It is mandatory for all automotives in the US to have a catalytic converter fitted in its engine. This is primarily because, a cat, when fitted into a vehicle can help in cutting down the toxic levels of the exhaust fumes before they arereleased into the atmosphere – a No.1 requirement in keeping the environment clean and safe.
Since all vehicles come with a factory fitted catalytic converter from the manufacturer’s unit, the price of a replacement catalytic converter is never realized until the unit fails to perform. And when it does, the car user has got two ways to replace it-
2) Consider the hugely popular Aftermarket Catalytic Converters for purchase which cost much less
A catalytic converter has a catalytic metal fitted in its ceramic network which, upon contact with the venomous gases released from the exhausts, reacts with them to cut down emission toxicity. The high price of OEM converters can be accredited to the nature of this metal, the most commonly used ones being rhodium or platinum. Aftermarket units use silver or palladium which are relatively less expensive but not less effective. This accounts for their popularity, as buyers enjoy the same quality converter performance, but at a reduced cost.
Catalytic converters work at very high temperatures, approx. 750° Celsius. However, anything higher than this can result in a meltdown of the unit. An oxygen sensor is incorporated to help the machine regulate the EGT or Exhaust Gas Temperatures. More often than not catalytic converters fail to perform because of a faulty Oxygen sensor. And when the converter fails, it is mandatory for a car owner to look for a legal replacement catalytic converter. Whether one fits an OEM product or goes for Aftermarket Catalytic Converters, auto experts recommend the change of the O2 sensor at the same time. This needs to be at its working best to increase the longevity of any catalytic converter, OEM or aftermark.
OEM catalytic converters come in two types-
a) Two- way catalytic converter – oxidizes gases like hydrocarbons + Carbon Monoxide
b) Three -way catalytic converter – oxidizes hydrocarbons + Carbon Monoxide + nitrogen oxides
Aftermarket catalytic converters can be classified as-
1) Standard – these catalytic converters are manufactured with OEM specifications and adhere to the legal emission standards of the state when reducing the harmfulness of exhaust discharge.
2) Hi-flow – these aftermarket catalytic converters reduce emission toxicity to the legal limits and also help to boost up the performance power of a vehicle by increasing its horsepower and torque. These are typically used by racers and car enthusiasts who like their vehicles to be power driven while complying with the state emission levels.
Aftermarket catalytic converters are favored by all groups of auto owners, since when bought in compliance with the car make, model and specifications, they look and behave like their OEM counterparts, without the premium rates for it. Magnaflow aftermarket converters deserve a mention here, as they are highly popular for adhering to legal limits and offering durable and long lasting service to car exhausts.
A catalytic converter is a device that helps in reducing different kinds of emissions that emanate from internal combustion engines. These converters work by using a catalyst that helps in stimulating a chemical reaction which leads to the conversion of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon mono oxide into environment friendly emissions.
The catalytic converter includes a ceramic honeycomb interior that has two or three catalysts which help in the smooth flow of exhaust gases through your tail pipe. A catalytic converter works best when it is sufficiently heated up. This is one of the reasons why it is fitted close to the engine.
Every car maker has to include catalytic converters in the vehicles they manufacture. These converters must be produced according to the legal requirements laid down by local as well as the federal authorities. These laws are framed for maintaining public health and environmental standards.
The main purpose of any aftermarket catalytic converter is to reduce the flow of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide through your car’s exhaust system. Catalytic converters are manufactured by using a variety of tools that include platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Catalytic converters work at their best when they are quite hot, approximately up to 750 ° Celsius or about 1400 ° Fahrenheit. Over a period of time these catalytic converters fail because of the amount of heat they work with. When your catalytic converter fails you are mandated by law to replace it with a suitable catalytic converter that meets the local and federal emission standards.
Aftermarket catalytic converters can also be classified into two categories. Namely: two-way and three-way catalytic converters. Two-way catalytic converters help in oxidizing carbon monoxide as well as hydrocarbons. These converters are normally used in combustion ignition engines.
Three-way catalytic converters not only perform similar tasks but also help in reducing nitrogen oxides. In the US, all catalytic converters being used in the manufacture of vehicles after 1981 are mandated by law to use three-way catalytic converters.
Any aftermarket catalytic converter that is sold in the market as a factory replacement product can be categorized into two. Namely: Standard catalytic converter and hi flow catalytic converter.
Standard catalytic converters are very much like an OEM product. It uses the same specifications that the original manufacturer uses while manufacturing the car. These converters are also compliant with both state as well as federal laws of the country. More info about OEM Catalytic Converters here.
Hi-flow catalytic converters are specially designed to enable your vehicle to generate more torque and horsepower. At the same time it is also designed to reduce harmful emissions. These converters also enable your engine to generate more power by decreasing the amount of back pressure on the exhaust system.
This helps the engine to allow the flow of exhaust gases more freely through your tail pipe. These catalytic converters are quite often used by those in the car racing industry. Here more info about Universal Tailpipe.
Finally, it is important that you go through the documentation that comes included with an aftermarket catalytic converter so that you remain compliant with state and federal laws.
Catalytic converters are perhaps one of the most important parts in a vehicle exhaust system. The combustion chamber of an engine produces many harmful gases and if these are let out in the atmosphere, they can cause grave danger. A catalytic converter changes these gases into harmless ones before they are emitted out of the vehicle. The best aftermarket catalytic converters are now available online with the Magnaflow manufacturers. These are designed as per the new law on catalytic converters and the company vouches that their parts are the most reasonable when compared to others.
Importance of a catalytic converter
During combustion, lethal gases like carbon monoxide, hydro carbons and nitrogen oxides are produced in an engine. A catalytic converter uses chemical catalysts like platinum, palladium and/or rhodium to change these into carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen and oxygen. These are then emitted into the environment. Many countries have stringent laws on this part and vehicle owners who drive without them have been made to pay huge fines. As per the latest law in the US, a catalytic converter in any vehicle does not depend on the engine shape, size, vehicle weight, etc. There are many other factors which decide the type of converter in a vehicle.
If you are opting for the best aftermarket catalytic converter, make sure that the manufacturer follows all the legal requirements in the design of the part. You can always check for details of the law before placing an order. Some aftermarkets manufacture custom made converters as per your requirement. The difference in them would be the ability to control the back pressure in the exhaust. Presence of back pressure can cause the engine to lose power and hence, there are many upgraded versions of catalytic converters which take care of the same. If you want to know more about the laws in California, please check Catalytic Converter California Legal.
There are 2 different types of catalytic converters:
Two way
The two way catalytic converter produces 2 concurrent reactions. With the help of the catalysts, the converter changes carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and hydro carbons into carbon dioxide and water. These are effective in diesel engines. However, since they do not have any control over nitrogen oxides, the three way was introduced.
Three way
Apart from the above two reactions, the three way converter changes nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and oxygen and hence, is more effective.
Another important feature of a catalytic converter is the oxygen sensor. This is a part of the exhaust system which is placed before the converter and is closer to the engine. This sensor sends data to the engine computer about the levels of oxygen present in the engine and there is a control mechanism which adjusts the levels of oxygen in the engine for smooth running. This works in sync with the catalytic converter and enhances its performance.
The best aftermarket catalytic converters are now very easy to get at Magnaflow. Go through their catalogue and you can always speak to their representatives before ordering.
Every car comes with a stock factory exhaust integrated into its system to reduce the emission toxicity of the fumes released by the burning of fuel and also to absorb the loud noise that is emitted from the combustion unit of a vehicle. However, the stock exhaust that is fitted in the car engine from the manufacturer’s unit is often restraining in nature, thereby not offering a car the power and authority that it deserves.
Aftermarket exhaust to boost up performance
Automotive engineering research results show that what stock factory exhausts cannot provide to vehicles can be accomplished by adding less restrictive and bigger sized exhausts to the system. Not only does such an exhaust bring improved power, stamina and performance to the car, but it also generates that commanding sound which car enthusiasts and racers love to hear. This kind of exhaust is usually manufactured by a third party manufacturer and popularly known as aftermarket exhaust.
Aftermarket exhaust as replacement part
An aftermarket exhaust is often also the best choice when buyers are looking for replacement performance parts for their vehicles. When bought with the correct OEM specifications they are as good as their OEM counterparts, cheaper, and perform with no less a quality and assertiveness than the original.
Cars, when brought out from the manufacturer’s unit have superbly tuned exhausts. As a result, a new car, if fitted with an aftermarket exhaust can lose some of its horsepower in the course of operation. Therefore, depending upon the performance that is expected out of a car, it is wiser to learn the OEM exhaust dimensions that it has and compare it with an aftermarket exhaust that is suitable for its replacement, before restoring.
What does an exhaust consist of?
An exhaust system, although it appears to be a single unit, is actually a compilation of many parts, namely,
When an exhaust needs a repair or the car owner wants to change it to increase performance, it is essential to change the full unit, rather than specific parts. Replacing one and ignoring the rest can keep the vehicle and its owner away from the high performance and efficiency that a full replacement can bring.
Some aftermarket exhaust designs have a “mandrel bent”, which means that the pipe bends inside the exhaust are less deformed and pose fewer restrictions on the path of the gases flowing outside. This is just opposite to what stock factory products have but close to what racers and car enthusiasts always want. However, before buying such a hi-flow aftermarket exhaust, it is wiser to check with the state rules and regulations for a legal use.
Magnaflow aftermarket exhaust come from a company which have been serving the automotive industry for 25 long years and till date has maintained its appointment with performance, legal emission limits and durability. Buyers looking for aftermarket exhaust units can go for this – car owners consider it to be the best.
It is mandatory for all automotives in the US to have a catalytic converter fitted in its engine. This is primarily because, a cat, when fitted into a vehicle can help in cutting down the toxic levels of the exhaust fumes before they are released into the atmosphere – a No.1 requirement in keeping the environment clean and safe.
