chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

I dont' like teh way it sounds, andI don't have a muffler either. I know I can put a piece of pipe through thecat and that will mroe or less improve the sound to where I want it. THe problem is, the engine side of the cat is ruste donto the pipe. I could cut it off. My question is, when I get a new pipe to put it through the cat, it could be long enough to make up for what I cut off, but how would I attach it without welding?

Thanks!

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

I guess I figured it out. I didn't realize they sold adapters and different sizes and clamps. Can I use those?

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

Another problem. How do poeple even put a pipe through the cat? There is a bar that goes through the middle of the cat that prevents that. I have no Idea what to do now because I just looked at it and if I cut the cat off, there isn't enough room before the bend to attach another pipe. Any pics of what other people have done?

camaronewbie

Why not just remove the cat, install a pipe for the space, and get a muffler? I think I paid under $100 for my Hooker Aerochamber which is a great flowing yet relatively quiet muffler. Your going to need a muffler to pass inspection anyway right?

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

That is what I was planning to do with the cat. My problem is, The engine side of the cat has a bend right before the cat. If I cut teh cat off, I won't haveany pipe left to put a new piece on.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

you may be stuck going to an exhaust shop. they can butt it up and weld the pipes together...your only other option is changing the y pipe setup to something else.

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

If I can get the cat off, then I can do it no problem. Any ideas on how to do that? I've heard of slicing the end open and peeling it back.

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

Okay, back to what said earlier. If I can keep thelook of having a cat under there, that would be better. How can I put a pipe through the cat with the bar in there? How have other people done it?

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

most of all people take the cat off then modify it. you'd have to remove that tube somehow.

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

If I can today, I'm going to take the cat off. Then I
ll decide from there. The car sounds better that way anyway! haha I'm not sure why. But Overall, I want to do this because the car doesn't go like It used to.

Camaro305SB

Physically gutting the cat loses power. I'd install a high flow unit but thats just me and my annoying lungs. If your gonna hillbilly it though, at least put a pipe in there. OP you probably don't like the sound because there is no muffler, not because the existence of the cat. The cat really doesn't have a negative affect on the sound, in fact it can help keep some rasp down.

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

Well I like the way it sounds now. When I unbolted the end of teh cat, on of the bolts snapped so it was only held on by one and it wasn't even that good so it eventuall dropped a little causing a cap which made the exhaust annoyingly loud. I fixed that though. Now I need to get the power back. ANother thing happened today though (not sure if it's related) After I started teh car, it would act almsot as if it was going to die. (idle drops really low) then it would get back to normal after a second or two. Also, sometimes after I started it (only today) it sounded like it hade a lopey idle and sometimes the car would shake. Is this related in any way?

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

I wish I could figure this out, DO you guys think it would hurt my gas mileage which isn't too good to begin with?

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

removing the cat will not hurt your fuel mileage

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

How in the world would you loose power by gutting the cat?????

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

you can loose power if the cut was not gutted cleanly or had a pipe put through it. the exhaust is no longer going just straight, but potentially fighting itself since its going in all directions within the body of cat and bouncing around.

not talking a ton of power, but it is feasible.

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

That does make sense. Anyway, I'm all set with this now. I just have to find an annoying rattle! It gets so loud, I can't hear my exhaust.

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

If you thoroughly gut a cat, you will have less back pressure, and that equals more power.

MotorMouth

You will not see any difference in power after you gut the cat unless it's stopped up. You are doing all that work for nothing. You said it's trying to die on you. Get that fixed by a real mechanic and then you should see a return in power.

camaroinoh

Freeing up the exhaust lessens back pressure which can mess with the idle and learned process of iac rare but seen it happen try disconnecting battery touch -+ terminals together reconnect bat and let the learn process take place it will probly run/idle shitty for a bit go drive around

Stevolwevol

iTrader: (1)

My cats are gutted in both of my camaros, and they run strong, and idle smooth.

IAGTA

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you really gain by gutting your cat rather than replacing with a high flow unit? I could see it if you had the pellet type and there is no emission testing. The stock monolith type cat has little impact on flow and an aftermarket high flow cats like Random Technology products are often better than no cat at all. According to Random's technical information the cats often outflow the performance mufflers.
http://www.randomtechnology.com/technical.html

I installed their cat (it is pricey) on my Firebird and I'm very impressed with the fit and performance. I wanted to keep emissions low without negatively impacting performance and I believe that I've accomplished that goal.

matts86cam

iTrader: (1)

I have seen a "fake cat" online for like 35 bucks. It looks just like any cat but it has just a straight pipe running through the center. Maybe someone knows the link or thread. I would go that route. Buy one and buy two clamps to put it on.

88FormulaKiller

iTrader: (8)

i wouldnt even start that debate man, thats like my hubcentric OEM wheels vs Lug centric...

btw...

OEM GM wheels are hub centric

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

The whole reason I gutted my cat was because there were ****** rattling around in there.

88FormulaKiller

iTrader: (8)

umm.. what?! there were What rattling around in there?

1ADan

iTrader: (4)

silicone intakes' website lists the "non" cats for those looking; I'll be going with a highflow myself when it gets time to get the exhaust done.

chevydrvr

iTrader: (1)

Woops, I mean chunks! haha

88FormulaKiller

iTrader: (8)

Dan? Booo! we live in Mass man, huck that cat and run str8 pipe(s)!