DIY cat gut
 

I have been debating down pipes for awhile now my want list is long and expensive. My G35 turned into a never ending money pit and I promised myself ypthe ///M would be kept simple. I decided to do DIY cat gut, I will follow this up with a custom tune from ECUProgram in Calgary. We will see how things go if I decide to do dynos, before, after the gutted cats and after a tune. Anyway I am not sure if anyone else has attempted this on an X5M so I thought I would document it.


My tools

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...psf1271f18.jpg

About to start

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps12c6c67d.jpg

The hole saw was my tool of choice

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...psea74f408.jpg

With the hole saw you can Tear up the cat material pretty quick.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps766ab6db.jpg

The material turns to dust

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps8f513961.jpg

On the edges there is some insulation that peels off pretty quick with the hole saw.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps0e377d75.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps4fb33251.jpg

The issue with the hole saw is it's too short

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps999a1d20.jpg

After some pounding with a long flat head screw driver I broke through the first layer of the cat. Then there is about 1/2" of dead space and then another layer of the cat.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...psb1fe5baa.jpg

I pounded a hole through this layer

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps7536a688.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps2fea5c79.jpg

Just about done

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...pse6c651e7.jpg

Done...

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps1b8825de.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps21f8bdea.jpg

I am curious to dyno before and after to see what kind of gains if any this will give. It will certainly reduce a serious restriction.

Here is what came out.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps8bf8bcfb.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...pse0d5aa2d.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps797ff99a.jpg

i did this once on my 1997 4runner. i thought the filter inside the cat was debris clogged up..... so basically i gutted my cat on accident :rofl:

How's the sound and power?

I still don't have them on yet. Hopefully something soon.

pretty neat. keep us in the loop!

any updates?

How are you planning to cancel the CEL the post-cat O2 sensors will throw?

Awesome!

Thanks for sharing.... i'd like to know the difference in in-cabin-odor between a Gutted OEM Cat vs Aftermarket cat-less vs aftermarket/Custom Race cat down pipes

im looking for the one with the LEAST amount of in-cabin odor