OK, anybody know when cat. converters first came out on our vans?? Reason I'm asking, I'm thinking about changing engines to an older model, and if I can go old enough, to eliminate cats. then I will be able to put side pipes on easily. Also in changing engines here in Ontario, Canada, the vehicle would be classified as a HOTROD, so e-tests would have to meet 1980 standards. I'm not against e-tests, but for a van that is only driven in the warmer weather, we should be given a break.
On the note of sidepipes, if I put on headers, with cats, the exhaust has to go down and back, to exit out side properly. Too much plumbing there, and going to restrict flow with hard turns. I would have to delete the headers, and that might work.
So, if anybody knows when cats first came out, on all the dodge V-8's, this may help me decide what I'm going to do here. Thanks.....Brad
stev
10-29-2006, 11:11 AM
It was the same year "DOGS" came out too. :thatfunny
Sometime in 1974-1976 was the year of the CATS. You'll be looking at the very first few years of the Ram engines.
If you're up to doing that, then drop in a 383 big block then. This way, the Hp will come up to the magnum engine levels.
Ram3500Dually
10-29-2006, 11:26 AM
I believe cats didn't come out on Dodge Vans till 1979. I know for a fact the 1977 had no cats.
dodges 3
10-29-2006, 11:34 AM
Hmmm, very interesting. I thought someone, you know who Carl, would've commented on when the musical/broadway of 'Cats' came out. Anyways, I wouldn't need a big block just to get to todays magnum engines, if engine is built right.
Ram3500Dually
10-29-2006, 11:38 AM
It was the same year "DOGS" came out too.
Hmmm, very interesting. I thought someone, you know who Carl, would've commented on when the musical/broadway of 'Cats' came out.
Because somebody already beat me to the punch :D
No need for two smartasses in the bunch today :thatfunny
DANVAN
10-29-2006, 11:47 AM
My 75 b100 had a cat on it, but I dont think it matters on what yr the engine is, its the yr of the veh. Plus from what I hear the laws are more strick up in the great white north then down here. A magnum 318, or 360 would give u plenty of power, and go with a hi-perf cat and muffler, and a fast-man TB. Ive been told that cats came out later on the heavier duty vans, like poss 79? Not really sure though.
dodges 3
10-29-2006, 11:47 AM
I never heard of the musical "Dogs", must've been before my time....lol :huh:
dodges 3
10-29-2006, 11:51 AM
Well Dan, it does matter on year of engine, beening that if 1979 had cats, and you put a 1974 engine in, that engine does not need the cats. And my whole point was beening able to put side pipes on, with headers, which is very difficult/restricting if you have cats aswell.....Brad
DANVAN
10-29-2006, 11:59 AM
I dont think it works like that down here, but Im no expert on emission laws.
They do make headers for the magnum engines, there was a link here way back with a guy from Washinton or Oregon with a late modle dodge that had all sorts of performance mods on it, including headers, he didnt have side pipes though. Side pipes would look good, how about just adding dummies?
Ram3500Dually
10-29-2006, 12:12 PM
My 1977 Tradesman100 that I bought brand new had no cats. I put headers and sidepipes on it.
The reason I said 79 was the 1978 Little Red Express had no cats but the 1979 did because of tougher emmisions brought into affect for light duty trucks in 1979.
dodges 3
10-29-2006, 12:23 PM
Thanks Carl, that was the answer I was looking for, right to the point.
Dan, I don't have a magnum engine now, and don't plan on getting a newer engine. I'm just trying to loophole the e-test, a bit. I am going to have to call them on the whole cat issue.
Thanks for help guys..........Brad
dodges 3
10-29-2006, 12:26 PM
Oh, one more thing Carl, what size engine did you have in your '77???
Ram3500Dually
10-29-2006, 12:39 PM
Oh, one more thing Carl, what size engine did you have in your '77???
Originally it was a 360. In 80 I swapped it out for a 1970 340/202 heads.
B-300
10-29-2006, 01:29 PM
In the states (US), there are many catogories of vehicles. Domestic cars, import cars, light duty domestic trucks with several sub-catagories; Federal (49 state), California, High altitude, and export. Within these are more sub-catagories for trucks (vans), by gross vehicle weight (GVM); up to 6000#, 6001-8499#, and 8500# up.
To make a long story short, I would talk to someone who is knowledgable in the field of I&M (inspection & maintaince), because when I put a 360 in place of the slant 6 in my '78 the chart of required equipment listed everything, except the PCV valve, charcool canister and cat. con. as "if equipped". This included the following: EGR, OSAC (timing control), AIR (air pump), and a 2nd charcol canister.
--B-300--
Dodgevanman
10-30-2006, 07:16 AM
My '77 B100 Tradesman had a slant six originally with a cat., EGR, and canister. Well all that's gone now. It has a 400 big block in it. Technically in MD '77 models still have to be tested for emissions, but I have "Historic" tags on the van so no tests.
MuskratJames
10-30-2006, 02:43 PM
Just a note...back in California, from 1974-on, you could swap in a later-model engine, provided you keep the smog equipment on there, because it's assumed the later engines are able to meet emissions requirements for the build year of your vehicle. However, you could not swap in a motor from an earlier year, because the state assumes that the older motor could not meet the emissions requirements of the newer vehicle.
I don't know if it's the same anywhere else, but it's a point to make sure and look up before you do it and make sure it's legal.
dodges 3
10-31-2006, 05:06 AM
Good point, MuskratJames, but I beleive I'm ok going older here, in Ontario, Canada...
Chump
11-05-2006, 11:10 PM
In the states (US), there are many catogories of vehicles. Domestic cars, import cars, light duty domestic trucks with several sub-catagories; Federal (49 state), California, High altitude, and export. Within these are more sub-catagories for trucks (vans), by gross vehicle weight (GVM); up to 6000#, 6001-8499#, and 8500# up.
To make a long story short, I would talk to someone who is knowledgable in the field of I&M (inspection & maintaince), because when I put a 360 in place of the slant 6 in my '78 the chart of required equipment listed everything, except the PCV valve, charcool canister and cat. con. as "if equipped". This included the following: EGR, OSAC (timing control), AIR (air pump), and a 2nd charcol canister.
--B-300--
B-300 is correct. The cats were determined by many factors. Since the early 70's on some vehicles.
Required equipment is determined by VIN number in an emission area so if you replace a slant 6 with a V10 the emissions station will still look for the slant 6 equipment as it was built by the factory.
