86 2.9L Cat Delete?

[Chuck "Classic Ford" JR.]

I've heard that deleting my catalytic converter will actually help my gas mileage a little bit since it's old and doesn't have all the computer crap on it. Would it hurt to delete my cat or would I be better off simply cutting off the muffler and straight piping it back from there?

 

[Terry]

I've heard that deleting my catalytic converter will actually help my gas mileage a little bit since it's old and doesn't have all the computer crap on it. Would it hurt to delete my cat or would I be better off simply cutting off the muffler and straight piping it back from there?

Don't talk about removing your cat unless you want to start a firestorm. You have been warned.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If your cat is in good shape it won't hurt mileage. If it's in bad shape then replace it, the price of cats has come down a lot, and then straight pipe from the cat back if you're into the drone and/or need to save some money.
PS; it's a federal offense to remove a cat.

Richard

 

[Lariat]

if it ain't broke dont fix it.

 

[adsm08]

FWIW I believed the same lie when I was younger and gutted my cats on my 2.9 and saw no change. Picked up 2 MPG when I put one back in.

Also you do have all "the computer crap". The only thing you don't have on that is the sensor that tells the computer if the cat is working, and all that is really for is to tell the computer if the cat is working. It doesn't affect much else.

 

[1986fordranger]

not exactly the same, but anyway, when I originally got my zuki it had a custom exhaust system without a cat on it, and it did gain a few pony's over stock, I've had the same happen on a 87 ranger I had aswell, however, as it has been stated above, its a federal offense if you remove the catalytic converter on any vehicle, and as such won't pass safety inspection or a emission test , you can buy a ''fake'' cat off ebay that's just a pipe with the outer skin of a cat on it that will get you past the safety inspection in most case's, however you will never pass a emission's test if your state require's so

 

[Cam10]

A fair while ago, I gutted the cats in my previous ranger 2.9 and had no problems at all. Well.... aside from my truck being a little noisy seeing that my exhaust ended at the back of the cab lol. Should be good to go.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Universal 3-way catalytic converters are available on Summit Racing starting around $40-$45.

Properly functioning catalytic converters won't hurt anything. A clogged cat will, but it should be replaced with a properly functioning one.

Let's at least try to keep the nastier chemicals out of the air we breathe?

 

[truckerdawg]

Georgia does not have emissions testing or yearly inspections- and open up a cat and see for yourself how tiny, tiny those holes are for your exhaust to pump through. Makes you wonder how much pressure is backed up because of it-like a clogged drain.