V1 Remove catalytic converter

[mike_sno]

Hi Forum,

I have a catalytic converter in my car. Can I just remove it and replace it with a pipe or is there something else I need to look out for?

Mike

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Are you talking about a Cobalt or your Goblin? For a Cobalt: if your locality doesn't require emissions testing, it's probably not a big deal to remove the cat and replace with a pipe - but your exhaust system back pressure will change and affect your AF mix calibration, which the ECM should compensate for - maybe. Your O2 sensing will also be affected if your running the 2 sensors, one before and one after the cat. The ECM will sense no change between the two and probably flag a fault code. For the Goblin, it shouldn't really affect much of anything that can't be taken care of with HP Tuners.

 

[Sebnuts]

While I was driving my donor prior to taking it apart, I used a big/heavy pry bar to break up the inside of the cat and emptied it out. It does cause the check engine light to come on, but the code can be removed with HP Tuners.

The Goblin does not come with a cat and does not use the donor cat.

 

[G Atsma]

The Goblin does not come with a cat and does not use the donor cat.

Goblins don't come with any engine or drivetrain. The Cobalt does, and since the Cobalts ALL come with converters, emissions testing states will require the converter to be on the Goblin.

 

[Sebnuts]

Goblins don't come with any engine or drivetrain

The kit does come with a muffler that bolts directly to the exhaust manifold (at least mine did). I did not mean to imply that the kits come with engine or drivetrain.

 

[G Atsma]

OK, gotcha. Still, in some states a converter will needed to be added in ahead of the muffler (shouldn't be too big a deal), or even use it for a muffler (it will be a bit loud, but quieter than a straight pipe). Saying the kit doesn't come with one doesn't get anyone off the hook here.