If I straight pipe my catalytic converter, will it increase or decrease horsepower? Will it harm my car?

Question

I have a 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo LS 3.1L engine. Given my type of car, would straight piping my catalytic converter increase or decrease horsepower, or would it do nothing? Even more would it harm my car in any way?

Answer 1

it will increase your hourse power slightly but nothing you will notice not to mention its probably not leagal at that point. you may also run into code issues with your car. as far as major harm no way!!

Answer 2

Increase your horsepower with a K& N filter It is easy to install so us chicks can do it ourselves-You can get em at Autozone. It is an Easy High Performance Add-on which will increase horsepower, & acceleration Leave the catalytic converter alone, it's hard enough to say, let alone mess with. Oh & you get a cute sticker that says K&N-had to put cute in there to get the guys mad. They hate when you say "cute" while talking car stuff

Lydia

Answer 3

It will increase hp and torque. but after driving for a little while it will cause your check engine light to come on which may make your cars computer run in safe mode which would lower your lower timing. You would need to get the computer reprogramed or get MIL eliminators for your o2 sensors. Also if you live in a emissions state you would not pass and could face heavy fines if caught without cats while driving on the road.

Answer 4

criminal worry, i've got had that style of set up earlier too, once I have been given pulled over for a 'loud' muffler the officer pulled out this extendo replicate to examine the backside of my vehicle, figured there is no cat and gave me a value tag. besides the undeniable fact which you will relatively ruin out with this as shops have catalytic converter looking directly pipe that's particularly plenty directly pipe with the catalytic onverter shell over it

Answer 5

Not a good idea, you will get an increase in hp but the car would pass inspection after that and in the long run it's not good for the emmissions system

Answer 6

It will reduce the backpressure on the exhaust system which will increase efficiency so you might get a tiny bit of horsepower. You prob. won't even notice.

What you will notice is the cost to fix it when you can not get your car to pass the annual or whatever smog test.

Bottom line.. its not worth it,.

Answer 7

it would increase the breateability of your motor, allowing for more exhaust, and thus more intake, boosting the power. will not harm your car, however your car will likely not pass inspection. i know in texas, any car after '74 must have cats on it. without it, they will not give you an inspeciton sticker. and texas is one of the more lax states in terms of our ability to pollute indiscriminately

Answer 8

supposedly it will increase the car but wont pass emissions.