Help factory catalytic con? Options

[bdog_v]

Well I am trying to install a new exhaust on my 94 celica Gt model and when I pulled the downpipe off the exhaust manifold I was surprised to see honey comb material in the exhaust manifold, like you would see in a catalytic converter????? Is the cat. located right next to the exhaust manifold on this car? If not what is this???? I don't have a cat anywhere else in my exhaust system.

-If this is the cat. I want it gone. Can you just punch out the honeycomb material and run it hollow or do you need to replace the cat. *if it is the cat.* with a straight pipe?????

-I don't have the heat shield off yet so I am not aware of how this is bolted together any ideas???? Thanks....

[Bigmeanbulldog55]

Hey, I did it. I took it off and punched it out. The car only has one cat btw. Some shops, and even the book will tell you otherwise, but I've been in there and I know. There is a resinater just infront of the back wheels. This can be mistaken for a cat. I took it off too. When I punched out my cat, it was very easy. That crap comes right out of there. I think I ended up with a leak after though. Make sure you can get the gaskets before you go at it. I didn't really notice much gains in mpg. I noticed a very little gain in high rpm. When you take it off and punch it out, you'll see how much it will screw with the path way of the air. I don't know if I would do this again. I've got a header setting in my trunk right now, and I made a flange yesturday, and I'm going to put it on and have full 2.25inch strate pipe made for it. Gutting the cat is a fun experiance, but I'm not sure it's really worth the time/effort/money for a performance mod. You're call though. If you just feel like doing something, go for it.