Possible Cat Delete on 2000 Camaro SS
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Teching In
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From: Orlando, FL
Possible Cat Delete on 2000 Camaro SS Hi guys, be patient with me, i'm not the most versed car guy.
I have a 2000 Camaro SS. I generally want to keep this car as stock as I can. It does have a SLP Loud Mouth exhaust.
Its looking like the Cat Sensor for restricted flow is coming on. My mechanic/is suggesting to just delete the cats. I don't know how I feel about this yet, so wants to get some pros/cons from everyone.
If they delete the cats, it sounds like they would have to weld a pipe where the cat gets removed. I know removing the cats might cause more of a gas smell, but I am more concerned that the car will sound a little too raspy for my liking.
Does anyone have any general thoughts for a purist like me. Otherwise, I replace the cats, it sounds like I can't get any OEM or Factory ones anyways. So I would have to get from SpeedTuning or something similar.
Just curious what are everyone's thoughts?
I have a 2000 Camaro SS. I generally want to keep this car as stock as I can. It does have a SLP Loud Mouth exhaust.
Its looking like the Cat Sensor for restricted flow is coming on. My mechanic/is suggesting to just delete the cats. I don't know how I feel about this yet, so wants to get some pros/cons from everyone.
If they delete the cats, it sounds like they would have to weld a pipe where the cat gets removed. I know removing the cats might cause more of a gas smell, but I am more concerned that the car will sound a little too raspy for my liking.
Does anyone have any general thoughts for a purist like me. Otherwise, I replace the cats, it sounds like I can't get any OEM or Factory ones anyways. So I would have to get from SpeedTuning or something similar.
Just curious what are everyone's thoughts?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2024
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From: Orlando, FL
To add context, I had a CAT go bad in 2019, and Firestone replaced it with a Magnaflow Bolt on. Don't know if its the left or right one, but I will find out. That was around $800. Now i'm wondering if i should replace the other one since that is most likely the bad one and for them to match.
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Deleting the cats have multiple negatives.
-smell bad
-inspection stickers can become challenging depending on city/state u reside in
-will require a tune to eliminate engine light
-rasp
Im a no cats kind of guy but I can see in this situation it would be more beneficial to keep them. If you like stock cars pay the money and have it done right.
-smell bad
-inspection stickers can become challenging depending on city/state u reside in
-will require a tune to eliminate engine light
-rasp
Im a no cats kind of guy but I can see in this situation it would be more beneficial to keep them. If you like stock cars pay the money and have it done right.
You can get the resistors that plug into the rear O2 Sensor Connectors, they turn off the light. Don't necessarily need a tune.
Just depends on the state you live in. If it was Kommifornia you'd already be in jail for making a post thinking about getting rid of them.
Just depends on the state you live in. If it was Kommifornia you'd already be in jail for making a post thinking about getting rid of them.
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
There is no such thing as a "cat sensor for restricted flow" on these cars. No code or sensor can nor does indicate a flow restriction. There are two codes for low efficiency (P0420 & P0430), but that just indicates that the oxygen storage capacity of the cat is below a certain threshold; this has nothing to do with flow, just how effective the cat is at reducing tail pipe emissions (you would still get these codes if you deleted the cats entirely, unless you tune them out or install O2 simulators). If that's all you are seeing, there is no urgent rush to remove the cat(s) as this usually just indicates that coatings have worn off the substrate (typical failure mode on the 2000-'02 cars, GM actually issued a warranty extension for this but it's long over now), making the cat a useless "pass-thru". If there are no other symptoms of a blockage (rough/erratic idle, inability to reach high RPM, power/MPG loss, overheating, cat surface temp well beyond normal), I wouldn't worry much about it.
I agree. I'm not a cat person.
I also agree with the above. 
A note on "the smell". It's not bad at all with a stock cam. My '74 was the last model year to come from the factory without cats, and it still has a factory Qjet carb (not nearly as precise on fueling as EFI) and stock cam. The smell isn't really an issue. On the other hand, my '71 has a built SBC with aftermarket carb and no cats - that one you can really smell. But I think the aroma is great!
I agree. I'm not a cat person.
A note on "the smell". It's not bad at all with a stock cam. My '74 was the last model year to come from the factory without cats, and it still has a factory Qjet carb (not nearly as precise on fueling as EFI) and stock cam. The smell isn't really an issue. On the other hand, my '71 has a built SBC with aftermarket carb and no cats - that one you can really smell. But I think the aroma is great!
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Smell really isn't an issue until you put a nice Cam in there with some good flowing Exhaust. My MCSS has a healthy cammed 6.0l in it with big Headers and 3" True Dual Exhaust. Smells like the 1960s..
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Verdad Gallardo I don't mind the smell, especially the smell of race gas. It's the noise that draws the attention and my car is LAF when I'm on the pedal. She's pretty tame at idle even though other vehicles can feel my car from inside theirs..
Cat sensor? You mean an Oxygen Sensor or as any car person knows it as an o2 sensor. You seem to be well versed in some of the stuff in your post, but don’t know the generic name for 4 sensors. Btw 1 sensor before and after each catalytic converter which gives you a total of 4 sensors. Most likely your catalytic converter is ****. If you have to do emissions, get an approved catalytic converter along with new o2 sensors and if you live in an area where you can remove them, well get them removed. Also, 20 years ago I was getting a CEL for my o2 sensors and it turned out my MAF was covered in oil from someone improperly installing a K&N filter with too much oil that fouled out the MAF. I installed a new stock MAF with a paper filter and never had the codes again.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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From: Orlando, FL
Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, I meant 02 sensors and specifically the rear ones. And this is the exact code I was getting "low efficiency (P0420)".
I did replace the front 02 sensors as well since apparently those were also going bad. I got HPTune installed and disabled the rear 02 sensor for now and keeping the cats. Car is running great and just hit 91K miles
I did replace the front 02 sensors as well since apparently those were also going bad. I got HPTune installed and disabled the rear 02 sensor for now and keeping the cats. Car is running great and just hit 91K miles
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,629
Likes: 2,550
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, I meant 02 sensors and specifically the rear ones. And this is the exact code I was getting "low efficiency (P0420)".
I did replace the front 02 sensors as well since apparently those were also going bad. I got HPTune installed and disabled the rear 02 sensor for now and keeping the cats. Car is running great and just hit 91K miles
I did replace the front 02 sensors as well since apparently those were also going bad. I got HPTune installed and disabled the rear 02 sensor for now and keeping the cats. Car is running great and just hit 91K miles
Depends on how **** the vehicle inspector is but no visible catalysts on a vehicle that's supposed to have them will result in a failed vehicle emissions inspection. Most don't bother to look and as long as the vehicle passes the OBD II computer scan it's good to go.
When I bought my 2000 WS6 it had multiple cat codes which got me thousands off the selling price. I cleared the codes, tuned up the car and did some other overdue maintenance work.
We took it on a 1200 mile round trip to the Adirondack Nationals. That was in 2021 and the car hasn't thrown a code since. The guy I bought it from was terrified of it and only putted around locally for 12 years. I swear he never left his home county. He replaced it with a 4 door wrangler that I'm sure has never seen dirt or 70 mph!
That long trip at high speed (yes I sampled a little of what the car could do) and the converters and sensors were blown clean for good it seems. Moral of the story I take it on the highway and actually use it a little every now and then because that's what a performance car is designed to do. The exercise keeps it healthy.
In September 2025 when the 26 models come out and the entirety of 2000 production is 25 years old I will be legally allowed to remove the cats as well as all other emissions equipment. The state inspection becomes safety only. I intend to go long tube full dual. I've been saving up and have started gathering parts for the delete. Can't wait.
We took it on a 1200 mile round trip to the Adirondack Nationals. That was in 2021 and the car hasn't thrown a code since. The guy I bought it from was terrified of it and only putted around locally for 12 years. I swear he never left his home county. He replaced it with a 4 door wrangler that I'm sure has never seen dirt or 70 mph!
That long trip at high speed (yes I sampled a little of what the car could do) and the converters and sensors were blown clean for good it seems. Moral of the story I take it on the highway and actually use it a little every now and then because that's what a performance car is designed to do. The exercise keeps it healthy.
In September 2025 when the 26 models come out and the entirety of 2000 production is 25 years old I will be legally allowed to remove the cats as well as all other emissions equipment. The state inspection becomes safety only. I intend to go long tube full dual. I've been saving up and have started gathering parts for the delete. Can't wait.
Last edited by Y2K-WS.6; Oct 4, 2024 at 12:00 PM.