Not a major problem, but I needed some advice. I have a 99 Chevy Cavalier that is my work car that needs a new exhaust system put on it because the catalytic converter is starting to clog and 2 out of the 3 exhaust hangers are broken and it's hanging on by 1 hanger lol. I've been told that I "have" to replace the catalytic converter and that I can't just weld an exhaust system right to the engine because of "emissions regulations".

I've never had to ever pass an emission inspection for any vehicle or ever even heard of one around here (Licking county) until about 3 months ago. Can I just rip the effing catalytic converter off and weld a cat back exhaust system on and be done with it? It'll save me like a hundred bucks and it won't be too bad for the environment, the cars only gonna run for another year or so anyway lol. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

1. You shouldn't have ever bought a Chevy Cavalier.

2. Who the hell gives a damn about emission standards. If you are going to do it yourself then I say what you mentioned is perfectly fine.

CinciX12;485595 wrote:1. You shouldn't have ever bought a Chevy Cavalier.

2. Who the hell gives a damn about emission standards. If you are going to do it yourself then I say what you mentioned is perfectly fine.

That might work fine in Ohio, but bring that car to Pennsylvania or any other state that requires annual emission inspections and they'll just impound the car and rip off your left testicle.

^ Or if you live in summit county... grrrr

Take the converter off and replace it with a pipe ..but get new hanger and keep the car quite as to not give a way the situation.

Red_Skin_Pride;485589 wrote:Not a major problem, but I needed some advice. I have a 99 Chevy Cavalier that is my work car that needs a new exhaust system put on it because the catalytic converter is starting to clog and 2 out of the 3 exhaust hangers are broken and it's hanging on by 1 hanger lol. I've been told that I "have" to replace the catalytic converter and that I can't just weld an exhaust system right to the engine because of "emissions regulations".

I've never had to ever pass an emission inspection for any vehicle or ever even heard of one around here (Licking county) until about 3 months ago. Can I just rip the effing catalytic converter off and weld a cat back exhaust system on and be done with it? It'll save me like a hundred bucks and it won't be too bad for the environment, the cars only gonna run for another year or so anyway lol. Any help would be great. Thanks in advance.

Underlined your problem.

But yeah...I'd just cut it out and put in a piece of pipe. Done that many times. Never had a problem with it.

it is illegal to do what you are saying you're gonna (and being told to) do. if you do it, it's at you're own risk.

Did this to my '86 Cavalier a few years back, actually got better gas milage after the CC was removed.

You could sell the catalytic converter for mad buxxx.

dlazz;485958 wrote:You could sell the catalytic converter for mad buxxx.

My father in law actually had his stolen twice.

You live in Utica, I'm sure you can find a farmer to do it for a 6 pack of Old Milwaukee and a pinch of snuff

stroups;486476 wrote:You live in Utica, I'm sure you can find a farmer to do it for a 6 pack of Old Milwaukee and a pinch of snuff

I had to lol at that because I actually know about 5 people that will do it off the top of my head. I wasn't worried about that at all, I was worried about the actual "risk" of driving around w/o a cat. And so far, it seems like as long as it looks legit, I won't get in trouble, so were ripping off the whole exhaust system this weekend and welding a pipe with a muffler on it (utica style) and being done with it. 100 bucks TOPS, out the door lol.