1.4L Cruze Eco Catalytic Converter question

21130 Views 32 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Ravenkeeper, May 11, 2020

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · Apr 25, 2017

Are the guts of the stock cat made from ceramic or metal core type material? Thinking about gutting mine versus a catless downpipe, and wonder how much of a pain it is on these. I have dealt with metal substrate cats before, and the aren't any fun to remove the core from. Ceramic styles are not as bad, in my experience.

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · #2 · Apr 25, 2017

I am referring to the first cat, just off the turbo.

AutumnCruzeRS

· #3 · Apr 25, 2017

Just go with the downpipe. Easy install and im sure it provides smoother flow.

Reactions: 2

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 26, 2017

Well, I took the cat off to answer my own question. It is ceramic and it is easy to gut.

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 26, 2017

But of course the v-band clamp is broken, so that needs to be replaced, so off to the stealership tomorrow. The connecting metal is about twice the thickness of aluminum foil. Garbage!

mikestony

· #6 · Apr 26, 2017

I'm curious about this and honestly want to know why either gut it or eliminate the cat?
Does this not mess with emissions and throw codes etc? Or is this something that is done when you modify other engine things?

Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere, and I'm a bit noobish about the whole "eliminate the cat" bit

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 26, 2017

Oh and for future reference, the v-band clamp GM part number is 55565351. Cost around $20-$25 and is also available on Fleabay if you dont need it in a rush. It will probably cost me $30+ at GM tomorrow.

Reactions: 1

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 26, 2017

mikestony said:
I'm curious about this and honestly want to know why either gut it or eliminate the cat?
Does this not mess with emissions and throw codes etc? Or is this something that is done when you modify other engine things?

Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere, and I'm a bit noobish about the whole "eliminate the cat" bit

I am only speaking, quickly, about my situation... I have had a P0420 emissions code since I bought the car. So, it needs one of two things, 1. Replace cat with new cat due to the potential inefficiency of my stock 140,000 miles on the clock cat, or 2. Install catless downpipe for $235 and also need a special time with emissions code deactivated OR gut cat and roll with the code I've had all along. I do plan on a tune someday. Just not right now. Gutting the cat is free (minus the cost of a new v-band clamp)

Reactions: 1

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 26, 2017

Wear a dust mask as there is a fiberglass liner around the ceramic core. My throat and arms are itchy. LOL. But I did wear gloves...

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 26, 2017

And yes, I replaced both O2 sensors when I first got the car. Did not make the P0420 go away. It was like herpes, kept coming back. Not that i would know about herpes. Just saying.

Reactions: 3

EricSmit

· #11 · Apr 26, 2017

Herp life.

Reactions: 2

SPARTANZ06

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 26, 2017

So, the cracked v-band may have been the reason for the code, maybe... Well now it certainly has a reason for a code. LOL

14'ecocruze

· #13 · Jun 5, 2017

Just curious if you have odb2 to clear code and how it runs after the cat gut when code is cleared? Isn't there also a part to trick the O2 into reading properly like a block to slow the exhaust flow. Read something about it. I really haven't looked into exhausts all I know is my 3.1 crapsica and my 4.0 Cherokee ran better and more efficient without cats.

1988gmc355

· #14 · Jun 5, 2017

Good to know the material and it is easy to gut, I still need to find out how the local shop would do my safety inspection on this car. I am not sure if they would ding be for a cat less downpipe or if a gutted cat and a good tune would go unnoticed.

J3daugherty

· #15 · Oct 13, 2017

SPARTANZ06 said:
Well, I took the cat off to answer my own question. It is ceramic and it is easy to gut.[/QUOTE

So did you notice any difference in the car by gutting the cat?

Blasirl

· #16 · Oct 13, 2017

mikestony said:
I'm curious about this and honestly want to know why either gut it or eliminate the cat?
Does this not mess with emissions and throw codes etc? Or is this something that is done when you modify other engine things?

Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere, and I'm a bit noobish about the whole "eliminate the cat" bit

It will screw with the emissions and then throw codes (at least when one of the two are gutted - forgot which has the sensor.) You can shut off the codes with a tune though.

1988gmc355 said:
Good to know the material and it is easy to gut, I still need to find out how the local shop would do my safety inspection on this car. I am not sure if they would ding be for a cat less downpipe or if a gutted cat and a good tune would go unnoticed.

You would need to have a tune to shut off the codes. This will only work though for those emissions testing facilities that do not connect to the exhaust pipe anymore though.

J3daugherty said:
SPARTANZ06 said:

Well, I took the cat off to answer my own question. It is ceramic and it is easy to gut.[/QUOTE

So did you notice any difference in the car by gutting the cat?

Click to expand...

Welcome Aboard!:welcome:

Don't forget to introduce yourself and your Cruze here.

Reactions: 1

Ritter1546

· #17 · Apr 8, 2020

Can you gut the cat and just run the car that way? I know the engine light will be on, but will the Cruze run ok? Will it effect the turbo?

Blasirl

· #18 · Apr 8, 2020

Ritter1546 said:
Can you gut the cat and just run the car that way? I know the engine light will be on, but will the Cruze run ok? Will it effect the turbo?

Welcome Aboard!

Why do you want to gut the cat first.

Don't forget to introduce yourself and your Cruze here.

Ritter1546

· #19 · Apr 9, 2020

Blasirl said:
Welcome Aboard!

Why do you want to gut the cat first.

Don't forget to introduce yourself and your Cruze here.

Pretty sure it's plugged

Blasirl

· #20 · Apr 9, 2020

Ritter1546 said:
Pretty sure it's plugged

Codes?

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