But what is the benefit from cutting the cat out? and what does it do for the sound?

 

Cutting the CAT has 3 benefits

1. lowers EGT's (some report unsubstantial amounts)
2. makes the truck sound good, with the CAT and no muffler it sounds loud and annoying, the CAT removal makes it sound more like a big rig
3. it also opens up the engine, if you have ever looked at a CAT, once you have a few thousand miles on your truck you can barely see through it. Imagine if you had to relieve yourself through a coffee filter....

But remember, if you remove the cat, your truck is now for "offroad use only", I know mine never sees the pavement

 

Yeah, that is a stupid question......JUST KIDDIN'!

Removal of the cat won't really do anything on a stock truck. If you are adding a lot of power, removing it can help reduce egts.

And your second question - LOUD and lots of highway drone.

 

As there is no 02 sensor hookup,I can't see any reason for that big lump in the system.Maybe it's just there cause EPA says put one on.But without sensors telling the computer what the EG or EGT is doing why is it there???I say it would have to impede exhaust flow to some extent.Sound wise since it is in front of your muffler it probably would have no bearing on what it sounded like.

 

as of right now everything is pretty much stock.....I was thinking it would give me a better "flow" as far as sound goes, I dont want it to be really loud and annoying. I would definately leave the muffler on. I may go to an exhaust shop today and talk to a guy.

 

You're better off removing the muffler and leaving the cat on.

MikeyB

 

maybe I should just get an exhaust system and quit messing around

 

Donaldson or Nelson 51" muffler and some 4" straight pipe - replace the cat and muffler with that and it will give great flow and be as quiet as stock. My dad spent like $130 doing his. Do a search and you should be able to find part numbers and everything else you need to know.

 

would exhaust be a good first step in doing some mods?

 

Check my gallery for info (part number) for the 40" Nelson. Sounds good, quiet at an idle but nice tone when you get into it, not obnoxious.

I did gauges first just to see what's going on, then the muffler, then air cleaner and BDTD, both of which are in the mail!

 

Well a good first step would be exhaust, chip, turbo, injectors, lift, rims & tires.

 

I agree that on a stock or lightly modded truck the replacing the muffler with a good high flow one will do more for opening up exhaust without making it too loud.