1992 4.0 OHV, should I remove cats for sound

[sauceman]

Hello everyone. I have a 1992 4.0 OHV Ranger. I am currently running a flow master super 44 with 2.25” pipes and stock cat/resonator. I want to achieve a deep, throatier sound. I have attached links below of trucks that have the sound I am after. Problem is, there isn’t any videos that show how it will sound with hard acceleration. I do not want it to be extremely loud or to sound like a trumpet/fart can that is typical with v6 engines. But rather a low deep/grumbly sound. I want it to sound more like a vintage truck should. Right now, it sounds ok, but it a bit to much like a v6 minivan. I was thinking about putting resonators in place to get rid of any rasp, but I don’t with this to take away from the grumble of the exhaust.

This one sounds the best:

Second best:

third:

Sounds good at idle but toofart can when revving:

 

[Shran]

Make sure you won't get in trouble for removing them... it's illegal in the US.

I have cats on my Explorer and a Street Flow muffler (identical to a Flowmaster, but a lot cheaper, I think it's the same as their 40 series.) I think it sounds really good, it doesn't have the V6 drone.

My other Explorer had a straight pipe and no muffler & no cat for a brief time (was strictly an offroad vehicle, not used on any public roads.) VERY annoying. Since then I have a cat on it and a real Flowmaster muffler, a bit louder than my '92, but the total pipe length is a lot shorter because it's a 2 door. It does have a somewhat annoying drone. There is no interior though and it's just loud in general.

 

[sauceman]

good to know, I might just gut the cats so it looks like I have something there. I’m in Canada so it is illegal but not usually enforced on older vehicles. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t sound obnoxious. I’m still going to run the mufflers so it doesn’t get much louder than it already is.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Illegal is, well, illegal and TRS does not agree with removal of cats except to replace. Your motor was designed to run with a cat and you stand a bigger chance of hurting performance by removing it or punching it out.

If you’re not happy with the sound with the Super 44 and want something more aggressive, then start with a set of headers. My Choptop with the 4.0 has headers, high flow aftermarket cat, 2.5” single exhaust and a Flowmaster 10 series. I wanted a 40 series but the exhaust shop wanted to put a 10 series. I think the 40 series is better, haven’t tried a super 44 yet. I can try to get some sound clips sometime soon.

 

[19Walt93]

I've heard vehicles with gutted cats, they had an obnoxious gurgling sound. I also wouldn't remove the cats, if they're in good shape they add very little restriction and they act similar to a resonator in killing some of the hollow tin can sound that I hear in Flowmasters. Bigger diameter pipes behind the cars might get the sound you're after and still be legal.

 

[gaz]

@sauceman
I'm a firm believer in not breaking the law. If your cats are not working or if you are after better flow, replace them with these by Dynomax or Magnaflow. The 200 series universal version works great and are easy to acquire from Amazon, eBay, Summit Racing for about $100 each.

NOTE: currently with Rebate!!