TravelingZombies said:
It's the original catalytic converter from 33 years ago and it does impede some of my power.
If it is not actually clogged, don't remove it before considering the possibilities. Yes it may restrict the exhaust to a degree, but a lot of engines are designed to run with a certain amount of back pressure to allow scavenging and for the EGR system to operate. 33 years old puts it in a era where automotive engineers understood how to work with, not in spite of, smog systems. Second guessing automotive engineers with college degrees who build cars for a living is a risky thing. I used to work at a shop that did exhaust work. A customer came in and insisted on oversized exhaust system for his truck. He didn't remove the catalytic converter just stepped the pipes up to 2" from 1.5" My boss wrote up the work order with the clause "work performed at customers request". When the job was finished the truck would not idle. The engine was designed to run against a certain amount of back pressure. The shop only did as he asked so the customer had to reinstall the original system at his own expense, and he had to pay for the the failed job too. My boss gave him a discount to ease the sting, but it was his idea and we just did as told.
I'm not saying you will have the same problem if you remove the cat, but you might.
Here is the problems you will have, no if ands or buts, your exhaust is going to be really dirty, not killing the whales and unicorns dirty, more killing yourself dirty. If you ever park in cold weather with the engine running there is a chance that you may not wake up next morning. Cause of death, carbon monoxide poisoning. Even just constant low level of exposure will make you prone to pass out on the road and cause brain damage from lack of oxygen. Once CO gets in your blood it likes to hang around and restrict the amount of oxygen that can be absorbed. All those people who die in fires from smoke inhalation, that's what I'm talking about.
Any one sitting behind you in stopped traffic will hate your guts. If you are trying to stealth camp people will smell your exhaust from a great distance. It's disgusting when someone up wind of you lights up a charcoal grill with way too much lighter fluid. Ever sit next to some one with a bad case of gas on a long bus trip/airline flight? You know those guys who are bad neighbors in campgrounds? This is might be your opportunity to be that guy. Of course if that is your destiny, who am I to to question the will of god?
There are other options, less restrictive high performance catalytic converters are available or a catalytic converter for a much larger engine. Since the laws are loose in WA you don't have to buy a new cat. You can have used cat installed, just confirm it's not clogged by shining a light through the honeycomb before you put it in.
There is another thing you can try, CRC Guaranteed to Pass fuel supplement has a reputation for clearing up limited carbon build up in catalytic converters. You could pour a bottle of that into your tank on your way back to WA and see if there are any, unnatural, restrictions to be cleared. If nothing else your fuel system will appreciate it.
All of this is just my take on the issue. You have some time, give it a good think. Buy all means get other opinions. It's your vehicle, your health, (your funeral?) your choice. (yeah you could say I'm pro choice) Lol I have no dog in this fight, at least not till you want to camp next me.
