My 87 260e like most 103s I suppose, has a what I've seen described as a pre-cat set up ahead of the oxygen sensor, then the actual converter and a couple of mufflers.

Question: since I live in a state without emissions testing, I don't know what if anything that 26 year old catalytic converter is doing. Does it even need to be there if the 02 sensor is ahead of it?

Mine has some holes in it and needs replaced and am trying to work out a good solution and hopefully an inexpensive one...

Thanks.

__________________
DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV

You can tell if the cat is working by smelling the exhaust. I'm sure it's not working as well as when it was new, but is still probably doing something.

You need to keep the oxygen sensor.

Beware of cheap aftermarket cats, they don't work very well.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

I've heard that about after market cats. That said, I'm wondering if catalizing those gases is really necessary - setting aside obvious legalities.

__________________
DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV

It really does clean up the tail pipe a lot, with very few detractions on how the car drives.

-J

__________________
1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

Removing a catalytic convertor and replacing it with a straight pipe is considered tampering with emission control equipment and can be subject to heavy fines. However, that's only if you get caught, which is pretty unlikely if you live in an area without smog checks. If you care about the environment enough to spend the extra money, replace with new cats. If you're like me and don't really GAF, you can reduce cost and weight going with just a pipe.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

I agree with skippy, I live in the strictest state of emissions and I had my cat hollowed out for a period until I had to do smog and I bought a new one. I do not think man can destroy an entire planet, and if it does happen, none of us on this forum, will be around to see it. Ditch the cat and get a straight pipe

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

FWIW, my '90 300SEL with those 'precats' were really just hollow pipes somewhat like a Diesel style muffler. Very odd. I put a piece of rebar down there and nothing was there.

If you dump the cat, just scrap it and do not gut it. They are worth some decent cash when you sell them as scrap.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

I made $80 a cat on mine,my state does not do emissions.
Man has destroyed a planet look at Mars

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

Man cannot destory a planet any more than a single raindrop can erode a mountain range. Think plural; think time.

__________________
Prost!

I don't think man had anything to do with Mars. Last I checked we haven't been there, yet.

__________________
DS
2010 CL550 - Heaven help me but it's beautiful
87 300D a labor of love
11 GLK 350 So far, so good
08 E350 4matic, Love it.
99 E320 too rusted, sold
87 260E Donated to Newgate School
www.Newgateschool.org - check it out.
12 Ford Escape, sold, forgotten
87 300D, sold, what a mistake
06 Passat 2.0T, PITA, sold

Las Vegas NV