Catalytic converter and free flow.

[BCO]

Question: does a fitting a free flow exhaust necessitate the permanent removal of one's catalytic converter?

 

[SirFooK'nG]

From what I have heard, yes. But maybe they can leave it there? Dunno, but I'm sure some cars are electronically forced to keep their catalytic converter... The last time I went to a PowerFlo branch, they said it would have to come off.

 

[wizdumb]

yes, i think it does come off from what i have heard, but then you need a mini-cat, to keep the enige light off...

...they shouldn't be expensive though, probably around 350

 

[BCO]

Surely then, free flows should be banned in SA now that we have emissions legislation?

 

[JK8]

But it makes the cars more powerful...
Emissions lol!!

I saw mine when I did my wheel alignment. PGTi looks nice underneath

 

[BCO]

JK8, there are now emissions laws in SA. If Free flows result in a contravention of said laws, why are they allowed to be sold?

 

[JK8]

JK8, there are now emissions laws in SA. If Free flows result in a contravention of said laws, why are they allowed to be sold?

They not sold as standard. Theres no laws about aftermarket engine components is there?

What other purpose doe the catylitic converter serve? AFAIK theyve been in cars long before this green movement started...

 

[BCO]

They not sold as standard. Theres no laws about aftermarket engine components is there?

What other purpose doe the catylitic converter serve? AFAIK theyve been in cars long before this green movement started...

All cars in SA after Jan 2009 are now fitted with catalytic converters so that they can confirm to the Euro 2 spec.

Catalytic converters make a huge difference to the amount of NOx and CO that are emitted by cars. Both of these are not very pleasant gases, so the cat is doing a Good Thing. Also, they have been around since the 70's (and "this green movement" has been around even longer).

CO2 is not the only pollutant out there.

 

[Fazda]

You cannot just fit a free flow to a car that has a cat without some retuning.

You will start having niggly engine light problems as well.

A friend with an M5 removed the cat, but then had to have everything rechipped...quite an expensive operation in the end, and I'm not sure that he gained many horses in the end either!

The car SOUNDS faster, however...lets see...5km/h/gear and 6 speed box...umm MUST add at least 30km/h in SOUND alone!!

 

[JK8]

You cannot just fit a free flow to a car that has a cat without some retuning.

You will start having niggly engine light problems as well.

A friend with an M5 removed the cat, but then had to have everything rechipped...quite an expensive operation in the end, and I'm not sure that he gained many horses in the end either!

The car SOUNDS faster, however...lets see...5km/h/gear and 6 speed box...umm MUST add at least 30km/h in SOUND alone!!

The engine light is simple to bypass...

 

[Fazda]

The engine light is simple to bypass...

I agree, but it sort of defeats the object of the idiot light if you disconnect it, surely. It does have other functions apart from telling you that the cat is still purring, after all...

 

[wizdumb]

fitting a mini cat or ecu updatting should take care of the engine light

 

[Thugscub]

The O2 sensor is stuck into the cat conv. So on your freeflow drill a hole into the box and refit the sensor it should work cos the computer works on the engines emissions to adjust the fuel air flow. I did this on my MR 2 and it worked no problem. I screwed the cat by filling up with leaded fuel and was not going to pay R23000. for another one.

What car is it?