Physically anything can be done, but you'll be opening a whole new can of worms, not to mention the legal ramifications. Your car has two oxygen sensors after the catalytic converters to monitor their efficiency. When no change takes place in the exhaust gas between the two sensors on each side the Engine Computer will turn on the Check Engine light and set related diagnostic fault codes. You don't want to be looking at that light forever.
In addition, when those codes are set there will be a number of other self-tests the computer won't run so other parts can become defective and you'll have no way of knowing which circuit to diagnose. Even if a problem does get detected and set an additional code, you'll never know because the Check Engine light will already be on.
I assume you suspect one of the converters is plugged. If that is really the case, what caused it? That does happen but it's not common. You aren't likely to get 200 feet if one really is plugged. I think you'd be better off getting it professionally diagnosed, then install a new converter if necessary. My guess is something much less expensive is causing the problem. Then what good will your flex pipe do you?
Flex tubing also doesn't last nearly as long as the stainless steel pipes the exhaust system is made of. You'll be patching the system every two years at an overall cost higher than putting on a converter once.
Monday, September 24th, 2012 AT 3:05 AM