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Catalytic Converter

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Offline camojoe92

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Catalytic Converter
« on: September 29, 2012, 12:35:26 PM »
Went out last night and hit a big hole which caused my exhaust to come disconnected from the catalytic converter all the way back. The brackets holding the catalytic converter to the header broke so now it's just hanging there. I've been trying to think of ways to reconnect it and I've also considered just cutting the catalytic converter off completely and just throwing a pipe in there even though that probably wouldn't be the best idea. Does anybody have some thoughts on what I could do to fix this??
1999 Chevy Tracker, 2.0, manual. 2 Door soft top

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Offline Perryd

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2012, 02:22:52 PM »
if it's your first cat you'll have to keep it there(sensors are in it), if it's the second one is damaged or disconnected you can get rid of it ( i did it). This is for a tracker though, you should put you car info in your sig, it helps ;)!
1998 Tracker 2 door soft top, 3spd auto, 4x4, 215/57R15 BFG A/T, bone stock.

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Offline nprecon

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2012, 10:51:42 PM »
Must have been one hell of a hole!  Consider taking your trucklet to an exhaust shop and have them weld a new connector flange onto your cat.  If the flange broke off your exhaust manifold too... same deal.  The 2 liter engine exhaust manifold is built like a shorty header out of tubing versus cast metal and should be repairable.  Shouldn't be too expensive of a repair = <$100, I'd speculate... unless you go to a Midas type chain shop.  They don't call them 'Midas' for no reason.  Most of these type shops will also probably try to convince you that your trucklet is in need of new rotors, pads, rear wheel cylinders and a battery.  It's amazing, really, how 'well' they look out for their customers.

Seriously, if it broke off... I'd have the shop also carefully inspect the exhaust manifold for rust.  The exhaust flanges shouldn't just 'fall off' because you hit a bump.  Your front cross member should have absorbed the hit if the hole was that deep before your exhaust would make contact and break your flanges off.

Perryd is right.  Both of your O2 sensors are located fore and aft of your first cat converter (on a 2 liter anyway).  You don't want to lose the first cat, if you can help it.  Your computer will be throwing 'check engine lights' continuously.  Although I have heard of these trucks running around with hollowed out cat converters.
« Last Edit: September 29, 2012, 11:02:35 PM by nprecon »
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline camojoe92

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2012, 08:50:35 PM »
It is a 99 tracker. I'm not sure if it is the first or the second cat converter... I don't know much about cars hence the reason I am this forum hoping for a little help with things like this  ;D
1999 Chevy Tracker, 2.0, manual. 2 Door soft top

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Offline zuki709

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2012, 11:35:58 AM »
the first cat is attached to the manifold. the it turns 90 deg. on the bottom of the first cat and goes under the body of the tracker. the second cat should be after the 90 deg. turn some where.
91 Samurai in many pieces
01 Tracker MUD CHILD's 2" suspension lift & 2" body lift. air lift air bag 1000 in front. 31x10.50X15 on stock samurai wheels.

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Offline nprecon

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2012, 11:40:25 AM »
The "first" cat is nearest your engine or "upstream" = the first cat.  The second cat is the next one down your exhaust or "down stream."  If the break your described is at your exhaust manifold it must be your first cat.  If the break is between the cats, then it is not your exhaust/cat junction but rather the joint of your two cats.  It is also possible to have the exhaust pile damaged and torn off the end of your second cat.

In any case, have a competent exhaust shop check it out for you and shoot you an estimate.  They can cut out damaged sections and replace with solid exhaust tubing or even flex joints and flanges as needed.  
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline camojoe92

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #6 on: October 03, 2012, 04:02:11 PM »
Awesome. Thanks for the info! I do believe it is the second cat. Since it is the second one, would it be a bad idea to just cut it out and straight pipe it?
1999 Chevy Tracker, 2.0, manual. 2 Door soft top

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Offline zuki709

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2012, 05:09:34 PM »
you'll be fine with out the second cat. i've been running mine without the second cat for a couple of years.
91 Samurai in many pieces
01 Tracker MUD CHILD's 2" suspension lift & 2" body lift. air lift air bag 1000 in front. 31x10.50X15 on stock samurai wheels.

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Offline nprecon

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2012, 05:20:56 PM »
Agreed.
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!

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Offline camojoe92

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Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2012, 06:40:44 PM »
Alright cool. Thanks guys! I've rigged it up for now. When I get some more time I think I'm just gonna cut it off
1999 Chevy Tracker, 2.0, manual. 2 Door soft top

Re: Catalytic Converter
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2012, 04:44:09 PM »
I just took an adapter that fit into the cat end and over the pipe and it's lasted a few years now. I'm sure if'n I welded the joint around the cat it'd quiet it down some, but it's not bad as is.
2001 4 door Tracker. 2.5 V6 4x4
235/75/15 Firestone Destination A/T's
Jeff's 2" spacer lift