gutting the catalytic converter

[nicolasr]

Hi.Has anyone emptied their catalytic converter?? I am thinking of doing this mod to my S10 but some questions came to my mind.
1. Will it harm the engine whatsoever??
2. Will i Have to add more fuel? How much?? I am actually running plus 3 (+3) in my ECU with only a leo vince silencer. Seems to run better.
3. Will the bike run cooler??
4. Do i need to get rid of the lamda sensors??
5. Is it really worth it doing this mod?? I mean in performance, not money or considering buying an aftermarket header.

I would be grateful if you could help me answering me this doubts!!!

Thanks a lot

Nicolas

 

[Buelligan]

Nicolas, I am running an Arrow header system, which eliminates the Catalytic converter, and an Akropovic exhaust, and have had no issues whatsoever.
I have also had my ECM reflashed.

 

[Velvet]

I am running an Arrow header system, which eliminates the Catalytic converter.

I have also had my ECM reflashed.

+1

Though my exhaust is totally stock and I intend to keep it that way, Arrow headers and a reflash is the way that I would go as well. ::008::

Gutting cats can be a real PITA.

 

[WJBertrand]

you're going to need to keep the O2 sensors, they are providing mixture feedback to the ECU. Note they are upstream of the CAT so removing the cat does not effect them.

 

[nicolasr]

I díd the gutting today. I regret not doing it before. A very easy task!!! I paid around 12 dollars for the TIG weld. What a cheap way to get a full system!!!

 

[tomatocity]

I díd the gutting today. I regret not doing it before. A very easy task!!! I paid around 12 dollars for the TIG weld. What a cheap way to get a full system!!!

Did you do a write-up? Photo's? What performance and sound differences have you noticed?

 

[nicolasr]

Did you do a write-up? Photo's? What performance and sound differences have you noticed?

No pictures taken!!! I opened the cat making a rectangular cut in the underneath side. I will make a sketch and send it I to you if you want to!!! I thought it was going to get louder but definitely not. I did a short loop around my neighborhood but I definitely feel the acceleration is better from low to mid rpms. I don't feel that rough acceleration between 2000 to 4000 rpms anymore. I also feel the bike is now running cooler.
Cutting and welding is the easiest part. Getting the guts out is time consuming but not difficult because they won't come out altogether. I had to make cuttings and made it by chunks. It is just a roll of platinum stripe fitted very tight inside the cat chamber. It is around 4 inches long.

 

[Rasher]

My Gen1 had a just of idel lunging / surging issue when I fitted Arrow Headers despite an ECU-U flash that would supposedly work with this setup.

In the end I had a local guy remap the ECU on the dyno, after that it was perfect, the Arrow headers give an good increase throughout the rev range and allow the bike to rev out, I had posted dyno results somewhere in the past. The custom dyno setup also made the bike really smooth.

I also dyno'd the bike pre-and post Arrow headers (with no other mods) 6BHP is what just adding the Headers gave, with the custom re-map it upped the gain to @10-12 BHP from the starting point of a bog standard bike with more power at 6,000rpm than the stock bike had at its @7300rpm peak and it also pulled hard into the red zone rather than getting wheezy just past peak power.

I would assume removing the cat from the stock pipe would probably not be far off the sort of gains arrow headers give - and for a fraction of the cost (although I got mine used for 1/2 new price - and they did look good)

 

[Kwackboy]

Gents,

I have had the cat removed from the headers on my bike and the results are great - see the video on youtube https://youtu.be/2HQv6XQ--ig on how its done.

I have also had the ECU reflashed and the oxygen sensors removed and replaced with o2 Oxygen Lambda Sensor Eliminator Yamaha XTZ 1200 Super Tenere 2011 - 2014.

Plus I also run a remus slip-on.

The bike runs great now with no surging etc although I cannot tell you if more fuel is used, I would expect so as I ride it harder than before as it performs better - You can see my Tenere project on www.shepsters.com if you are interested ::002::

 

[JRE]

That's great if you have the tools and skills but for most it'd be easier to just get the arrow headers.

 

[Z06]

No pictures taken!!! I opened the cat making a rectangular cut in the underneath side. I will make a sketch and send it I to you if you want to!!! I thought it was going to get louder but definitely not. I did a short loop around my neighborhood but I definitely feel the acceleration is better from low to mid rpms. I don't feel that rough acceleration between 2000 to 4000 rpms anymore. I also feel the bike is now running cooler.
Cutting and welding is the easiest part. Getting the guts out is time consuming but not difficult because they won't come out altogether. I had to make cuttings and made it by chunks. It is just a roll of platinum stripe fitted very tight inside the cat chamber. It is around 4 inches long.

After cutting open the door in pipe an air chisel makes easy work of getting the guts out.

 

[Xclimation]

Does anyone know how much weight is saved by cutting the cat? How much lighter are the arrowhead headers?

 

[Sierra1]

I'm thinking I must be the only Tenere rider that is happy with the bike in its stock form. I mean, I've made the seat mod and put crash bars and a skid plate on, but that's it. To each their own. ::001::

 

[snakebitten]

That's a GOOD thing Sierra. Nothing wrong with it.

But fair warning, that can change in a moment. ::013::

There quite a few Teneres around that would test ya if you jumped in their saddle for a short jaunt.
It's not any kind of magic or anything. But like many Japanese OEM products, the Tenere has some low hanging sorting to be enjoyed, if you so choose.

 

[Sierra1]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying people haven't improved the bike. I would like the bike to "sound better". I would like the throttle to be smoother. And maybe the seat could be softer. Then when I look at the cost for small improvements, to me, I realize there is nothing about this bike that weighs on my little pea brain. When I put it up for the day, I can't wait to ride the next day. I AM dreading the "soon to be here" 100* days, but that's not the bike's fault.

 

[eemsreno]

I'm thinking I must be the only Tenere rider that is happy with the bike in its stock form. I mean, I've made the seat mod and put crash bars and a skid plate on, but that's it. To each their own. ::001::

That makes at least two of us Sierra1
I wasn't always satisfied when it was new but it can be dialed in with the CO adjustment and TB adjustment.
Mine floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.

 

[Xclimation]

I enjoy the bike stock. The bike already can outdo my abilities. And off-road torque and hp are not going to help. But.... I'm into efficiency. I know bikes come restricted for EPA. They don't run as efficient as they can. Also along the same lines, weight reduction. EVERY bike I've owned has shed a lot of weight by replacing OEM exhaust. Performance and efficiency has also improved. I believe in a clean burning well oiled machine.