Removing Cat on Dodge Mirada
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Removing Cat on Dodge Mirada
Hello All,
So I took my 1981 Dodge Mirada down to get its inspection not too long ago, which it happily passed with flying colors (surprising the heck out of the inspectors, they expected it to be all rusted out). Anyway, I got to talking with them and found out that I straight up don't need the catalytic converter anymore. They said they don't have to check for them on anything over 25 years old.
So I have pretty much decided to remove it and I have a few questions.
1) Is there any good reason not to remove it? It's an '81, so I'm hoping that removing it will open up the exhaust significantly and give me a little bit of a horespower boost, I'm not sure how much to expect. I have not yet made any modifications to the exhaust or intake, but that is in the future.
2) Does anybody have any tips for removing it? It's a 1981 318 V8 and there is a small computer on the air intake system that looks like it would be connected to any oxygen sensor or something (I haven't looked into it too closely). Am I going to need to fool this computer at all? I'm comfortable with tuning the carburetor (currently a 2 BBL Carter) if I need to adjust it for the new breathing room, but I don't know how the computer will react.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted as I do it, the car really is in beautiful condition and deserves much more than its meager stock 125 HP. It's honestly embarassing to have a V8 that weak.
- Justin
So I took my 1981 Dodge Mirada down to get its inspection not too long ago, which it happily passed with flying colors (surprising the heck out of the inspectors, they expected it to be all rusted out). Anyway, I got to talking with them and found out that I straight up don't need the catalytic converter anymore. They said they don't have to check for them on anything over 25 years old.
So I have pretty much decided to remove it and I have a few questions.
1) Is there any good reason not to remove it? It's an '81, so I'm hoping that removing it will open up the exhaust significantly and give me a little bit of a horespower boost, I'm not sure how much to expect. I have not yet made any modifications to the exhaust or intake, but that is in the future.
2) Does anybody have any tips for removing it? It's a 1981 318 V8 and there is a small computer on the air intake system that looks like it would be connected to any oxygen sensor or something (I haven't looked into it too closely). Am I going to need to fool this computer at all? I'm comfortable with tuning the carburetor (currently a 2 BBL Carter) if I need to adjust it for the new breathing room, but I don't know how the computer will react.
Anyway, I'll keep you posted as I do it, the car really is in beautiful condition and deserves much more than its meager stock 125 HP. It's honestly embarassing to have a V8 that weak.
- Justin