Catalytic Converter Removal on a 2016 3.6l Camaro

casonm23 · 08-24-2022, 02:51 PM

Recently, one of the catalytic converters failed ony 2016 Camaro and instead of replacing it, I was going to just get all 4 cats removed. I figured it would mean better airflow which means better performace. However, my mechanic told me that it would not be better because it would remove alot of backpressure which would significantly impact my low end torgue. Is this true for v6 camaros? Does the 3.6 rely on that back pressure?

easttxss · 08-24-2022, 04:01 PM

Engine Masters debunked the old 'engine needs back pressure' myth. What it does need is a proper tune or you will get a check engine light. In the long run, it will be cheaper to just replace the cat.

Gen6cyl · 08-25-2022, 06:04 AM

You want have any problems deleting the second cats they are not monitored.The first ones are . I think a defouler will work on your sensors , it did on my focus st.

SJFGTO · 08-25-2022, 07:48 AM

Your engine is programmed to run with the primary cats. Removing them will not improve performance, of anything, it will run poorly and with a CEL. You’d need a tune to compensate.

Ventmaster · 08-25-2022, 08:36 AM

I had the 3.6L 2010 RS Camaro that I put a procharger on and it melted the aftermarket cats I had installed. Chevy has tweaked the 3.6 a bit since then, but still basically the same motor. I went catless for awhile, but it stunk to high heaven of raw gas (same thing with an '86 Z-28 I'd had- we never learn).

In both cases I had the OE cats replaced. The 3.6 doesn't have a great sound with open pipes IMHO. I had Borla's Touring cat back mufflers on that car and it was just O.K. If it's a primary cat gone bad, I'd replace it and consider, as mentioned previously, maybe just removing the secondary cats although the EPA won't love you and you will increase the CO (carbon monoxide), your car produces- so no leaks in the system and don't sit and idle too long!

cellsafemode · 08-26-2022, 09:39 AM

removing the cats is dumb. plain and simple.

You're going to make your car stink (and pollute more) for absolutely no performance or aesthetic benefit at cost to yourself.

ctrlz · 08-26-2022, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cellsafemode

for absolutely no performance or aesthetic benefit at cost to yourself.

Get some tubing and make a custom cold air catalytic converter intake. Lube the fittings with non-Dexos 10W-40, and decorate the outside with aftermarket LED's.
Makes for a neat Camaro6 problem stew!

arpad_m · 08-26-2022, 10:22 AM

Just to steer the thread from bashing back to the actual question OP had, he isn't about to remove the cats willy-nilly, one of his cats failed and I imagine the car is out of warranty, so he is trying to save the cost of 2 new primary cats.

That said, these aren't extremely expensive and even cheaper for the V6, $150-200 apiece from online shops. Given this, I personally would side with others here, replace them instead of polluting for no really good reason.

casonm23 · 08-26-2022, 01:47 PM

Thank you all for your responses. I am definitely veering towards getting the cat replaced.

08-24-2022, 02:51 PM	#1
casonm23 Drives: 2016 Camaro LT Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 8	Catalytic Converter Removal on a 2016 3.6l Camaro Recently, one of the catalytic converters failed ony 2016 Camaro and instead of replacing it, I was going to just get all 4 cats removed. I figured it would mean better airflow which means better performace. However, my mechanic told me that it would not be better because it would remove alot of backpressure which would significantly impact my low end torgue. Is this true for v6 camaros? Does the 3.6 rely on that back pressure?

08-24-2022, 04:01 PM	#2
easttxss Drives: '16 2SS M6 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Hughes Springs, TX Posts: 320	Engine Masters debunked the old 'engine needs back pressure' myth. What it does need is a proper tune or you will get a check engine light. In the long run, it will be cheaper to just replace the cat. __________________ David '16 2SS M6 black on black, SW long tube full exhaust, NPP, Roto-fab CAI, ported stock TB '16 2SS M6 black w/Metallic black stripes, Kalahari, 6 piston front (totaled 1/22/20) '14 Fusion Titanium 2.0T '83 Jeep Wagoneer

08-25-2022, 06:04 AM	#3
Gen6cyl Drives: Chevy Camaro 2021 ,rs, v6, manual Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Georgia Posts: 868	You want have any problems deleting the second cats they are not monitored.The first ones are . I think a defouler will work on your sensors , it did on my focus st. Last edited by Gen6cyl; 08-25-2022 at 10:01 AM.

08-25-2022, 07:48 AM	#4
SJFGTO Oh Oh it's Friday Night! Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Nightfall Gray Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Walton Woods Posts: 1,061	Your engine is programmed to run with the primary cats. Removing them will not improve performance, of anything, it will run poorly and with a CEL. You’d need a tune to compensate. __________________ 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE NFG; ARH 2” headers, catless mids, ARH full exhaust, Lingenfelter 18% lower pulley, ATI Harmonic Balancer, Roto-fab CAI, EE-catch can, TM ported TB, NX Lid, BMR strut tower brace. Aeroforce dual pod interceptor gauges. Tuned by Vengeance Racing!!! 644 HP @ 6250 rpm / 689 trq @ 3660 rpm Four that wanna own me Two that wanna stone me One says she's a friend of mine...

08-26-2022, 10:22 AM	#8
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,625 View My Garage	Just to steer the thread from bashing back to the actual question OP had, he isn't about to remove the cats willy-nilly, one of his cats failed and I imagine the car is out of warranty, so he is trying to save the cost of 2 new primary cats. That said, these aren't extremely expensive and even cheaper for the V6, $150-200 apiece from online shops. Given this, I personally would side with others here, replace them instead of polluting for no really good reason. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

08-25-2022, 08:36 AM	#5
Ventmaster Drives: 2017 1SS 6spd Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 2,869	I had the 3.6L 2010 RS Camaro that I put a procharger on and it melted the aftermarket cats I had installed. Chevy has tweaked the 3.6 a bit since then, but still basically the same motor. I went catless for awhile, but it stunk to high heaven of raw gas (same thing with an '86 Z-28 I'd had- we never learn). In both cases I had the OE cats replaced. The 3.6 doesn't have a great sound with open pipes IMHO. I had Borla's Touring cat back mufflers on that car and it was just O.K. If it's a primary cat gone bad, I'd replace it and consider, as mentioned previously, maybe just removing the secondary cats although the EPA won't love you and you will increase the CO (carbon monoxide), your car produces- so no leaks in the system and don't sit and idle too long!

08-26-2022, 09:39 AM	#6
cellsafemode Drives: 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: California Posts: 3,491	removing the cats is dumb. plain and simple. You're going to make your car stink (and pollute more) for absolutely no performance or aesthetic benefit at cost to yourself.

08-26-2022, 01:47 PM	#9
casonm23 Drives: 2016 Camaro LT Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 8	Thank you all for your responses. I am definitely veering towards getting the cat replaced.

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