TR-Any downside to taking off catalytic converters and ECUs?

I've had a thread running on my Slow Down light coming on for bank 1-6. I already had 7-12 replaced. The fear seems to be that the catalytic converters will overheat and burn down the car.

What is the downside to removing the catalytic converters, and just putting them back on every other year for the visual "test only" smog? At that point, I'm guessing both ECUs could be disconnected, and there would be no more fear, and no more buzzing lights, and the car might run a bit cooler underneath.

Any downside to doing this, other than having to put them back on to get smogged about 1 to 1 and 1/2 years out?

 

No downside, sounds a lot better too

 

The major downside I see is that it is a CRIME to tamper with or remove emission control devices...

 

FYI : Here in Toronto, Onatrio we have a smog test every two years. About 7 yrs ago i went straight with the borla exhaust no cats. runs smooth and strong. Passes the emmisions here the car is 20 yrs old 86tr this year will be the last year for the car to test. Dont worry about hurting the car, it breaths better, and you get more hp out of it......as for the environment, the hole 1,000 miles a year i do..well, maybe Nasa can find a way to save on emmissions to help the ozone better than me since everytime the shuttle goes up it pollutes more than i ever could.

 

NASA seems to have cut back their emissions from shuttle launches >90% in the last couple years!

 

Another alternative as I did to stay legal was to add a set of Hyperflow Cats and remove the Pre-cats with my tubi the car sounds great and passes the State Inspection with no problem

 

Another alternative as I did to stay legal was to add a set of Hyperflow Cats and remove the Pre-cats with my tubi the car sounds great and passes the State Inspection with no problem

 

The reason behind which was to control emissions. I've been advised that there is NO difference in the emissions level without the cats on my specific car, and that in fact it can pass emissions testing (other than visual inspection for cats) WITHOUT THEM.

It is also a CRIME in California to not put on your front license plate. Any CRIMINALS out there?

It is also a CRIME to speed. I wonder if any FERRARI owners are CRIMINAL speeders?? What do you think?

In any event it is academic. I have been advised that catalytic converter problems are not spontaneous, if that is what it is, but indicate that something else is going on, or alternatively that the ECU has malfunctioned, neither of which problems would indicate catalytic converter removal.

 

But speeding and no front tag charges result in small fines...an emission control device tampering and/or removal charge can result in $50k to $100k fine, jail time and confiscation of your car...and if you are a doctor, lawyer or other licensed professional you also risk sanctions by your licensing Board/Bar if convicted which since it is a felony can cause you to lose your license... is it worth that risk for a little more sound or to save a few hundred bucks on a high performance cat?

 

Strictly speaking this is not scientifically true. It is true that a TR running without cats has CO and HC levels that are often less than the required (loose) limits, but, whatever HC and CO a car is producing out the tailpipes without a cat, it will be reduced by a functional cat.

I'm not a smog nazi (and would much prefer that some people would have far fewer offspring ), but I run with Martin's configuration, and think it's a reasonable balance between complexity and emissions.

One minor point is that a catless TR will smell a little more hydro-carbony at idle; whereas, a cat-equipped TR will smell more neutral (if the cats are in good shape and things are as they should be).

JMOs

 

Steve what did you replace the Pre-cats with, I bought a set of Fiaorno Straight pipes which had a pre-cat piece on them and had Norwoods cut it off and make the connection to the Hyperflow/Tubi. I have to say the Tubi on its own was a little disappointing, but with this combination when you stand on it its a great sound.

Martin

 

I purchased the insulated pipes as shown in the TR SPC (that are used in place of the pre-cat on a CAT version TR). I have to agree with you that the pre-cats+cats+Tubi is still fairly muted (although better than the downright quiet stock silencer) and that cats+Tubi isn't too bad overall acoustically (and lets you fly under the radar when necessary ).
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True, yours looks like a clean installation I will grab a picture of mine and post it this evening.