So I have a 2003 Expedition 5.4 with clogged cats. Being its a high mileage 03 its not really not worth dumping $600+ into new cats. Have heard you can possibly remove or gut them, has anyone tried this? Will this effect the running and driving? If thats not a good option can I drop to a single cat on each side. We have no inspections in my state. Thanks all

 

Inspections are irrelevant - it's always illegal everywhere to remove or disable any factory emissions controls.

How exactly did you determine that the cats are clogged? What clogged them? If you can't afford to maintain & repair it, buy something cheaper. Miles alone don't reduce a vehicle's value to the point of not being worth repair. My Bronco's engine has a million miles (actually, without a rebuild) and runs like new, including all the emissions systems.

 

the mechanic said he ran a flow test and they were 2.something, so pretty clogged and needing replacement. I have seen comments in both directions for removal, some say its fine some say it won't run right. Another option I was thinking I could buy 2 more generic cats and have 1 welded on each side.

 

You likely have other issues with your engine if the CATS are wasted. The CATS being bad are really a result of another failure affecting the way the engine is running. They really should last the life of the vehicle (in most cases) if the engine has always runned as efficient as it's capable of.

 

ok to close this out, plugs, coils packs and fuel filter changed, ran 2 batches of catalytic converter cleaner thru and it got slightly better. Cats were $440 plus install so I paid $200 to have them removed, holy crap what a difference, its a little louder but not obnoxious, has a nice gurgle but power is better then its ever been. Check engine light is on but I don't care it has 237K on it so nobody's gonna care when I tell them why its on whenever I sell it. Thanks all for the inputs

 

THAN.

Sure they will once they get caught without them on there and get the fine associated.

 

People always throw out the "it's illegal to remove the cats" and yes it is but that rule is really in place for a repair shop. Now a repair facility could be fined and possibly face jail time for doing that type of thing. But the average guy really isn't going to have a problem, even though I'd personally say just fix it right. I'd be interested in actual first hand experience from someone fined ect. for removing the converters.

 

Some jurisdictions require a vehicle inspection during registration - especially if the vehicle was previously registered elsewhere. And if they find the cats are missing, the new owner won't be able to register it, or drive it. His next stop MIGHT be the previous owner...

 

So no real experience, just a theory. Common sense or the poster themselves usually tells you that inspections aren't required in his area. On a gas truck the person removing the cats will likely be the last owner as it has reached a point to not be worth proper maintenance. It's one breakdown away from the scrap yard.

Now a diesel pickup is another story, many owners think the cat needs to be removed for aftermarket exhaust. This happens all the time in my emissions area and they are never happy when they research the cost of a regenerative convertor.

 

Yeah, but the problem with common sense is that it's never as common as you might think, because this is what the OP told us:


Again - you missed the point. When he sells it, who knows where the buyer will try to register it. THAT's the area that matters, and the OP can't tell us anything about what's required there.