Could A Cop Tell If You Have A Gutted Cat From Looking At It?

[ryan101]

I am getting my cat checked out because I suspect a blocked cat, buti don't have the money this week to pay for it! He said he would just gut it for me if need be!

Can some one tell if it's been gutted from looking at it?

Thanks

[Raki_King]

Not without physically taking it out and looking down it, You should be pretty sweet for any checks the police do on it.

[Munkyb0y]

from my experience with gutted cats years ago, i could smell it. it gives off a distinctive smell.

if its only for 1 week, you should be ok.

[R31Nismoid]

  Raki_King said:

Not without physically taking it out and looking down it, You should be pretty sweet for any checks the police do on it.

Rubbish.

If you simply tap it with a torch or similar you can EASILY tell that it is hollow.

[TiTAN]

the exhaust deffinately smells very different (and very strongly) without a functional cat, i can smell the difference just driving behind another skyline if it doesnt have one.

[ryan101]

What about sound wise? My exhaust smells anyway, my car a few months ago was running super super rich( now is fixed) and dr drift told me that it would have stuffed it, but he also said it wasn't block. So I haven't changed it yet but the last 3 weeks I have been running 10psi all the time and maybe the extra heat or gases have made it block up! So I'm getting is checked

[R31Nismoid]

you can tell a difference per car, but its hard unless you hear before/after.

Either way mate it's illegal, and easy to work out.

You run the risk.

[ryan101]

  R31Nismoid said:

you can tell a difference per car, but its hard unless you hear before/after.

Either way mate it's illegal, and easy to work out.

You run the risk.

Fair call, I will just wait and see what he finds, maybe it's a boost leak he is changen my cooler to so he will check everything

[wlspn]

Some police use a infra-red thermometer to measure temp before & after the cat. Can't thionk which way it is right now (just woke up) but I think with a cat in place it is hotter. Have had it done to me but luckily I run a cat. MASSIVE fines if you're caught without one...

[Trozzle]

Fairly sure something with my cat has gone to shit, as there is often a strong fuel smell when getting back into the car after it's been sitting for about 30 - 60 mins after running. That, and it used to make a rattle/vibration noise which shut up after a while, so it probably came out the exhaust rofl

But yes, you will be able to smell it.

[soturi]

crap.....my pulsar has the strongest smell when its been idling for a while...i hope it hasn't got a stuffed cat, it would be my luck that i get done for it

[blk94r33]

  wlspn said:

Some police use a infra-red thermometer to measure temp before & after the cat. Can't thionk which way it is right now (just woke up) but I think with a cat in place it is hotter. Have had it done to me but luckily I run a cat. MASSIVE fines if you're caught without one...

True, the cat works by re-burning exhaust gases (least technical way of explaining it), so the oulet on the cat will be 40-60ish (I think?) degrees hotter than the inlet, provided it's working correctly.

[Raki_King]

  R31Nismoid said:

Rubbish.

If you simply tap it with a torch or similar you can EASILY tell that it is hollow.

Wow, I wasnt aware of that, My appologies... The thought never really crossed my mind, Things are way more relaxed here in New Zealand, I dont even run a cat in mine. The police here in Hastings are more interested in people who are drink driving or actually making the roads more dangerous for people to drive on.

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

  wlspn said:

Some police use a infra-red thermometer to measure temp before & after the cat. Can't thionk which way it is right now (just woke up) but I think with a cat in place it is hotter. Have had it done to me but luckily I run a cat. MASSIVE fines if you're caught without one...

that's bullshit... they would have to prove calibration of the thermometer and also correct use.

also infra red thermometers only measure surface temperature, which can be altered by differing materials (which are legal)

it's a takethatbulshittocourtandwin scenario

[GTRPowa]

  joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo said:

that's bullshit... they would have to prove calibration of the thermometer and also correct use.

also infra red thermometers only measure surface temperature, which can be altered by differing materials (which are legal)

it's a takethatbulshittocourtandwin scenario

Just as they'd have to prove their good judgement and/or qualifications when defecting you for engine/vehicle modifications?

They don't need to prove anything, they just need to form a hunch that something's wrong, and off you go to a place where people WILL know.

[msports180]

Easy just make it so low they cant get under the car to tap the cat to see if it sounds hollow

+1 for being able to smell it to, and if your car's white, be prepared for a fuel stain that wont come off.

[R33_Dude]

I know several transport inspectors and engineers who can tell if your cat has been gutted just by the sound. It is

different. The average cop probably won't be able to pick it but some can pretty accurately too.

Plus the aforementioned smell and the hollow noise if you tap it.

[geraus]

1. exhaust fume/smell

2. hollow

3. EPA test

[rotarytt]

much more raspy deeper sound. theres many for sale on ebay advertised as hi flow. their called test cats.

theres power gains but you will have a 5 grand fine if you get caught.

it will mess with ur ecu fuel system and o2 sensors.

excessive soot.

[wlspn]

It's actually a 10k fine.

& Hamish, they then send you to EPA who verify you have no cat or internals...

& basicallty it doesn't matter if their thermometer reads 50 degrees out, they are only looking for a difference before & after cat.

& different materials may make a slight difference but not much, & anyway almost all of us run a s/s exhaUst & cat which they can tell by looking

Edited July 11, 2010 by wlspn