I had an exhaust shop put on a new cat a couple years ago because the old one collapsed, and i have about 20000 miles on the new one, and i think it collapsed again, takin it in tomorow to get checked out, at 300-400 dollars a pop, i want to just cut it off

can i do this with o2 sensor and not mess up the fuel/air ratio

truck is a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9L 360 Magnum

 

Do a search here for "plenum". It's blown and that's what is ruining the cat.

 

?????????????????????????????didnt find anything

 

LOL, there are literally thousands upon thousands of threads on the plenum subject here.

 

then post a link because i searched plenum and got nothing

 

Whatever dude! I just used the search feature on this site and got ten pages of threads that have at least the key word plenum.

 

Removing your cat will kill your backpressure in your exhaust system and f up your fuel/air ratio. I did this for a while, and while it sounds simple to do and makes your truck sound like its ready to eat a kindergarden class, it lowers your overall horsepower and burns gas. Plenums in these dodges came stock with a steel plate, which expands and contracts at a rate different than the rest of the block, ripping up your gasket and causing oil to leak into the engine and all other kinds of fun stuff. You need a plenum plate replacement kit - anyone with these trucks running remotely well has already done it. Go to hughesengines.com and order part #7720 - Plenum repair kit.

You can get a new magnaflow cat for pretty cheap as well, I don't remember paying more than 70$ for mine. Its a little bit of work to get the plenum off, but its well worth it. You may want to consider redoing your rotor, wires, and putting a lower t-stat in there too while you're at it. You won't be dissapointed.

 

As respectfully as can be: No, it will not. If it's not failed, the pre-cat oxygen sensor will give an accurate signal whether there's a cat behind it or not and the PCM will regulate to achieve the correct signal at that point.

 

so what kind of mechanical knowledge is required to put the replacement kit on, any special tools needed, and roughly how much time needed? i have your basic know how mechanic skills but have never been to school for it

that thermostat is a no brainer for 12 bucks, i just took it out and drove it and i wana say it runs great but ill just say it runs like normal

 

i hollowed mine out havent thrown a light or any thing and getting 13 mpg so u will be fine i would assume. I dont know if its a stick shift thing or not though as to why i dont throw a check engine light.