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Cheap Fix, got rid of the classic car fuel smell with some catalytic convertors

ren71

Sr. Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Messages
536
Longish review if interested:

I got them over a month ago for about about a $100 shipped for a pair of cats. They each have an O2 port for EFI, but they come with plugs if you don't need them. You can't see them in the pic because they're on top. I bought the 2.5" in/out.

Easy install, only needs about 8-9" or less cut out of your current exhaust and at least 4" diameter of clearance. I used a chain tube-cutter and total install was less than an hour for both sides. I didn't even have to remove my exhaust system.

I used Megaclamps for a leak free install, same style I've seen used in big rig diesels, but you can always weld them if you want. I like how i can just unbolt the entire system when needed.

Pros: I can't smell anything when idling or at cruise anymore but I still smell something at WOT but it's a processed cleaner smell vs. raw fuel. My exhaust exits the sides but I still got fumes in the past, now it smells more like a modern car. I wonder what it would smell like with 4 cats total!
No discernible extra heat from the floorboard.

Drawbacks: Reduced the sound of my Flowmaster 44s quite a bit. But I thought they were a bit too loud anyways. But I kinda miss the raspy burble when downshifting. And horsepower feels a little bit less but hard to tell how much with just a butt dyno. Torque may still be the same or slightly more but again hard to tell.
I don't know how long they'll last with a carb set up, but I can simply unbolt them or get a new pair when needed or reinstall a straight pipe if i want LOUD again. Probably would take less than 15 minutes now that the pipes are already cut.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-5-Thunderbolt-Catalytic-Converter-High-Flow-T409-Stainless-Steel-Rear-O2-Nut-/161006272046?vxp=mtr&hash=item257cb8be2e

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smokinjoe

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
1,139
Loc.
New Braunfels, TX
I don't know how long they'll last with a carb set up, but I can simply unbolt them or get a new pair when needed...

That's what I was wondering?!? Wonder how they'll last w/ carb v. efi fumes dumping into them. May jus go out and order a set period as my exhaust is too loud anyways ;D

Keep us informed on the long term man.
 

roundhouse

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 5, 2003
Messages
2,947
That's what I was wondering?!? Wonder how they'll last w/ carb v. efi fumes dumping into them. May jus go out and order a set period as my exhaust is too loud anyways ;D

Keep us informed on the long term man.

vehicles had cats for many years before EFI
 

TN1776

Bronco Guru
Joined
Oct 24, 2006
Messages
2,632
If your carb is tuned right, they'll last a long time. The main cause of failure is improper engine tuning.
 

TheGanzman

Jr. Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2012
Messages
329
Loc.
San Clemente
I plan on adding cats to my carb'd '69 as well. Your description of the smell is spot-on! What I like about this is that it keeps the Bronco "simple". A carb is SO much simpler than even the simplest TBI fuel injection, and to me, these old Broncos are all about "simplicity" - good work!
 
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