Hello, I have a 1994 TT and I was wondering if anybody knows how to hollow out the cats. Is it an easy thing to do? Will it sound cleaner? Thanks

 

sound cleaner? wtf?

it's not quantum physics... take something solid that'll fit in the cat and repeatedly jam it in there until you can stick it out the other end... there's no proper way to do it, it's essentially breaking the screens and guts out of the catalytic converter

 

If you don't need the cats for emissions, just do it right and buy testpipes. Testpipes will flow better than a gutted cat so you will see more of a gain.

Not sure what you mean by sound cleaner either??

 

http://azcc.ww4.us/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=658 (no solictations please).
he wants 130 for the pipes, since your from out of state and couldn't pick up, you'd have to cover shipping too.

 

The solution I am about to try..since the local PD just does a visual check when the suspect the lack of cats is to take two old used cats and cut them long ways like a hot dog bun i guess. Remove all of the material within and the plave the hollow shell around my Z1 test pipes. Then re weld the seam I cut earlier. And weld the ends of the pipes to the test pipes making it appear to be realistically installed. I know it sounds like alot of work. But when you consider the alternatives of no gaining horsepower..or paying the outragous fine of being caught without cats. It does begin to sound tempting...

 

If you go this route I would suggest painting them afterwards to hide the seams. MOST cops won't take the extra step to look real close at them but if you do get one (and chances are he's gonna be an old gear head if he does) it'll help to not have what you did real obvious. I suggest flat black stove paint, easy to apply and handles high temps while being subtile.

 

p.s. i have a 300zx with gutted cats.. just make sure to put back on the heat shileds... try to buy new gastekets.. but be sneeky about it ;-) peace out

 

Yeah I gutted my cat from my '82 280zx. Which was the first time I ever did one. I had no choice, because the inside of the cat was like ash and charcoal. It is nice and hollowed out, thanks to a crowbar. LOL. I am repainting the shield and cat aluminum hight temp paint. And remounting it back on. Looking like it was replaced with a brand new one. As long as it is there people at emissions, will think it is legit. LOL.

 

My buddy suggested a broom stick...him and another buddy hollowed out the cats on a Chevy S10

 

If I would have used a broomstick, it would have broke it in half. It was pretty tough with the crowbar, to get the crap out. Because it was like melted, and cooked inside.

 

No i remeber now i used a huge almost 2 foot long flat head screw driver and a soft mallet and i pounded away the side walls first then i cut a CROSS formation in it i have done this to about 5 280zx a few mine other for my friends and i found out the best way to save time and to get the cunks out ... make sure u use a painters mask by the way... just want u to be safe :-)

 

I used a piece of pipe and a hammer. Some places (like Atlanta Ga) will do traffic stops and put a mirror on a stick under your car to make sure your cat has not been removed. So the best thing to do is weld a slightly smaller pipe straight through the cat. The muffler shop gave me the pipe when I bought my muffler, but by law they cant put it in. It will also help with exhausts flowing through. It worked for me.

 

ah... bringing back dead threads...

 

I love when that happens...