EVEN THE HIGHEST FLOW CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAN PLUG UP
[NOTE: The Car Sound/Magnaflow site details important EPA and other legal restrictions regarding catalytic converter changes.] _________________________________________________________________
Even the highest flow catalytic converter (list at bottom of page) can become plugged due to engine problems. A plugged catalytic converter creates excessive backpressure in an exhaust system that can kill engine performance and gas mileage. _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Gibson Performance Exhaust Tests show that improving exhaust flow and reducing back pressure can increase fuel economies by about 10%, thereby saving about $.25 on every gallon of gas purchased. *It follows that increasing backpressure, as happens when catalytic converters start plugging, will reduce power and fuel economy. In some cases the losses can be extreme and lead to failure of an engine to run. Engine problems like oil burning, rich fuel mixtures, bad spark plugs, and much more can cause plugging of even the highest flow catalytic converter. The plugging is often more than additive catalytic converter cleaners can overcome, and replacement of an expensive catalytic converter becomes necessary. But replacement of a plugged catalytic converter should only be done after correcting the engine problems that cause it to plug in the first place. Otherwise, the new converter will plug just as badly as the old one. The catalytic converter in a well maintained car should last for years. But delayed maintenance or engine problems can create conditions that can plug or foul a catalytic converter. As a general rule, if your car has been well maintained, and your gas mileage is about what it should be, then there probably isn’t a problem with your catalytic converter. A competent mechanic can determine if your engine has this problem. _________________________________________________________________
More catalytic converter information:
Meinke Car Care Catalytic Converter Pages have excellent graphics detailing catalytic converter operation. The Wikipedia Catalytic Converter page has a detailed discussion of catalytic converters that includes information about theft of catalytic converters. _________________________________________________________________
You can find catalytic converters online at Amazon Catalytic Converters You can also do an online search to check price and availability of catalytic converters at your local auto parts stores.
Custom Search
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Major aftermarket contenders for the highest flow catalytic converters:
Car Sound/Magnaflow
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*(Note: Estimates of cost penalties of restricted exhaust systems use a reciprocal of Gibson Performance data for improved exhaust flow and lower back pressure. Reducing backpressure has been shown by Gibson to improve fuel economy. Exhaust pipe theory predicts that a similar increase in backpressure would have the opposite effect.) _________________________________________________________________
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