i was thinking about runnin some new headers delete the cat and put a y pipe and run that through a flowmaster super 44 and out the side b4 the rear wheel. what you guys think? and would anything happen with out the cat on???

thanks

 

Do a search man. But if you dont get something to fool the pcm that theres a cat there, youll throw a code and your Fuel to air will be messed up.

 

It will be very loud with that setup. Ive run hdrs, ypipe, h/f cat (guts itself every 2.5yrs max) and 3" open glasspack (Magnaflow for both) ahead of the rear tire for many years. Its annoying on long drives with the cat gutted. As far as your a/f ratio goes, wont be affected by it. Front o2 sensor sets your a/f mix. The rear o2 is only there to monitor the cat to make sure its functioning. Without a cat at all, probably get a code and will have to run a sim. When my cat fails every couple years I only replace it if I need to get etest. Otherwise can just reset the pcm and the cel goes away.

 

does anyone no how to gut a cat? how hard is it???

 

what year is your truck?....i just put on headers, y pipe and 3" with no cat and a turbo muffler......without my side pipe the drone was annoying, but with it on its really quiet on the inside

 

its a 1997 5.2L

 

i wouldnt gut mine if i were you.....it will just echo inside of there and give you a dreaded drone.....since yours is a 97 it will most def throw a code but that can be taken care of easily.......when i gutted mine, i just cut the pipe off the back of it and got a pipe and a bar and just started hammering away at it, then go drive around a bit and repeat......be sure to remove your o2 sensor tho so you dont mess it up.......

 

do you have an emsiions test done ?? if so leave it on... Is there a reason why you want to gut the cat ?? cloged ?? if not leave it alone , these cats are basically a highflow cat , the choice is yours and so is the headaches..

 

I too have a 97, and gutted mine last year. Mine has only thrown a code once, and that was when towing (heavy load, more air/fuel, etc.)

But, I can definitely say that the drone is horrid, and I am putting a HF CAT back on as soon as possible. You dont want a megaphone under the passenger seat with a wheezy (sorry, but its true) 5.2 or 5.9 like mine.

On the bright side, mine did feel a little better HP wise in the higher RPM's, which is a natural product of restricted air flow, but it definitely lost some lower end torque.

I only gutted mine because it clogged up and I didnt have the money to buy a replacement, even at ebay prices for the magnaflow one. Its up to you, but taking it to a good shop and swapping it out with a High Flow one might be a better route for ya!

 

is there an o2 sensor to trick the pcm for gutted cats and removed cuts ??