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Stolen Catalytic Converter

BigDaddy1951
Explorer
Explorer
Winnebago Voyage 35L Workhorse W22.
Well it happened. Thieves cut off one of the two catalytic converters on our RV. Don’t know why they only took one. Reported and have insurance etc. Normally I would contact insurance and get it repaired. BUT… an OEM Cat will be 1-3 months wait. Here are my concerns.
1. If I go the OEM route, can I install a temporary straight exhaust pipe so I can use the rig and
run the motor without rousing the neighborhood? My concern is, will this cause the computer to code, give a light, and or reduce power. Even if that is not an issue, could having a Cat on one side and not the other damage the engine?
2. I can get an aftermarket Cat sooner. Not worried at this point about warranty on a 2007. I know these are not the quality of OEM, but are they Ok? Again, don’t want to throw codes or damage the engine.
Thanks in advance for the knowledge shared!
25 REPLIES 25

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
ferndaleflyer wrote:
Doug you are the best but should have left this one alone. Many places have no tailpipe or emission inspection and cutting off the converter and replacing it with a straight pipe is a common practice. Most of my stuff is tagged in MD and the part I lived in there has no such inspection. Here in NC , the county I live in has no tailpipe, emission’s inspection. As far as performance, my 85 Chev 454 pickup hasn’t had one in years and performs fine. On my race car we do everything to eliminate exhaust back pressure for better performance. I feel for those who have been robbed then are forced to buy a new one.


There is a BIG difference between OLD Converter vehicles and current. The OLD Converter vehicles had no computer controls that would be messed up with removing Emission equipment. To bring up a race Car system is (sorry for this) is plain dumb. REAL apples and Oranges:B Doug

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
While some states have no emission laws for annual inspection, the Converter A STILL NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE. Florida has no such law. But, the Vehicle has a 80,000 mile 6 or 7 year Emission warranty from Ford. NOT having the Converter in place will void that warranty. Not having a Converter may cause other covered components to fail. When we have had Ford Converters stolen on the lot we replace with Ford Converters to make SURE that there will be no problems with the Ford warranty on the Emission components. What I posted was copied and pasted from a Automotive forum that states what the parameters are for not having a required Converter. If out of Emission warranty, then remove if you want to. Also, NOT having a required Emission system in place is NOT being a good citizen. Doug

ferndaleflyer
Explorer III
Explorer III
Doug you are the best but should have left this one alone. Many places have no tailpipe or emission inspection and cutting off the converter and replacing it with a straight pipe is a common practice. Most of my stuff is tagged in MD and the part I lived in there has no such inspection. Here in NC , the county I live in has no tailpipe, emission’s inspection. As far as performance, my 85 Chev 454 pickup hasn’t had one in years and performs fine. On my race car we do everything to eliminate exhaust back pressure for better performance. I feel for those who have been robbed then are forced to buy a new one.

D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Explorer
What I have been told by Different government agencies and several exhaust shops is, OEM and aftermarket CATs have the same federally mandated warranty and each vehicle has a coded number for the appropriate and AQMD approved CAT. There should be no difference between an OEM CAT and a aftermarket CAT in performance or longevity.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson

David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II

D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Explorer
What I have been told by Different government agencies and several exhaust shops is, OEM and aftermarket CATs have the same federally mandated warranty and each vehicle has a coded number for the appropriate and AQMD approved CAT. There should be no difference between an OEM CAT and a aftermarket CAT in performance or longevity.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson

David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II

Fulltimers
Explorer
Explorer
On my 2002 chassis there are no 02 sensors after the converter so the engine won't have a clue something is different. If anything it might pickup some top end power from less restriction, better flowing exhaust. If you replace the converters with straight pipes the mufflers are still in place so noise is not a factor.
Fulltimers
Fulltimers Weblog

2003 Rexhall Aerbus 3550BSL
W-22 Workhorse
2005 Saturn Vue (Mr. Toad)
3.5L V6 Automatic

dougrainer
Nomad
Nomad
What Happens When You Drive Without A Catalytic Converter?
When facing the recovery costs of a stolen “cat,” many customers wonder, “Can I drive without my catalytic converter?”

The answer is both yes and no. Technically, a car can function without a catalytic converter. However, this is not a sustainable long-term option. Here are some of the troubles you will face when driving without a catalytic converter.

Loud Vehicle Noises and Missing Catalytic Converter
The first sign of a stolen catalytic converter is incredibly loud vehicle noises. You will find that when driving without your catalytic converter, it will sound like your vehicle is roaring—especially when starting or giving it gas.

Rough Driving and Acceleration
As your exhaust goes unregulated, your vehicle will drive more roughly. Your engine usually forces your exhaust through your catalytic converter. Without this component in place, this forceful exhaust push will lead to jarring, uneven acceleration.

Annual Vehicle Inspection Failure
Without your catalytic converter, you will fail both your NC safety inspection and your NC emissions inspection. While the emissions inspection failure may seem obvious, you might be wondering why a missing catalytic converter would cause you to fail your safety inspection.

Your annual safety inspection includes an exhaust system check, which checks specifically for removed and tampered components. This includes your catalytic converter, as well as your muffler, exhaust pipe, PCP valve, and EGR valve, among others.

As such, you will be unable to renew your vehicle registration without a catalytic converter. You can find more information on exhaust system checks here on our list of everything checked during your annual safety inspection.

bgum
Explorer
Explorer
Just add a temp straight section until you can get what you want. The noise factor should not be too loud.

rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Explorer III
W22 chassis are fairly common. A call to a few salvage yards might get you a used OEM replacement in a few days.

BigDaddy1951
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks, I will. Probably wait until
Monday. And no they stole the one on the passenger side. Nearer the light I guess. LOL.

s_N_s
Explorer
Explorer
Let me guess, they took the one on the drivers side???? Ours was stolen to a couple years ago. Have you given Ultra RV a call. That's where I purchased mine along with quite a few other items over the years. The phone number is 800-417-4559 and they're open 6-4 pacific time. Have your Vin# available when you call. Hope this helps you out.
Steve & Sally
Hudson (Our Little Pom)
HiTee, Houston & Heidi (Forever In Our Hearts and Never Forgotten)
04 NEWMAR MACA 3778 W22
05 pt Cruiser Vert 5 speed
Demco baseplate with Commander Tow Bar

"Never try to outsmart your common sense"