If you buy a car, more than likely, it will have a catalytic converter. This is a device that helps to reduce the harmful emissions from your vehicle. But does a catalytic converter improve vehicle performance? Let’s take a look.
By converting the harmful pollutants into less harmful gases, the catalytic converter helps to improve the overall air quality. As a result, the catalytic converter also helps to improve vehicle performance. By reducing the amount of pollution that your vehicle emits, the catalytic converter allows your engine to run more efficiently.
In this article, we will discuss what a catalytic converter is and how it works to improve vehicle performance. We will also discuss some of the different types of catalytic converters that are available on the market today, so read on!
What is a Catalytic Converter?
A catalytic converter (also called cats) is an exhaust emission control device. It was invented by a French chemical engineer named Eugene Houndry on April 6, 1954.
Furthermore, it reduces toxic gasses produced by an internal combustion engine. But does a catalytic converter improve performance? Read on to find out.
How does a catalytic converter work?
There are different kinds of catalytic converters. They all use a catalyst (a substance that makes the chemical reaction faster).
The catalytic converter tackles the three most harmful emissions, which are:
- Hydrocarbons (in the form of unburned gasoline)- produce smog
- Carbon monoxide (formed by combustion of gasoline)- Poisonous, especially when inhaled
- Nitrogen oxides (created when nitrogen is forced into the air to combine with oxygen) – Lead to smog and acid rain
There are two types of catalysts:
Reduction Catalyst
The first one is the reduction catalyst. It uses platinum and rhodium. This reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by ripping off the nitrogen atoms. The result will be separate nitrogen and oxygen molecules.
Oxidation Catalyst
The second one is the oxidation catalyst. It uses platinum and palladium. This burns the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in the exhaust.
The result will be cleaner oxygen. It converts the hydrocarbons into water and oxygen. Finally, carbon monoxide is converted into carbon dioxide.
How the Catalytic Converters Work
There is a science on how catalytic converters work. Let’s take a look:
- First, the harmful gas molecules are pumped from the engine past the honeycomb catalyst.
- Then, the catalyst splits up the molecules into their separate atoms.
- Finally, the atoms recombine into molecules of harmless substances. The toxic gasses turn into carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen. This blows out safely through the exhaust.
A Three-way catalytic converter is the most used converter, especially for gas engines. Engines that run on diesel could use the two–way oxidation cats. This cat only tackles carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
The two-way catalytic converter performs two simultaneous tasks of oxidation. First, it converts carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. It also converts hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.
A two-way oxidation converter doesn’t have a reduction catalyst. Therefore, it cannot convert nitrogen oxides. This is why this converter is not used in some countries.
More oversized diesel engine vehicles could use many cat units. It is to be fitted in parallel with the engine and tailpipe. This will help it cope with the bigger exhaust gas volume.
How Does a Catalytic Converter Improve Performance?
A catalytic converter is an essential part of a car. It reduces hazardous compounds in the exhaust like a hydrocarbon. Doing this increases the gas mileage and the car’s performance.
To improve the reduction, you can upgrade to a high-flow catalytic converter. One cat is okay, but having two is better. It increases the car’s flow capability. Furthermore, it increases the RPM range’s power (and speed). Finally, it also reduces car emissions faster.
4 Signs of a Failing Catalytic Converter
A failing or broken catalytic converter will affect your mileage. It can also damage parts of the car’s exhaust system.
The following are signs of a failing catalytic converter:
1. Check Engine Light
The engine light is on can be one sign that the catalytic converter is failing. However, you need a proper diagnosis to ensure the problem is indeed in the cat converter.
2. Decreased Gas Mileage
A decrease in mileage could be due to a clogged catalytic converter. In addition, a failing catalytic converter causes gas consumption to increase even during a short period of time.
3. Decreased Performance
The exhaust build-up reduces the car’s performance if there is a clog in the converter. It might feel like the car doesn’t have acceleration or can even fail to start up.
4. Rattling Noises
The catalytic converter consists of small, honeycomb-shaped components. These components can cause rattling sounds when it is not working correctly. If the cat converter is broken, the rattling sound is loudest when you start the car.
It is wise to check the catalytic converter if you experience two or more of these signs.
Replacing a broken catalytic converter can be costly. Therefore, it is still better to have it checked rather than driving with it, which can cause more significant problems in the long run. Some online sites offer repairs or check-ups that are a little cheaper. You can check those sites for more information.
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Can Catalytic Converters Increase Horsepower?
If you install a high-flow catalytic converter, it can help increase your car’s horsepower. If you want to improve the reduction, you can also upgrade to a two-way catalytic converter. Doing this will also increase the RPM range’s power (and speed). Finally, it also reduces car emissions faster.
Some car consumers will opt for catalytic converter delete kits. It is not advisable to do this as it can damage both the exhaust and the car. In addition, driving a car without a catalytic converter is illegal in some countries.
However, if a catalytic converter delete is done right and is monitored, it can safely increase horsepower without damaging the engine.
If you decide to delete your catalytic converter, make sure to do research and ask for a professional’s help. You should also have a way to monitor the car’s engine health to avoid any damage.
Is a Cat Delete Illegal?
Depending on the state or country, a catalytic converter delete can be illegal. In some places, it is only allowed if the car has been modified for off-road use only.
The reason why it is illegal to drive without a catalytic converter is that it emits harmful pollutants. These pollutants can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
A catalytic converter delete can also cause your car to fail an emissions test. This is because the converter helps reduce harmful gases before they are released into the atmosphere.
If you live in a state or country where it is illegal to drive without a catalytic converter, we advise you to not do it. The consequences can be hefty, and it is not worth risking your safety and the safety of others.
Does Removing Catalytic Converter Increase Fuel Consumption?
If you plan on removing your catalytic converter, it can indeed increase fuel consumption. The reason for this is that the converter helps the engine run more efficiently.
When you delete the converter, the engine has to work harder to burn the same amount of fuel. This increased effort results in higher fuel consumption.
We advise against removing your catalytic converter unless you are planning on using the car for off-road purposes only. If you do plan on removing it, make sure to have your fuel consumption monitored so that you can make the necessary adjustments.
How Can You Increase Horsepower?
There are a few ways you can increase your car’s horsepower. Let’s take a look at them below:
High-Flow Catalytic Converter
One way is to install a high-flow catalytic converter. This will help increase the flow of exhaust gases and, as a result, increase horsepower.
Another way to increase horsepower is to upgrade to a two-way catalytic converter. This type of converter is more efficient in reducing car emissions. As a result, it can also help increase the RPM range’s power (and speed).
Catalytic Converter Delete
You can also delete your catalytic converter; however, this is not advisable as it can damage both the exhaust and the car. In addition, driving a car without a catalytic converter is illegal in some countries.
If you decide to delete your catalytic converter, make sure to do research and ask for a professional’s help. You should also have a way to monitor the car’s engine health to avoid any damage.
Performance Chips
Installing a performance chip is another way to increase horsepower. These chips help optimize the engine’s performance by making adjustments to the air-fuel mixture and ignition timing.
As a result, the engine can produce more power while still maintaining efficiency.
If you’re looking for an easy way to increase horsepower, we recommend installing a performance chip.
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Turbo Upgrade
If your car already has a turbocharger, you can upgrade it to a larger one. This will help increase the amount of air that is forced into the engine.
As a result, the engine will be able to burn more fuel, which will lead to an increase in horsepower. However, you need to upgrade other engine parts as well to prevent damage.
Installing a larger turbocharger is a great way to increase horsepower; however, it is not recommended for beginners. We advise you to ask for professional help if you’re planning on doing this.
Supercharger
There are supercharger kits available for some cars. This will help increase the amount of air that is forced into the engine, just like a turbocharger.
As a result, the engine will be able to burn more fuel, which will lead to an increase in horsepower. However, you need to upgrade other engine parts as well to prevent damage.
Bigger Fuel Injectors
Another way to increase horsepower is to install bigger fuel injectors. This will help the engine deliver more fuel, which will lead to a richer air-fuel mixture.
As a result, the engine will be able to produce more power while still maintaining efficiency.
If you’re looking for an easy way to increase horsepower, we recommend installing bigger fuel injectors.
Cold-Air Intake
You can also install a cold air intake to help increase horsepower. This will help the engine get more air, which will lead to a richer air-fuel mixture.
As a result, the engine will be able to produce more power while still maintaining efficiency.
If you’re looking for an easy way to increase horsepower, we recommend installing a cold air intake.
Performance Headers
Installing performance headers is another way to increase horsepower. This will help the engine get rid of exhaust gases faster.
As a result, the engine will be able to produce more power while still maintaining efficiency.
If you’re looking for an easy way to increase horsepower, we recommend installing performance headers.
Performance Exhaust System
You can also install a performance exhaust system to help increase horsepower. This will help the engine get rid of exhaust gases faster.
As a result, the engine will be able to produce more power while still maintaining efficiency.
If you’re looking for an easy way to increase horsepower, we recommend installing a performance exhaust system
These are just some of the ways you can increase horsepower. If you have any other questions, reach out to a performance automotive specialist.
Final Thoughts
Overall, a quality catalytic converter is an important part of a car. It helps to protect the environment by converting harmful emissions into less dangerous gases.
While it is possible to remove a catalytic converter, we don’t recommend it unless you are knowledgeable about cars and engine performance. Modifying your car without professional help can lead to engine damage.
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