Re: Bad Catalytic Converter

["Steven Kim" <Steven_Kim@mail.roe.com>]

     If you don't want to spend money getting a new or aftermarket cat, try 
     disconnecting the exhaust system past the converter and drill out the 
     ceramic filaments with an extra long drill bit.  You need someone in 
     the car with the engine running and periodically rev the engine to 
     blow all the particles out.  Reconnect the exhaust system back 
     together with the shell of the cat in place and get your emmission 
     tested.  I did this with my VW and it passed emmissions for the last 5 
     years (all emmision categories tested were well below the allowable).  
     The exhaust noise was slightly louder but I noticed an increase in 
     power due less restrictive exhaust path.
     
       I later found out that many cars will pass emmissions without 
     catalytic converters, but the EPA requires all cars to have the cat 
     installed in cars anyway.