96 XJ Cat Question

So, I've got a 96 Cherokee. The other day after driving for several hours, it threw a CEL (P0420, Cat system efficiency below threshold bank 1). I cleared the code and it hasn't come back on. But, I have been feeling a slight loss in power. Its not huge, and there's a possibility its in my head, but its much quicker to downshift on the interstate and what not. I'm wondering if the Cat is clogged, and what would happen if i just emptied the cat. Have done this on previous (non OBDII) vehicles with success. Will it throw a CEL? Are there any other options? Thanks

If you gut the cat it will definitely throw a CEL, in fact, the very CEL you have now. That is the point of the downstream O2 sensor.

If you want other options do some research on dummy O2 sensors.

daltonlam said:

I have been feeling a slight loss in power. Its not huge, and there's a possibility its in my head, but its much quicker to downshift on the interstate and what not. I'm wondering if the Cat is clogged,

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Just an FYI, talk of disabling emissions equipment is a hot button around here.

Besides, there are easier ways to diagnose a clogged CAT: