What is Cat Delete and Does it Add Horsepower?

If you’re looking to increase the performance of your car, one modification you might consider is a catalytic converter delete.

A catalytic converter’s purpose is to reduce emissions, but it can also restrict exhaust flow and hurt performance. Removing it can free up some power, but it also means your car will produce more emissions. So before you make this modification, be sure to check your local laws to see if it’s legal in your area.

If you do decide to remove your catalytic converter, there are a few things you’ll need to do. In this guide, I shall be highlighting the most important information you need when it comes to catalytic converter delete.

What Is A Cat Delete?

A catalytic converter delete is a performance modification that removes the catalytic converter from the vehicle’s exhaust system.

A catalytic converter delete may also be referred to as a cat-delete or catless downpipe. This type of modification is different from a test pipe, which replaces the catalytic converter with a straight pipe but does not remove it entirely.

Cat delete can be done for a number of reasons, including to increase engine power and improve exhaust flow. While a catalytic converter delete is not legal in all areas, it is a popular modification for race cars and other vehicles that are not driven on public roads.

The main reason to remove the catalytic converter is to increase engine power. By removing the converter, the engine no longer has to work to convert the gases, and this can lead to a slight increase in power. The power gain is typically very small, however, and it may not be noticeable except on a dyno or at the track.

If you are considering a catalytic converter delete for your vehicle, check your local laws first. In many areas, it is not legal to operate a vehicle without a catalytic

How Much Does a Cat Delete Cost?

If you decide to do catalytic converter delete by yourself, you will spend around $50-$100 for the necessary tools and parts. If you take your car to a mechanic, the cost will be $200-$400.

The price of a catalytic converter delete can vary depending on a few factors, such as the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the type of converter you have and the state. Some converters are more difficult to remove than others, so the cost of labor may be higher.

How To Do A Cat Delete

Before you begin, there are a few things you should know. First, removing the catalytic converter will make your car louder and may produce more emissions. Additionally, it’s important to check your local laws to see if there are any regulations surrounding catalytic converter removal. With that said, let’s get started.

The first step is to locate the catalytic converter. It’s typically located near the front of the car, underneath the engine. Once you’ve found it, you’ll need to disconnect any wires or hoses that are attached to it.

Next, use a socket wrench to remove the bolts that hold the catalytic converter in place. With the converter removed, you can now install the delete pipe. This is simply a straight pipe that replaces the catalytic converter.

There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is to weld it in place. If you don’t have access to a welder, you can also use exhaust clamps to secure the delete pipe in place.

Once the delete pipe is installed, you can now reconnect any wires or hoses that were detached earlier. Finally, start the car and listen for any unusual sounds. If everything sounds normal, you’re all set.

Removing the catalytic converter is a great way to increase your car’s performance. It’s relatively simple to do and can be completed in a few hours. Just be sure to check your local laws before proceeding, as removing the converter may be illegal in some areas.

Cat Delete Pros and Cons

More Horsepower and Less Restriction

One of the main reasons people delete their catalytic converter is for more horsepower. A catless exhaust will flow more freely than a stock exhaust with a catalytic converter, resulting in increased power.

There are a couple of ways to increase horsepower with a catalytic converter delete.

Reducing backpressure can help improve performance, especially on turbocharged engines. Turbochargers rely on exhaust gases to spin the turbine. If there’s too much backpressure, it can hamper the turbo’s ability to spool up quickly and produce boost pressure.

If you have a naturally aspirated engine, deleting the catalytic converter can help increase airflow and improve performance.

Weight Savings

Deleting the catalytic converter can also save some weight. Catalytic converters are made of heavy metals, which means they add weight to your car.

By deleting the catalytic converter, you can reduce the weight of your car by up to 50 pounds. This might not seem like much, but every little bit helps when it comes to performance.

Even a slight weight reduction can make a difference in how your car handles and accelerates.

Makes Car Louder

Improved Sound- One of the most common motivations for deleting a catalytic converter is the improved sound that results.

Most people believe that their car will sound better without the catalyst in place. While this may be true for some cars, it’s not necessarily the case for all vehicles.

In fact, many times removing the catalytic converter can actually make a car’s exhaust noise louder and more obnoxious.

If you’re looking to improve your car’s sound, it’s best to consult with an expert to see if deleting the catalytic converter is right for you.

Improved Fuel Economy

A cat-less exhaust system will flow more freely, which means your engine won’t have to work as hard to push exhaust gases out. This results in a small increase in horsepower and torque, and can lead to better fuel economy.

Note that the gains you’ll see in fuel economy will be most noticeable if your car is tuned for a cat-less exhaust system.

If you simply remove the catalytic converter without making any other changes, you may not see any difference in fuel economy at all.

Lower Engine Temperatures

The backpressure that is produced by a catalytic converter can actually make your engine run hotter.

By removing the converter, you are allowing spent gases to exit the engine much more freely which lowers temperatures overall. In addition, less heat is being generated in the exhaust since the converter is no longer present to superheat the gases passing through it.

Access to more fuel options

Until the 1990s, gas stations in the United States had only leaded and unleaded gasoline for sale.

Leaded gasoline was the standard fuel for cars until the 1970s, when it was slowly phased out in favor of unleaded gasoline. However, leaded gasoline is still used in some race cars and muscle cars.

One of the benefits of deleting your catalytic converter is that you can now use leaded gasoline in your car. This can be a big advantage if you own a muscle car or race car, as leaded gasoline can provide more power than unleaded gasoline.

You may also have access to cheaper fuel options. In some areas, leaded gasoline is still sold at a lower price than unleaded gasoline. If you delete your catalytic converter, you may be able to save money on fuel costs.

Cat Delete Cons

Increased Emissions

The removal of a catalytic converter can result in increased emissions of harmful substances such as carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides.

These gases are known to be damaging to the environment and human health, so it’s important to consider the potential environmental impacts before deleting your catalytic converter.

Additionally, without a catalytic converter, your vehicle will likely fail emissions tests, which could lead to legal penalties.

Void Warranty

Another drawback of deleting catalytic converters is that it can void the warranty on your vehicle. Most manufacturers require that the converter be intact in order for the warranty to remain valid. If you delete the converter, you may void your warranty and have to pay for repairs out of pocket.

Fail MOT test

One of the biggest disadvantages of having a catalytic converter delete is that your car will no longer pass an MOT test. The MOT test is required in order to keep your car road legal in the UK. Without a valid MOT certificate, you will not be able to drive your car on public roads.

The test also checks various aspects of the car, including the brakes, tyres, suspension, lights and emissions. If any faults are found, they must be repaired before the car can be legally driven on the roads again.

MOT tests are conducted at authorised testing centres across the country. The cost of the test varies depending on the centre, but is typically around £54.

More fuel consumption

In some cases catalytic converter deletes can cause an increase in fuel consumption. This is because the engine will run slightly leaner without the catalytic converter in place. While this may not be a significant increase for most people, it is something to be aware of.

Noise Pollution

If you have a catalytic converter delete pipe installed on your car, it’s likely that your car will be noisier than it was before. This is because the catalytic converter helps to reduce exhaust noise. Without it, your car’s engine will be louder.

Additionally, you may notice that your car’s acceleration is reduced. This is because the catalytic converter also helps to improve engine efficiency. Overall, a catalytic converter delete will make your car noisier and less efficient. However, some people prefer the sound of their car with a catalytic converter delete. If you’re considering this mod, get ready to deal with the extra noise issue.

Is A Catalytic Converter Delete Illegal

Yes, a catalytic converter delete is illegal. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict regulations in place regarding the removal of catalytic converters. According to the EPA, catalytic converters must be intact and functioning in order to help reduce emissions from vehicles. Tampering with or removing a catalytic converter can result in significant fines from the EPA.

In addition, many states have their own laws and regulations regarding catalytic converters and their removal. As such, it is important to check with your local DMV or state environmental agency to see if a catalytic converter delete is legal in your area.

However, in other states, there are no specific laws prohibiting the removal of catalytic converters. So, it really depends on where you live as to whether or not this modification is legal.