the question is how do you gut the cats on a 02 scsb 5.3 and is it worth doing???

 

I'd cut the backside open remove all internal stuff slide pipe through from one opening to the next weld up the opening and you cut and weld cat back into place.

 

Yes its worth doing. Take the y-pipe off and then run a pice of pipe or rebar through it and knock out all the **** in there then run a pipe through it as big as you can fit and weld it in cause if you just leave it gutted it causes turbulences inside there and can actually decrease exhaust flow.

 

will it make my truck louder??

 

yes it will be louder sounds really good too also you could save some trouble and take it to your local muffler shop and have them do it (as long as they know you.....well)

 

Yes it will be louder! It seemed to help my turbo spool up a little quicker too.
I just cut mine off because they have no emmisions testing in my area.
Used pipe just a little bigger diameter than the stock pipes. I think it was 2.75 O.D. but I'd have to check to be sure.
The area close to the weld on the CATS is harder than hell!!
I smoked a few Sawzall blades cutting them off. I tried to stay as close to the welds as possible, but it may not matter for yours.
Make sure who ever welds it does a good job not only for leaks but rattles and buzzing.
You don't want to ruin the sound with a buch of nasty vibration.

 

Yep i would do... or just cut them off completely

 

dummies are good to keep the fun police at bay about emmissions

 

sounds like i have my next project on my hands

 

Be ready to need o2 sims(mil eliminators) if you cut your cats though. They will turn your check engine light back off for you. A tune would also work but it depends if you want one or if you want to spend the extra money on one.