So im thinking about knocking out my catalytic converters sometime, just thought I better check with you guys before I may do something stupid lol =D Has anyone done this on their zed, and is there any problems I may encounter because of it (beside legality)?
just make sure you get all the bits out otherwise it WILL rattle, and if there are large enough pieces the it may find a way to block a part of the exhaust, and that can be disastrous...... and yes, its illegal, but you already knew that.....fines can be in the 1000's for no cats, so dont get caught. it can also change the exhaust note with less restrictions in the pipe it will also start to give of a very distinctive rotten egg sort of smell from the exhaust, and a cluey copper can and will pick this up.
I found my turbo seals went downhill fast after gutting my old stock ones... If you have any issues with exhaust smoke, dont do it...
another sign is the gas burning your eyes, shooting flames out the exhaust. (which can lead to melting rear bars)
it's pretty stupid. gutting the cats is not in the same illegal bracket as having a BOV or turbo timer. the fine for that is around the $10k region. if you think the few HP gained is worth that then go for it. you could build a decent engine or buy another zed (or 2) for the price of that fine so weigh it up. also the old "oh I'm sorry officer I didn't know" excuse is not going to cut it when you get done for it.
You do realise that no one has ever been fined 10k for that offense? Infact i know of atleast 7 people that have been done for no cats and the fine was $217 & 1 point to $522 & 4 points.
some what off topic. friend of mine was running C16 on the road in his RX3, he got a nice 2k on the spot fine. the po po took him straight down the the rego office, they took a sample and told him they would get back to him, a couple days later there was a nice 2k fine.
chances are the platinum in your cats has already disintergrated ,they only last for 5yrs ,some may last longer, but usally empty by now,
I tried to explain that to the DECCW (aka 'EPA') when I was pinged for non standard cats. So I re-installed the 20-yr old cats for good measure. The guys at the exhaust shop also have a good racket selling old cats as scrap. The rare metals in OEM cats fetch a good price. Douchebags that fit high-flow cats to their V8 holdens and fords net the exhaust guy about 80 bucks per OEM cat
Oh! Then in that case, we should all do it. Are you a total idiot(or just starting out as a partial one)? Anyone who comes on a reputable forum and advocates complete disdain for the Laws that we are obliged to live by, should get a stern warning followed by a ban for any future transgressions. You do realise that making such inflammatory comments will have a very unpleasant outcome for all of us who drive a very recognizable car(and are associated with this site). The next Z32 owner/driver who get pinged for a random EPA inspection(as a result of this crap advice)should go hunting for you, you twat!
Read what Chili said. It could have just been non conforming exhaust which is not the same offence and can be classified as a light offence such as overly loud exhaust. Despite what most people say about the police, they are humane enough to know handing out a no cat fine will seriously set someone's life back so they're not quick to do it. Also, how much does a good high flow cat cost? $200. Less than any fine or defect you will get. Why sneak around with a hollow or no cat for the tiny gains it gives you? The consequences far outweigh any benefits. That's the point. If you drive your car on the roads you should be running cats. BTW, on a 3L or smaller NA motor, having no cats doesn't even gain any power, it anything due to the drop in back pressure you're probably going to lose power. Yeah real great upgrade there hollowing out cats.
Jordz - don't bother its a total waste of time and you won't notice anything unless they are blocked/collapsed
haha from what ive heard the catalytic converter blocks around 1 to 2 percent of flow not even worth risking getting caught without them doesnt change much anyways think mines skyline for example still runs a cat?
So the general consensus is it nowhere near worth the risk. Only asked because i was told it does increase power, had i known it was such a little increase i wouldnt have bothered asking. Thanks guys
Having been behind a zed with no cats on a cruise, with the targas off i might add... one of the smelliest experiences off my life... dont do it
There is no need to knock out the guts of your cats you just replace them with cats that flow better.Most std cats have 400cells per square inch (cpsi) you can get good cats that are 200cpsi or if you like 100cpsi which increase the flow buy heaps over the std ones... John
Whats wrong, haven't had your juice today? I don't recall saying anyone shouldn't run catalytic converters, you genius. All i pointed out was that it's not a "you'll 100% get fined $10,000 if you don't run any" situation. Oh yes, complete disdain for the laws we are obliged to live by? i seem to recall you on a tech day when they were sorting your silent BOV's saying you were doing drifts up the road as you tested you car? you mean like that disdain for the law? So i guess the next time someone gets there car impounded for street racing or burnouts they should go find you then huh. Get off your moral high horse. Exactly my point, a policeman won't be too tempted to hand out that sort of fine knowing what that can do to someone. I also never stated that running no cat is smart or that i run no cats myself, infact my zed has highflow cats! I know theres no point running gutted cats and i never glorified it, all i stated was that the $10,000 HAS NEVER BEEN HANDED OUT. End rant/ Too bad if anyone gets upset over my comments but i think you guys have misread what i wrote as i don't recall saying "omg bro you shuld liek fully gut ur catz my cousin duz it and he didnt get caught brahhh".
Nice info to know, I'm running no cat on my MR2T for the moment (have a Magnaflow to have welded in) and although there's no stink present, I think she's running a bit rich so under hard acceleration there's the occasional pluff of smoke that comes out of the exhaust every now and then. Just hope it ain't the Turbo oil seals. Fireballs are cool though, haha.
