Gutting out a catalytic converter means taking something out of the catalytic converter. A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that converts harmful pollutants. It is produced by an internal combustion engine into less harmful emissions in your automobile exhaust.
If you gut catalytic converter, it can’t do its job. It is illegal almost everywhere now, thanks to environmental laws. There are fines for driving with a nonfunctional pollution control device.
If you still need to know how to gut a catalytic converter (say, to go off-road or for a racing application), here’s how you do it.
Article Summary
Tools and Materials Needed To Gut A Catalytic Converter
Driving with a bad catalytic converter is risky. To gut a catalytic converter in the right manner and without making your hands dirty, you will need proper tools. Find below a list of some of these tools and materials.
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- Jack and Jack stands
- Socket set
- Wrench set
- Sawzall or cutting tool
- Hammer
- Pry bar or chisel
How To Gut A Catalytic Converter (Step By Step Guides)
Safety First
Safety equipment is required to start wearing work gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself from metal shards in your face. Use in a well-ventilated location and avoid breathing harmful vapors.
Elevate the Vehicle
Jack the vehicle up and place it securely on jack stands. Ensure that the vehicle is stabilized before crawling underneath it. This will provide plenty of room for working on the exhaust:
Shut down your car and then find the catalytic converter.
Find the Catalytic on Your Exhaust System
It is usually located somewhere between the engine and the muffler, in the shape of a small metal canister.
Remove the Catalytic Converter
With a socket set and wrenches, remove the bolts holding the catalytic converter to the exhaust system. If the bolts are rusted or difficult to remove, apply a penetrating oil and let it soak for a few minutes, then try loosening them again.
Cut Open the Catalytic Converter
Once you remove the Catalytic cut along its length with a Sawzall or other type of cutting tool. Please remember not to damage the outer shell too much.
Gut the Catalytic Converter
Internal Honeycomb Structure Coated with Catalytic Material in the Open Converter Hammer and either a chisel or pry bar to chip all of this material down. Be sure to remove any portions of the internal anatomy until it is completely hollow in its interior.
Clean the Converter
Then, you gut the internals and clean as much of it out from the inside as possible to remove any excess debris completely. You can use a brush or compressed air to do this.
Install and Realign the Exhaust System
Fit the gutted catalytic converter back into its position in the exhaust and reattach it using your original bolts. Check that all connections are tight to avoid exhaust leaks.
Lower the Vehicle
Slowly lower the vehicle to the ground using the jack. Inspect all connections and ensure the exhaust system is properly installed.
What Happens If You Gut A Catalytic Converter?
Legal Issues: Removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle for on-road use is illegal in practically all 50 states, and fines can be huge.
Environmental Impact: Converters reduce polluting emissions from your vehicle. Removing them increases pollution and further destroys our environment.
Engine Performance: Gutting the catalytic converter will mess up your engine and might also illuminate the check engine light.
Disclaimer: This guide is only for educational purposes. While many states across the country outlaw the practice of gutting an on-road vehicle catalytic converter, it is illegal in any jurisdiction. Remember to always verify the legality in your area before going further.
Also Read: Cheapest Way To Fix A Catalytic Converter
FAQs On How To Gut A Catalytic Converter
Is it legal to Gut A Catalytic Converter
Gutting a catalytic converter is illegal on an emissions-controlled road car in most jurisdictions. This practice devises environmental ways and means to temper the growth of such disturbing occurrences as it disregards a long list of regulations aimed at reducing emissions. If you are caught, you will be ticketed and could also face fines, penalties, and vehicle inspection failures.
What happens to the environment when a catalytic converter is scrapped?
Catalytic converters work to reduce harmful emissions on vehicles. Taking them off or tearing them removes emissions from the huge amount of carbon monoxide, paraffinamilies, and nitrogen oxide in the air outflow to pollute that much more havoc on our planet.
Will gutting catalytic converter make my car faster?
Although a replacement will likely increase the exhaust flow as well, gutting a catalytic converter can cause issues like decreased fuel economy and rough idling- or even triggering your check engine light (which I assumed these people did not want). Catalytic converters in engine play an important role in the way modern engines are designed to operate, and removing them can have many performance-related impacts, as stated in this article from CARiD.
What Do I Need To Gut A Catalytic Converter?
Materials like Safety glasses, gloves, jack and jack stands, socket set, wrenches (unit-specific), sawzall or grinder cutting tool, hammer, and punch or chisel. These are the tools that you will need to safely remove and gut the catalytic converter.
What should I do if my engine light comes on after gutting the catalytic converter?
If you gut your Catalytic and then have a check engine light afterward, it is probably caused by the O2 sensors detecting higher emissions levels. You should use O2 sensor spacers or simulators for this. The tuning work discussed here is potentially just as illegal on road-registered models and could introduce issues with engine performance.
Conclusion
The only time you should gut a Catalytic is off-road or racing, when some legality but, more importantly, human safety can be taken into account.
Safety and legality should always be your primary concern when modifying a car. If you are still determining the process or its consequences, ask a skilled mechanic for help.
I’m considering this modification for my project car, and your step-by-step instructions are really helpful. I appreciate the detailed safety precautions you mentioned. However, I’m also concerned about the legal implications and emissions regulations in my area.
This guide was exactly what I needed for my off-road project! The step-by-step instructions, especially regarding safety precautions and tools required, were clear and easy to follow. I also appreciate the legal and environmental warnings, which help understand the bigger picture before making any decisions.