i have removed the resonator, on my mark 8 and put in two flopro mufflers, they sounded loud and aggressive on my 82 cutlass (modified 350), on the lincoln it sounds good but too quiete. will removing the third cat make a difference in db's or is it a waste of time? thanks

take it off you will be happy

the resonator didnt seem to do much am i too expect the same from the cat

isnt it illegal?

i have heard that passing with the two is not a problem.

what resonator there aint no resonator on a mark 8 just 3 cats

You'll pass with just the 2 front cats...

Eric the resonator is where the two pipes off the front meet, also called 3rd cat.

You don't want to just remove and run straight pipe, rumble will be too loud. Putting
in a true flowing double XX pipe will provide for full flow, but cut back on drone during highway driving. (See www.Lincolnmotosport.com - Call Geno for pictures)

Or Better yet, I'll have em post them in this thread.

JC

my mark is a 93, there are three cats and after the third cat there is a resinator, i removed that, with little to no sound difference, will removing the cat yeild the same result

eric i have three cats and a resonater on mine

the o2 sensors are after the first 2 cats, right? that probably means that if i remove those cats I am going to have engine issues?

There is no need to remove the primary cats at all. Our system is a true cat back. The primary cats are of the modern design, high flow. You will lose low end if you gut them and it will be terribly loud.

i have heard that passing with the two is not a problem.

im not saying you cant pass emmisions with just 2, but i have asked a few places, and they said they would get fined $10,000 to take off one of my cats, even though it is unmonitered

ive got friends who can do it. as for the resonator it must be a gen1 thing anyway pull the 3rd cat youll love it
Eric

im not saying you cant pass emmisions with just 2, but i have asked a few places, and they said they would get fined $10,000 to take off one of my cats, even though it is unmonitered

Call me up. It will pass I will GUARANTEE it and the third cat is a resonator. We have removed hundreds over the years with no problems.

how much louder will it get with the third cat off, because my car sounds pretty tame as it is

Not too much. Just do it right and do the whole system, thats the only way to get real power and sound from the exhaust. You will get 1 mpg better too.

I removed mine and it was a waste of time , not enough differance for all the work.

guys the release of pressure in the system is reason enough you can stand behind it and feel the compression coming out.
and yes go see geno

This is from the service manual for 93 Ford Vehicles (Mark VIII)
The exhaust systems are equipped with two mufflers, three catalytic converters, interconnecting pipes and a resonator.
The factory-installed exhaust systems shown in the illustrations in this Section differ from the service replacement systems in the number of pieces used. When making a service replacement, refer to the Master Parts catalog for the current assemblies.
NOTE:
The information shown in the chart represents what was intended prior to certification. However, the actual applications certified may be different.
Engine ( 4.6L) Converters (3) Mufflers (2) Resonators (1)

I have a 1996 Mark VIII. It originally had three (3) catalytic converters, two (2) mufflers at the back bumper, and one (1) resonator right behind the third cat. I have since removed the two mufflers at the back bumper and gutted the third cat. I left the resonator on just for inspection purposes. I noticed a distinct increase in power and gas mileage and a wonderfully aggressive, yet slightly muted rumble. The exhaust sounds fantastic! I have had many compliments on the sound. Some people say it actually sounds better than a Mustang GT! And it only cost me $60 dollars to have the mufflers removed and nothing but a couple hours work in the back yard to gut the third cat. Pretty cool.

Pssst.... this thread is from 2005.... but thanks...

Gutting cats is not a good idea. If you want to get rid of them, do it but don't gut them! That hurts exhaust flow.

I agree. In some cases it could hurt the flow. But in the case of my 96 Mark VIII, I definitely noticed an increase in power, torque, and fuel economy. I'm guessing that my third cat was probably getting clogged and gutting it freed up some flow that was being restricted.