Punching out or removing converter

wducharme · Post by **wducharme** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 5:12 pm

I have to replace mid muffler and pipe on my spider.I was thinking about removing the converter or maybe driving a pipe through it to make it free flow,since the exhaust in front of the converter is fairly new.buying an exhaust for an older spider to emit the converter seems to be a waste right now.any thoughts?I think it would run better.we currently have no tailpipe emmissions testing in michigan.so I can do with it what I want.

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:48 pm

it will be alot louder once its hollowed. i have a 4.8 chevy v 8. the cats got clogged and the thing wouldnt run. didnt have the 700.00 for new cats so they got opened up. a temp fix till i can pick up new cats. it dosent run as strong as it did when the cats were good. and it did run strong. it has headers from the other guys, full exhaust larger a chip etc. hope to repair soon...

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:48 pm

unless it's a monolith replacement cat you may have trouble ramming a pipe through it. Best situation is to make a test pipe that bolts in place of the cat. Sometimes a hollowed out cat creates sort of an echo chamber.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:49 am

Where are you located? What do you drive?

I have just completed the process on my '80 here in Michigan where there are no emmission laws or tests. Good thing, because I have lost the ability to study for tests.

I have a 3 bolt flange cat for sale. I cannot guaruntee passing emmissions tests with it, but wanna get it off my bench soon. If you are interested, send me an email. It is original 1980.

I have over the past two seasons replaced everything from the cat back. ANSA dual tipped muffler, exhaust pipe with resonator, and just put on a "test" pipe dropping the cat.

The cat was replaced one entire driving season apart from the other two items. They were replaced last season with pleasing sound quality results.

I have experienced zero sound differences with the test pipe; which I obtained from BRUCES at http://www.fiatparts.com

Punching out your cat will more than likely cause more problems than it was intended to resolve.

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:13 pm

i also have a 1980 cat that is in excellent external condition. I've heard stories from car unsavvy people saying they thought they saw the cat glowing red at one point. so I can't gaurantee that it works. It's free to anyone who's willing to pay shipping for it.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:41 pm

when cats glow red it's because they're loaded with unburned fuel, either from an overly rich mixture or a misfire. It doesn't take too long for them to melt down in that situation. Excellent external condition doesn't mean much for a cat! It's all about the inner beauty!

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 8:54 pm

So Cal Mark wrote:when cats glow red it's because they're loaded with unburned fuel, either from an overly rich mixture or a misfire. It doesn't take too long for them to melt down in that situation. Excellent external condition doesn't mean much for a cat! It's all about the inner beauty!

exactly, but i know some areas only require you to pass a visual inspection and if you look like you got a cat then you are ok

But you are totally right, that's why I totally pulled the cat and muffler off. I have a feeling that the cat is clogged and sometimes that crap can make it back to the muffler to clog it too. I'm just gonna start fresh to make sure it's not the area of concern when I try to get this carb all hooked up and running.