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Removing Cat Converter/Chip question on My Z


CNBZ34

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Again...thanks to all who replied to my introduction post.

 

First.....I went to muffler shop this morning and had a glass pack added after cat before Y pipe, Raspiness is 90% gone however, the good sound I had is much quieter now. :frown: So my question to you folks is this: have any Z34 owners tried removing there converter? I'm not in an emmisions tested area so no worries there. What I'm wondering is will the sound be obnoxious and will I run into the exhaust smell in the car I encountered when i did the same to my Trans Am GTA and also my Grand Cherokee? Always seems to happen on decelleration. And is there the possibility of the raspy sound returning?

 

Second....

I read and followed the links on the other post about the ECM chip.....only thing I'm concerned about is losing the drivability I have now as well as the 26 MPG I get. Remember, I commute 140 miles a day to and from work round trip. I have a 1997 2nd Gen 3.4 but retained the OBD1 system. There were changes but I know they weren't over the top as compared to the first gen 3.4

 

I will soon add a signature pic of my car.... Just cannot do it from work.

Thanks guys......and gals......

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You can remove the Cat, but you may get some of the raspiness back. With the 3.4's, you gotta give a little and take a little.

 

As for the chip, most users actually see there car run a bit better and have improved gas mileage. This is assuming you go with the http://www.60degreev6.com chip, and not some cheap Jet or Hypertech chip that does absolutely nothing except hurt performance and mpg.

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yes, I definately was refering to the chip on 60 degree v6.com. As far as a resonator in place of the cat...i had one installed right after the cat this morning...like I said, almost all raspyness went away, but now, sounds just like it did before I put on the magnaflows, less the raspiness. i have to be careful how much $$ I dump into this car as I am also restoring a 1970 Ranchero so i really can't get over the top on my Z. maybe i'll give it a bit and get some miles on this addition to my exhaust and see if the sound returns somewhat as i only drove it about 60 miles since having it installed this morning. I still have an issue with my speedo to deal with, kikes to hang up and stick at about 47 mph and will release after I tap the dash. i want to try spraying some eletronic parts cleaner/lubricator in there and see if that helps. i have some I bought from Radio Shack for a scratchy dial on an old stereo receiver and it worked great. Worth a shot......

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You probably have a loose connection at the cluster. You can do a few things: Take out the cluster and make sure the pin connectors are still in tact, and not getting loose. If thats ok, the only other fix would be to take the cluster apart and resolder the connections.

 

Or... You could pick up another cluster and swap it in.

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I have begun the search for another cluster, but only finding them for the 3.1 euros. They look the same however I'm being told that they are different between teh 3.1 and 3.4. Anybody know if this is really the case?

 

As far as the chip, really wondering if the stretch is worth the gain givin what I use the car for.

 

And to answer a question posed to me in my other post....I'd love nothing more than to attend the meet in PA....close to my stompin grounds, but too far. If any west coasters get together on this side of the world....I'll be there.

 

One last question...seem to be full of them today....toying with suspension upgrades....looks like all my control arm bushings are stock original and shot. Cas is still tight and drives well for 172+K, but think it could be much better. Thought of replacing all the worn bushings and adding strut tower braces....but aint finding any of those. Looks as though some of your cars are sitting a little low....any suggestions there? Again, 140 miles round trip each day, so I don't want to create a something that rides like a truck...

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Yep, clusters are different. I'd post up a Wanted ad in the For Sale/Wanted section, you might find some luck there.

 

The chip is your call really. It does definately open the car up a bit, removes the speed limiter, raises the rev limiter just a bit, and the gas mileage does increase a bit(not a whole lot though).

 

Suspension upgrages. For the front, you have a few choices on springs. I forget all who right now. For the rear, well, thats where it will get expensive. I don't know if you have looked under the rear of your car yet, but you have some shocks, then you have that big monoleaf. Well, there are a few companies that make lowering springs for our vehicles. They range in the $250-$300 range. Then, FFP and one other company also makes coilovers for the rear of our vehicles. They are a bit more though.

 

STB's, the cutlass convertible came with them stock, so if you can find one from a 3.4 vert, your in luck. Otherwise, send a PM to Aweb80 for the front and rear STB's. Also, you can purchase a GM strut bar from teh dealer for about $20, but you will have to drill 4 holes into your strut tower plates for the front. And, as far as the rear STB, Aweb's is the only one I know that fits. The Lumina's trunk hinges are oddly shaped. Addco makes larger sway bars that the stockers that are already on your vehicle. Also, you can pick up some energy suspension poly bushings from your local auto parts store that will fit over yoru stock sway bars(I forget the PN off hand, but hopefully someone will chime in). As far as the control arm bushings, I do not believe there are any poly available, so your stuck with stock.

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Thinking I'm going to skip removing the converter for now, I'm afraid I'll open a can of worms there and it'll do nothing but piss me off and cost money. Still floundering over the chip though. I really want some STB's. Going to put a post in the classifieds.

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Don't bother as I don't have anything tuned for a 97 DOHC using OBD1 computer.

 

Oh really? I thought Tony said you were able to tune the newer engines on OBD1. Maybe I mistook him for the newer style intakes on the older engines?

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If I have the car, I can tune it. Tony's car had headers and an LS1 TB and he never even brought the car back to me to tune it. I never tuned his car.

 

Ah... you would have to have the car to tune it. Does make sense atleast.

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