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OT, and prob illegal-runnning w/o catalytic converter

richard newman

Titanium
Joined
Jul 28, 2006
Location
rochester, ny
I'm preparing for the big shop move, gathering pallets, etc. I go out to use my 1987 Chevy G-20 van and I discover some a-hole has stolen the catalytic converter!!! The truck is ok mechanically, but really rusting to death and will need replacement soon, so I don't want to pour $$ into it.

Quote is $400 to weld in new cat and pipe - wondering what would happen if I just got a section of pipe and left the cat off? Will the truck run ok, any short term damage? Inspection isn't til May, figure by then I'd replace it with another.
 
It won't hurt anything to leave it off provided you have it replaced prior to inspection. The disgusting thing is that your truck would probably pass emissions without the cat but NY will still want it on the truck.

Doug
 
You can run the truck without the catalytic converter without doing damage. I had problems with a Ford Fairmount that slowed down and almost stopped without warning. I was told after a lot of testing that the converter was the problem.I removed it and added an exhaust pipe. I traded the car in a year later and had no problems after the converter was removed.
mike
 
You can run the truck without the catalytic converter without doing damage. I had problems with a Ford Fairmount that slowed down and almost stopped without warning. I was told after a lot of testing that the converter was the problem.I removed it and added an exhaust pipe. I traded the car in a year later and had no problems after the converter was removed.
mike

Same thing here with a truck. No problems.
 
Over the years I have fitted 8 vehicles with a, umm... test pipe to see if a plugged cat was the problem.
Sometimes you need to run an "extended" test for several years to be sure of the results. :)

Although the guys who design this stuff for a living tell me it is possible to see a slight decrease in mileage on the newest cars my results have never done this. If anything the opposite, but no real notable difference.

The only downside I've seen is that SWMBO complains because the exhaust note is somewhat louder.

Nice thing about cats is that if you go to sell a tired old car that burns oil it does not smoke like they used to in the old days. When I was young it was common to see a car smoke like crazy when leaving a stoplight. Now you hardly ever see it.
Maybe they must just build them better now.

There is that whole "Is your personal wealth more important than the future of the planet" thing.

Don't answer that or we will go off to never-never land but since at some point you are going to have an inspection is it cheaper to spend $50 now and then spend the $400 anyway in May?
Bob
 
You can get new aftermarket cats cheap now...You might see if they are legal for your inspection and have one of them installed.

-James
 
It's not a pickup, but I had one melt down on my borrowed from my cousin 2000 Saturn 3 liter. Cat was 97 bucks, total was about 145, labor and tax.I paid for it, since she was good enough to loan me the car while mine is in the shop. Mech said it was due to die anyway. Bad part of it was I was on the way to drive the grandson to work when it died.

Now, my Audi cost me 281 bucks to have replaced, a few years ago.

Converters bring in anywhere from 70 to 120 bucks or so as scrap. Battery powered recip saw and 5 minutes, and low life can make enough for a couple days booze or dope.

Yeah, I'd call it a "test pipe", too, but Bob beat me to it.

Cheers,

George
 
Here in California the wrecking yards can not sell used convertors. Legally you have to buy a brand new one to put in your old car
Bil lD..
 
One of the easiest ways to get more horsepower and quicker response from performance cars is to remove that CAT and/or install a larger diameter exhaust system. So: Yes, remove it.
 
We don't have emissions laws here, and the fact that my truck has a muffler puts it ages above most others that have rust on the body.

When I bought it, the cat was hanging on by a piece of wire, unconnected to the exhaust. I cut it off, tried welding a new flange on it. The tube was too rotten so I had to rebuild a majority of the exhaust.

At the time, I was flat broke and the cost of a new cat on my shop truck was too much. The cost of a ticket for bad exhaust would have cost more than the cat, so I fixed it. I went to muffler man and got a piece of pipe and spent some time in the shop making a new flange. It's a little louder than one with a cat, but other than that, it's fine.

I've had it on it for 10k miles. If I thought the truck was going to make it a considerable distance, I might consider putting one back on, but I hate doing exhaust work, and now it's cold.
 
Cat Converters bring in anywhere from 70 to 120 bucks or so as scrap. Battery powered recip saw and 5 minutes, and low life can make enough for a couple days booze or dope.

Yeah, I'd call it a "test pipe", too, but Bob beat me to it.

Cheers,

George

Sounds like the same sharp hard working clean cut guys that come over to
"inspect" our parts cars in the shop yard at 3:30 AM in the morning. I have seen
our shop neighbours start up their cars in the morning numerous times only to be
greeted by the deafening roar of someone who helped themselves to their cats.
Another plus for our older diesels, no such device is there from factory to be ripped off :D
 
2001 Buick Century : Getting bad milage , and low on power . Auto shop confirmed the Cat was bad .
the wife thought I was nuts when I told him I want the old one back . " he's a nice guy , let him have it " she sez .
Then we got the bill for $495. Still want to give him a tip I asks ?
Took it to the recycling center . They gave me $80 for the old one and said last month they were worth $90 .
I cut the pipes off first . Pretty substantial unit , double wall SS and a SS accordian on the manifold end . The ceramic was busted loose , and looked full of dirt . I have no idea how that happened .
But Now I understand why they are targets . The new gen of 24V cordless tools make a very productive tool for thieves . Those side grinder cut off wheels make anything easy prey .
FBBob
 
Yeah, I'd call it a "test pipe", too, but Bob beat me to it.

Cheers,

George



They have been called test pipes for a lot longer than that.

In the mid 80's you could walk into your local NAPA and buy a "test pipe" off the shelf.


---------------

Think Snow Eh!
Ox
 
Check the fine print on the laws. I think after a certain age and mileage, or if a repair costs over a certain amount, they can't get you for emissions.


25 years old here for no test. Cost - Over $150 SPENT at a certified emission specialist (iirc) they will give you a waiver. Theory is that most things can be fixed for that. But... you can't "alter" the emission system - the parts are all "supposed" to be there.
 
Yes, it will run. In fact, it will run better without the converter. Removing the converter is called "straight piping". If you put a hole in the pipe or otherwise make it a little leaky it will pass inspection.
 
It won't here - they check for 02 in the exhaust, and any material hole (noise - they check) will get you rejected - I was bounced last year. They even check under the hood and under the bottom to see if you've messed with anything (or so they pretend :) )

My mufflers last maybe 2 years, but after the first Mazda has replaced each for free since 1992. it's a 1990 B2600i truck. The main muffler tilts forward and water accumulates in the front where it rots out a larger hole around the drain pinhole (added in later models). Nine mufflers and counting at $350 to 400 each.. lol...
 
Put in a section of straight pipe and she runs just fine. Thanks for the replies.

But get this - had trouble starting it after the pipe replacement, looked low on gas. Put in a couple of gallons from a can, and gas starts dripping on the ground. The bastards had drilled a 1/2" hole in my gas tank too! The icing on my cake...
 








 
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