question for Mike
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Joined: Mar 1998
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From: Virginia
Hi mickeys97lariat,
Usually we can do that, it's considered a custom program of course, but we'd want to talk with you about that over the phone about this a bit first. We'd want to know if you're talking about just removing the cats, or have you altered the downstream O2 sensor or its location, etc. Of course, keep in mind that you would no longer meet the emissions standards for that model year, and would fail any emissions test, so we would do this as an "Offroad" type of program. It's up to you what you actually use it for, we'd consider it an "Offroad" program.
There is an upstream O2 sensor and a downstream (2 of each in newest models), and the downstream O2 sensor basically monitors catalytic converter function, and that is the one whose values need adjustment when cats are removed, in most applications.
Just so we're clear, we do NOT advise removing functional catalytic converters on these late-model vehicles, as there is no real power gain, the backpressure produced by these modern cats is very low, 2.0-2.5 PSI or so (unless it's actually clogged), compared to 5-7 PSI on older cats, which *were* robbing power years ago, but not now. Your factory cats are generally fine until you get to considerably higher power levels over stock (at least 75-100 horsepower more over stock) before they will cause any appreciable power detriment from their added backpressure. And of course, that isn't saying anything about what this does to the environment. You will never pick up enough power or mileage from removing cats on that 1997 vehicle to ever make it worth the pollution that will be released into the atmosphere every minute that engine is running, but that is between you and your conscience.
For anyone whose power levels are actually high enough, we'd suggest they use aftermarket high-flow catalytic converters instead of running no converter. It's just not going to get you enough of a power gain to ever be worth it, you won't see more than a 3-5 more horsepower gain from removing the cats unless you go supercharged, in which case you might see 5-7 hp. or so, roughly speaking.
You'll have to forgive me (please!), being in the business and knowing what they do and their effects these days, we just don't see any situations (other than pure race-only vehicles of course) that makes it worthwhile or a good move to remove functioning catalytic converters. You can make all the power you want using those cats, we have many *supercharged* F-150's making 350, 400 and even more horsepower, running the factory cats. Of course, at *that* point, you could benefit from using aftermarket high-flow cats, but not until you're making that kind of power, basically, so up until that point, the factory cats are fine, unless they're just shot or worn out.
Good luck, & just give us a call if you want to do this!
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
Usually we can do that, it's considered a custom program of course, but we'd want to talk with you about that over the phone about this a bit first. We'd want to know if you're talking about just removing the cats, or have you altered the downstream O2 sensor or its location, etc. Of course, keep in mind that you would no longer meet the emissions standards for that model year, and would fail any emissions test, so we would do this as an "Offroad" type of program. It's up to you what you actually use it for, we'd consider it an "Offroad" program.
There is an upstream O2 sensor and a downstream (2 of each in newest models), and the downstream O2 sensor basically monitors catalytic converter function, and that is the one whose values need adjustment when cats are removed, in most applications.
Just so we're clear, we do NOT advise removing functional catalytic converters on these late-model vehicles, as there is no real power gain, the backpressure produced by these modern cats is very low, 2.0-2.5 PSI or so (unless it's actually clogged), compared to 5-7 PSI on older cats, which *were* robbing power years ago, but not now. Your factory cats are generally fine until you get to considerably higher power levels over stock (at least 75-100 horsepower more over stock) before they will cause any appreciable power detriment from their added backpressure. And of course, that isn't saying anything about what this does to the environment. You will never pick up enough power or mileage from removing cats on that 1997 vehicle to ever make it worth the pollution that will be released into the atmosphere every minute that engine is running, but that is between you and your conscience.
For anyone whose power levels are actually high enough, we'd suggest they use aftermarket high-flow catalytic converters instead of running no converter.
It's just not going to get you enough of a power gain to ever be worth it, you won't see more than a 3-5 more horsepower gain from removing the cats unless you go supercharged, in which case you might see 5-7 hp. or so, roughly speaking.You'll have to forgive me (please!), being in the business and knowing what they do and their effects these days, we just don't see any situations (other than pure race-only vehicles of course) that makes it worthwhile or a good move to remove functioning catalytic converters. You can make all the power you want using those cats, we have many *supercharged* F-150's making 350, 400 and even more horsepower, running the factory cats. Of course, at *that* point, you could benefit from using aftermarket high-flow cats, but not until you're making that kind of power, basically, so up until that point, the factory cats are fine, unless they're just shot or worn out.
Good luck, & just give us a call if you want to do this!
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer
