My cats are broken and clogged and needs replacing, I took it to my mechanic and they bought some new universal types, however when they got them they noticed there where some pipes going from the cats to the engine.

They phoned some guy specializing in american cars who said they where neccesary and that they woul dhave to buy new cats, these cats are way more expensive, 320€ something(bloody hell) compared the universals which where 180€.
Are these bloody pipe things required, what function do they serve?

I have a 1991 Trans Am GTA by the way.

 

If you have emissions, especially a visual, then yes definitely required. If you don't then don't worry about it, you shouldn't have a problem. They are there to give the cats more air to help the environment more.

Its part of the A.I.R. system. Consists of the tubes on the manifolds, the tubing to the cats, a diverter valve that they all hook up to, and the AIR/smog pump running on a drivebelt.

 

Mother nature owes me €320 and if she doesn't pay I'll send someone over to bust her kneecaps...

I have no idea what the law says about this in finland but I suspect the work involved in getting rid of the A.I.R system entierly would be more expensive... I mean if you got rid of all the A.I.R related parts what would a visual do if it looks like there's nothing missing anyway?

 

AIR related parts are right out up in front so everyone can see. They are the big ugly spider-tubing on the manifolds, and there is a pump below your AC compressor (if a serpentine setup) and a diverter valve above your pass. valvecover

With all of that said, it is very easy to remove and I'll be doing it as soon as I pass emissions with the new cat that should've been here today and wasn't

 

Well my mechanic told me the parts won't be here for another month atleast, said they where out of them in both Europe and the US and that they'll have to manfucature more of them.

So he gutted the cats for me and left the air tube as it was(hope that isn't bad for the car or anything) and thats how I'll drive until I get them, though I'm gonna have him take an emissions test and see if I can pass, maybe I won't need them after all.