sims are probably your best bet if you want to REMOVE the cats...
HOWEVER...
in Virginia... and i am inspecting a vehicle, (we have no smog however), but the vehicle must have a working CEL, the CEL must not be illuminated during inspection time, if it is, i must see what code is for, if it is for O2 sensors/exhaust related i must fail it.

Trooper told us in person that if we find anyone with NO CATS under the vehicle, to call him directly and he is going to fine the person like thousands of dollars and impound the truck until he PAYS to get it repaired... no one in the shop has done so... lol

but i'll be straight-up about it... if i don't see a device that even LOOKS like a cat.. im have to fail it... im not losing my driver's license for like 6 months and State inspection license over it...
All states are different however.

I say gut them and install a SIM(s) - don't remove them completely, you are asking for trouble, especially
if you live in CA :/ [sm=violent053.gif]

 

yep gut, dont remove....less hasel that way, besides its just the same is installing a piece of pipe

 

im sorry, im drunk and have nothing helpful to add to this thread, i juat have to say F*** California. I feel better now. thanks y'all.

 

+1, I reamed mine out with a piece of galvi and a sledge hammer though....

 

Hey man, theres a few californians on this site...

 

yes i know. im juststating a personal opinion of the state, not its inhabitants. i personally have not met a Californian on this site that i do not like.. but it makes me pretty depressed how they f*** cars over and absolutely kill the power of these beautiful vehicles. for that i feel bad for all of you. i was not making a direct attack of y'all

 

I live in michigan and between 5 vehicals years range from between 1923 and 2000 i have no cats. You can buy aMILE(MalfuctionIndicatorLight Eliminator) which prevents the CEL to come on without cats. It plugs in between the wire and O2 sensor.I know i'm a killer of the o zone so start your thrashing on me.

 

I gutted my cat in my 99 and had a simm. Went and got a test done. Guess what!!! It passed. The test is a crock, as long as your truck is running right it does not matter what exhaust setup you run. Your exhaust is not a cleaning mechanism. It will only be as clean as the engines ability to efficiently burn the fuel. Yes the cat is a scrubber but only gets used if there is a performance issue. Most of the time it ends up being the problem. If you dont agree then tell me why they couldnt tell I altered the system.

 

that's what I've tried to tell people before. Some people get all huffy about gutting that cat but if your vehicle is running efficently there is no need for a cat.

 

Seriously? The average MPG of the members of the forum here is probably about 10-12. None of us aredoing anything to help for sure... I don't think you have to apologize. The earth heals itself, let's see how well it works