Without A Catalytic Converter ?
Last year MVS Forums user volvoidaho2343 started a topic that led to quite a bit of wisdom (recent posts) concerning running your Volvo without a catalytic converter. The pro’s are several, the cons are many.
2000 V70 GLT… was wondering if I could just have a muffler shop cut out the converter and weld a piece of straight pipe in place of it? My state dosen’t have any emission laws. Will this effect the drivability of the car? Thanks in advance. Any advice about this subject would be greatly appreciated. The cost of a new converter is approx. $1100, and a piece of straight pipe is around $35 to have put in.
Running Without A Catalytic Converter. Smart?
Bonus! What is a Catalytic Converter?
A catalytic converter is a device that uses a catalyst to convert three harmful compounds in car exhaust into harmless compounds.
The three harmful compounds are:
- Hydrocarbons (in the form of unburned gasoline)
- Carbon monoxide (formed by the combustion of gasoline)
- Nitrogen oxides (created when the heat in the engine forces nitrogen in the air to combine with oxygen)
Carbon monoxide is a poison for any air-breathing animal. Nitrogen oxides lead to smog and acid rain, and hydrocarbons produce smog.
In a catalytic converter, the catalyst (in the form of platinum and palladium) is coated onto a ceramic honeycomb or ceramic beads that are housed in a muffler-like package attached to the exhaust pipe. The catalyst helps to convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. It converts the hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water. It also converts the nitrogen oxides back into nitrogen and oxygen.
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Last Updated on August 19, 2020
