Cat Question

[hgray14]

The catalytic converter is just for smog, right? Has anyone modified theirs so it can be removed? Here in the People's Republik of Commifornia we have to get a smog check every two years which would make this a worth while modification. I could just pop it back into place for the smog check and pull it out once the car passes and have the rest of the two years with a more free flowing system....right?

Any thoughts?

And, has anyone run their turbo without a muffler? The turbo should act to muffle quite a bit of the sound from the engine. I have seen a set-up on a turbo Zcar (Datsun 240z with a turbo engine) that had two exhaust pipes...one for the turbo - with no muffler and one for the bypass/blow-off/pop-off valve thingy. When the accelerator was lifted after a heavy load the exhaust was rerouted past the turbo so a muffler was needed. Keep in mind that there was nothing quiet about that car and it was being run up around 450 HP with an upgraded turbo but the exhaust coming down the turbo line wasn't that loud. Just wondering...

Houston

[Guest 850T-5]

Volvo invented the 3 way catalytic converter. It is there mainly because it removes over 90 percent of harmful emmissions. yes it is required for SMOG but also there to reduce the enviornmental impact you have as you drive. if this was never invented, or most vehicles didn't have them think about how more messed up the air we breathe would be.

If you want better flow, go with a Magnaflow high flow converter and never have to screw around with it again. Mine was like $150 installed.

You can pretty much see through the other side when looking in one, to show how freely they flow. they are rated up to like 800HP and can handle all the boost you can throw at them. they are also reliable and will last.

unless a strictly track car, if it's an everyday driver kind of f'd up to drive around without one (enviornmental impact, forcing everyone in back of you to smell your stank vehicle just for an overrated extra +2-3HP).

let's put it this way, my dad has a nearly 500RWHP SVT Cobra and he still runs cats with it.

not to mention if the sound of your exhaust catches the attention of any cop that happens to pull you over, maybe even for something else, you can get fined, have to have regular inspections.

[jonsayre]

Judging from where you live I would also suggest switching to a high flow cat rather than going with out one. If you are looking to free up your exhaust run a 3" DP with a 3" high flow cat, it will easily out flow a stock DP with a high flow cat jimmy rigged in their. Also you are very correct about the turbo muffling the engine, not only does it muffle the engine it makes it sound Bad A#%, especailly with the growl that these 5cyl. volvos get!