Catalytic Converter
03-27-2015, 02:45 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Catalytic Converter
I have an 04 350z convertible & was wanting to remove my Cats to make the car louder. I have a custom exhaust. Can anyone tell me if it is a good idea to remove the cats and replace them with test pipes? Will my sensors come on? Any advice is appreciated.
03-27-2015, 05:47 PM
#3
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Seriously, man, do us a favor and at least run HFCs, then you can straight pipe that sucker all you want aft of those.
Good gawd.... louder??? Do you know that even race cars have sound restrictions?
03-27-2015, 06:03 PM
#4
Registered User
check engine light will turn on. go to z1 motorsports.com and buy o2 bungs and install that in with the test pipes it will shut off the check engine light and most importantly....you won't have a hard time starting the car......
going catless generally has been advertised for off road use and for a good reason. if you drive on a public street, more than likely you can get pulled over by police.
also smog checks will be a hassle, keep your cats and when smog time comes put them on for smog test then take them off again.
I have catless straight pipe momentum single exhaust on my car....i get tickets for my exhaust but i go to court and get the judge to dismiss it.
I like the sound a lot from my car, i don't care about society or police. test pipes though i don't think is a good idea because i hear that they eventually crack.....i would recommend going to z1 motorsports and buying the catless momentum y pipe its much more durable.
Last edited by Justin100; 03-27-2015 at 06:08 PM.
03-28-2015, 06:13 AM
#6
If you get pulled over for having a catless car you need to either, A) Move to a state / city that isn't ridiculous. or B) change your exhaust.
In florida I have never been pulled over, or never heard anyone in the local Z club getting pulled over for cats. Their are some guys with fairly loud exhausts. I got a speeding ticket once, left my car running, and it does smell, and the cop couldn't care less.
In florida I have never been pulled over, or never heard anyone in the local Z club getting pulled over for cats. Their are some guys with fairly loud exhausts. I got a speeding ticket once, left my car running, and it does smell, and the cop couldn't care less.
03-28-2015, 07:35 AM
#7
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
If you get pulled over for having a catless car you need to either, A) Move to a state / city that isn't ridiculous. or B) change your exhaust.
In florida I have never been pulled over, or never heard anyone in the local Z club getting pulled over for cats. Their are some guys with fairly loud exhausts. I got a speeding ticket once, left my car running, and it does smell, and the cop couldn't care less.
In florida I have never been pulled over, or never heard anyone in the local Z club getting pulled over for cats. Their are some guys with fairly loud exhausts. I got a speeding ticket once, left my car running, and it does smell, and the cop couldn't care less.
Nothing he hates more than a hypocrite.
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04-02-2015, 09:14 AM
#11
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Hey Bluemist71, didn't mean to be so hard on you on the post but I'm something of a stickler when it comes to messing with emissions controls. Instead of responding to your PM, this is a public answer as it may help others wanting similar results to your question.
As I mentioned, you CAN run straight, unmuffled pipes all the way out to the back from aft of the cats OR test pipes.
HOWEVER, I'd caution you on that for a couple of reasons:
1. It will be REALLY LOUD. But, if that's OK with you, consider the following
2. You stand the chance of throwing a code, particularly a lean code like P2096 <===Linked so you can read up on that.
Doing so essentially means you're messing with the AFR.
Also, as a result of this, your lowend performance, where you do most of your street and highway driving can (and likely will) suffer, pushing the torque curve up higher and giving you the sensation of "no power" down low where you need it in everyday driving. It's a "liveable" condition but isn't particularly fun.
Trust me, this is speaking strictly from experience on a lot of Zs AND just about every other car I've gone too big on pipe size and/or reduced far too much exhaust back pressure with super low restriction mufflers. Even on the race cars I ran, tuned, or built for others, pipe size and back pressure are critical to peak performance on a given track.
Another alternative is to consider a Supertrapp (or pair). Tunable exhaust through the use of diffuser discs, you can give (or take away) back pressure in the system. Put a full stack of discs in and loud you shall be. (Counterintuitive, as the MORE discs you put in, the louder these are.)
In any event, you have tons of options BESIDES the removal of the cats.
Again, I made the smog control comment because I do NOT believe in altering same if the car is being run on public roads. I lived through enough brown smoggy skies in both Northern and moreso, in Southern California to truly appreciate the change in our air quality in the post catalyst, post carburetor era starting in the mid-70's.
Hope this helps.
Mic
PS Oh, and if you ever go FI on your car and want to keep it loud
, go S/C versus turbo as a pair of snails will quiet your car down to where you truly won't like it.
As I mentioned, you CAN run straight, unmuffled pipes all the way out to the back from aft of the cats OR test pipes.
HOWEVER, I'd caution you on that for a couple of reasons:
1. It will be REALLY LOUD. But, if that's OK with you, consider the following
2. You stand the chance of throwing a code, particularly a lean code like P2096 <===Linked so you can read up on that.
Doing so essentially means you're messing with the AFR.
Also, as a result of this, your lowend performance, where you do most of your street and highway driving can (and likely will) suffer, pushing the torque curve up higher and giving you the sensation of "no power" down low where you need it in everyday driving. It's a "liveable" condition but isn't particularly fun.
Trust me, this is speaking strictly from experience on a lot of Zs AND just about every other car I've gone too big on pipe size and/or reduced far too much exhaust back pressure with super low restriction mufflers. Even on the race cars I ran, tuned, or built for others, pipe size and back pressure are critical to peak performance on a given track.
Another alternative is to consider a Supertrapp (or pair). Tunable exhaust through the use of diffuser discs, you can give (or take away) back pressure in the system. Put a full stack of discs in and loud you shall be. (Counterintuitive, as the MORE discs you put in, the louder these are.)
In any event, you have tons of options BESIDES the removal of the cats.
Again, I made the smog control comment because I do NOT believe in altering same if the car is being run on public roads. I lived through enough brown smoggy skies in both Northern and moreso, in Southern California to truly appreciate the change in our air quality in the post catalyst, post carburetor era starting in the mid-70's.
Hope this helps.
Mic
PS Oh, and if you ever go FI on your car and want to keep it loud
, go S/C versus turbo as a pair of snails will quiet your car down to where you truly won't like it.
04-02-2015, 09:20 AM
#12
Registered User
Hey Bluemist71, didn't mean to be so hard on you on the post but I'm something of a stickler when it comes to messing with emissions controls. Instead of responding to your PM, this is a public answer as it may help others wanting similar results to your question.
As I mentioned, you CAN run straight, unmuffled pipes all the way out to the back from aft of the cats OR test pipes.
HOWEVER, I'd caution you on that for a couple of reasons:
1. It will be REALLY LOUD. But, if that's OK with you, consider the following
2. You stand the chance of throwing a code, particularly a lean code like P2096 <===Linked so you can read up on that.
Doing so essentially means you're messing with the AFR.
Also, as a result of this, your lowend performance, where you do most of your street and highway driving can (and likely will) suffer, pushing the torque curve up higher and giving you the sensation of "no power" down low where you need it in everyday driving. It's a "liveable" condition but isn't particularly fun.
Trust me, this is speaking strictly from experience on a lot of Zs AND just about every other car I've gone too big on pipe size and/or reduced far too much exhaust back pressure with super low restriction mufflers. Even on the race cars I ran, tuned, or built for others, pipe size and back pressure are critical to peak performance on a given track.
Another alternative is to consider a Supertrapp (or pair). Tunable exhaust through the use of diffuser discs, you can give (or take away) back pressure in the system. Put a full stack of discs in and loud you shall be. (Counterintuitive, as the MORE discs you put in, the louder these are.)
In any event, you have tons of options BESIDES the removal of the cats.
Again, I made the smog control comment because I do NOT believe in altering same if the car is being run on public roads. I lived through enough brown smoggy skies in both Northern and moreso, in Southern California to truly appreciate the change in our air quality in the post catalyst, post carburetor era starting in the mid-70's.
Hope this helps.
Mic
PS Oh, and if you ever go FI on your car and want to keep it loud, go S/C versus turbo as a pair of snails will quiet your car down to where you truly won't like it.
As I mentioned, you CAN run straight, unmuffled pipes all the way out to the back from aft of the cats OR test pipes.
HOWEVER, I'd caution you on that for a couple of reasons:
1. It will be REALLY LOUD. But, if that's OK with you, consider the following
2. You stand the chance of throwing a code, particularly a lean code like P2096 <===Linked so you can read up on that.
Doing so essentially means you're messing with the AFR.
Also, as a result of this, your lowend performance, where you do most of your street and highway driving can (and likely will) suffer, pushing the torque curve up higher and giving you the sensation of "no power" down low where you need it in everyday driving. It's a "liveable" condition but isn't particularly fun.
Trust me, this is speaking strictly from experience on a lot of Zs AND just about every other car I've gone too big on pipe size and/or reduced far too much exhaust back pressure with super low restriction mufflers. Even on the race cars I ran, tuned, or built for others, pipe size and back pressure are critical to peak performance on a given track.
Another alternative is to consider a Supertrapp (or pair). Tunable exhaust through the use of diffuser discs, you can give (or take away) back pressure in the system. Put a full stack of discs in and loud you shall be. (Counterintuitive, as the MORE discs you put in, the louder these are.)
In any event, you have tons of options BESIDES the removal of the cats.
Again, I made the smog control comment because I do NOT believe in altering same if the car is being run on public roads. I lived through enough brown smoggy skies in both Northern and moreso, in Southern California to truly appreciate the change in our air quality in the post catalyst, post carburetor era starting in the mid-70's.
Hope this helps.
Mic
PS Oh, and if you ever go FI on your car and want to keep it loud
, go S/C versus turbo as a pair of snails will quiet your car down to where you truly won't like it.
04-02-2015, 09:40 AM
#13
Damn are you guys the catalytic converter police??
OP take off your cats. Who cares. Test pipes are like $100 and are bolt on. Ive had my pipes on for a over year and recently put on my cats for smog, now going to remove again since I passed with flying colors. No check engine light since I had defoulers and car sounded and ran GREAT!
I had mine paired with an OE exhaust and it sounded similar to stock but louder. I did get some rasp inside the car but funny thing was, outside of the car I heard little to no rasp and sounded orgasmically good (if thats even a word).
I love test pipes.
OP take off your cats. Who cares. Test pipes are like $100 and are bolt on. Ive had my pipes on for a over year and recently put on my cats for smog, now going to remove again since I passed with flying colors. No check engine light since I had defoulers and car sounded and ran GREAT!
I had mine paired with an OE exhaust and it sounded similar to stock but louder. I did get some rasp inside the car but funny thing was, outside of the car I heard little to no rasp and sounded orgasmically good (if thats even a word).
I love test pipes.
04-02-2015, 09:51 AM
#15
Registered User
You can thought. It depends on the mood of the cop. Chances are it wont even be enforced. I believe its a federal crime where you can be fine ip to like 5000 (not sure on the number) and 30 day (again not sure on number) in prison.
Its one of those laws that are there, but not always enforced
Its one of those laws that are there, but not always enforced
04-02-2015, 09:55 AM
#16
well it is also illegal in AZ to refuse someone a glass of water, but you prob wont go to jail over it
http://www.dumblaws.com/law/32
http://www.dumblaws.com/law/32
04-02-2015, 09:59 AM
#17
Registered User
well it is also illegal in AZ to refuse someone a glass of water, but you prob wont go to jail over it
http://www.dumblaws.com/law/32
http://www.dumblaws.com/law/32
Its a risk, one that im willing to take simply because it sounds and looks good.
04-02-2015, 01:49 PM
#18
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Damn are you guys the catalytic converter police??
OP take off your cats. Who cares. Test pipes are like $100 and are bolt on. Ive had my pipes on for a over year and recently put on my cats for smog, now going to remove again since I passed with flying colors. No check engine light since I had defoulers and car sounded and ran GREAT!
I had mine paired with an OE exhaust and it sounded similar to stock but louder. I did get some rasp inside the car but funny thing was, outside of the car I heard little to no rasp and sounded orgasmically good (if thats even a word).
I love test pipes.
OP take off your cats. Who cares. Test pipes are like $100 and are bolt on. Ive had my pipes on for a over year and recently put on my cats for smog, now going to remove again since I passed with flying colors. No check engine light since I had defoulers and car sounded and ran GREAT!
I had mine paired with an OE exhaust and it sounded similar to stock but louder. I did get some rasp inside the car but funny thing was, outside of the car I heard little to no rasp and sounded orgasmically good (if thats even a word).
I love test pipes.
But here's the thing, read what I wrote about smog/haze in California. I was alive when you couldn't see across the street from campus when I was at school in So-Cal. How old are you? You live in L.A. and the air has improved a thousand-fold. Maybe you don't remember or ever knew what it was like before.
Or, if you don't want to re-read it, here, a simplification.... or "picture paints a thous.... blah blah"
Ask yourself, "Which one would I choose to live in?" That's it, nothing more.
Look, I'm not a "save the whales" kinda guy (not that there's anything wrong with that), but I believe that if we can do something to PREVENT a greenhouse disaster or make it so our kids can enjoy a better, healthier life, then I'm all for it. The key word is "PREVENT".
In the end, I gotta wonder just how much benefit removal of the cats yields.... would be curious to see a dyno chart showing the actual effect on WHP in real world driving. I hardly think it's enough to matter when slinging my car around a corner at 2-2.5x posted.
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09-08-2015 10:37 AM