First time JK owner

[E_santans23]

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??

 

[BLACKJKU]

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.

 

[Dirty Dog]

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??

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.

 

[tJKrider]

It is no longer 1974. Removing the cats makes virtually no difference.

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.

 

[Dirty Dog]

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.

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.

 

[tJKrider]

True enough, but that's broken, not removed

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.

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.

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.

 

[Cimmerian]

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.

 

[John Cooper]

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??

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!!!!!