Cat issue

[Matt7084]

I wanna lose my cat, i hate him, but regardless I want to remove the catalytic converter from underneath my 86 911.

Uh anyways...being in PA I have to have the cat on to pass emissions (thank you hippies), but here is an interesting little scenario.

When I bought my car from NY, it had a cat bypass pipe on. When the cat was put in, the bypass pipe was simply cut and then the hiflow cat was welded in the middle of the two ends of the bypass pipe.

The pipe is now one whole piece with a cat welded in the middle, and as a whole looks like an easily removable, put-on-able part, so my question is, #1 is this a dumb idea that i should forgeddabout (AKA is it worthless to even do). #2 is it possible to:

buy a new cat bypass pipe, replace the current pipe with the new pipe, and then just swap before emissions test each year.

thanks! - matt

[Eugene at Pelican Parts]

buy a new cat bypass pipe, replace the current pipe with the new pipe, and then just swap before emissions test each year.



better yet, buy a premuffler (you can find them used if you're cheap like me). past tests show that it yields more HP and will be quieter.

[goat]

If you have to have the CAT to pass the emissions you could try the Dansk sport CAT offered by Pelican Parts.
The premuffler would be cool though.
If its anything like CA every two years an emissions test Gak! I could not think of switching them out all the time.
Like to see the weld job though.

[ted]

Go to the local muffler shop and get a bad cat that was removed. Gut the old cat and install it. Now you pass the visual test if the smog dogs get you on a freeway on ramp. Keep your good cat and put it on for your smog test.
This way we can blame you for the October heat wave!
You new bumper sticker should read...
(I'm warming the earth, ask me how)
Disclaimer ...I am not a tree hugger.

[Matt7084]

Once a year its an emission test in PA unless you have a pre 1976 car.

Ill try to get my dig cam working to show you the weld job and show you basically what I am proposing to do...

thanks again! - Matt

(ps I know its possible for a state trooper to give you a smog test on the spot but would they ever actually do this? what happens if Im caught?)

[goat]

On the spot smog test from a trooper!!
That is scary. A Fine is surely involved could be big.
Just had to do a smog test. Had to tell the smog guy that it was a 6 cylinder car, that scared me too.

[Matt7084]

well, a new bypass pipe is 189 dollars whereas a Sport Cat from Dansk is 1000 dollars, Id rather save 800 dollars and have more flowing exhaust.

thats a good idea about gutting a cat and welding it in just like my cat now...then just swapping them once a year.

thanks for the advice! - Matt

[Superman]

When it comes to worrying about stuff, you have to be choosy. Too many opportunities. Troopers administering field emissions tests? C'mon...

I would also remind folks that CATs (with or without guts) are commonly available, like, through clubs. There is a thing called the "Club Emissions Test Exhaust System." This would be an exhaust system or at least a working CAT, that rotates through a club chapter's membership. It's a low-miles CAT that has passed dozens if not hundreds of emission tests. I have a CAT on the shelf in my garage, that will be put into service if emissions testing ever comes to my town. It is hollow and therefore does not "work," but it looks like a CAT.

[masraum]

The original cat was just a bolt in the same way the cat bypass is. Several people do the same thing that you do and swap once a year. If you get a premuffler it will even look like a cat.

[Don Cothard]

If your in PA its only a visual inspection and if you drive less than 5000 miles a year your exempt. There are other way around this if you drive more.

[thrown_hammer]

Emissions? BAH! We aint got no emission laws. That is one of the VERY few good things about living in Tractorville, IN.

[CatSkynr]

Maybe you can luck out like me. It really wasn’t lucking out but… My 77 has no CATs, never did, but the geniuses here in phx keep looking for a CAT. Last year instead of arguing with them over my car, I just pointed out the heat exchangers and told them that’s a cat on a Porsche and I passed. Amazing as my emissions ticket sez ‘non-catalyst’ – ‘catalytic converter passed’. Hmmm….

The best was 2 yrs ago when the tech driving my car couldn’t figure out how to get out of the car yet never thought about rolling the window down and using the outside handle since he couldn’t find the one inside. Then he proceeded to pop the bonnet to inspect the engine. After staring at the spare tire for a good 2-3 minutes has the gaul to ask me if my car is electric….. I kinda laughed and said no the engine is in the rear. His fellow genius co-worker then said “when did they start doing that!” About that time another tech fired up an A4 Quattro to run on the wheel. I guess he didn’t know they are all wheel drive (go figure) and slammed into the back of motorhome.

[RickM]

Has anyone noticed if the Emission Police slide the mirror under the proper end of the car when doing a visual?

[jrb964]

I have a premuffler on my '80SC. It looks identical to a CAT. When for emissions a few weeks ago. Drove in, guy looked at the premuffler, which has the Oxygen sensor in it. And commented about my nice new cat. It failed, leaned it out, took it back and it passed with flying colors.

Exempt all cars over 15 years old!!!!!

[kellzey]

Keep your cat away from your wheels! He may pee on them!

[dvkk]

Originally posted by Matt7084

....and then the hiflow cat was welded in the middle of the two ends of the bypass pipe.

You've already got a hi flow cat in there. What do you think you will gain by removing it and installing a bypass pipe?

Just leave what you have in place, don't do any work and pass every year. Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

[Mike Feinstein]

I installed my cat for emissions tests only. Otherwise I used a Fabspeed Europremuffler. 3.6 is going in next week. If you need a premuff, drop me a line.

[Matt7084]

if taking 2 hours a year to switch out a cat and a pipe will net me 3 horsepower, then heaven have mercy on me I will do it.

just getting underneath the car and doing anything is fun and worth it.

so the real question is then, is this simple car novice (me) confused thinking that putting the pipe in place of a cat will net additional power?

thanks! - Matt