Should i remove catalytic converter

The catalytic converter does more than convert harmful gas into something less dangerous. It also squeezes a better fuel economy out of some vehicles. However, some people have reported that once they remove this device, they discover that their miles or kilometers per gallon actually go down. The most common explanation seems to be that they are burning more gas because their O2 sensors are not reading correctly and therefore requiring more fuel usage. Relatedly, there are reports that a notable amount of backpressure is lost.

If your vehicle must go through an emissions test, then it is essential to remember that there is a visual test in addition to the performance evaluate. Testers are usually required by law to report failures like this, which means an uncomfortable conversation will be waiting for you when you try to drive away.

A failure may cause your vehicle to be impounded too. You will lose your low-end torque without a catalytic converter. The catalytic converters in the past were very restrictive because the exhaust coming from the combustion process was extremely toxic.

Modern engines create less of an impact, which means the device creates almost the same effect as a straight pipe for the average vehicle on the road today that is less than 10 years old. Your horsepower gains will be slightly better when you run full out. Since this is only legal for off-road vehicles, the benefits may not be the type you want. The pros and cons of removing the catalytic converter from a vehicle involve performance and aesthetics at the cost of dangerous gas production.

Most modern vehicles that are used for daily driving will see a minimal change to their performance by getting rid of this device. Here are some of the other pros and cons associated with the removal of a catalytic converter. List of the Pros of Removing a Catalytic Converter 1. List of the Cons of Removing a Catalytic Converter 1. Share Pin Tweet. This way you will have a normally functioning check engine light should you have any actual faults.

Finally, I would leave the catalytic converter in place until you are certain it is damaged. If you replace it with a straight pipe it may make the engine sound become undesirable. Make sure this is done properly with proper flanges and gaskets to prevent the exhaust blowing.

Removing the catalytic converter will save alot more money than replacing it and will make your engine exhale better and last longer due to the removal of a suffocation device "cat" only issue outta all the ones I've removed it is if the downstream O2 sensor is plugged directly in it, which there are ways around.

If that is the case then the first option is-remove the "cat" gut it out completely, reinstall it, and plug the sensor back in. Option two- remove the "cat" fill in that gap with exhaust tubing, bore a hole in the new pipe that the O2 sensor will fit snuggly in and there should be no engine light as long as that sensor has hot gas exhaust flowing over it it's not gonna trigger an error code to the cars computer.

If there's no sensor in the cat just chop it off and fill in the gap. It's gonna run alot better I'll tell you that. I do it to every car I've ever had and ever will have. A catalytic converter makes no use if short distances are run, Like in my town. When he is hot, he cleans well. In places where smog is not a problem, the catalytic converter does more damage than good. It reduces the efficiency of the vehicle, forcing the consumption of more fuel than would otherwise be burnt.

In this context the answer is YES. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. Is it a good idea to remove the catalytic converter? Ask Question. Asked 5 years, 3 months ago. Active 4 years, 2 months ago. Viewed k times. Improve this question. Although catalytic converters burn unburned exhaust gases exiting an engine, thus making tail pipe emissions cleaner, they also further muffle a car's exhaust sound and bestow a somewhat timid, tempered exhaust sound.

Without a catalytic converter, a car's exhaust sound becomes a little louder, a little deeper and more distinctive. Lower Engine Operating Temperature 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. More Fuel Options Cars equipped with catalytic converters run only on unleaded gasoline. It does this through the use of catalyst substances, causing a chemical reaction that mitigates the most harmful engine emissions before they exit the exhaust pipe.

Without it, the worst pollutants — including hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide — can cause damaging environmental effects, such as thick smog and acid rain. Physically, the catalytic converter looks like an exhaust silencer, but is slimmer and smaller.

The value of catalytic converters mainly comes from the mix of precious metals inside them.