Cat removal on a 93

[KliersLC]

Well, my brother in California has a 93 4runner v6 5 speed. He was told that his Cat was plugged. He doesn't need to smog it (NORCAL Rocks) so he wants to cut it off. I told him that it shouldn't be a problem unless the O2 sensor is on the Cat on that year. I no longer have my 94, so I can't check myself.

Soooo. where is the O2 sensor on a 93 4runner?

And.... Any other issues he would create by replacing it with plain pipe?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[bkg]

And.... Any other issues he would create by replacing it with plain pipe?

Thanks,
Dan

Aside from being dumb and a illegal?

The cat doesn't affect performance at all - just have him buy a nice free flowing one from Performance Products. They're cheap and the environment and johnny law will thank him.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

"Norcal"? I'm about as norcal as it gets and I have to smog. I second the new cat. and FYI the O2 sensor is just in front of the cat I believe.

 

[KliersLC]

You only have to smog if you sell your car in Mendocino county. As far as being dumb, maybe, but I think its more of a money issue, he hates putting money into cars. As far as illegal...so....?

thanks for the info.
Dan

 

[bkg]

You only have to smog if you sell your car in Mendocino county. As far as being dumb, maybe, but I think its more of a money issue, he hates putting money into cars. As far as illegal...so....?

thanks for the info.
Dan

An Cat is one of the best defenses against pollution on a vehicle. Tampering with an emmissions control device is illegal, and for reasons such as this. A cat is cheap, it's effective. There's no reason to remove one whatsoever. Whether or not he wants to spend money should have nothing to do with the course he takes; he should do the right thing and put a decent aftermarket cat on and be doen with it for another 12-13 years.

 

[Jukelemon]

Well, factually speaking, a cat does impede performance and most are not cheap they are expensive. On the 93, there is an O2 sensore in front AND in the rear and they talk (for lack of better words) to the ECU. The front i.e. the O2 sensore in front of the cat is the main sensor for establishing fuel mixture. The back, the sensor after, is the sensor used to establish the life of the cat i.e. what is actually passing after the cat.

If cost is a concern, find a wrecked vehicle. As a matter of fact, I know of a 94 Toyota 4x4 that is being parted out as we speak. It was totaled at 75k. I just purchased his tranny. Would you like his cat converter? I would imagine it would be cheap. PM me if you want to hook up. He lived in TN but shipping would not be too much.

 

[bkg]

Well, factually speaking, a cat does impede performance and most are not cheap they are expensive. On the 93, there is an O2 sensore in front AND in the rear and they talk (for lack of better words) to the ECU. The front i.e. the O2 sensore in front of the cat is the main sensor for establishing fuel mixture. The back, the sensor after, is the sensor used to establish the life of the cat i.e. what is actually passing after the cat.

Incorrect. Most cats flow better than the muffler - they do not impede performance to the extent that anyone would notice it. And they are NOT expensive - a decent aftermarket high flow unit can be had for well under $75 these days.

 

[Jukelemon]

The point was not whether they flow better than a muffler OR anything else in the exhaust. The point is that they impede performance. Whether it is noticeable in a Toyota or not is up to personal feel I suppose but the fact is that they impede performance. I do not know of ANY track car that has a cat converter on it. For that matter, a muffler often times is taken off or ONLY added for the noise level issue. Any restriction in the exhaust impedes performance. That is just engine 101. Now if you are saying that the performance gain is negligible, then fine. I would agree then.

In terms of cat costs, I googled a hi flow and did not see one under 150.00. I consider that expesnive.

 

[bkg]

Now if you are saying that the performance gain is negligible, then fine. I would agree then.

Fair enough.

In terms of cat costs, I googled a hi flow and did not see one under 150.00. I consider that expesnive.

Performance products has them for <$100. w/ their 15% off sales, that's only $85. I guess that's a tad more than I estimated, even for a bolt in part.

 

[Jukelemon]

Hmm, that is cheap. I wonder how good they are considering the cost difference.

Nevertheless, I agree it is a good thing to have if you are not on the track.

 

[bkg]

Hmm, that is cheap. I wonder how good they are considering the cost difference.

Installed one on my ex's 4Runner - very nice part, IMHO.