Car has 3 Cat.Converters. Deleting one okay?

Jinster81

Jinster81

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Hey folks.

I got a Hyundai Santafe with a 2.7L V6. It's got a plugged Cat.

The engine has a Cat on each bank (3 cylinders) times two. The 3rd Cat sits on the bottom of the vehicle to further clean the exhaust. And it is the final Cat that is plugged.

As many of you know, Cats are expensive. I was just thinking, what if I deleted the 3rd Cat, and just welded a straight pipe? Would this alter the emissions alot?

Hyundai/emissions experts please help!!

Thanks in advance!!
 
#1 Emission's law: You cannot remove ANY emissions equipment.
So NO you can't do it legally.

If it wasn't needed Hyundai wouldn't have installed it in the first place. They're even cheaper than YOU!
 
It is probably a pre-catalyst in each bank and a single main one underneath. It needs all of them and won't (or shouldn't) pass Drive Clean without. Most likely there will be a sensor after the main catalyst to monitor its operation, also, and it will trip a code (and a "check engine" lamp) if it is not working properly.

Just buy an aftermarket substitute and have it welded in place.
 
Thanks for the input guys.

Do you guys know any place that will sell an aftermarket cat for dirt-cheap?
 
I saw brand new ones at partsource for like $150
 
As mentioned, a straight pipe (as tempting and cheap as it is) is illegal and will likely fail emissions. If you're O2 sensors are pre/post the cats by the header (and you're only removing the final cat), you likely won't get a fault lamp.

Fingolfin said:
your sante fe most likely does not have 3 cats, it probably has 1 cat, 1 resenator and 1 muffler

if you cat is actually the culprit, then change the cat ( a universal one will do, just make sure the oxygen sensor is still usable).
Click to expand...
3 cats is not uncommon. My Jeep has two by the header and one by the skid plate.

Jinster81 said:
Thanks for the input guys.

Do you guys know any place that will sell an aftermarket cat for dirt-cheap?
Click to expand...
I would recommend checking out Zoro muffler in Mississauga or Hamilton. I would also suggest finding out WHY the cats are plugged. How many kms do you have on the Hyundai? Don't be surprised if replacing all three cats at once is cheaper than one at a time.
 
Catalytic convertors should be covered by a 8 year/130,000km warranty so even if your basic warranty period is over this still applies.
 
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