sorry to sound dumb but what does a catalytic converter do?

 

Well, all it basically does is get all that harmful crap out of your exhaust, such as left over gas, ect. that could harm the atmosphere worse than it already does. Some people like to run without them because of the restriction it causes when it comes to backpressure and air flow through the exhaust. *not exactly legal in some states however*

Hope this helps, it's a pretty basic answer and all.

 

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:

1. Hydrocarbons (in the form of unburned gasoline)
2. Carbon monoxide (formed by the combustion of gasoline)
3. 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 material (platinum and palladium) is coated onto a ceramic honeycomb housed in a muffler-like package within the exhaust system. 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.

This is a self-destructing device, as the paladium and platinum combines with the gasses passing through, it eventually "wears out". Since the lifespan of the catalytic converter is directly related to how much of the various pollutants it must combine with, running your engine very rich will result in the cat "wearing out" faster.

 

The catalyitic converter burns excess gas in the exhaust stream lowering NOX, HC, and CO levels. It makes the exhaust less toxic, and don't worry about air pollution. It's only a worry in LA where there are so many idiots they need gassed anyway.

 

It chokes your exhaust and reduces horsepower!
A converter reduces the unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by burning (oxidizing) them over a platinum and palladium catalyst. Basically they seriously reduce the harmful gasses that escape from the engine. My truck has Catco high-flow cats. $59/pc and they really help out on performance.

 

hey thanks a bunch for the fast answers...i dont mean to be dumb but i am just trying to learn ya know... thanks again

 

ak, what restricts your exhaust is the dinky 2" tail pipe, take the 2.5" coming off of the cat and make the exhaust shop put a 2.5" system on it. THe difference is night and day.

 

Pfogle's got it right.

Rarely at RPMs seen on daily driver trucks is the cat the restriction. Its the piping.

If you're really worried, know that aftermarket cats can be purchased with 4" inlets/outlets.

 

Tampering with the emissions system on an automobile is a violation of FEDERAL law. So, removing one is illegal in all States.