Catallytic converter

[Diezel91]

Im planning on changing my exhaust system on my 85' ranger which has the 2.3l 4cylinder, MY dad said back in the day they use to get away with cutting the cat off was to changing the whole setup... Manifold, exhaust pipe and muffler... i was wondering if this is legal "he said it is but i just wanted to see" my cousin use to work for a muffler shop and said he and all of his friends cut theres off and said that theres still the law bout not having one but theres not any vehicle checks anymore so theres nothing to worrie about..???

[toddler62]

I am sure it would be illegal to cut it off. But your chances of getting caught would probably be pretty slim. You could go with what they call a cat back system which just bolts on behind the converter.

[UsedtobeSmart]

Are you planning on driving this Ranger on the street? If so you're federally mandated to have a catalytic converter on any vehicle newer than like 1972 or 1974. I'm not sure which one but I do know that a gasoline-powered '85 Ranger would be required to have one. So no, it would not be legal. I'd also say that it wouldn't be worth the risk of getting caught. Furthermore, in my experience the exhaust from a non-converted engine stinks to high heavens and I wouldn't want to breathe it on a regular basis. YMMV.

If you're looking for maximum flow to max out your power, get a high-flow cat and a high-flow exhaust system (though I don't think it'd do much for your '85 anyway). If you're looking for cheap/really fast, go for the cat-back system like Toddler62 recommended.

[Diezel91]

Yes im drivin my ranger on the street, and ya its worth it to fix her up she's been in my family its whole life... "my dad baught it in 85 off the dealership" right now she's runnin with stock headers and about two feet of pipe and the cat then it dumps off right behind the cab, im plannin on goin with a Dynomax header then pipin it to a glasspack and then runnin duals" for the sound"... Thank yall for your recomends...

[albertaranger]

I had a '96 2.3L and hacked the converter out. Yeah you get a smell, but screw the law. China gets to polute all they want. Should be your choice, and if there is isn't checks you'll be fine until you have to get a inspection for some other reason (selling it etc.).

I warn you though. Mine with 2.5" all the way back with a Super 40 or similar was really loud. The 2.3 has a very nice throaty sound though. I had to install a resonater to quite things up a bit.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[lectraplayer]

Some places I know, like Alabama, don't have emission laws, but we do have sound laws. If you want to yank the cat out around here, you can, but be sure you put a Cherry Bomb or something in its place to keep the angry neighbors off you.