I'm in need of a new cat but don't have the money for one. Has anyone had theirs removed and if so what will happen if I remove it?

Your check engine light will turn on unless you get one with a special insert for your o2 sensor. You will fail emissions but your car will run better, especially if your current cat is clogged.

You'll fail safety inspection. Every place checks for cats. Seriously I'm not lying it sounds stupid but it's true

You'll fail your emissions inspection, but the car will run better. If you're hard up for cash, Brandywine (used) Auto Parts may be the way to go. A quick glance at the website says they offer a "30 day warranty on most parts" so maybe check them out.

http://www.brandywineparts.com/

Fail safety inspection Wrote:
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> You'll fail safety inspection. Every place checks
> for cats. Seriously I'm not lying it sounds stupid
> but it's true

Most places don't physically check, anyways there is a heatguard so it's pretty hard to tell anyways. But yes you will fail once they plug it in.

Modern-day automobiles are designed to use all the emissions stuff and sensors to run efficiently. When you start removing things it messes with the computer that calculates the air and fuel mixture. There is also a back pressure that is factored in. Messing with the engineering may have consequences that can cost more than just paying what you need to pay to fix it right the first time.

KmG3w Wrote:
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> You'll fail your emissions inspection, but the car
> will run better. If you're hard up for cash,
> Brandywine (used) Auto Parts may be the way to go.
> A quick glance at the website says they offer a
> "30 day warranty on most parts" so maybe check
> them out.
>
> http://www.brandywineparts.com/


Against Federal Law to sell used catalytic converters.

https://www3.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf

I believe there may even be some sizeable fines if a scrapyard is caught selling used converters.

Mike Myers Wrote:
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> I'm in need of a new cat but don't have the money
> for one. Has anyone had theirs removed and if so
> what will happen if I remove it?

In VA you need one to pass inspection. This means you cannot afford to drive here. Save your money up and buy parts for your vehicle or use mass transit. BTW you can get cats installed for under 1k a piece and you only have one or two. Google your make model and year the 'catalytic converter' and 'forum' and you will get to a site that gives you all kinds of info including where to get a decent quality part for cheap.

good luck and maintain you vehicle.

not true Wrote:
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> Fail safety inspection Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You'll fail safety inspection. Every place
> checks
> > for cats. Seriously I'm not lying it sounds
> stupid
> > but it's true
>
> Most places don't physically check, anyways there
> is a heatguard so it's pretty hard to tell
> anyways. But yes you will fail once they plug it
> in.

It's absolutely 100% true, they all check for it especially if you have either a car that looks shitty or "souped up". you don't know what you're talking about.

Yea the inspectors is really going to jack your car up and remove your heat guard to check if you have your cat. I could be wrong, maybe it's just the place I go to, but they have never jacked my car up for an emissions test, or looked underneath it.

Mike Myers Wrote:
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> I'm in need of a new cat but don't have the money
> for one. Has anyone had theirs removed and if so
> what will happen if I remove it?

%100 chance of engine failure

even a good dent in the muffler is %100 will need new engine if run that way

> I believe there may even be some sizeable fines if
> a scrapyard is caught selling used converters.

see the dealer, often if car is under 100,000 miles ODO you get new CAT and labor FREE - depends on car but also recalls (very unpredictable)

elsewise ... NAPA auto has cats pretty cheap (not over $500, far less than $500 - say $150 is common) - there is no need for alarm

aftermarket parts that are "not OEM compatible" but are not "oem part substitutes" that claim "to increase power and efficiency" ...

may very well completely kill an engine if run for a few years

(also - many cheap oem part substitutes lie about compatibility and could kill an engine)

countless Honda CRX engines needed replacement do to the hyper marketing of upgrade parts to the young fools that owned them. the most killed and replaced engine ever.

infact many replacements were "chinese take-out motors". asian USED motors pulled out after 80,000 miles (their law) and exported to USA as "remanufactured" - which is yet another kind of auto deception

Dont listen to any of these other idiots. Just cut off the converter and replace it with flex pipe and some hose clamps from pep boys. They wont check. Cut all the oxygen sensor wires, twist the ends together and connect them directly to the chassis (ground). It will spoof the engine computer so you wont get a check engine light. We do this all the time at my garage.

Pour lacquer thinner in your tank and drive it.