Cats?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Helps the environment, but its not too clear whether today's autos actually need them anymore. Engine efficiency has come a long way since the 70s.
That said, it's up to you and your state. Some states don't even check for cats anymore because the check engine light will eliminate if removed. This can be corrected with a tune. But if you are in one of the states that still do a visible check upon inspection, you are better off with cats installed.
That said, it's up to you and your state. Some states don't even check for cats anymore because the check engine light will eliminate if removed. This can be corrected with a tune. But if you are in one of the states that still do a visible check upon inspection, you are better off with cats installed.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I can see right thru my high flow cats...I got them with my setup to pass the visual and like the other poster said to keep the smell at a minimum when the car is idling at a traffic light or in my garage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 807
From: West coast CA
If modern engines put out nothing but CO2 and H2O, there wouldn't be any reaction to catalyze, and cats wouldn't be exothermic - which they are. But one doesn't need a sniffer or an IR thermometer to know they're working - most people can smell the difference (in HC, anyway).
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,555
Likes: 1,255
From: Saint Albans, WV
Today's autos definitely need them, and they're not there for efficiency.
If modern engines put out nothing but CO2 and H2O, there wouldn't be any reaction to catalyze, and cats wouldn't be exothermic - which they are. But one doesn't need a sniffer or an IR thermometer to know they're working - most people can smell the difference (in HC, anyway).
If modern engines put out nothing but CO2 and H2O, there wouldn't be any reaction to catalyze, and cats wouldn't be exothermic - which they are. But one doesn't need a sniffer or an IR thermometer to know they're working - most people can smell the difference (in HC, anyway).
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 44
From: Houston MN
St. Jude Donor '10
I made the boo boo of putting the offroad x-pipe on my car when I had the blower installed right after I bought the car new. Major mistake! Last year while at ECS for more performance upgrades I had cats put back on. Now I no longer have to sprint out of the garage to beat the odor!