic converters from my truck. i've searched the answers on here and it's about half and half. half says no damage and half says yes damage. if someone could please clarify this for me i'd greatly appreciate it. 1997 f150 2wd 4.6L v82. Says: As long as there is not an O2 sensor after your cat (not sure on your truck) there will be no damage what so ever. i know people will ***** at you for the ethical/environmental implications, but it is your decision and only concerns you. the best exhaust is an open exhaust, and contrary to popular belief the loss in back-pressure will not effect performance. just check a diagram or crawl under your truck and locate all the o2 sensors in the exhaust. if none are located after the cat, you can go for it without any risk of damage.Edit: After you remove the cats disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to reset the computer so it can adjust to the different operating conditions without a cat
oh and P.S., if you turn in those cats, you can make a buck or two off of them due to the current high price in materials used to make them3. Says: i see no damage accept to your wallet from the fines but you will be wasting fuel. ignition timing is set so that you have a flame to that cat (it has to get hot right?) if i remember right that truck has 4 cats.4. Says: Only thing it will hurt is your ears, unless, the remaining pipe is less than 5 feet long from the connection to the collector/headers.
If it is too short, your valves get hell from weather, wear, etc.5. Says: It should not do any harm to get rid of the Cat converters.Some tune up magazines have adverts for empty boxes to replace were the Cat was.6. Says: This engine is designed to operate with a known amount of exhaust back pressure. Removing the catalytic converters will change this know amount of back pressure.
The first thing you will notice is that your check engine light will come on. This is because this will change the readings of your oxygen sensors. The computer will no longer depend on what it considers bogus readings and will switch to a limp home mode. It will use a preset static value which will not be as accurate as if it were getting proper readings from these sensors.
What you may also notice is about a 10% to 15% reduction in fuel economy. This is because your engine will not be running as efficiently as it could be.
What you may or may not notice is the 10% to 15% reduction in horse power and torque. Again, this is because your engine may not run as efficiently as it could be.
If your fuel injectors and ignition can not keep up with these changes you also stand a very good chance of burning valves or pistons.
Your truck will sound louder but not necessarily better. Personally I think an engine running in this configuration sounds like it is laboring because it is running poorly.
True story about engine back pressure. Just outside town there is a small stock car track. The people in town were starting to complain about the noise. During the off season the sanctioning body decided to require all cars on the track use mufflers and were allowed a maximum decibel level. All of the drivers complained because they thought this would reduce power and slow their car. Guess what. Opening night with the new rules in effect the track record was broken in both the late model ans street stock classes. The track record was broken in all classes frequently that year. I guess the mufflers didn't slow them down as much as they thought.
There are better ways to get power than hacking up your exhaust. Tag: I want to know the problems that will occur if i remove the catalytic converters from my truck?