Thunderbolt Cat

Raptordude · September 10, 2017

Has anyone used these? I found some reviews online and they were all positive. I'm just skeptical because it's so cheap. We don't have emission inspection on HDs here in PA, so if it doesn't reduce pollution quite as much as the OEM unit that's not a problem.

Also, it says the engine limit is 5.9 liters and mine is a 6.0. It is the right diameter though. Thoughts?

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Supreme Pizza · September 11, 2017

If you don't need it, delete it. Why put it on there if testing is not required. Or just hollow out yours. Just in general, OEM is always recommended on cats. Aftermarket might work, but who knows.

I would not expect the cat to perform at its peak potential, so I would definitely not exceed the max engine size its rated for. You might overheat it or damage the cat in some other way.

Are you changing it to eliminate a dash light?

Raptordude · September 11, 2017

No, I'm actually running catless right now with an EFI live tune. The fumes are ridiculous, id like to get something back on there

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Supreme Pizza · September 11, 2017

If your engine is tuned in a way that it is sharting out a lot of fumes, then a cat might not be able to keep up. They are usually designed to handle a specific size engine, with normal stock car exhaust, on an engine running reasonably close to stoich. A bad valve guide or oil ring can cause a cat to go bad in the same way. Same as a liver VS alcohol abuse. Are you sure that it can handle the load? It is already rated for less than a bone stock 6.0 engine.

Raptordude · September 11, 2017

So in other words, I should look for a better brand[emoji23]

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Heavy 5.7 · September 12, 2017

So in other words, I should look for a better brand[emoji23]

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I think in other words the catalytic converter or lack there of isn't your issue.

Supreme Pizza · September 12, 2017

I would try to find an OEM cat, not use a cat at all, or try to find a cat that is rated to handle more than what you plan to throw at it, not less. Another option would be a smoke stack, to help get rid of the fumes.

davester · September 12, 2017

You need a tune specifically for running without a cat, as tunes not designed for this expect it to be there for the engine to run well.

And a $50 brand new cat, I would expect to look into the end of it and find it was a hollow tube.

Raptordude · September 12, 2017

Ok here's the whole story, sorry for being unclear. The cats on this truck were taken off a while back while the tune was stock, and the only purpose of the tune was to make the truck run correctly without cats. So the smell shouldn't be from the tune, it's running at proper air to fuel ratio

This was fine for a while, but I've decided that the smell is a little much, so I'd like to get some cats back on there.

I will go with a quality cat other than this cheapo one, thanks for the info[emoji1417]