Catalytic Converter (car question)

2009-04-26 13:45:27

#1

trex1210: I am Canadian; +72|6686|B.C. Canada

My dodge neon is sluggish and I was told that this was due to the Catalytic Converter. I know there are a few people on this forum who has a vehicle and I am just wondering if anyone has experience with removing the Catalytic Converter. Now I have heard mix thoughts on this. Some people tell me that I well have a great lose in power and some have told me that I well gain a shit load of power and that my car well no longer be sluggish. I am asking you people for a second opinion on this. I do not want to remove it and do all the work if I am just going to regret it in the end.

For people who do not know what a Catalytic Converter is; its a part of the exhaust which is used to reduce the toxicity of the emissions that a vehicle produces.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter

2009-04-26 13:54:53

#2

Finray: Hup! Dos, Tres, Cuatro; +2,629|6215|Catherine Black

Your cat doesn't really reduce power, just makes your exhaust fumes more eco-friendly.

2009-04-26 14:03:02

#3

Metal-Eater-GR: I can haz titanium paancakez?; +490|6699

Finray wrote:
Your cat doesn't really reduce power

Wrong.
Removing your catalytic converter actually adds power to your system. Same thing goes for motorbikes (I think)

2009-04-26 14:10:19

#4

wah1188: You orrible caaaaaaan't; +321|6887|UK

Get an high-flo converter I heard they are quite cheap and give your the same performance increase without being illegal.

2009-04-26 14:10:33

#5

TSI: Cholera in the time of love; +247|6408|Toronto

It's illegal to remove it. Done.

If your car is sluggish, check your ignition and intake/exhaust manifolds. I had the same problem with my Jetta some months ago, replaced the air filter and it was good to go.
So, don't get rid of the cat. And besides, it won't change much. It might, just might, add 1 or 2 horsepower.

Last edited by TSI (2009-04-26 14:10:44)

I like pie.

2009-04-26 14:56:04

#6

S3v3N: lolwut?; +685|6945|Montucky

1. Check Air Filter.

2. Replace Fuel Filter.

3. Check Spark Plugs, Cap/Rotor/Wires whatever the fuck that thing uses to deliever energy to the plugs.

2009-04-26 14:56:25

#7

jsnipy: ...; +3,277|6949|...

also o2 sensors

edit: better yet what was the service code?

Last edited by jsnipy (2009-04-26 14:56:46)

2009-04-26 14:57:05

#8

CammRobb: Banned; +1,510|6557|Carnoustie MASSIF

trex1210 wrote:
dodge neon

There's your problem.

2009-04-26 15:08:48

#9

Finray: Hup! Dos, Tres, Cuatro; +2,629|6215|Catherine Black

Metal-Eater-GR wrote:
Finray wrote:
Your cat doesn't really reduce power
Wrong.
Removing your catalytic converter actually adds power to your system. Same thing goes for motorbikes (I think)

The difference is minimal.

2009-04-26 15:20:04

#10

Kurazoo: Pheasant Plucker; +440|7111|West Yorkshire, U.K

SirSchloppy wrote:
trex1210 wrote:
dodge neon
There's your problem.

lol

2009-04-26 15:22:38

#11

Stingray24: Proud member of the vast right-wing conspiracy; +1,060|6872|The Land of Scott Walker

S3v3N wrote:
1. Check Air Filter.

2. Replace Fuel Filter.

3. Check Spark Plugs, Cap/Rotor/Wires whatever the fuck that thing uses to deliever energy to the plugs.

This. Could be the converter, but I have a sneaking suspicion the repairman is trying to inflate his bill.

2009-04-26 15:28:16

#12

elite.mafia: Banned; +122|6881|USA

dodge neons are just slow cars in general, make sure you aren't hauling a lot in your trunk (clean out your car, trust me, the small things count, that car has a really wimpy 4 banger, so 50 pounds added could make a huge difference)

2009-04-26 15:30:05

#13

Flecco: iPod is broken.; +1,048|7092|NT, like Mick Dundee

You might have to tinker with the flux capacitor too.

Whoa... Can't believe these forums are still kicking.

2009-04-26 15:30:55

#14

some_random_panda: Flamesuit essential; +454|6817

No catalytic converter + allowing your car to sit in an enclosed space idling = facepalm.

(and possible faster asphyxiation because of the way haemoglobin bond to CO a lot easier than O2 or CO2.)

Last edited by some_random_panda (2009-04-26 15:32:27)

2009-04-26 15:44:00

#15

trex1210: I am Canadian; +72|6686|B.C. Canada

I change air/oil filters regularly, change spark plugs when needed, all wires and cable are good. I maintain my car regularly as I like to tinker around a lot. I know neons are slow cars but that is not the problem. The problem is its very slugish when going up hills and the sort. Its got no balls.

Neons have tiny engines but so do a lot of small cars and they seem to do fine going up hills and accelerating. Plus the only thing in my trunk is the spare+jack and a roadside emergency kit. I am a clean freak.

Last edited by trex1210 (2009-04-26 15:46:22)

2009-04-26 15:49:57

#16

Mekstizzle: WALKER; +3,611|7048|London, England

Maybe it's the Transmission?

I don't think you can remove it and just run without one (emission laws). It probably does increase power if you don't have one though, something to do with the fact that the exhaust emissions can be more easily pushed out of the engine/exhaust manifold/pipe, so there's less resistance on the piston when it's moving up (exhaust stroke) which means more power

In theory, yeah, if your cat is clogged up (can that happen?) or something is making the exhaust emissions not flow freely through the system, than yeah it would reduce power, by how much I dunno

Last edited by Mekstizzle (2009-04-26 15:50:17)

2009-04-26 15:55:12

#17

CammRobb: Banned; +1,510|6557|Carnoustie MASSIF

In Britain you can remove the cat and drive without it, but you have to put it back on for your MOT

2009-04-26 16:09:53

#18

Jasp: Bongabilla; +171|7089|The Outer Circle

SirSchloppy wrote:
In Britain you can remove the cat and drive without it, but you have to put it back on for your MOT

That means you cant then....

https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/11882/holteendersig2.jpg

https://forums.bf2s.com/img/avatars/11508.gif

2009-04-26 16:16:15

#19

CammRobb: Banned; +1,510|6557|Carnoustie MASSIF

TPM-J45P3R- wrote:
SirSchloppy wrote:
In Britain you can remove the cat and drive without it, but you have to put it back on for your MOT
That means you cant then....

Well yeah you can.

But you fail your MOT if you don't have on fitted.

2009-04-26 16:30:38

#20

Trigger_Happy_92: Uses the TV missle too much; +394|7076

Catalytic converters are used to reduce the amount of noxious emmisions your car emits from the combustion of gasoline. Some power can be gained with cars that have restrictive, or clogged converters; However, some cars are designed to work on the backpressure caused by a converter, so removing yours might not be the best idea (not to mention its illegal). An old, clogged catalytic converter can cause excessive backpressure, essentially choking your engine in a similar way as a clogged air filter makes it harder for your engine to breathe.

If you perform regular maintenance, like you said you do, then your air/oil filters shouldnt be a problem, and neither should your ignition system if you check your plugs periodically. If it is a high mileage car, then you should check your fuel system. Changing your fuel filter or cleaning your fuel injectors can make your car more responsive; over time, the injectors and filters get gummed up.

If by sluggish, you mean slow to respond to throttle input, and overall poor performance, and youve changed your air and oil filters, then definatley check your fuel system. Poor throttle response is often a sign of bad fuel delivery.

2009-04-26 16:41:22

#21

Jasp: Bongabilla; +171|7089|The Outer Circle

SirSchloppy wrote:
TPM-J45P3R- wrote:
SirSchloppy wrote:
In Britain you can remove the cat and drive without it, but you have to put it back on for your MOT
That means you cant then....
Well yeah you can.

But you fail your MOT if you don't have on fitted.

It means if you take it off, the car is not to MOT standard, therefore not legal.

2009-04-26 16:53:15

#22

FrankieSpankie3388: Hockey Nut; +243|6957|Boston, MA

If you're car is sluggish did you think about just getting a tune up? My car ran like shit for a couple weeks, no power in first (which is really saying something with a 300hp car), the whole engine block was shaking, and on rare occassions, it'd even backfire. I got a tune up with just new spark plugs, ignition wires, and fuel filter, and it's running perfectly again.

2009-04-26 16:53:33

#23

Defiance: Member; +438|7098

SirSchloppy wrote:
TPM-J45P3R- wrote:
SirSchloppy wrote:
In Britain you can remove the cat and drive without it, but you have to put it back on for your MOT
That means you cant then....
Well yeah you can.

But you fail your MOT if you don't have on fitted.

No, you can't do it legally. FFS, are you serious?

2009-04-26 17:22:13

#24

Reciprocity: Member; +721|7007|the dank(super) side of Oregon

wow. so much insight

2009-04-26 17:56:15

#25

elite.mafia: Banned; +122|6881|USA

Defiance wrote:
SirSchloppy wrote:
TPM-J45P3R- wrote:

That means you cant then....
Well yeah you can.

But you fail your MOT if you don't have on fitted.
No, you can't do it legally. FFS, are you serious?

If they catch you driving with a CC won't they fine you and take away your inspection? I mean obviously if you drive and no1 knows they wont give a shit... idk

BF2S Forums Catalytic Converter (car question)

Finray wrote:

trex1210 wrote:

Metal-Eater-GR wrote:

Finray wrote:

SirSchloppy wrote:

trex1210 wrote:

S3v3N wrote:

SirSchloppy wrote:

TPM-J45P3R- wrote:

SirSchloppy wrote:

SirSchloppy wrote:

TPM-J45P3R- wrote:

SirSchloppy wrote:

SirSchloppy wrote:

TPM-J45P3R- wrote:

SirSchloppy wrote:

Defiance wrote:

SirSchloppy wrote:

TPM-J45P3R- wrote:

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