First time JK owner

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E_santans23

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Jun 23, 2025
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Hello everyone, thanks for taking the time to read this.

I have an 08 wrangler after driving it for a few months now I’m noticing it lacks power. Needless to say it’s pretty much gutless. I was wondering if anyone has removed the 4 catalytic converters and if so what it did power wise??
 
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Instead of removing the Cats and then having more problems just get a Pedal Commander or a similar throttle enhancer. You'll think that you have put a bigger engine in it.
 
E_santans23 said:
Hello everyone, thanks for taking the time to read this.

I have an 08 wrangler after driving it for a few months now I’m noticing it lacks power. Needless to say it’s pretty much gutless. I was wondering if anyone has removed the 4 catalytic converters and if so what it did power wise??
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It is no longer 1974. Removing the cats makes virtually no difference. Certainly not enough to feel. And what little gain there is, is only at high RPMs. Which is not a place Jeeps should be living.
The 3.8L was rated at 200HP brand new. My wife considers that to be enough. I do not. So I bought a 392.
 
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tJKrider said:
Well... Unless they are old, compromised, and blocking airflow. That will make a difference! At that point, depending on state regulations, you can remove them or replace them.
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True enough, but that's broken, not removed. The OP is posting from Oregon. In Oregon, and all of the USA, removing the cats is illegal.

Admittedly, the smog laws are not always sensible. For example, it is illegal to change the number or location of the cats, even if doing so results in a decrease in emissions. My Corvette is not technically street legal. Because it has longtube headers, which required moving the cats a bit further from the engine. It will absolutely ace a sniffer test of the emissions, but it's still technically (and stupidly) illegal.

If the goal is more power, there are far better options than a cat delete. You can make all the power you could ever want without messing up the air.
 
Dirty Dog said:
True enough, but that's broken, not removed
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I don't think his are removed yet. I read the original post to mean that he thinks that's the problem (or a solution to his problem) and wants to know what will happen if he removes them. I could be wrong, though.

Dirty Dog said:
If the goal is more power, there are far better options than a cat delete. You can make all the power you could ever want without messing up the air.
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Agree! I'm not an advocate for removal at all. In Michigan, however, there are no longer any inspection or "smog" testing requirements. There are plenty of vehicles running around cat-less, albeit older vehicles, and mostly now for cost reasons, not performance.
 
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OP, you are not going to make the 3.8 any more powerful than it already is. That van engine comes from the factory already optimized to be the best it can be. What you can do is like someone recommended, a Pedal Monster from Banks Power ( DO NOT get a Pedal Commander, unless you enjoy the possibility of death). All that's going to do is increase throttle response and feel a little bit better than it already does. Keep in mind, you bought a brick on wheels.
 
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E_santans23 said:
Hello everyone, thanks for taking the time to read this.

I have an 08 wrangler after driving it for a few months now I’m noticing it lacks power. Needless to say it’s pretty much gutless. I was wondering if anyone has removed the 4 catalytic converters and if so what it did power wise??
Click to expand...

First off welcome to the JK Wrangler forum!!!

I too just got my first JK, but I have had close to 20 Jeeps over the years.

My 3.8 at first seemed lack luster, but I am slowly getting used to it.

Jeeps are, not nor ever have been, high performance (except for the JL 392) vehicles.

Accept it for what it is, a sweet off road vehicle and enjoy it!!!!!
 
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tJKrider said:
Agree! I'm not an advocate for removal at all. In Michigan, however, there are no longer any inspection or "smog" testing requirements. There are plenty of vehicles running around cat-less, albeit older vehicles, and mostly now for cost reasons, not performance.
Click to expand...

That's not the same thing as being legal, which is what I was responding to.
 
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Dirty Dog said:
It is no longer 1974. Removing the cats makes virtually no difference. Certainly not enough to feel. And what little gain there is, is only at high RPMs. Which is not a place Jeeps should be living.
The 3.8L was rated at 200HP brand new. My wife considers that to be enough. I do not. So I bought a 392.
Click to expand...

1974! Good times.
 
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Thank you everyone for the responses. I have not removed the CATS yet and after reading a few of your responses I think I might do header upgrades and CAT back exhaust upgrade. Any recommendations on those ?
 
E_santans23 said:
Thank you everyone for the responses. I have not removed the CATS yet and after reading a few of your responses I think I might do header upgrades and CAT back exhaust upgrade. Any recommendations on those ?
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I have the BBK long tube headers and high flow cats on mine, but you won't really notice a whole lot of extra power, plus you'll need O2 foolers on the down stream O2's. The only reason I put the headers on was because I needed a completely new exhaust system because of cheap headers and hacked up exhaust system someone put on.

If you really want to feel some seat of the pants difference then do a Throttle pedal enhancer like I said earlier.
 
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E_santans23 said:
Thank you everyone for the responses. I have not removed the CATS yet and after reading a few of your responses I think I might do header upgrades and CAT back exhaust upgrade. Any recommendations on those ?
Click to expand...

I would have the engine pressure checked at each cylinder. I could be you dont like the power output or it could have a real engine issue but parts swapping is not the answer.
 
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You have a 17-year old vehicle, and I'll guess the mileage on the odometer reflects that. If you've got a reputable mechanic who can give you a once-over on the engine and transmission, it'll likely help you in the long run.
If you're so inclined, you can get an OBD dongle and add the Jscan app, giving you the opportunity to see real-time data from your engine.
 
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Welcome to Jeeperdom! You don't say if you're running stock tires. If not, better gearing will be a better investment than headers, imo. Especially in some of the mountain passes you can find in the PNW. Check out the resources on this site. Lots of different discussions
 
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E_santans23 said:
Thank you everyone for the responses. I have not removed the CATS yet and after reading a few of your responses I think I might do header upgrades and CAT back exhaust upgrade. Any recommendations on those ?
Click to expand...

Hello, and welcome, I too am new and this is my first Jeep. I did my own cat-back exhaust for under $200.00 and a drop in K&N; I feel no difference in power, however, I am averaging 1.5 MPG better than when I purchased the vehicle. I love the sound, and my wife is not put off by it so the package works for me. IMO, and as a former performance mechanic, new headers will only cost you money and provide minimal gains and more than likely leave you feeling frustrated with the spend.
I accept and enjoy the the way my Jeep performs on the street, because it is a blast off road - i'm new to that as well.
 
Gutless and a lack of power can be construed to mean different things. To cure the gutless, I installed a Pedal Commander- nothing but an electronic throttle response enhancement, but it does work.
As far as power, Jeeps typically have a pretty decent torque rating to do what you want them to do. However, depending on your driving habits and how you use your JK, perhaps a change of gearing is what you need.
If you could provide some specifics as to tire size, current gearing, etc. and what you want to do with the JK, we could offer more specific advice?
 
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