Hey guys...
I own a 1994 Volvo 960 Level 2 which is all stock (aftermarket Blaupunkt CD player, and 2 Kicker Comp 10s and a 1000 watt amp going in later this summer). Anyways, I am a huge drag racing fan, and have raced the Volvo once before (a best of 17.3- with a 1.023 reaction@81.3mph with the airfilter out). Anyways, I was wondering if I could take the catalitic converter off for a couple trips down the strip. I looked at it, and it looks quite easy to take off. BUT, what I think is the O2 sensor is connected to it, and I was wondering if I could just take the sensor off with the cat. and not have the engine effected. I am not sure what the O2 sensor does in terms of engine function...anyways, PLEASE HELP!! Oh, and by the way, I WOULD get a whole new exhaust system, but I am going into my senior year in hihgschool, and I dont have that much money. Thanks guys!!
Billy

Billy,
You might want to see if you can scrounge a used cat for that thing. Beat the guts out of it and install that instead of the existing cat. You need the 02 sensor as it is your main sensor input for fuel trim. The computer uses the information from that sensor to adjust the fuel mixture so it is where it needs to be, if you pulled it the car is going to set a check engine light and it will use a substitute value for that dead sensor.

Mark

Mark,
Thanks for the reply...so if I was to yank the cat off just for like a hour, and run it for 10 mins...would it not run, or would it not run well, or would it just misfire all over the place? Also, if it ran, would I be hurting the car? Thanks!!
Billy

It is unlikely the car will be hurt but is also lunlikely that it will run very well. The fuel mixture will ba a "safe" default value that is for sure not going to make optimum HP.

The whole fuel and ignition system is pretty well optomized and it is unlikely you will improve performance without reprograming the ECU to match the mechanicl changes you make.

You might for an experiment just disconnect the exhaust system just after the CAT. I would bet your time isn't improved.
--
'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 204HP cams, 127K. Put 200K on '85 745 TD.

Ok, thanks guys...I will see if I can disconnect the exhaust back from the cat...we will see, thanks!