YACT: Eliminating the Catalytic Converter in my Grand Cherokee?

[imported_Pablo]

Hey guys,

I've got a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 5.2 liter engine.

The catalytic converter is rattling and sounds pretty bad. I assume it's probably going to need replacing. About how much is a new converter? Could I just take out the converter and run a straight pipe from the converter to the muffler? I just don't want to spend a couple hundred bucks on a cat if I can go without it. I wouldn't mind having a little louder exhaust if it would save me a few hundred bucks.

Thanks!

Paul

 

[selene]

I dont think you would pass emissions with out a cat converter.. but i may be wrong.

 

You will fail your emissions test if you remove it, don't be a cheapskate, replace it.

 

[Ryan]

Move to FL - we don't have emissions tests

 

[imported_Pablo]

I am in SC... no emissions testing.... how much am i looking at if i do replace it though?

 

[LAUST]

I think CDOT is a $1000 fine for doing that

 

$250

 

[RU482]

I think nationwide there is a fine for that, since it is a government mandated pollution control device.

Getting caught is a different story...do you have smog checks?

 

[desertdweller]

Some emissions parts have a warranty that is much longer than the
dealer's standard warranty. Check to see if the cat is covered.

The dealer will probably charge you about $500, don't know about
independant shops.

It is against federal law to run a vehicle on the roads without a cat.


DD

 

[iamwiz82]

I dont have one, it was like that when I bought it. Personally, i would install one just because I dont like the constant smell of non-catalytic converter exhaust fumes

 

[imported_Pablo]

Originally posted by: redly1
I think nationwide there is a fine for that, since it is a government mandated pollution control device. Getting caught is a different story...do you have smog checks?

nope. no smog checks. I've known some people who drive like POS sportscars that are loud and obnoxious to be pulled over because of noise violations, then fined for having straight pipes out of the back (no muffler or cat). I really am just looking for a quick fix until december. I'm facing a new transmission right now, so every $ counts...

 

[CraigRT]

in Canada, no CAT = large fine.

 

[imported_Pablo]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I dont have one, it was like that when I bought it. Personally, i would install one just because I dont like the constant smell of non-catalytic converter exhaust fumes

Uggg... you have a point. I had an old K5 blazer with no cat, and the exhaust could be overpowering sometimes....

 

[Papagayo]

are you sure it's not the shield that's rattling? There is a metal shield around the converter that usually gets loose and rattle.. I don't think the converter itself will rattle..

 

[Brutuskend]

Some folks just gut them, that way it LOOKS like you still have one on there.

 

[imported_Pablo]

Originally posted by: Papagayo
are you sure it's not the shield that's rattling? There is a metal shield around the converter that usually gets loose and rattle.. I don't think the converter itself will rattle..

hmm... i know what you're talking about. I'll go check.

 

[CraigRT]

i am told by a friend with a 318, that motor along with the 360 are notorious for having this type of exhaust problem.
it could very well be the CAT itself.

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Some folks just gut them, that way it LOOKS like you still have one on there.

Yeah, I had that done to a car when I was in high school.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
i am told by a friend with a 318, that motor along with the 360 are notorious for having this type of exhaust problem.
it could very well be the CAT itself.

huh? Exhaust system between Jeep and Chrysler are completely different. Hell, the accessories on the engines aren't even the same.

 

[imported_Pablo]

Originally posted by: PabloMartinez

Originally posted by: Papagayo are you sure it's not the shield that's rattling? There is a metal shield around the converter that usually gets loose and rattle.. I don't think the converter itself will rattle..

hmm... i know what you're talking about. I'll go check.

I don't think its just the shield. It sounds like the ceramic block or something is rattling around inside of it. I was tapping it with a 2x4 and the vibration noise would change a bit.

 

[Brutuskend]

They have (or DID have) platinum in them. That's why they are so spendy!

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: PabloMartinez

Originally posted by: PabloMartinez

Originally posted by: Papagayo are you sure it's not the shield that's rattling? There is a metal shield around the converter that usually gets loose and rattle.. I don't think the converter itself will rattle..

hmm... i know what you're talking about. I'll go check.

I don't think its just the shield. It sounds like the ceramic block or something is rattling around inside of it. I was tapping it with a 2x4 and the vibration noise would change a bit.

The core inside the cat is definitely breaking up then. You need to get it fixed quickly as severe engine damage can occur. The broken material can actually make it into the engine under certain conditions. You can get a universal catalytic converter (they might even have one for your application) from the auto parts store for ~$80-100 and is should only cost about $50 max to have it installed.

 

[Rubicante]

Cat-back Flowmaster/Borla... you know you wanna...

 

[thedarkwolf]

Look around for catco cats on summit, jeggs, etc. They are pretty cheap and are suppost to flow pretty well. Niether my turbo caravan or mustang has cats. Took me awhile to find a place to pass the mustang for inspection this year. The van hopefully won't draw as much suspicion when I take it in here this month.

 

[0roo0roo]

polluting like crazy isn't the way to save dollars.