2013 Chevy cat delete?

rrman61 · Jun 16, 2021

Can I remove/gut out the cat converters on my 13 1/2 ton 5.3 gas without ill effects?will it still run ok and what about fuel economy?there are no emissions tests where I am

leroy in ne · Jun 16, 2021

To the best of my knowledge Federal law prohibits this. If this is your choice you will more than likely get a check engine light on your dash and affect resale/trade value.

used red MN · Jun 16, 2021

Most newer computer controlled vehicle engines have an oxygen sensor both upstream and downstream of the cat. Essentially monitoring the effectiveness of the cat. No catalyst between the two.. check engine light on. I would like to say this started with the introduction of the mandatory all model inclusive ..On board diagnostics 2.. OBD2 system in 1996.

wore out · Jun 16, 2021

(quoted from post at 10:11:46 06/16/21) Most newer computer controlled vehicle engines have an oxygen sensor both upstream and downstream of the cat. Essentially monitoring the effectiveness of the cat. No catalyst between the two.. check engine light on. I would like to say this started with the introduction of the mandatory all model inclusive ..On board diagnostics 2.. OBD2 system in 1996.

Not to say if this is good or bad or legal, just stating the facts.

The rear oxygen sensors can be "deleted" by tuner software such as "HP Tuners", as an example.

If you could find someone nearby with "tuner" software it would probably cost you a couple of hundred $$.

Bruce(OR) · Jun 16, 2021

Why?
Is the first question.
With rear O2 sensors, the ECM will probably default into limp mode.
That in turn changes engine operational parameters and you should at least see a decrease in mileage and possibly performance.
OH! More power!
Should'a bought a bigger truck.

Trade it in before the value goes down

buickanddeere · Jun 16, 2021

Expecting another 75-100HP ?

rrman61 · Jun 16, 2021

As with anything I do I like to make an informed decision.Im losing a little power and getting that rotten egg smell and know to replace c.c.s are expensive. Not really looking for more power just what I had before.its got 148,000 miles on it now .gas mileage is what Im most concerned about at long as it doesnt damage anything

marloweg · Jun 16, 2021

every Dodge i have have been gutted 96 to a 2015 [3[ no check engine light ever run better and better fuel mileage

M-MAN · Jun 16, 2021

No idea about a Chevy but a Ford loses a little power and fuel mileage.

Kinda hard to cough up a few grand to replace cats that are going to clog up again and even sooner next time. Aftermarket cats will get you through an inspection but will fail before the next one rolls around.

Geo-TH,In · Jun 16, 2021

Federal law in the United States prohibits the removal of a catalytic converter which is functioning properly.

jimg.allentown · Jun 16, 2021

If you really want to get rid of your catalytic converter, replace it with a straight piece of pipe and sell the catalytic converter to a scrapper. They get good money these days. They are loaded with precious metals.

Now, having said that, what you suggest would not get you any money because the broken up pieces of the innards are hard to put a value on for metal recovery.

To answer the original question, yes, you can gut the converter, but doing so is a violation of federal law. BUT, it IS your truck, and you are free to do with it as you please. As far as I know, the only place they would check it is on an emission test - but you said you don't have that.

If you have a downstream oxygen sensor, it will light up the check engine light. If not, it will not notice it. Unless your cat is partly blocked, you will not get any significant amount of extra power or fuel mileage improvement.

Also, as already posted, it will devalue your truck. Those cats are expensive. If you are just going to run it until it dies, it makes no difference in value except for scrap value.

M-MAN · Jun 16, 2021

The days of replacing the cats with a straight pipe are long gone. Even without an emissions test all of the emissions parts has to be there to pass the regular state inspection. It may not be like that everywhere but is in NC. You gut it and not leave any evidence. They won't tap it to see if it's hollow but will look to be sure it's there.

504 · Jun 16, 2021

I have deleted a few,replaced a bunch of convertors,the only true difference I have seen is when the convertor was rattling around inside itself. The carbureted cars/trucks were hard on cats. Too rich and the raw gas would burn the insulation up that surrounds the guts,then they just rattle around inside of the shell till they break up and plug the muffler with little pieces of high dollar stuff. We tried about every combination you can think of,no mufflers,no convertors,split and run dual exhaust with two convertors.I had eight tail pipes coming out of the bosses Chevy pickup(no mufflers). One 89 Chevy it was headers,2 cats,weed burner exhaust, dumped in front of the rear tires. AS long as the engine is running correctly, we never saw any reason to remove the cat except to make more noise. WE had lifts and a exhaust pipe bender. I miss that bender!

rustred · Jun 16, 2021

ya so just cut it out replace with piece of pipe and turn the horses loose. my duramax has more power and even runs cooler now. and yes the engine light stays on but dont bother me. seldom people pass me on the hyway.!

Blackhole49 · Jun 17, 2021

I've put 50,000 miles on my 05 Ranger with the cats punched out (they were plugged)(MI) and welded back in. Only down side is the check engine light stays on. If your doing it for a problem go. If for better mileage, wasting your time.

buickanddeere · Jun 17, 2021

Cant stand driving a vehicle with the check light illuminated .
The newer vehicles drop the speed to limp mode if the check light is illuminated .

RodinNS · Jun 18, 2021

It would depend on the location of the O2 sensors. If it has a trim sensor downstream of the cat then you need the cat. Your fuel economy will most likely decline without it. If there is no sensor below the cat then you'd be good to go other than regulations requiring the cat in some locations...

Rod

buickanddeere · Jun 18, 2021

O2 sensor after the cat is mostly a yes or no signal if the cat is operational

Sprint 6 · Jun 18, 2021

Why? No power to be gained. It will make the truck stink and illuminate the check engine light. It will also lower the resale value because no dealer can resell it without fixing it.

Sprint 6 · Jun 18, 2021

That is only partly true of a modern
vehicle. The rear O2 signal on a late
model vehicle is also used for fuel trim
adjustments to maximize converter
efficiency. Removing the cat from the
system can make it run rich on start up to
try to light the missing cat, then run
lean trying to make it work. Modern
vehicles, the O2 sensors are operational,
and the signal used, within seconds of
start up.

2013 Chevy cat delete?

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