SVX remove cats

[Shane Hobson]

I have a Jap import 1992 SVX which still has it's factory fit catalytic
converters fitted.

Here in NZ there is no emissions testing so I can legally remove the cats.

Any thoughts out there on any potential benefits or problems associated
with removing the cats ?
What short they be replaced with ?
Straight pipe or "hot dog" muffler ?

thanks
shane

 

[WRXtreme]

I have a Jap import 1992 SVX which still has it's factory fit catalytic
converters fitted.

Here in NZ there is no emissions testing so I can legally remove the cats.

Any thoughts out there on any potential benefits or problems associated
with removing the cats ?
What short they be replaced with ?
Straight pipe or "hot dog" muffler ?

thanks
shane

Benefits: Potentially higher overall HP/Torque; more "motor-sound" coming
through the exhaust; one less thing to have to replace as it gets plugged.

Problems: Potentially will throw a check engine light; possible loss of
HP/Torque due to loss of backpressure (maybe not across the board, but may
happen at some points)

My opinion is replace with just a straight pipe.

I'd do it if I were you, you can always have them put back on if you really
want to.

 

[Rob Munach]

I have a Jap import 1992 SVX which still has it's factory fit catalytic
converters fitted.

Here in NZ there is no emissions testing so I can legally remove the cats.

Any thoughts out there on any potential benefits or problems associated
with removing the cats ?
What short they be replaced with ?
Straight pipe or "hot dog" muffler ?

thanks
shane

.... or how about leaving them on and being a good citizen of this world!

 

[ed]

Yes shane, leave them on, the power increase is not great, the pollution
factor is.
In the US, where they are mandatory, the tuning aftermarket still makes
great power increases, always with the cats on the vehicles.

Ed B.

 

[immortal_suby]

It will not throw a check engine light. You will lose some low end
torque but you will gain some in the top end. Replace with straight
pipe and put a glasspack in there somewhere to quiet it down. Yes, it
sounds awesome.

 

[WRXtreme]

I took mine off my WRX and got BIG increases in power, granted it is a turbo
so I still retained a bit of backpressure and I also found my turbo spools
much faster w/o them on. I have a friend in AZ who works for the state and
has a sniffer at his disposal to check emmisions, so when I was down there
he checked mine just for the heck of it. I was cleaner than most vehicles
he tests according to him, and I removed not one but three cats from my car.
Will take quite a bit to get me to change my opinion of catalytic
convertors. Seems to me they get rid of one obnoxious gas and create
another.

 

[Rob Munach]

I took mine off my WRX and got BIG increases in power, granted it is a turbo
so I still retained a bit of backpressure and I also found my turbo spools
much faster w/o them on. I have a friend in AZ who works for the state and
has a sniffer at his disposal to check emmisions, so when I was down there
he checked mine just for the heck of it. I was cleaner than most vehicles
he tests according to him, and I removed not one but three cats from my car.
Will take quite a bit to get me to change my opinion of catalytic
convertors. Seems to me they get rid of one obnoxious gas and create
another.

....except the gases it gets rid of are far more damaging to the
environment..