Missing catalytic converters on a Ford Ranger

[dhermesc]

Anyone know the long term effects of running a 1999 Ford Ranger with a 3.0 without catalytic converters? I know the CEL will be on forever but what other issues might I encounter? Local shop says its $1500 to replace the cats ($1200 pickup). No state emissions checks to worry about. I know there also sensor replacements you can buy to trick the computer into thinking the cats are giving a "normal" feedback. Would the engine run lean and hot, or rich and "cool" without feedback from the cats?

 

[GChief]

I just put a free flow Maga Flow one on my 1995 Jeep GC. $95 then I found a welding shop that woukd install it, another $100.

 

[Davidj]

Had a 2000 Chevy that the cat got plugged up. Would die once it warmed up. Mechanic buddy put in straight pipes and said the gas mileage would be a bit lower. No ill effects though in the couple more years I drove it. Tin worms got the best of it.

 

[dhermesc]

I think the older the OBD2 system the less issues it causes.

 

[dhermesc]

I just put a free flow Maga Flow one on my 1995 Jeep GC. $95 then I found a welding shop that woukd install it, another $100.

1995 Jeep has the pre OBD2 computer system. Using generic cats is a little more difficult on OBD2 systems and the last thing I want to do is install the cheaper cats then find out I still have CEL and limp mode.

 

[Duner Wi]

I don't know long term effects but my guess your Ford will run in open loop as I think it does at first start up.
So fuel mileage will suffer a bit but long term effect should be minimal. Just a guess.

 

[GChief]

1995 Jeep has the pre OBD2 computer system. Using generic cats is a little more difficult on OBD2 systems and the last thing I want to do is install the cheaper cats then find out I still have CEL and limp mode.

It will still pop codes. That is why I went to the "performance" Maga Flow one, its been proven with the 5.2l.

 

[Bob NY]

Don't know where you are located, but I have a Y pipe and converter from a Ranger 3.0 that I parted out.

 

[dhermesc]

In Kansas

 

[olddavid]

Since you said converters, I'm guessing there is a cat in each bank of exhausts and maybe another one downstream. When I changed my '85 5th Avenue (318) to carburetor and point ignition there were no problems with the cats. I just left them on. If you get a miss, though it will melt the cat's internals if you run it long. Found that out on a Cavalier.

 

[NDIHC]

The only thing the vehicle will do is set codes for catalyst efficiency. The downstream o2 sensors basically monitor whether the catalytic converters are operating as they should. It should have very little if any effect on fuel efficiency or how the engine runs. My wife's car had a bad cat when we bought it. The engine was burning oil and plugged the cat. I knocked the innards out of it and when an engine warranty extension was issued I replaced the engine under warranty for cylinder wall scoring at about 108,000 miles. it's been running that way for about 120,000 miles. She's pushing 230,000 miles on the car. The only things that give it away is a slightly louder exhaust, the check engine light is on and the smell of exhaust without a cat.

 

[Texasmark]

Since you said converters, I'm guessing there is a cat in each bank of exhausts and maybe another one downstream. When I changed my '85 5th Avenue (318) to carburetor and point ignition there were no problems with the cats. I just left them on. If you get a miss, though it will melt the cat's internals if you run it long. Found that out on a Cavalier.

As I recall my 2011 Silverado 1500 with the 4.8 or 4.9....simple V8 (No AFM or AVM) forget which, but on the way to the single exhaust there is a nice little tidy cat. in each leg preceding the Y.

 

[504]

About four years ago the price of used cats went through the roof and with a battery powered sazall they were stealing the every night if you parked where they could get under your car. They changed the laws so the scrap yards have to keep pictures and records of where they bought the cats . All of that just to say there are dozens of cars and trucks around here running without cats. They are not nearly as quiet as with cats but they are still running.

 

[buickanddeere]

The ECM sets the air fuel ration on the numbers from the front sensor not the rear sensor

 

[olddavid]

The first cars with catalytic converters didn't even have O2 sensors. My 77 Volare' was carbureted (not feedback) and had one catalytic converter and didn't seem to mind not having a computer-controlled fuel mixture.

 

[Blackhole49]

Knocked the guts out of my 05 3.0 in 16 when they plugged and reinstalled at 100,000 miles. It now has 165,000 and runs as good as ever. I guess that qualifies as long term. My check engine light has been on for 10 years though.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Look into how to bypass a o2 sensor are how to trick a po420 code.

 

[Texasmark]

On the subject of CCs, the GM idea was an absolute.......and I mean absolute JOKE!!!!!!!!! Had a '71 full sized station wagon with the big block V8 "detuned" thanks to the EPA, total piece of crap. Took me many years, but I finally got rid of that JOKE!

 

[NDIHC]

On the subject of CCs, the GM idea was an absolute.......and I mean absolute JOKE!!!!!!!!! Had a '71 full sized station wagon with the big block V8 "detuned" thanks to the EPA, total piece of crap. Took me many years, but I finally got rid of that JOKE!

California car? I've never seen a 71 with a cat. I know they put them on California cars back to around 67. My 72 Impala didn't have one but my uncle's 74 did.
Edit: my 72 Impala with the 350 was one of the best cars we ever owned. My parents bought it in 73. I started driving it as a work car in 1988. It was still driving just fine when I pulled the engine and transmission from it in 1993 to put in my 56 Chevy. It had something over 150k on it and had never been opened up.

 

[Sprint 6]

The ECM sets the air fuel ration on the numbers from the front sensor not the rear sensor

On old vehicles like the one in question, you are correct. But stuff from the last 15 years or so will use the rear sensors to fine tune the mixture to optimize catalytic converter operation.