Do you really have to have a cat?

[D-man]

and actually, the guy that's truck was tested right before me, had a completely stock truck and his got worse results than I did. He did pass, tho.

[mrnecsteve]

I cant vouch for the accuracy of the site. You might want to investigate for yourself.I believe that the law has been in place since 1979 but enforcement has been lax.

Alta Mini Performance - Replacement Catalyst w/ Header

What should customers know about buying converters for their cars?

First and most importantly, the original converter on a car or truck was designed to last the life of the vehicle if it is properly used and maintained, and is fully warranted by the vehicle manufacturer to last for at least 5 years or 50,000 miles (8 years or 80,000 miles on 1995 and newer cars and trucks ), whichever comes first. See the vehicle warranty booklet for more information.

It is illegal to remove a functional catalytic converter even to replace it with a new one.

It is illegal to tamper with emission control devices. The Anti-tampering Law applies to individuals as well as to businesses. Individuals may be fined as much as $2,500 for each vehicle tampered with, and businesses are subject to fines of up to $25,000.

[Rob]

if your truck didnt come with on e from the factory then you wont need to worry about it. if it did, then keep it for reinstallation during the emisions testing stuff.

[BrianRich]

Here in AZ they can tell by the Vin# if the truck came factory equiped with a cat and if it is not there they will fail you. So pound it out and cut the ends so your 4" pipe fits through it and weld it in place. Now when they do the visual inspection it will be there and you dont have to take it on and off every year for inspection. When I took my truck in for the last emission test the P.P.M. test alowed 40 and my truck tested with 0 so I am not worried about eleminating the cat.

[ksttac]

my 01 in Texas does not have a cat

[Blue01F250]

My 01 in Oklahoma did not have one from the factry and still does not have one with my 4" exhaust

[strokin_early_99]

Both my early99 and my father-in-laws '03(7.3) had cats. Both are also canadian trucks.

[BeauCefus]

I just recently bought a 1996 7.3L Powerstroke Diesel / ext.cab.
The previous owner cut the catalytic converter off and didn't tell me about it until my friend crawled underneath and noticed something missing. My friend has a 97 model.
I live in Virginia where emissions control is strict. Maryland is another matter. According to some my truck isn't required to go through the emissions inspections because it is a 96
even if it did come with a catalytic converter. Should I put it back on and take my chances with inspection. My friend called an inspector and he said he didn't even think the 96 had a converter and it wouldn't be an issue. But it DID HAVE ONE ! Sounds
nutty. The vehicle was manufactured in Nov. of 1995 and sold new as a 1996 model.

[6martin]

Where you located in VA.? I'm near Lynchburg.I have a 95 I bought about 6 months ago,and I love it.I just did the DIY intake and it really makes the turbo whistle like everyone said.Lot a good info here,saved me some change.I am thinking about gutting my converter and bigger dp, where can I get one cheapest,maybe whole 4" system.

[BrianRich]

BeauCefus I wouldn't worry to much about your truck and having a cat, but you always can go to Ford and give them your vin # and they can tell you I your truck came stock with a cat. The worse thing that you will have to do if they say anything at the emissions place will say is that you failed for not having a cat and then you can get a cat and your good or they don't say anything and you don't have spend the money on a cat.