I've been feeling like my cat has been going out for awhile, I bought a catback and checked as much of the cat as i could while I was down there. There were pieces of my cat falling out everywhere, I decided to have my friend Rev it real good without anything attached to the cat, and honeycomb chunks blew out everywhere, I drove it real hard without any exhaust on for a couple of miles to see if I could get anymore out. I just passed my emissions, so I am good for two years.

What are the pro's and con's of just poking everything out of my cat? How much louder will it be (compared to driving with just the cat and nothing catback?)

Thanks

 

Cons:
- Unable to pass a sniffer emissions test, if you have that
- Will need a reflash tool to block emissions CELs to pass OBD2 emissions
- Increased exhaust fume smell that usually bothers your significant other
- Rear O2 will fail faster
- If your cat is good, gutting it is destroying an expensive piece of working hardware

Pros:
- A bit more power
- It can no longer clog up and then damage your engine
- If your cat is already dead, it's a free mod


Pro or Con, depending on your personal preference:
- Changes sound tone and volume

 

Be sure your pipe & muffler don't have any chunks in them either.
If you bang on the muffler and hear pieces rattling in it you should take it off and try to shake it out.
That can restrict your exhaust also.
*edit* I see now you drove it without your catback, be sure there is nothing left in the cat before installing your new exhaust.

 

Thanks for the replies, great list so far.
It's probably safe to say my cat isn't in the best shape though if huge chunks of honeycomb are flying out right?

I can already smell unburnt fuel smell when I roll the windows down and am driving, probably the cat? Or maybe fuel pump/lines not sure.

 

You've hit on one of the negatives - stinking up the air for you and everyone else. Another negative is violating federal law.

Ken

 

One more pro: cooler center cup holders.

The center console/cup holders get a bit toasty from the cat. Remove it it should be a bit cooler.