Cat Delete?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

RAM_it

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2013
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2002
Engine
360
Hey guys, new here to the forum. I have a question: If I cut out the Catalytic Converter and just put in a pipe instead on my 2002 dodge ram 360, will the check engine light be on all the time, or will it be ok? I have heard that from '03 on, taking out the Cat will illuminate the Check engine light. But what about '02? Thanks in advance.
 

PCA4208

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2012
Posts
2,658
Reaction score
580
Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Just leave the cat. It makes exhaust not smell and passes emissions for you. Most people thinks it's a real restriction in the exhaust, but it's really not unless you have big horsepower.
 
OP
OP
R

RAM_it

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2013
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2002
Engine
360
Just leave the cat. It makes exhaust not smell and passes emissions for you. Most people thinks it's a real restriction in the exhaust, but it's really not unless you have big horsepower.

I would exept that my check engine light is on, and it is a cat converter code. I really would rather avoid spending $800 :nutkick:
 

PCA4208

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2012
Posts
2,658
Reaction score
580
Location
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ram Year
2017
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Have you tried the 02 sensor anti fouler trick? What you do is remove the sensor after the cat and put a spark plug antifouler packed with steel wool. Onto the sensor, then screw the whole assembly back in. Even if you remove the cat you will need to do this, or get a custom tune to remove the check engine light..
 

TheSatinPumpkin

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Posts
3,280
Reaction score
273
Location
Robles Junction/Three Points AZ
Ram Year
2004 Dodge Ram
Engine
5.7L
So the cat is already removed? What did you do with it? Yes you will get a cel when the cats are removed. Either do non foulers as mentioned. Or turn rear sensors off via custon tune but sensors will no be in readiness mode and will most likely fail emissions.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
R

RAM_it

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2013
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2002
Engine
360
Have you tried the 02 sensor anti fouler trick? What you do is remove the sensor after the cat and put a spark plug antifouler packed with steel wool. Onto the sensor, then screw the whole assembly back in. Even if you remove the cat you will need to do this, or get a custom tune to remove the check engine light..

Thanks I might see if I can get one from an auto wrecker yard or something :/
 

TheSatinPumpkin

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Posts
3,280
Reaction score
273
Location
Robles Junction/Three Points AZ
Ram Year
2004 Dodge Ram
Engine
5.7L
Go to AutoZone and they can get the actual codes for you. Cant assume the cel directly points to cats.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
R

RAM_it

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2013
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2002
Engine
360
Go to AutoZone and they can get the actual codes for you. Cant assume the cel directly points to cats.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2

Could you explain a little more? What could it be besides the Cat?
 

blk00rt

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2013
Posts
27
Reaction score
0
Location
Michigan
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
If you do take your cat off, try taking the rear most 02 sensor and putting it in the frame rail, so that it reads fresh air. depending on which cat is bad and how many you have, this trick should work. the last 02 sensor looks for a difference from the front one and as long as it sees a difference for the positive side it thinks the cat is doing its job. I have done this on my dakota for about 8 years now with no cel.
 

RamSport13

Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Posts
40
Reaction score
14
Location
Tacoma, WA
Ram Year
2013
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Could you explain a little more? What could it be besides the Cat?

Check engine light can come on for numerous reasons, O2 sensors, MAP sensor, EGR, EVAP system, cylinder misfire, low voltage, you get the idea. Definitely worth going and pulling the code to find out what the vehicle is storing. Whenever your light is on, the vehicle goes into basic mode of running. You will probably see a decrease in performance and mpg as long light is on.
 
OP
OP
R

RAM_it

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2013
Posts
6
Reaction score
0
Ram Year
2002
Engine
360
Check engine light can come on for numerous reasons, O2 sensors, MAP sensor, EGR, EVAP system, cylinder misfire, low voltage, you get the idea. Definitely worth going and pulling the code to find out what the vehicle is storing. Whenever your light is on, the vehicle goes into basic mode of running. You will probably see a decrease in performance and mpg as long light is on.

Oh yeah but I got the code pulled already and it was a Cat code. Sorry for the misunderstanding
 

Casper

U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Posts
4,626
Reaction score
1,447
Location
Springfield, VA
Ram Year
2020
Engine
5.7L
Some non-dealer shops can not just pull codes but do diagnostics too.

If you do determine the Cat is the problem, there is no point in deleting it.

A better idea would be to check the Rf prefferred vendors for high flow direct applicatin Cat replacements.
 

WhiteExpress

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2011
Posts
18,187
Reaction score
3,284
Location
Midland, TX
Ram Year
2004
Engine
5.7 Hemi
If you do take your cat off, try taking the rear most 02 sensor and putting it in the frame rail, so that it reads fresh air. depending on which cat is bad and how many you have, this trick should work. the last 02 sensor looks for a difference from the front one and as long as it sees a difference for the positive side it thinks the cat is doing its job. I have done this on my dakota for about 8 years now with no cel.

I did this on my '00 when my cat brick broke, and plugged the exhaust.
Removed the cat, welded in a piece of pipe and zip tied the rear O2 to the frame.
Only issue I had was in heavy rain / snow it'd throw a code. Made a little shield, never had another issue.

Only difference is the truck was a WHOLE LOT louder w/o the cat.
 
Back
Top