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  1. #1
    Junior Member
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    Purple
    1998 Pontiac Trans AM

    Replace Catalytic Converters or Lose Them?

    The stock catalytic converters are shot on my 98 Pontiac Trans Am six speed. I was thinking about replacing them with high flow cats or could I just lose them? I would like lose them to make it louder but is their O2 sensors in it? If I should keep cats on it what type of high flow ones are best? Right now I have three inch maganaflow exhaust from the cats back and the cats up is stock.

  2. #2
    War Machine BIG GUNS's Avatar
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    Black
    00 Trans Am/Auto

    Quote Originally Posted by NicksPurpleTrans View Post
    The stock catalytic converters are shot on my 98 Pontiac Trans Am six speed. I was thinking about replacing them with high flow cats or could I just lose them? I would like lose them to make it louder but is their O2 sensors in it? If I should keep cats on it what type of high flow ones are best? Right now I have three inch maganaflow exhaust from the cats back and the cats up is stock.
    Next spring when I get my headers, I'm gonna lose the cats and shut off the O2 sensors. Passing emissions without them would be a prob unless you have a friend who does vehicle inspections and emissions tests for you. Then you may just want to replace them.

  3. #3
    Dcdrummer LS1buckey's Avatar
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    pewter
    1999 Pontiac Trans Am

    You can just loose them, all that will happen till you turn the o2's off is your SES light will be on but it won't affect performance.

  4. #4
    Member Fearls1's Avatar
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    MRM
    2002 T/A M6

    Okay, I perfer no cats. I have o2 sims in for now until header time. The car runs a 100% better and smells like muscle (IMO). However like BigGuns said. You won't pass inspections without em, if you live in a state that requires it. Oklahoma doesn't currently. My car is very quiet at low rpm but will blow eardrums when pushed. Totally about how much want to spend bro. Cats are not cheap.

  5. #5
    2-Legit-2-Quit bgable's Avatar
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    Cville,Indiana
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    IBM
    2006 Pontiac GTO

    well depends does your city have emissions testing? if not id say buy a set of headers and a ORY and toss the cats

  6. #6
    War Machine BIG GUNS's Avatar
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    00 Trans Am/Auto

    Just called my ASE certified mechanic/manager at Midas who takes care of exhaust. He said that next spring when I'm ready to put the headers on, we will keep the CATS. He has some step up versions of stock but, not high flow type.

    He said that high flow type were a waste of money and he has never experienced any gain from them.

    When I gave him his choice between Pacesetter or Hooker headers, he chose Hooker headers because they were easier to install without bend probs etc. I've heard good things about pacesetters but, not too much about Hooker.

    Anyway, long story but, I'm going to keep the CATS and just get some upgraded ones.

  7. #7
    Junior Member
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    Purple
    1998 Pontiac Trans AM

    i would rather lose the cats and i dont have to pass emissions in wisconsin. but how would i shut off the o2 sensors?

  8. #8
    Member 02nbmvert's Avatar
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    Navy blue Metallic
    2002 trans am

    Quote Originally Posted by NicksPurpleTrans View Post
    i would rather lose the cats and i dont have to pass emissions in wisconsin. but how would i shut off the o2 sensors?
    By getting them tuned out, or putting rear o2 sims in so they read the same... the sims arent always a good fix though from what i hear, and getting them tuned out should be cheaper and def work

  9. #9
    Impounded
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    79 T/A -91 Firebird
    1998 Trans Am -Oynx Black

    Sims are worthless. Just get the light shut off. Most places will do the tune for !EGR !AIR !CATS for 75 bucks or less.

    I rock out with my SES light on..lol

  10. #10
    Member WS6ICK2K's Avatar
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    Metallic Blue
    2000 Trans Am WS6

    Quote Originally Posted by JoshieDoom View Post
    Sims are worthless. Just get the light shut off. Most places will do the tune for !EGR !AIR !CATS for 75 bucks or less.

    I rock out with my SES light on..lol
    Sims arent completely worthless, I have had no problems from mine simple plug in and no SES light. But for 75$ I would def tune them out. Lose the cats if you can get by on inspection,

    I rock out with my cock out not with a ses light on lol

  11. #11
    Impounded
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    79 T/A -91 Firebird
    1998 Trans Am -Oynx Black

    How long have you had them?

  12. #12
    Junior Member Lucas'02SS's Avatar
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    Bright Rally Red
    2002 Camaro SS

    Don't put cats back on your car. Robbing you of power!

  13. #13
    Member WS6ICK2K's Avatar
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    Metallic Blue
    2000 Trans Am WS6

    Goin on 2 weeks lol. I've heard of them giving trouble after a few years, but I will have them tuned out long b4 that ever happen. I'm going to do a few more mods then take it to get it tuned, and the codes erased.

  14. #14
    Impounded
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    79 T/A -91 Firebird
    1998 Trans Am -Oynx Black



    sweetness

    BTW to the OP


    if you dont have emission then get rid of them and SELL THEM!

  15. #15
    Impounded
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    NBM
    99 z28

    no cats here. i'll never have cats agian on my z

  16. #16
    Junior Member Lucas'02SS's Avatar
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    Bright Rally Red
    2002 Camaro SS

    Think of it this way...you are spending money to make your car slower, while you could save money by getting an off-road y-pipe and make better power!

  17. #17
    Impounded
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    79 T/A -91 Firebird
    1998 Trans Am -Oynx Black

    My DAPO of my car had the passengers go out so he just put a straight pipe in. the drivers is still there!!

    my new ory will take care of that

  18. #18
    Junior Member
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    Purple
    1998 Pontiac Trans AM

    do the o2 sensors have to be specially tuned out or can any mechanic do it? i have a small amount of money to spend n i would like to get the most power. is there more than two cats on these cars. i only saw two. are there internal o2 sensors in these two cats?

  19. #19
    Impounded
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    79 T/A -91 Firebird
    1998 Trans Am -Oynx Black

    Yes. They have to be tuned out using a specific program/device. There are only two cats and the worthless 02 sensors are right after the cats.

    You can buy a off road ypipe for 189 bucks that removes the cats and replaced them with 3 inch exhaust. The y-pipe bolts up just like factory. Mine is laying in the garage drying after a coat of header paint.

  20. #20
    Junior Member supercharged666's Avatar
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    Black
    1998 & 1999 Trans Am

    $75 to tune your 02 sensors out is cheap as hell almost hard to beleaive. Where in ILL. can i get my 02's tuned out for that price?

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