Glass Packs

[Memphis]

This could be longer, but I will shorten it up. On my '94 XLT 2.3/5spd I have wound up with two (2) glass packs (I think they are) inline. I didn't do it. Would this be too restrictive? I am thinking I should eliminate one and just have one. Someone already gutted the catalytic converter. I still can't climb a hill @ 55, maybe that's normal. I don't know as this is the first one I've had. Thanks,Scott

 

[jhammel85]

You should be able to climb hills. That exhaust and having a gutted cat might be causing an issue.

You're best bet is to replace the exhaust from the cat back in my opinion. Either that or just put on one muffler and put on a new cat. Depending on where you live, you can get away with a universal cat and some extra piping to make up for the original stacked cat (and your extra glass pack!)

 

[v8318cid]

On the four cylinder engines (not sure on the larger ones), the cat, when functioning properly, actually is supposed to help engine performance. It supposedly adds just enough backpressure to the engine to aid power output. Absense of the cat, or cat guts, is like having an oversized exhaust system. Just doesn't help. On the newer vehicles with OBD-II or newer, you really don't want that cat removed or gutted. The secondary O2 sensor will flip out and kill your power and fuel economy because it will assume the cat is outside of normal operational parameters. Not to mention that intentional removal or knowledge of removal of a catalitic converter is illegal under federal emissions standards. The previous owner should be smacked around a little... =)

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

The last time i looked down glass packs [aka cherry bombs] I could see from one end of the 2" tube to the other end. I don't think that is going to cause any restrictions , even with two inline. The gutted cat is illegal, but AFAIK as long as you don't have holes in the system close to the o2 sensor, shouldn't be causing any problems. I'd be looking elsewhere, have you pulled any codes? The other thing is that the motor doesn't have a lot of torque and is probably getting old/high mileage,in my opinion it's not going to pull you up a hill in 5th even at 55mph, maybe not 4th either.
Good luck,

Richard

edit; I was editing as you posted so my original post is out of sync. Should be before v8318cid

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

On the four cylinder engines (not sure on the larger ones), the cat, when functioning properly, actually is supposed to help engine performance. It supposedly adds just enough backpressure to the engine to aid power output. Absense of the cat, or cat guts, is like having an oversized exhaust system. Just doesn't help.

I don't agree on the gutted cat/backpressure issue but I have not enough knowledge to argue; I think the computer would read the o2 the same whether the cat is there or not, as the o2 is in front of the cat. And would still try to achieve stoichometric[spelling and proper use?] regardless of backpressure.

On the newer vehicles with OBD-II or newer, you really don't want that cat removed or gutted. The secondary O2 sensor will flip out and kill your power and fuel economy because it will assume the cat is outside of normal operational parameters.

agreed [with reservations]

Not to mention that intentional removal or knowledge of removal of a catalitic converter is illegal under federal emissions standards.

How does the poster know the cat is gutted? Can't just shine a light in there.

The previous owner should be smacked around a little... =)

just because! jk

Richard

 

[Memphis]

I guess I don't know 100% that it has been gutted, BUT there is a square weld line on one flat side of it where it appears to have been cut open (gutted) and then welded shut. There also was a 'T' in between both glass packs where the PO added a line that went up to a 4" stack up side the cab and then he plugged the end of the tail pipe with a hole saw.
I know I should just replace the whole thing from where it makes fire to all the way back, but the budget only allows so much. I'm kind of wishing I could afford a new Catalytic Converter now as I'm wondering if I'm worse off this way..............

 

[jhammel85]

hmm....I've always seen where people take them off and gut them that way...Cutting it down the middle is a 1st for me.

It really should have a cat. Like I said, some universals are available that you may be able to get to work. I would buy the gasket and take it down to have a look. Maybe its OK???

If the piping is still good, buy a pipe to go inbetween the area where the one of the glasspacks are. Use some adaptors (I.D - O.D), strait pipe and muffler clamps. If you can weld, weld it on.

This would be cheap (under 10-15 bucks for the pipe and adapters) and would hopefully take care of your problem.

O2 sensors are hooked up still right? Just a thought.

 

[Memphis]

I don't know about the sensors. I haven't checked everything out just yet. I'm not having a CEL on, but that might not mean anything. When I started it up for a friend to listen to last night he commented that he thought it was running rich.

 

[koda6966]

I would look more towards your tire size and gear ratio for the hill climing problem. What size tires are you running and whats your tag say your axle code is? My 93 had a spotless exhaust until it broke, and it was terrible on hills because my tires were way too big.

My brother ran two glasspacks on his Escort GT. Had to, it was too loud with just one.

 

[v8318cid]

Key word : supposedly. I can't confirm whether the catalyst details about backpressure are true or not unfortunately. Just been told that by several mechanics that it can have a similar effect to having too large of an exhaust system (like putting dual exhaust on a 4 banger). If it is true, its sort of a catch-22. If its plugged, it isn't going to do you any good. If it's totally removed, backpressure may be an issue. As to the O2 sensor issue, yeah, my comments were in the wrong order. On a system with just 1 O2 sensor, it doesn't affect anything. The sensor only monitors the pre-cat exhaust stream. As long as the sensor is working properly, it won't matter. Its only the newer multi-sensor setups that suffer when the catalyst is removed. My brother's blazer was rigged like that. The PO removed both cats and then removed the CEL bulb just to prevent a future buyer from knowing there was a problem. Talk about illegal...
As for knowing whether the cat is gutted or not, yeah, probably won't if you aren't the one who did it. Doubt the feds are going to come knocking on your door about it anyway unless you live in an area with really strict emission controls like SoCal.
...sorry for going off on a tangent here... =)