De catting my pre cats (hints/tips?)

[shoggyraminator]

Hello all, in the near future I'm planning on removing my pre-cats from the manifold in preparation for fitting a non cat Y piece, if there is ever another group buy on the boil. Question is, are there any hints or tips on how to remove the catalytic material from the manifold without wrecking them? I have read about using a masonry bit in a drill…. New gaskets arrived today so might be sooner than later. I'll take some photos for popsting later. Cheers Andy

[cpeacock]

This will be of interest to me, as wish to remove my pre-cats later in the year, so if you could post your experience and findings it would be greatly appreciated.

I will be keeping my main cat on though to keep the MOT man happy...

[FlipFlopGriff]

Has anyone painted them rather than ceramic coated, which is pretty expensive IMO? If so what arethe results and what do they look like after some use?
FFG

[macdeb]

I have painted before, but only using matt black. Did the job and I agree about 'cermakrome' from experience, especially when after only a few months it looks crap! and they're not interested in rectifying

[FlipFlopGriff]

Mac,
Was going to use the other company after your experience but its bleeding expensive. I was thinking about using the POR high temperature paint as I use POR on lots of things now (having an old property with lots of cast iron and wrought iron items helps) and cant rate it enough.
http://www.por15.com/High-Temperature-Paints/produ...
FFG

[gbtvr]

hi Andy,

Pre-cats not that hard to come out, just be patient!

I used a combination of a long shaft screw driver to collapse the outside in and allow it to be moved and wedged to get a large drill bit through (I used a 22mm wood bit and drilled multiple holes through) and then used a hacksaw blade to cut out between holes which then allowed the easier collapse of the CAT to get it out and by tearing large sections out with long nose pliers.

Get the radio on, a few beers to hand and be ready for a couple of hours. (Use a heavy gloves as the CATs will cut you as they die - (Got £30 from scrappy for mine when out, paid for beers)

Use bolts and washers from ACT for refitting, no bolts will work loose then.

Good luck.

[TJC46]

FlipFlopGriff said:

Has anyone painted them rather than ceramic coated, which is pretty expensive IMO? If so what arethe results and what do they look like after some use?
FFG

Have a look at this thread, especially the last pic.

Also there are links for various paints inc high temp, silver.


http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[shoggyraminator]

"Get the radio on, a few beers to hand and be ready for a couple of hours. (Use a heavy gloves as the CATs will cut you as they die - (Got £30 from scrappy for mine when out, paid for beers)"

Thanks Grant, Sounds like my kind of good night in!

[yellowgriff]

shoggyraminator said:

"Get the radio on, a few beers to hand and be ready for a couple of hours. (Use a heavy gloves as the CATs will cut you as they die - (Got £30 from scrappy for mine when out, paid for beers)"

Thanks Grant, Sounds like my kind of good night in!

I done mine similar to above,, try to get large gloves and also cover arms as you can get a nasty rash from the cat dust,
And you should wear some sort of mask as well.
Hope this helps Goldie

[Russell B]

Wear face mask, Use a screw driver to punch a hole then peel it inwards. My advice is when youve finished drop something heavy down each port as material will fall into each branch. I used a large nut.

[cp81]

Did you remove your pre-cats?

[shoggyraminator]

Not yet, just trying to find the time is the problem. When I do I'll take some photos etc for sure.

[cp81]

I have a similar problem and would be nice to find someone to do it at a reasonable price...

[roseytvr]

Mine put up a real fight it was a pig of a job. If I had my time again I would get the manifolds cut open at the join and welded up again after pulling the cat out. If you are banging them out water test the manifolds after to make sure you haven't cracked the weld in the collector.
Hth

[PeteGriff]

It's easier having a Pre-Cat in the first place.........

[shoggyraminator]

Yes but no sense of feeling like a real man after wresting with the cat innards for 4 hours, hacking your hands to bits and consuming many beers in the process...... I guess.......hope.

[PeteGriff]

shoggyraminator said:

Yes but no sense of feeling like a real man after wresting with the cat innards for 4 hours, hacking your hands to bits and consuming many beers in the process...... I guess.......hope.

I recognise that as good old TVR fun....... Good luck with the work mate, keep us informed of the painfull process? Pete