95 camaro random q's (catlytic converter, plugs, egr etc.)

[95camaro5spd]

hi everyone. This is my first post here, and i have some questions about my vehicle.

The car is a 1995 chevy camaro 3.4l 5spd. Everything in the car is stock. The car has close to 200,000 on the engine, and its time for the still stock catalytic converter to go. I was talking to my local mechanic, and he suggested purchasing a "test pipe" from autozone and to replace my converter. since my states emission laws dictate 1996 and newer to be tested for emmisions, this sounded like a good idea to me. Are there any risks/problems with this idea? Id rather this than purchasing a hi-flow cat, since it seems much cheeper. Also, I was wondering how the converter is concected to the exhaust on a stock 95? Is it bolted on, welded, or does it need to be cut off. what impact on my cars overall performance would removing it provide?

Also, its about time to replace the spark plugs on it. I know this is no major decision, but i was thinking about going with bosch double plattnums. Since I put bosch platinums in my winter rat and they seem to work fine. Does anyone have any different suggestions on a spark plug or are these a good choice?

Aside from that, i had my car pluged into the computer at advanced auto parts to see if anything was wrong with my car and my EGR valve came back bad. All 3 cyclinders on the egr have failed, and a new egr is ~170 bucks. I know the EGR valve has to do with the reburning of excess fuel (i think ) what impact on my cars overall performance/fuel economy would a new egr valve have, and should i still get one peding i remove the converter?

Lastly, since i purchased the vehicly last fall with 188,000 miles on it, i have run nothing but 93 octane gas in it. I know my small engine does not necessitate it, and i am far from a fuel expert, but i have always been under the impression that higher octane gases are more filtered and burn cleaner. Is this true, or am i just wasting money? Am I seing any benefit by puting higher octane in my car, or am i negatively impacting it? one person i talked to said that since i have a smaller efi engine, the excess additivs in the higher octane gas are just building up in my exhaust and actualy hindering my performance.

Could someone please set me straight on any of these?

[Rally Sport]

I dont know about the gas thing but doesnt it say unleaded fuel only? about the spark plugs i'd go with whatever you want to go with, I was actually thinking about using those since they sound good but who knows, I used NGK last time I changed mine. I dont know much from the EGR but if it does what you say it would affect your cars preformance and you're basicly having a hole in your gas tank. I dont know the benefits of removing the cat would do because im still pretty new to this stuff as well, I say wait for other members, for their input as well. I do know that the piping to it should be welded on, for sure anyway.

[Viper_Storm]

Originally Posted by Rally Sport 92

I dont know about the gas thing but doesnt it say unleaded fuel only? about the spark plugs i'd go with whatever you want to go with, I was actually thinking about using those since they sound good but who knows, I used NGK last time I changed mine. I dont know much from the EGR but if it does what you say it would affect your cars preformance and you're basicly having a hole in your gas tank. I dont know the benefits of removing the cat would do because im still pretty new to this stuff as well, I say wait for other members, for their input as well. I do know that the piping to it should be welded on, for sure anyway.

lol rally, 93 octane is unleaded... lol.. when you pull up to the pump you have 3 choices... regular (88? or 89 octane) plus (93 octane) & super (98? octane) .... lol, 1 and 2 are ok, but 3 is a waist if you dont have shit like turbos and other high? proformance mods

[Rally Sport]

89 I thought was reg unleaded, 93 I thought was premium or whatever. I'll check next time im at the pump.

[Viper_Storm]

Originally Posted by Rally Sport 92

89 I thought was reg unleaded, 93 I thought was premium or whatever. I'll check next time im at the pump.

lol, what ever you get the idea... lol, the way you said it tho it was like you didnt know what he was talking about.... :S sorry

[89IROC&RS]

catalytic converter is for emissions, putting in a strait pipe will reduce backpressure for a few ponies, but call me a treehugger, i think the state of affairs with the environment dictates the use of a high flow converter, but its up to you.

For spark plugs i use AC Delco units, but Bosch is certainly a fine brand, so you could use those in the camaro just fine.

EGR is not for reburning fuel in the exhaust, this is a common mistake. What EGR does is to circulate inert gasses into the combustion chambers, this lowers combustion chamber temperatures, which lowers the chances of detonation, reduces emissions, and allows higher compression. Leaving it in a state of disrepair with cause your engine to run rough and get bad gas mileage.

running the 93 octane gas will not hurt your engine, but i dont think its nessesary, check your owners manual for what octain they suggest. octane rating is a measure of detonation resistance, a higher number equals a higher resistance to detonation, but the fuel tends to burn faster. so lower octane actually should in theory put more constant pressure on the piston and give you more average power. So most of the time, you would want to run the lowest octane you could and stay out of detonation.