new to form and duramax few ?

[jmunson_3]

I am new to the forum and to the duramax in general. I recently bought a '06 cc long bed LBZ with the 6.6l. I have been reading about the exhaust systems and had a few questions. first would it be just as good to either gut the cat or delte it versus a full exhaust system. I know that the full system is gonna be better but is it that much better? and also I have heard a lot about the EGR block off plate and to tell you the truth I'm not really sure what that is or does. I have also seen talk about the EGT's, If I was to gut my cat would I need the block off plate and would I have a problem with the EGT's? Also without the cat will I catch any problems as far as my state inspection goes? I'm from Texas and I'm not to sure how they go about the emissions on diesels. Thanks in advance guys I hope yall can help me with some of this stuff.

[chevelleguy]

The first thing I would do is to check emissions regulations. If you think you can get away with it, I would get a turbo back stainless system. 4" is large enough unless you are making serious power. Having a larger pipe will lower you EGT, especially when towing. (and it sounds a lot better!!!)

[06AFDmax]

I am from TX... last time I checked(6 years ago... in the military and havent been inspected in TX) diesels were exempt from needing a cat... but just go down to the local inspection place and ask the guy doin them... slip em a $20 or something and im sure he will call it good

[TYREBOYZ_DEMAXIN]

welcome to the forum....first off doing a straight pipe with the stock piping is better then the stock exhaust but it is alot better yet having a 4-5 inch exhaust installed that flows better which drops your EGT's quite a bit more..

[jmunson_3]

so what I want is lower EGT's right? and what about the EGR block off plate what exactly does it do and is it needed?

[daddysLBZ]

I have mine straight piped on the factory pipes,no gutting,I just welded pipes in place of the muff and cat,WAY less restrictive,lower egt and sounds awesome,love that turbo whine,no codes either,by the way,you prob have FE9 emissions on yours,i have it here next door in Louisiana,and my truck has not thrown a single code,they're pretty laxed on emissions if you are not in a large city in Texas,I would highly rec this,it was dirt cheap,just bought pipe from muffler shop and braised them on using coat hangers to weld with as rods,[easy].Just don't let the hanger on the pass side get in your way,remove it altogether or tack weld the pipe to it,as it will cause a hideous rattle if is allowed to hang freely,Good luck if you try!!!!!

[jmunson_3]

just finished gutting the cat and can already tell a difference in the spool up time it is way quicker and the turbo can be heard a lot more. haven't taken it out on the road yet but the loudness (if thats a word) is about the same at idle it is a little deeper though. I will probably end up putting an aftermarket muffeler on it. I don't see how that thing even let the motor breathe at all, that stuff is a real fine honeycomb material and it is packed in there tight. no wonder everyone says it makes a big difference.

[daddysLBZ]

Mine's still sittin in the bed of my truck,I'll see if i can sell it for the precious metals inside,and by the way,I could not see anything but blockage in mine,with only 44,000 miles on the cat!!!

[Dusty's Diesel]

You can deffinetly sell it for the platnium inside. Should be worth 50-80 dollars

[Dusty's Diesel]

You should take the cat off not gutt it. Sell it for the platnium. and buy a cat test pipe, you might have money left over.