I'm new to high performance cars, just bought my first camaro. An '83 z with 63k miles. I've had a flowmaster w/ 3" pipes put on but am considering having the cat removed. No emissions testing to worry about, but will it make the ses light stay on all the time? A guy I work with had that done to his 2003 mustang and it is always on.

 

no, it won't effect anything.

 

Most any car built after 1994 has to be OBD-II. Which means the computer has to monitor the emissions & correct. This is done by having two O2 sensors, one before the converter & one after. If you remove the converter it will push the O2 level down too low & the system will not be able to compensate for it, throwing on the SES light. Third gens don't have this system, so no problems with removing the cat, as long as no emissions inspection is required.

 

Thanks for the info. I didn't think it would cause the ses light to come on in a car that old, but it never hurts to be sure. Does it really add any hp or deeper sound?

 

I don't know if I gained any power,because I had rebuilt the engine and added some things when I removed my cats,but it is LOUD!!!!!!
If I drive normal it's not too bad ,but when I step into it,it gets alot of attention..

 

If you ses light comes on, just smash the bulb. That always worked for me. And funny enough, it never came back on.