Removing a Cadillac Converter...
 

I've got a 25th Anniversary Camaro that I am thinking about removing the cadillac converter on. I got a guy who will do it for $30.00.

My question is, will it give my Camaro a nice ring to it, or will it sound like crap? Also if I choose to have it removed, will it be louder than crap (I still want to be able to listen to music, and not have to my music drownded out by the sound of the car), or will it just make it have a little more muscle sounds?

Thanks car gurus.

what are Cadillac parts doing in a camaro?!?

Heh heh.

It's a catalytic converter and it's an emmisions device. It's not going to affect the sound of your car that you'll notice and it also won't affect the performance that you'll notice.

I'm guessing you mean "catalytic" (sp?) converter? I don't think it will change the sound much but it should increase air flow. It will jack with your emissions, though. You should also check your state regs, I think some states actually check for those during their inspections. Might make the car harder to renew your tags or sell later.

I know it's called a catalytic converter. People respond to Cadillac converter more often. The guy at my auto shop seems to disagree. he says it will definitely improve the sound, and sometimes the CC can get clogged, thus giving your car a quieter sound that should be for dual exhaust.

It's not either, it's a Cadillac converter. I know because I saw it on the internet.

I thought it was illegal to remove the catalytic converter? If all else fails, just have him take the guts of the converter out and replace the pipe as it was..

It is illegal to remove it. All he will do is remove the converter, and replace it with a piece of pipe.

I had a car that the guts of the converter had turned 90 degrees and it was severely restricting the exhaust flow. I really don't think that unless yours is broken you'll see much change, though.

Don't you mean intarnet?

Cool. I'm sure it will give it a little better sound. I just didn't want it to be so ridiculously loud, you could tell I was coming for miles.

Intarnet has a capital "I", damnit. :)

I drive a cataract, maybe I have some spare parts for you

(lame yes, but I had to write something here, carry on)

I doubt it will make any noticeable difference in sound. You'll still have a muffler, so it won't be loud.

If you really wanted to improve sound and performance, you'd leave the catalytic converter alone and just add a performance muffler. I'd rather spend the extra money than do some hillbilly hack job on my car that will have little effect.

I've been told by 2 guys that have been doing muffler work for 25 years that it would significantly improve the sound. I'm not sure why the guy would lie about it for $30.00. Thanks for the tip though. I'll do some more research.

Does your cataract have a Cadillac converter?

Cat back exhaust system.

ROFL

Yeah - if the thing is clogged removing it will improve your sound.

and my sight too

I had to pop in here, to see if that subject line was a joke! :)

Heh heh. If you've been told by 2 experts that it will do "X", then why are you asking a bunch of dipshits on the internet if it will do "Y"?

I respect the Planet posters opinions. I know it will improve my sound some, I just didn't know how much. I guess that was my main question.

Because we have geniouses dammit.

Unless the thing is severely clogged, I don't think it will improve your sound to remove it. But, I'd say a $30 risk is pretty insignificant.

Kind of what I was thinking.

Just make sure you dont live near a major city. Back in the late 90's everyone in the outlying counties of Atlana were hacking thier converters, then Atlanta got hit by the EPA and started emission testing , for the most part count on about $200-$300 to replace a converter. On late model cars there really isn't much performance gain to be had by removing the cats.

My advice would be to spend the $30 on a haircut to get rid of that mullet :)

Sorry, couldn't resist....

DT

If the car is old enough you may be able to sneak by any state regs about HAVING to keep your catalytic converter. Seeing how yours isn't I would leave it on there and look at replacing it with a higher performance one. No use getting nailed without one and having to park your car until you get one installed again. Now to the issue of removing it for performance or sound; you will see in increase in horsepower and it will be louder but not as significant as you might think/hope. If you really want to get louder and more horsepower the only way is to put headers and bigger exhaust. 31/2" straight pipes with a catback would be my suggestion! With a higher performance cat conv. :thumb:

If you are taking the chance of getting fined for removing the converter go all the way and have them put glass packs on. I did it to my Chevelle and it sounds like the muscle car it is. It didn't have a corvette or a cadillac to take off though, it is too old.