QX4 running slow, lack of power - Catalytic convertor???

[flg1973]

HiI have a 1997 QX4 and my problem is that is a little slow for may taste, compared to other ones with the vg33. The SUV is all stock and have 157M miles.I have checked compretion, spark plugs, wires and all seem to be fine. Have no MIL on or DTC's on a scan, but is slow at departures, like it was pulling 10 thousand pounds. The truck do 14 MPG aprox.

On the web I found some info about catalytic convertor that get clouded, this will affect the performance of the car. Lack of power, poor gas milage. Symptom that sounds like mines.

Also read about a test to see if the cats were bad. Pressure gauge in the O2 precatalytic sensor and test, it shoud read a couple of PSI , y greater cat obstruction and replace.

Well, aftermarket cats for the vg33 goes around 250 $ each + shipping (I'm in south america) + labor. Around 800 $ all.

I'm going to do the test, but if the catalytics are bad I have a cuestrion.

Can I just trow them away or empty them? We don't have emission checks in Bolivia and many cars runs even without mufflers. I know is ilegal to remove them in USA but spending that amount of money is not a solution for me.

Removing them will set the MIL on, but it will affect the performace of the engine?

Thanks for your answer.

Fernando