Hey! New guy here that just bought my first diesel. It is an '05 2500 HD crew cab. I have been reading on here and have seen alot about people deleting the cat. Is it really a catalytic convertor or a burn box of sorts? Isn't it illegal to remove a cat? Please be patient with me, I have alot to learn it seems.

THANKS!
Mark

Is it really a catalytic convertor ? Isn't it illegal to remove a cat?


Yes and Yes

Welcome aboard

Apparently the Cats are highly valuable and in great demand on the black market. Reports of Cat thefts on LLY's is rampant. Funny that the thieves are so polite though. When they steal one, they always leave a cat-less pipe to replace it.

Seriously, the cat increases EGT's, and for those who want big power, removing it will allow them to run more HP without turbo damage.

so thats where my cat went...

darn theives

EGR and Catalytic converters are probably two of the worst ideas in Diesel history, IMO... My kitty was stolen too and it's like a whole new truck now... The 4" pipe in it's place is now an interesting shade of purple after 2000 miles of towing 9k-15k.

WiggyHD,

Lots of stolen cats for sure, but if you plan to ONLY remove the cat OK, but if you plan to add a performance system you will likely get a check engine light with both of them on the truck. The EGR system is expecting a slight amount of back pressure, if it doesn't see it the light hits. I would get a performance system 1st, if that doesn't do enough then add a cat pipe and do a search here for "fingers" he has a light fix as well as an EGR block off plate. These two items will alow you to run no cat and a performance system.

Give us a call if this is confusing, we have been dealing with this since the LLY came out. We stock all the MBRP aluminized 409 and 304 stainless systems and will be glad to help you with questions etc.

Mark @ DPPI

I have a feeling that the cat thiefs are comming my way...maby schedule them around monday at 10:00? ok sounds good to me. Let me say one thing, midas wont remove the cat but scottys damn sure will and they are cheaper!

WiggyHD, first off welcome to the DP. :ro)

You didn't mention how you plan to use your truck, e.g. performance, towing, etc. Deleting the kitty definitely lowers EGT's for all applications, coupled with a higher flow exhaust ;) and gauges you are ready to tackle the other stuff. JJ :)

It's main use will be hauling hay, restored old tractors, and a camper. My current camper is only 5170 lbs empty, so it may be 7000 with my family. We plan on getting a 5th wheel in the future with a couple of slides, so that will be alot heavier. I am moving to Maryland in two weeks, and for emissions testing they do check for exhaust tampering (though they list that under the gas engine vehicles). It seems that everything I want to do will either void my warranty (at most dealerships) or is not CARB certified. I have read alot on here about the debate on K&N air filter kits and whether they do any better than the factory paper, and im my experiance (I have one on every vehicle I own to include my motorcycle) I have seen nothing but better mileage. Like I said though, this is my first diesel, and I know they are different. I was also thinking about Edge or Banks. I just have to do some research on what is legal and what is not. You people seem to have a boatload of that info here.

THANKS!
Wiggy

well this is my first post i have a 04.5 and i want to do the edge also am interested in pulling the cat does anyone know of a pipe made to replace it that you can bolt in also what is a finger how do they work and where do i get one thinks

MBRP has the pipe. pm FINGERS for the stick. The mod bug is in ya now. Welcome aboard.

Well, I just got an email from the Maryland MVA and it says:

Dear MVA Customer,

Thank you for your recent email inquiry. The information you requested on
emission is available by clicking on the link below. Diesel vehicles are
not tested in Maryland.


That works for me! :grd:
Mark

With the MBRP pipe, I lost the annoying 58mph drone, and also got quicker turbo spool up. I'm very happy with my kitty being stolen....!):h

Mine ran off this past weekend too. She decided she wanted to live in my storage shed, instead of riding along. The truck misses her. I can hear it whistling for her to come home.

With the MBRP pipe, I lost the annoying 58mph drone, and also got quicker turbo spool up. I'm very happy with my kitty being stolen....!):h

How does it sound now? I have that drone too and really hate it. Have that frontpipe ordered already and hope it really helps to eliminate the drone.

Thanks! :ro)

Are you guys saying I can remove the cat only instead of doing a full exhaust system?

I use the truck as a daily driver and currently don't tow anything. I hope to get a 5th wheel at this winter's RV show.

All I have for mods is a Diablo Predator and a TruFlow air filter. I just like diesel trucks and want a cool "sleeper". As far as the exhaust I really don't care about getting any more sound out of it, I just want to make sure the EGTs are lowered to keep my programmer on the 85hp setting (unless towing anything).

It's no louder than stock. The only difference in sound is a lil more turbo whistle, and at idle it sounds REALLY cool....... has a hairdryer sound. You'll hafta hear it to understand. Getting rid of the drone was an unexpected and happy moment.!

Madmax, isn't Marion next to Hiawatha? I applied for their PD last year. I really liked that area.

So would you recommend removing the cat THEN later going to replace the exhaust system? I have found an aluminum (which is fine for my 36 mo lease) MBRP cat back system for only $325 shipped! I'm just trying to understand if I should remove the cat or not.

The cat can be removed by replacing it with a front-pipe. This pipe is a direct bolt on which requires no cutting and will take about 15-30 min. to install.

Some 04.5+ trucks will set the Service engine soon light when the cat is removed. If this is the case, you will need a finger stick to get rid of it. However, some trucks do not throw the SES light when the cat is removed. The codes will still be there, but no ill effects. There is benefits to removing the cat ie. lower egt's and quicker spool-up. I tell customers to go with the cat-back system first and if thats not enough they can order the front-pipe later.

I just got my 5" duals (no cat or muffler) and I love it. There is no drone and you can hear the whistle at low rpms... I LOVE IT!

I just bought my 03 2500HD last week. the cat has been stolen and Had a 1/2" smaller pipe welded in it's place also the muffler has been removed and a straight pipe added. It has a real nice BANKS POWER sticker on each side and I was dumb enough to think I Had a nice Banks exhaust when all I have is a hacked up stock system. Any suggestions?
PS I am not trying to hijack Anyone's thread