How does catalytic converter affect performance

See below. You can generate more horsepower without it. Once the catalytic converter is removed from a vehicle, some models do experience a significant increase in power. This advantage occurs because the unit creates a source of back-pressure on the engine. Since the gas releases through the exhaust with added speed when the catalytic converter is not present, the engine can perform with its maximum potential since there is nothing left to hold it back.

You have access to more fuel options. Up until the s, fuel stations in the United States offered leaded and unleaded gasoline for sale. If you were to run leaded fuel through a catalytic converter, it would destroy the materials inside, rendering the vehicle useless. You can operate the engine at a lower temperature.

When constriction occurs during the exhaust process, the extra work that the engine does to generate power creates more heat under the hood. By removing the catalytic converter, you remove this constriction, which means you can operate at a lower operating temperature. You can achieve better gas mileage. Since the catalytic converter places a strain on the engine with its constrictive design, it must work harder to achieve the same energy than it does without the device in place. Removing it lessens this burden, creating a net effect where the engine can perform significantly better without working as hard.

That means you receive an improvement in fuel consumption which translates to an improvement in your overall fuel economy.

Many have said the mpg gain is slight. You can do it yourself. Anyone with some decent car sense and a few tools can take care of removing their catalytic converter at home.

All you need to do is follow these three steps. You can do this if you have an O2 wrench available. Most auto parts stores have them or you can order one online. You cannot perform this action legally in several U. You must follow a specific process to legally remove your catalytic converter in the United States. These guidelines are offered through rules that were issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Several states, such as California, have strict laws on the books which prohibit the removal of a catalytic converter under most circumstances. Unless you know for certain what the outcome would be, speak with your mechanic about the pros and cons of removing this item before doing it on your own.

Cars that have their catalytic converters removed experience an increase in engine horsepower. Catalytic converters create a significant source of engine back-pressure due to the constrictive effects they have on exiting engine exhaust gases.

Removal of catalytic converters from cars allows exhaust gases to exit their engines much faster and at higher levels. Since catalytic converter removal allows for exhaust gases to exit a car's engine at increased speeds, engine back-pressure is reduced, which lessens engine strain. This reduction in engine back-pressure and engine strain enables an engine to work more easily, and thus reduces fuel consumption and increases gas mileage.

Since removing a catalytic converter lessens the burden on a car's engine by enabling engine exhaust to vacate the engine more easily, a net effect is a reduction in engine operating temperature. It is a metal box usually made from platinum and palladium which is attached on the underside of the vehicle and has two pipes coming out of it. One pipe is connected to the engine that brings hot and polluted gases from the cylinder of the engine. The other one is attached to the exhaust or the tailpipe.

When these gases blow over the catalyst, chemical reactions happen which split the harmful gases apart and convert them into safe gases before it is released into the air. Knowing the importance of this car part in our environment and health, why is it that some people are still considering removing the catalytic converter? Will it do more good than harm? Let us go through the advantages and disadvantages of removing catalytic converters.

There have been a lot of arguments made from people who are going against and the people who are in favor of removing catalytic converters. It has been mentioned above that it plays an important role in keeping our environment healthy but having it removed also has some benefits.

Another possible reason why people are considering removing catalytic converters because when it becomes broken or damaged, replacing it for a new one is very expensive. In fact, the catalytic converter is considered to be one of the most expensive individual parts of a vehicle. It is costly because the materials used are also expensive such as palladium and platinum. So when it becomes broken, people will most likely choose to remove it and replace it with a less expensive and energy-efficient one.

Removing the catalytic converter of your vehicle can be so rewarding when you experience an increased engine performance. But is it really worth all the trouble you might get in removing it? In case you might be wondering what it could be, here are some of the problems you might encounter when you remove your catalytic converter.

If you already weighed in all the pros and cons of removing the catalytic converter and came up with a decision to have it removed anyway, you can follow these steps on how to detach it — assuming that you live in a place where emission laws or rules are not that strict. Step 1 — You need to park your car on a level surface and jack it up at all four wheels and use jack stands to support it.