E46 320d catalytic removal advice

[Andrew.Spa]

I would like some advice on whether I can break out the inside of the middle catalytic converter on my newly acquired 2000 136hp 320d manual without any drama.

There is no lambda sensor in the down pipe so there shouldn't be any error codes.

The car won't boost. The turbo is boosting and there are no error codes.

I can feel that the car tries to boost for a split second and then stops.

I would like to find the fault without spending a fortune on a different exhaust system. The BMW exhaust system on the car now is 57mm , which is much larger than stock and it is BMW branded.

The car has 270 000km on the clock now.

 

[Nikhil]

Yep you can literally just cut off the cat and replace it with a straight piece of pipe without any issues. Its definitely a must do especially at that mileage. But I suspect your issue is related to vacuum lines.

 

[Andrew.Spa]

Thanks.

I am going to replace all the vacuum lines as well and also fit a boost gauge temporarily to make sure of boost.

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