3RD Cat Removal / Air Pump?

[skidmarks]

I have searched and read the other couple of posts but still have a question or two...

I want to remove the 3rd cat in my exhaust and probly add flowmasters. Not sure about the flowmasters yet because the exhaust is in perfect condition.

I havn't lifted the car to really inspect the area where the cats are (is there three on each pipe or 3 total?). Can i get a hacksaw in there or is it a torch job? Can i get flex pipe to replace the cat? I believe i found the inside diameter to be 2.25 in another post?

Finally what the heck is the resonator and where would i find this creature? Understand removal will increase the growl factor.

I am actually pretty impressed with the stock exhaust, but looking for another way to let people know this isn't grandma's Taurus. If i can gain a little more HP at the same time it would be a bonus!

I also have a serivce engine soon light on. A fan that blows air thru to clean exhaust fumes prior to engine starting... Located under the bumper? Think thats what Advanced Auto told me. If i knew the name i'd search for it first. But i don't. On a scale of its not that important to its gonna blow up your motor, how concerned should i be right now?

Anyway, any help on the questions would be appreciated...
Todd

 

[LJRuddy]

There are only 3 cats. The third is just aft of the flex pipe about even with the front doors. If you look just behind that, you will see the exhaust "bulge" out about a half inch for a foot or so. That is the resonator. I just cut both of those off at the same time. Made my cuts just aft of the y-pipe to cat back ****** and just after the resonator. I'm sure you could get a saw in there but I did mind with an oxy torch and it made the project a whole 15 minute job.

As for the SES, that pump isnt going to hurt your performance any but it will increase your warm up times. The pump blows air into the exhaust during a cold start to trick the O2 sensors into thinking the engine is running lean. This increases the A/F mixture to aid in heating up the engine faster. I wouldnt worry too much about it.

 

[skidmarks]

This forum is AWSOME! I am going to have to make a donation. The people here are great, willing to help, and know what they are talking about... period.

Thanks Ruddy! I will be ready now with torch in hand. I have to get snow tires on her old rims before winter so i think i will let the flowmasters wait till spring! Time to start working on the sleds!

Thanks again...

 

[LJRuddy]

http://www.v8sho.com/SHO/bypasspipe.html


Might help you out a bit with some pics...

 

[luigisho]

Look for a tune to go with the exhaust changes. You will lose some performance without retuning it.

 

[LJRuddy]

Look for a tune to go with the exhaust changes. You will lose some performance without retuning it.

Not in this case. I've been without a 3rd cat and resonator for 9+ months now and I have yet to see a decrease in anything. :wave:

 

[Dave Kegel]

Not in this case. I've been without a 3rd cat and resonator for 9+ months now and I have yet to see a decrease in anything. :wave:

Yeah, removing the third cat doesn't really do anything. I noticed no change in sound, performance, nothing, which is fine.

Although they don't have it listed, I'm pretty sure FPS still sells the delete pipe. Probably the easiest way to go.

http://www.fordspecialists.com/SHOnewparts.htm

Dave

 

[luigisho]

You should have at least noticed a noise difference. I bought mine with the 3rd deleted and it's always sounded louder than original exhaust setups.

 

[Dave Kegel]

You should have at least noticed a noise difference. I bought mine with the 3rd deleted and it's always sounded louder than original exhaust setups.

Hmm... You think? I don't know, maybe a little bit? It's still really quiet though.

Dave

 

[SHO U UP]

Hmm... You think? I don't know, maybe a little bit? It's still really quiet though.

Dave

It will make a noticeable difference, but more noticeable with aftermarket mufflers. I used to make and sell the 3rd cat delete pipes myself years ago and have experimented with MANY different exhaust routes over the years. The only one I hated right away was doing a catless Y-pipe. Talk about loud and obnoxious. I quickly sold that set up and have never looked back. Currently I have 3" piping from the Y-pipe back with no 3rd cat, breathing out of Dynomax (or is it Magnaflow :braincramp mufflers. Sounds very wicked and deep. It is not though made for long distance trips, as it will make your ears bleed.

 

[Ian Macoomb]

I barely noticed a difference when I deleted my third cat and resonator (at the same time). There's a difference but it's not a huge difference. Not really worth it if you ask me.

 

[NevurMind85]

just curious what is the size of the exhaust on both sides of the third cat?

 

[LJRuddy]

I barely noticed a difference when I deleted my third cat and resonator (at the same time). There's a difference but it's not a huge difference. Not really worth it if you ask me.

I can easily hear my exhaust when driving next to other cars. Although it is still quiet, I thought that it was a very noticeable difference.

 

[kvm101]

Has anyone tried a chery bomb muffler in place of the 3rd cat. Should sound nice out of the factory mufflers.

 

[chrism3784]

On my old exhaust I deleted all cats. It was much louder, only because the welds weren't done correctly. Got it all rewelded and sounded pretty much the same. I was only able to do 124 before. After I got it to 140. One or all of the cats were clogged.