Metallic catalytic converters...does it work and how well
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 144
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From: Los Angeles
Metallic catalytic converters...does it work and how well
Just wondering if anyone had any experience with Magnaflow/Car-Sound's metallic cats:
http://www.car-sound.com/02product/d...niversal=59959
Can our cars handle this without the airtube or would it need to be welded on?
http://www.car-sound.com/02product/d...niversal=59959
Can our cars handle this without the airtube or would it need to be welded on?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 340
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From: Auburn, CA
They are still unproven for long term durability. I have read a couple of posts, at least, where they melted in FDs after a while.
I put one in less than a 1000 miles back and was super impressed with the performance. It had such a low back pressure that it actually caused boost creep in my car. I used an air-pump hookup with it.
Lately I've been noticing some loss of performance and, at the same time, the wideband is reading lower and lower AFRs at near redline. I used to be around 10.8 and a couple of days ago on a cooler day I actually read 10.1, which is opposite of expected. On cooler days the AFR should lean out a bit, not go richer.
So, I am suspecting that my met cat is going south on me. I will find out soon when I get to take if off and inspect it, as I've just ordered a resonated mid-pipe to use as a replacement.
Albert
I put one in less than a 1000 miles back and was super impressed with the performance. It had such a low back pressure that it actually caused boost creep in my car. I used an air-pump hookup with it.
Lately I've been noticing some loss of performance and, at the same time, the wideband is reading lower and lower AFRs at near redline. I used to be around 10.8 and a couple of days ago on a cooler day I actually read 10.1, which is opposite of expected. On cooler days the AFR should lean out a bit, not go richer.
So, I am suspecting that my met cat is going south on me. I will find out soon when I get to take if off and inspect it, as I've just ordered a resonated mid-pipe to use as a replacement.
Albert
Longevity of a cat is largely related to:
1. Quality of cat
2. Tuning
Running a/f ratios in the 10s increases likelihood of clogging and melting the cat. Yes that is difficult not to do in a turbo rotary. Tuning a bit leaner (like in the 11s) and in the appropriate rev/boost ranges to ensure that you are not running more fuel than you need in other rev ranges. Also tune to eliminate Flame-age on deceleration (which will bbq a cat until it melts like a marshmallow).
This will enhance the longevity of the cat.
1. Quality of cat
2. Tuning
Running a/f ratios in the 10s increases likelihood of clogging and melting the cat. Yes that is difficult not to do in a turbo rotary. Tuning a bit leaner (like in the 11s) and in the appropriate rev/boost ranges to ensure that you are not running more fuel than you need in other rev ranges. Also tune to eliminate Flame-age on deceleration (which will bbq a cat until it melts like a marshmallow).
This will enhance the longevity of the cat.