my 02 Silverado’s cats r going bad and I planned on getting rid of them anyways but how should I delete them? Weld a pipe where they were at? Could I clamp a pipe in there? I’m not gonna gut them bc most people say they don’t sound as good or perform as good as replacing them with straight pipe. Also what size pipe would I need? Thanks

 

Long tubes and y pipe

 

Weld in a pipe to replace the cats. If you want or need (state inspection) to have visible cats you can gut them and weld in a pipe to eliminate the gutted echo/ringing sound. The rear o2 sensors are going to throw a code that will not pass state inspection if needed. This code will not effect performance. You can have that SES light turned off in the tune, but can be expensive, you may as well have a full tune performed. Before the FEDS cracked down you could buy o2 eliminators really cheap to turn off the codes to pass state inspection. I bought this one from Baker Electronics for $40

 

Off Road Y-Pipe

https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/31004/10002/-1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/99-06-GM-1500-Stainless-Exhaust-Ypipe-Chevy-GMC-Y-pipe-2wd-4wd-Sierra-Silverado/152786270906

 

Interesting. I wonder if the Jegs system will fit '06? It says '99-'02

 

If you're gonna leave the stock manifolds and Y pipe in place gutting them will work fine. Other wise get long tubes and an off road y pipe and a good catback exhaust if you want to see a worthwhile hp increase.

Then get it tuned and have the tuner disable the rear oxygen sensors so you don't get a check engine light. The money you would spend on some 02 simulator device could be put toward or pay for the tune. Unless it's super cheap like the one red x ray posted.