Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General gutting main cat

ok i think my main cat is clogged....is there anyway i can gut it out and fix the problem...im not worried about passing emissions i just want my car to run

thanks

There are lots of threads about this, search the performance threads about this... On a V6 you take them both off the car. The rear one is simple, you just unbolt it from the rest of the exhaust then stick a screwdriver up it and clear it out. The front one, you cut a window on the bottom of the manifold so you can get to the cat material, then weld the window back up. If you have a V6, make sure you fix both of them. -Nick

thanks so with the main cat that unbolts its completely safe for it to just dig it out? could i just pop a broomstick through it? and i dont have the ability to weld so i dont think i can do the pre-cats unless there is some other way

i don't suggest doing your main cat.
if you do, a broomstick will not just "gut" it immediatly. a chisel and vacum is what i used.
be forewarned it cost me $230 to put a new one on (with my uncle as a Ford mechanic)

Main cat is FAR different than doing the pre cats which does make a few HP for cheap. Leave the main cat alone or replace it with a straight pipe. DO NOT gut it and leave it be. The expansion chamber (left by gutting it) that far down in the exhaust stream will hurt performance.

brad is it possible for the precats to become clogged? or is it just the main cat that gets clogged? and what kind of noises might they make if they are clogged? and if they are infact clogged i might purchase your already gutted pre-cats....uh...thanks hah