Installing pipe in place of Catalytic Convertor...Need Answers ASAP...

OK, I read a post that briefly mentioned this not too long ago, and I need to know a few of the facts...I am going to make an assumption from what I remember, so tell me if I'm wrong...

It is better to weld in a pipe in place of the CC instead of gutting it. Yes or No?

OK, question - Is it going to hurt me or keep me about the same by doing this? I could care less if it will help me, I just don't want to make matters worse.

I figure before I order a CATCO from Summit, I would just put some pipe in place of it and see how it goes, but I don't want to screw up if I can learn from someone elses mistakes...Since we don't have emissions here (YET), I'm not worried about that sort of thing...

THANKS! :D

If you are running a muffler, and full catback especially the stock I-pipe you will be fine.

Now if you are running like a cutout, might hurt your power, with lack of backpressure, course it may not if you are running the stock i-pipe.

afterall I am currently running a $14.99 "performance" muffle off my y-pipe, where the CAT is supposed to be.

I put it there in place of My CAT never hooked up my I-pipe, I originally did this while I waited for a CATCO and other parts for a new exhaust system, but I actually liked the performance setup better then what I had on before :)

I would consider doing what I did if you are just waiting for a new CAT. I just clamped it to the I-pipe :)

A straight pipe will do but they will have to cut your cat off, and weld a pipe there then cut the pipe off and weld the CATCO in its place may get costly, well $50ish total bucks :).

BUt it is very very loud, and a $15 muffler sounds well as good as a $15 muffler can :) It was called a "Thrush" muffler

by the way the Ipipe is 2.5in. just in case ytou decide to buy a cheap performance muffler.

Personallly if you don't mind it being very very loud, till you get your CATCO I woudl do this I think it owuld be easier and cheaper.


Jsut pop off your CAT and replace it with a muffler and let the i-pipe hang on the little crossmember thing. Problem is I like the setup other hten ht enoise that its been on for maybe 5-6 months :)

I have no Catylitic converter , intstead I just have a straight pipe in its place . I think its awesome ! I love it because Its got this deep rumble at idle and its pretty LOUD! If you want , I would say go for it . It would be nice .

i have had both. i prefer the straight pipe though, but now because of emmisions i am going back to a high flow cat.

Thanks VERY much everyone for the super fast replies...this is exactly what I was looking for. Eric, thanks for such an in depth post.

From hearing what Ryan94V6 and 1fastV6 though, I think I will go that way. Main reason being, I can do all of this myself, and I'm not too worried about the expense. The only expense I am going to have is buying the pipe to go in place of it.

Another reason being, I only like this car because it is quiet and makes a nice daily driver. Most of my other vehicles are plenty loud enough if I want loud...I bought this car after having a Z and an LS1 Camaro, just becuase I missed the 3.4's calm nature, but still super fun to drive (The LS1 was a '94 3.4 car)

So that's my reasoning...I am just basing my actions of what you three had to say, because I doubt this post will get many more hits, this section moves pretty slow...

Thanks again all.

Hey if you want some horse power. Then cut all your exhaust out from under the car and run 2 1/2 to a set of flowmaster muffler then run 3 out then your car can breath and you have performance and sound.

Not really looking for any HP out of this car...that's what the others are for. I just want the rattle to stop, and do it for as little as possible without hurting anything. If it were going to decrease the power, or cause any problems, then I would go ahead and put a CC back on, but this way is easier and cheaper...picked up the pipe from AutoZone last nite for a wopping $4...

Quick curious question:

I would think not running a CAT CONV would set the SES (MIL) light off and set codes. Are you?

If not, how did you work around this?

Originally posted by r&ksport
Quick curious question:

I would think not running a CAT CONV would set the SES (MIL) light off and set codes. Are you?

If not, how did you work around this? You will need 02 Simulators. They will send a signal to the computer, saying that your O2 readings are A-OK! But yes, w/out the O2 sims there, your SES light will be set off, no doubt.

I believe O2 sims cost $80 from RKSport. I don't know, though:confused:

I just recently was going to take my cc off, but changed my mind and just put a bigger I-pipe in. I've noticed more hp and its definetly louder (more rumble)!! Someone told me that they had taken out their cc and it sounded like crap, but if you don't care about the sound then go for it. I haven't actually tried it myself so i'm just going on what others have told me. Don't bother gutting your cat, just take it off. And it shouldn't do anything bad to your car besides set off the ses light w/out a simulator.

I got finished with it this weekend...it doesn't sound bad at all, and no SES light...there is no after cat sensor's on any of the '94 OBDI Camaro's, not sure about the rest...