Problem Gutting Cat!

[crazyl]

So I just passed for two years on my inspection after 3 attempts. I am going to gut out my cat but I cant get the bolts off. They seem to be too tight. I asked my dad and he said to try heating them up. Would that work or try something else. Any Ideas?

[nj96z28]

what year's the car #1 . 2nd, gutting cats really doesnt do much, its one of those things thats simiilar to a $350 Granatelli MAF. Either you believe in the force or you dont. High Flow cat's, gutting cat's, I knew an ass who poked holes in his z24 cavalier with a phillips head cause it made the exhaust sound "tight" (this was in 97)Btw that same guy is now on the Teaneck, NJ town Council.

[crazyl]

Its an 85 T/A .

[nj96z28]

so , are you trying to gut the cat to get a performance gain somewhere, or some sound w/o a catback//headers? Im confused?

[crazyl]

yes plan on headers in the next few weeks and I have borla catback right now. I just want to gut it for "tone"

[nj96z28]

Originally Posted by crazyl

yes plan on headers in the next few weeks and I have borla catback right now. I just want to gut it for "tone"

Aaah . Im anal so I would just go with a high flow cat. Try some PB blaster. Autozone carries, so does NAPA.. spray it on twice a day for a week. Proceed the butchery from there. If their rusted you can... oh damn, my drunk ass forgot what I was about to type

if theyre rusted theyll probably all break, mine did lol. fortunately i was putting long tubes and true duals on so them breaking was actually the faster way of getting them off

[Pampered-Z]

I agree with what everyone said above, the performance gain will be minimal, and you are most likely going to break the bolts.

You going to headers, into a stock (restricted) Y-pipe, then into a high flow exhaust. See the problem? You would be better off spending a few dollars on a highflow Y-pipe.

If you don't have the headers yet, I'd suggest looking at the Edelbrock TES system, shortie headers and Y-pipe and they provide plenty of flow of a motor that isn't heavily modified and the quality is outstanding for the price!

[WildBillyT]

When I was deathly afraid of busting the manifold studs in the GTP (when I was putting the downpipe on) I heated the bolts with an oxy/acet torch, then put PB blaster on them for a few days, and then finally heated them again before using an impact gun to remove the nuts. Worked like a charm. Just remember to put anti-sieze on the threads when you put everything back together.

If it is very rusted I wouldn't attempt it with anything other than an impact gun at the very least.

[camaro2you]

Originally Posted by Pampered-Z

I agree with what everyone said above, the performance gain will be minimal, and you are most likely going to break the bolts.

You going to headers, into a stock (restricted) Y-pipe, then into a high flow exhaust. See the problem? You would be better off spending a few dollars on a highflow Y-pipe.

If you don't have the headers yet, I'd suggest looking at the Edelbrock TES system, shortie headers and Y-pipe and they provide plenty of flow of a motor that isn't heavily modified and the quality is outstanding for the price!

I agree, thats what i had on my 350 the first time when i had it and they couldnt of fit any better or went on any easier!!

[JL8Jeff]

Be prepared to break them. It's not really worth doing if you're going with headers in the near future. Wait til you get the headers and a decent y-pipe. Might as well leave it alone for now, anything you break will just eat into the money that could be going towards the headers/y-pipe.

[sweetbmxrider]

i would wait as well. but PB Blaster is awesome. a torch will help expand the metal to break it free. not sure how its set up but you could cut the threads and hammer the bolts out. i have a gutted cat from my 95 lt1. i think its the same style. its yours if you want to pick it up. i have the 4 bolts as well. needs to be welded to the y pipe