2007 Sentra SE-R. Thinking of gutting the catalytic converter

[sentrastace]

As stated above, I'm thinking of doing this. Has anyone done this on a 2007+ sentra? If so, did it throw a check engine light as a result? Is there a way to bypass this if so? Will this require a new ECU? Or is there some "trick the pc" method around this? Thanks in advance ^^

[AZhitman]

The question I'd ask is, "Why?"

No real power gains, and the stuff in a cat is a toxic mess - Where will you dispose of it? ow will you avoid breathing it?

Never mind the fact that it's a violation of Fed law to tamper with a functional catcon (not that it matters to me personally).

If you're dead-set on it, take the cat out, replace with a testpipe, and save the cat for reinstallation when you sell the car.

Want more power? Throw a catback exhaust on it and call it good.

[sentrastace]

To answer your questions:

It's free.

Sound.

I already have a cat-back exhaust. I don't want it sounding as muffled as it does.

But, for argument's sake, since my question wasn't answered by that post, let's say I throw a downpipe on there. Will the ecu throw an engine light for lack of a cat? I'm not very familiar with these cars. (I posted this for a friend, using their username).
Modified by sentrastace at 6:37 AM 12/31/2008

[nametakennow]

If you gut it, you will throw a code. If you put an aftermarket header/midpipe (downpipe, whatever word you want to use), you will throw the same code, but you will make more power at the same time. The gains of a header aren't just from the lack of a cat, though that is a big portion.

The code is easily worked around. I've discussed a few methods several times. Check out the "Common Fixes" thread in the Table of Contents.

[AZhitman]

To answer your questions:

It's free.

Sound.

I already have a cat-back exhaust. I don't want it sounding as muffled as it does.

But, for argument's sake, since my question wasn't answered by that post, let's say I throw a downpipe on there. Will the ecu throw an engine light for lack of a cat? I'm not very familiar with these cars. (I posted this for a friend, using their username).

OK, it's free. A replacement cat for that car is $400+. Hell, a recycler will give you $80 for it.

Gutting the cat will make little to NO difference in the sound. it's not a muffler. I own a large catback manufacturing company that's sold over a thousand 240sx and Sentra exhausts, so I kinda know what i'm talking about.

Perhaps your current catback is restrictive? Which one are you running?

Downpipe won't do anything either, the stock downpipe is virtually identical to an aftermarket one. I think you're referring to a testpipe, which goes in place of the cat... not a bad idea, but you'll need one with an O2 bung, and you MAY throw a code.

if you really want to make it sound beefy, swap on a header. You'll pick up performance, sound, and mileage. And you won't throw an ECU code.

[Passt]

If you gut it, you will throw a code. If you put an aftermarket header/midpipe (downpipe, whatever word you want to use), you will throw the same code, but you will make more power at the same time. The gains of a header aren't just from the lack of a cat, though that is a big portion.

The code is easily worked around. I've discussed a few methods several times. Check out the "Common Fixes" thread in the Table of Contents.

Thank you for the tips. I will pass this along. (Decided to create my own account instead of posting under my friend's.)

I checked out the Common Fixes thread. Out of curiosity, why is the check engine light called SES here? I'm used to it being called CEL (Check Engine Light). Thanks again bud for the help.

[nametakennow]

SES = Service Engine Soon, and it's the acronym Nissan uses. Look closely at a Nissan dash and it probably actually says Service Engine Soon rather than having a little engine picture or CEL on it.

[Passt]

SES = Service Engine Soon, and it's the acronym Nissan uses. Look closely at a Nissan dash and it probably actually says Service Engine Soon rather than having a little engine picture or CEL on it.

Ahh I see. Thanks bud.