83sc cat smells

mack6820 · 01-01-2008, 03:00 AM

Happy New Years guys!!
My 83 sc smells extremely rich and Im getting tired of the smell. I know the mixture is correct and I know the cat converter has been gutted. My mechanic says the smell is cause my converter is gutted out. So heres the question.
Can I put any cat converter on that fits or does it have to be a $1500 porsche converter? Id like to save a few bucks if possible.

javadog · 01-01-2008, 03:25 AM

Why not buy a used Porsche cat from somebody on this board? There have to be dozens of them laying around.

JR

jhynesrockmtn · 01-01-2008, 05:58 AM

My cat smells too when I don't clean the pan often enough or just after he eats.

You need a cat bypass and SSI's on that SC. Don't replace the cat, you don't need it.

stlrj · 06:06 AM

If it smells rich, it usually is. What is the CO?

Even an early 2.7 without a cat will not smell that much and they don't need a used cat to pass the smell test.

mppickett · 01-01-2008, 06:51 AM

Happy New Year to you. Yes, you can use a non-Porsche cat. There are plenty of them out there in internet land for $100 or less (search Magnaflow using Google). Because we have such a small area to put together an exhaust system, fitment can be problem so check out the sizes carefully if you go that route.

Buying a used cat from someone on this board may be the best route in terms of time and good outcomes.

Best,
Mike

3.2 CAB · 01-01-2008, 07:29 AM

+1 with Mike. Good luck!!

mack6820 · 01-01-2008, 07:56 AM

I dont know what the co is set at but I trust my mechanic when he set it. When sitting at a red light, the smell is almost unbearable and Im sure the folks behind me areant happy. hehe

3.2 CAB · 01-01-2008, 08:27 AM

If it is putting out the eye searing, nose burning type of exhaust, I would have to try a different wrench. That type of exhaust smell sounds like it is very rich. What type of exhaust color can you see if you give it the gas? What does the inside of your exhaust tip/tips look like? Are they really blackened, or sooty looking? What does it look like if you wipe the inside of your exhaust tip/tips with a clean white paper towel? From what you have been saying, it sounds like it is running extremely rich.

mack6820 · 01-01-2008, 08:32 AM

yup, I think your right. The pipes have soot on them but not heavy. I think I'll have the CO checked again.
Thanks

stlrj · 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mack6820

yup, I think your right. The pipes have soot on them but not heavy. I think I'll have the CO checked again.
Thanks

Good idea.

Why spend for a cat when all you really want is to get rid of the smell. You might even try your hand at setting the mixture yourself as most of us have done with a 3mm allen. That is, if all you want to do is have it pass your nose test, that fancy CO meter test equipment may not be necessary.