The catalytic converter of a vehicle is an essential emission control component. A catalytic converter delete can, however, be beneficial. Still, it is never a good idea to hastily delete the catalytic converter without experiencing the hitch of the obvious disadvantages.
The catalytic converter, cat-cons fondly called, has been a car necessity since 1975; this is because the part is vital in getting rid of Nitrogen-oxide gas(NOx); at the same time, some car enthusiasts consider the part a vital part of the car, while some feel it is not necessary, they can afford not to have one.
Let’s take a look at what catalytic converter delete means, and the upsides and downsides.
What is catalytic converter delete?
Catalytic Converter Delete refers to the removal or uninstalling of your vehicle’s catalytic converter. This can either be via a guided step-by-step DIY process or at the workshop of an expert auto mechanic.
Catalytic Converter Delete cost depends on if you do it yourself, or hire the service of a professional auto mechanic.
If you decide to do it yourself, you may be looking at a cost of about $50 or less, but you must know how to remove the catalytic converter and replace it with a straight pipe. However, if you decide to hire the service of an expert auto mechanic, it may cost about $300 or more.
You should not be worried about the check engine light staying illuminated on your dashboard after the Catalytic Converter Delete because it is possible to remove the converter, and bypass O2 sensor too, without the check engine light lighting up.
You should get excited about the hell of a time you will spend enjoying your car when you take the risk to get rid of your car’s converter, but don’t forget to consider the downside too for your safety.
Pros and Cons catalytic converter delete
There are several reasons to delete your vehicle’s converter; that’s why everyone is excited to do it. But as they say, every coin has its head and tail.
So concentrating on the head side only is not always the brightest thing to do. That is why you should consider these cats delete pros and cons to be sure you are making the right decision to get a catalytic converter delete kit or not.
Pros
Horsepower Boost
The horsepower of your vehicle automatically gets a boost when you delete your car converter.
Since removing the catalytic converter affords a serious exit source for the exhaust gases, backpressure on your engine is lowered.
At the same, a spacious place for the engagement of air into the vehicle’s combustion chamber is opened up. This facility escalates the speed of process of the combustion to engender the release of more horsepower.
Reduced engine temperature
The operating temperature of a vehicle’s engine is reduced when the car’s converter is removed; this is because it eases the burden for the engine by allowing the exhaust gasses to be freed out easily and quickly.
Now, that there are existent free-exits of exhaust gas out of the combustion chamber, the operating temperature of the engine would drop significantly.
Better gas mileage
A benefit of removing your vehicle’s converter is better mileage. Like noted, removing the part would simply lower engine backpressure and operating temperature and the such.
Such would boast of ease the burden on the engine, so there would be less consumption of fuel and better gas mileages.
Variety of fuel options
Having the converter restrains you from using particular type of fuel in your vehicle. For instance, your car consumes unleaded gasoline systems like so, since lead-based gasoline antibacterial both catalytic converter and the fuzzy catalyst inside it.
So, removing the converter affords you the luxury of a fine variety of fuel options to try the best high-performance fuel in your car.
Cons
Illegal in most U.S. states
Catalytic Converter is illegal in many if not all U.S. states. The EPA and MOT ensure that they sanction any car owner that removes their catalytic converter.
In the same way, it will be hard to pass your MOT without your vehicle’s catalytic converter in the U.S., hence you will be having a pass to fail if you decide to go sans the catalytic converter.
Air pollution
Since your vehicle’s catalyst ensures the proper handling of toxic unburned exhaust gases producing a high degree of carbons monoxide, taking it off will affect that.
Without the catalytic converter your vehicle will spew forth a large volume of toxic exhaust release polluting your neighborhood and making the air you breathe disastrous for living human creatures.
Noise pollution
When noise or sound is above 85 decibels it becomes noise pollution, which can also be detrimental to man’s hearing health. This is what it is like to remove your vehicle’s catalytic converter.
The catalytic converter cuts out sound from the engine and it skyrockets disturbing persistently everybody in sight anywhere you rev it or idle it wherever you reside in.
Inability to pass the MOT test
As noted, your vehicle’s catalytic converter is illegal in many U.S. states, especially California and Cars without a cat will attempt to pass the MOT test and fail.
Failing it is tantamount to your car being impounded especially when you breach the MOT rule or sanctions as it. Applies to cars without a cat converter.
More fuel consumption (in some cases)
Some complain of car consuming much fuel once they disengage the catalytic converter for whatever reason.
The catalytic converter is help for some cars particularly for achieving better fuel consumption, if that’s your case. You can envisage the reverse happening once you remove cat-cons.
The faulty removal of a catalytic converter can do damage to your vehicle’s ideal fuel consumption as well.
Can you drive without a catalytic converter?
You’ll find search queries like “can you drive without a catalytic converter in California, Texas, and other states?” all over the net – strewn in automotive forums. Let’s address the concern in general to assuage all car owners’ fears; can I drive without a catalytic converter? If yes, how far can I drive without a catalytic converter?
It’s usually illegal to drive your vehicle without a functioning catalytic converter in most states. Driving without a catalytic converter on your automobile can result in you getting slapped with a large fine, or having your vehicle impounded until repairs are taken care of. Drivers may even need a working catalyst in order to pass the required emissions test.
Driving without a catalytic converter not only is illegal; it carries a lot of risk. Either way, that line about risk reminds us; let’s say it again to drive some of the points home. A catalytic converter is an important part of your car’s exhaust system—it removes harmful gases from the exhaust that emerge from the engine by turning them into less dangerous compounds.
Without one in use, drivers would be exposed to harmful levels of gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide and subject to harmful side effects as headaches, bleeding from the nose, or death in extreme cases.
That said, one day you may suddenly notice a sure sign of a stolen catalytic converter while on the move. The question, of course, is, catalytic converter stolen, “Can I drive?” To adhere to the law that you cannot and should not drive without that component is clear; but, if you’re a long way from home when that component is found to be gone, you must follow the doctrine of necessity. You must drive unless you get home, or where a solution can be found for that.
Alternatively, how far can you drive before installing a new cat con? Actually, you can drive as long as you see fit as not having a cat con on your automobile will not create a mechanical problem. In fact, if you wish to remain sane, quit thinking, is it illegal to drive without a catalytic converter in Washington state, Colorado, or wherever you are?
FAQs.
Q: Does removing the catalytic converter affect engine?
Of course, removing a vehicle’s catalytic converter affects the engine positively. This is purely because removing it reduces the burden of the engine.
This automotive exhaust system component will by default enable exhaust fumes to pack their bags and vacate the engine faster and easier than when eligible to board after the catalytic converter is on. Meanwhile, this reduction can also reduce operating temperature of the engine.
Sure, removing a cars converter can reduce the stress to the engine to a large extent. These things still come at a prize:
Q: Will removing catalytic converter increase horsepower?
Of course! You can boost your vehicles horsepower dramatically by just simply removing the catalytic converter. The horsepower increases because the backpressure reduces when you remove the catalytic converter. Hence the car can release exhaust gases quickly and fast!
Also, the combustion chamber gains more enhancement because there can be more active O2 gas coming to the combustion chamber which could be reduce by exhaust back pressure but improved once the catalytic converter is off.
So yes, if you want more horsepower in the vehicle, it may pay to remove the catalytic converter (among other ways to gainful horsepower increase).
Q: Will removing the catalytic converter make the exhaust louder?
Certainly, among the first things that come to mind when deleting a vehicle’s converter is the horrendous sound that comes with it. The noise may be quite peculiar, and some car owners love it this way.
Yes, the loud noise could be a nuisance to some persons, while others may relish the fun. Of course, besides the loud noise, removing the catalytic converter in some instances might trigger unnecessary fuel consumption when not performed carefully.
If you intend removing your cat converter, pay attention to the consequences before commencing the work.
Q: Is catalytic delete illegal?
Definitely, catalytic converter delete is against the law because of the ecological trend it poses. This is an essential component of a vehicle that helps to reduce the degree of toxic exhaust gases it emits into the atmosphere during the combustion process.
A great deal of carbon monoxide is produced during combustion in vehicles, thus poisoning the atmosphere and degrading the ecosystem. This is what has been contributing to global warming, and hence the government’s worry about using cat converters on vehicles is justified.
The catalytic converter ensures that it stores the heat of the exhaust and uses it to convert the damaging gases borne of combustion to exude gases that are less harmful to the environment. In addition, it may not be easy to pass your MOT test without your car’s catalytic converter.
Q: Can I replace my catalytic converter with a straight pipe?
Most states don’t allow owners of vehicles to simply switch their cat converter for a straight pipe. This is partly because the totalitarian EPA is not ready for vehicles owners tamper with any emissions and the problems that arise with it; otherwise, they will face serious penalties.
There are several advantages to removing a car’s cat converter as well as some unique disadvantages.
So, even as you fume about removing your catalytic converter do not forget these potential disadvantages. Always put the consequences of every action before the die is cast.
Q: Is it OK to drive without a catalytic converter?
This question is two-dimensional, and the answer is both yes and no. Now you are probably thinking why yes and no, well if the question is about a vehicle running without the catalytic converter, yes, the vehicle can work perfectly.
If the question is if it is legal to drive without a catalytic converter then the most honest answer is No. The list of the states that are okay with you driving without your catalytic converter is sadly a short one; it is illegal to drive without a catalytic converter in most states.
For what purpose? This is to conserve the environment by limiting the effect of toxic gases in vehicle exhaust by neutralizing them to some extent that they are not wholesale harmful. By the way, the MOT attaches importance to the catalytic converter when it conducts MOT tests.
Final words
Catalytic converter delete is mostly illegal across much of the U.S., and if you live in California, do not think about removing the cat converter because this practice is heavily frowned upon in that state.
While there are merits to delete this vital car device, such as more horsepower, it is paramount to know that the danger it poses to the safety of the environment is a lot higher up in priority.
So if you’re considering deleting your vehicle’s catalytic converter, be sure your state has no business with such practice and consider the environmental effect of doing such.