What is this part on my cat?

[shadesh]

I have a 1975 280z, california car. I pulled the exhaust out and noticed that I have some sort of sensor attached to my catalytic converter. Is that a floor temp sensor.?

If I took the catalytic converter out and replaced with a straight pipe, would that pose a problem with the engine performance? In other words, does that sensor attached to the catalytic converter have anything to do with the air fuel ratio?

How would I know if my catalytic converter is original? If it is, should it be worth something?

[sblake01]

If you had a cat with a sensor on your 75, it's not original. Even if it was original, which it isn't, a 33 year old one wouldn't be worth anything. The straight pipe might cause emissions problems which you don't have to worry about being it's a 75 but it won't do anything to the driveability/performance.

[shadesh]

Thanks Stephen. You are such as asset to this forum.. always helpful.

[sblake01]

Follow up: After thinking about it, the 75's had a sensor for the warning light but that's not a floor temp sensor. It actually senses the condition of the catalytic coverter based on temperature. The floor temp sensors were in the 76-78 and weren't mounted on the cat itself. You should have a warning light on the dash just above the left center vent that says "CATALYST" where as the 76-78 has one that says "FLOOR TEMP".

[sblake01]

After a little more research the 75 actually has two sensors, one on the cat and one for the floor while the later ones have the floor sensor and a low fuel indicator so your cat may be original. I just wouldn't bet on it being good at that age.

[nick77]

what does the floor temp light mean/indicate?

[sblake01]

Basically the same thing as the catalyst light; that the catalytic converter is overheating which would also raise the floor temperature. Probably why they only had the catalyst light on the 75.

[Mike B]

Basically the same thing as the catalyst light; that the catalytic converter is overheating which would also raise the floor temperature. Probably why they only had the catalyst light on the 75.

If they are basically the same thing and the 75 had both, don't you mean to say "probably why they only had the Floor Temp light on the 76-78"?

-Mike

[Thecabtsmith]

Isn't That saying almost the same thing:)

[Fun_in_my_z]

My 75 has a floor temp light....

[sblake01]

If they are basically the same thing and the 75 had both, don't you mean to say "probably why they only had the Floor Temp light on the 76-78"?

-Mike

It made sense to me when I posted it. But it could be stated either way. The 75 is the only year that had the catalyst light but they all had floor temp lights.

[RT Hunter]

That's weird. My 77 has a block off plate instead of the light. The plate doesn't look home-made either, looks stock. hm....

EDIT: Nevermind, I found out it's only for California versions.

Edited November 26, 2009 by RT Hunter