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Does a clogged cat really hurt fuel economy??

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Old 08-16-2006 | 07:08 PM
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wcbcruzer's Avatar
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How bad does a clogged cat hurt fuel economy??

I don't know what it is... Since my last fill-up, I've only gotten 208 miles (50% highway) and the fuel needle is a little below the 1/4 mark!! I'm only getting like 12 mpg! What gives?? I've been driving it really good. So I'm going to do all the basic stuff: timing, fuel filter, etc. Also, I've really been wanting to get a 4" straight pipe exhaust soon. Not only for the sound , but also because I think it will help with the mpg. If my stock cat were clogged, would it really hurt my fuel economy this much?
Old 08-16-2006 | 07:44 PM
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Clogged cat will cause poor mpgs, lower power and high egts.
Most are clogged by 80k and become restrictive.
Get rid of it.
Old 08-16-2006 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by infidel
Clogged cat will cause poor mpgs, lower power and high egts.
Most are clogged by 80k and become restrictive.
Get rid of it.
That's what I like to hear!
Old 08-16-2006 | 09:30 PM
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Loose the cat, but my guess is it is something else.
Old 08-16-2006 | 10:53 PM
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First mod I did to my truck was to pull the junk factory exhaust and put 4" from the turbo to exit. If noting else cut it out and replace with a piece of pipe.
Old 08-17-2006 | 07:51 AM
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Remember, removing or tampering with Federally required smog emissions is both a State and Federal violation and can end up costing you in penalties and fee's.
DTR cannot support such activity and recommend that you simply replace the cat with a new.

Rich.
Old 08-17-2006 | 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by DieselDaze
Remember, removing or tampering with Federally required smog emissions is both a State and Federal violation and can end up costing you in penalties and fee's.
DTR cannot support such activity and recommend that you simply replace the cat with a new.

Rich.
Oh! I thought we were talking about kitty cats! My bad.
Old 08-18-2006 | 08:59 AM
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I had a cat that clogged on a ranger once. It caused the engine to slow down and finally over heat. I didn't know what was wrong so had it towed. I shop said that the cat had collapsed and they fixed it. I never thought that it would effect the engine that much, but they do.
Old 08-18-2006 | 09:02 AM
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Ya. Shot the cat and run a straight pipe. PETA and DOT won't approve of either, but who really cares!

(my name is Jory and I approve this message)
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