I have a 97 Z28 with the dual cats and a magnaflow cat-back. What would I have to do to run without the cats on the system? I heard the SES light will come on, is that true? What would I have to do? I am only 16, and got my car 4 weeks ago, so I'm new to this. Also, how will this make my car sound? I am also planning on a Throttle Body Bypass, but not sure how to do it. Any help would be nice.

 

If you take the cats out and replace it with an off-road pipe, yes, you will get a code. You will either need to get your PCM reprogrammed or get o2 simulators. I would get an off-road pipe, but I definitely wouldn't gut the cats. Gutting the cats makes the car sound very raspy, while an off-road pipe will make it sound nice. Good luck, and by the way, welcome to the board.

 

You'll need a pair of O2 simulators, around 50 bucks on ebay. The most likely problem you will run into if any is w/ the EGR. Some people get an SES, some people don't. With your mods I doubt you'll run into any problems. Some guys have heavily modded exhausts and their EGR will go off for numerous reasons such as not enough backpressure. I run w/ no cats and I have no problems at all. You're car will be super loud so make sure its ok w/ your parents and if you live in a place w/ **** cops or a quiet neighborhood you may get cited. You also won't beable to pass smog so make sure you keep your stock setup for when smog comes around. As far as the TB bypass, directions are all over the internet.

 

Its fine if the car is loud, cuz its kinda quiet right now for my taste. Will it be raspy with an offroad pipe with no cats? Also, how do the O2 simulators work? Also, no smog testing where I am. Thanks again.

 

Another question, I see what the o2 sensors look like, but where would they plug in when i get them?

 

You will take the rear o2 sensors out, and plug in the o2 simulators in their place.

 

gotchya. I found a aluminized offroad Y pipe with no cats for $200 new. How long will aluminized last? Will that Y pipe come with holes for the O2 sensors?

 

You wont be plugging anything into your offroad pipe. You'll have to plug the o2 sims into the sensors that were connected to ur cats. Your original idea w/ cutting off the cats isn't gonna work. The driver side cat is made of cast iron. Cutting cast iron and then welding a straight pipe on is something your local muffler shop prolly wont beable to do. If you do manage to cut off the driver side cat, you're clamps will leak and you'll probably be retightening them every night.
I will tell you what I did for my offroad setup. The passenger side cat, you'll beable to cut out and weld on a straight pipe. Easy stuff. I was able to do it in my garage myself. The driver side, go to www.cheapexhaust.com and purchase a driver side cat for a 97 dual cat car. It's 160 shipped. When you get your cat, you'll beable to cut that cat out and weld on a straight pipe. Or you can just gut it because you'll have your stock cat for when you need to get smogged.

 

How long with an aluminized offroad Y pipe last with no cats? Won't be driving this car in the winter. I was looking at one from summit racing.

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...7DCOA&x=15&y=9

Check it out and tell me if its worth it.

 

In Minnesota, I don't know. I think you would be better off going to an exhaust shop and getting a custom-made stainless steel one.

 

Summer only car. How long will aluminized last?

 

Considering that its gonna get hot as heck under there prolly not long, couple years maybe. And a muffler shop isn't gonna beable to build you a custom stainless steal one cuz the flange is shaped funny.

 

So what my best bet for getting the cat to be gone. cutting then off and welding in straight stainless pipe?

 

again, you won't beable to cut/weld the stock driver side cat. you'll either need to purchase the offroad pipe from summit or do the cheapexhaust.com thing.

 

Well I'm sure the pipe will last a while, the car you bought has the original exhaust and it has lasted many years. Are you planning on any headers like longtubes? If so I would hold off on the pipe because I'd hate to see you get something then have to buy again because of new headers. Also don't expect to get alot of power, the dual cat cars were rated at 10 horses more because more exaust could escape. When I cut my cat off I didn't really notice anything, just a little better throttle response. I don't think its worth it unless your doing your whole system at the same time. Honestly I think you'd be better off with a catback if you don't already have one. You could also try a cutout which is cheaper. As for the Throttle body bypass, you don't even need one of those kits they sell just unhook the line from the thriottle body and other hose and connect them both together, it takes around 10 minutes. I didn't notice anything, but it all adds up! heres a quick guide http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/6647/ta93/tbody.htm