Catalytic Converters (CATS) - Performance?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 50
From: Yokohama, Japan
2000 CLK 320
Catalytic Converters (CATS) - Performance?
In a month or so I should be getting custom v6 Headers made by Ghost.
For the past few days I've been researching if I can get any additional benefits from replacing my original CATs and going with a High Flow CAT.
I've been researching this for the past few days. Some articles says that replacing CATs with High Flow CATs either reduces performance or increases it. Sounds more like a hit or miss.
The following are the results of what I've found.
1. Loose power and torque on the low end range but Gain on the high end range
2. Loose power on both
3. Gain power on both
4. Ensure the CAT matches what your car is i.e. ODB or ODBII
5. Replace O2 Sensors if you replace CATs
6. Metallic honeycombs are ideal for high performance and can withstand more heat than ceramic type.
What I could not find was an article that talked about CATs in relationship to CFM and CELs.
My main concern is increasing low end torque performance than HP. Of course it would be great to know what the CEL rating is on the MB CATs.
June/July time frame PowerChip will be opening shop in Tokyo where I will get my ECU tuned. If I still have a need for more speed then I'm looking into doing a Centrifugal Supercharger on my CLK320. If not, then on to a Fully Fabricated Custom Stereo. Then that should be all folks. Wondering what I will do if I have nothing left to mod
hmmm maybe save money
Here is one of the articles I was reading
Import Tuner.com
For the past few days I've been researching if I can get any additional benefits from replacing my original CATs and going with a High Flow CAT.
I've been researching this for the past few days. Some articles says that replacing CATs with High Flow CATs either reduces performance or increases it. Sounds more like a hit or miss.
The following are the results of what I've found.
1. Loose power and torque on the low end range but Gain on the high end range
2. Loose power on both
3. Gain power on both
4. Ensure the CAT matches what your car is i.e. ODB or ODBII
5. Replace O2 Sensors if you replace CATs
6. Metallic honeycombs are ideal for high performance and can withstand more heat than ceramic type.
What I could not find was an article that talked about CATs in relationship to CFM and CELs.
My main concern is increasing low end torque performance than HP. Of course it would be great to know what the CEL rating is on the MB CATs.
June/July time frame PowerChip will be opening shop in Tokyo where I will get my ECU tuned. If I still have a need for more speed then I'm looking into doing a Centrifugal Supercharger on my CLK320. If not, then on to a Fully Fabricated Custom Stereo. Then that should be all folks. Wondering what I will do if I have nothing left to mod
hmmm maybe save moneyHere is one of the articles I was reading
Import Tuner.com
Last edited by Williams707; Feb 22, 2010 at 06:51 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 4
From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
I can only say this is what I have experianced with my vehicles, but here goes:
1994 325ic - Turner Motorsports Shorty Headers, Borla Cat Back Exhaust.
Removed the two factory cats and replaced them with single hi-flow cat. My intial impression was it ran like a wet sheep dog from a standstill, not so bad once it started moving... However, after allowing a few days for the DME to adapt, it ran like a champ!!
2001 CLK430 - Eisenmann Muffler, removed secondary cats.
There was some loss in low end torque but there were gains in the mid-range and upper RPM's. Tuning would help some of the low end return though.
1994 325ic - Turner Motorsports Shorty Headers, Borla Cat Back Exhaust.
Removed the two factory cats and replaced them with single hi-flow cat. My intial impression was it ran like a wet sheep dog from a standstill, not so bad once it started moving...
However, after allowing a few days for the DME to adapt, it ran like a champ!!2001 CLK430 - Eisenmann Muffler, removed secondary cats.
There was some loss in low end torque but there were gains in the mid-range and upper RPM's. Tuning would help some of the low end return though.
In a month or so I should be getting custom v6 Headers made by Ghost.
For the past few days I've been researching if I can get any additional benefits from replacing my original CATs and going with a High Flow CAT.
I've been researching this for the past few days. Some articles says that replacing CATs with High Flow CATs either reduces performance or increases it. Sounds more like a hit or miss.
The following are the results of what I've found.
1. Loose power and torque on the low end range but Gain on the high end range
2. Loose power on both
3. Gain power on both
4. Ensure the CAT matches what your car is i.e. ODB or ODBII
5. Replace O2 Sensors if you replace CATs
6. Metallic honeycombs are ideal for high performance and can withstand more heat than ceramic type.
What I could not find was an article that talked about CATs in relationship to CFM and CELs.
My main concern is increasing low end torque performance than HP. Of course it would be great to know what the CEL rating is on the MB CATs.
June/July time frame PowerChip will be opening shop in Tokyo where I will get my ECU tuned. If I still have a need for more speed then I'm looking into doing a Centrifugal Supercharger on my CLK320. If not, then on to a Fully Fabricated Custom Stereo. Then that should be all folks. Wondering what I will do if I have nothing left to mod hmmm maybe save money
Here is one of the articles I was reading
Import Tuner.com
For the past few days I've been researching if I can get any additional benefits from replacing my original CATs and going with a High Flow CAT.
I've been researching this for the past few days. Some articles says that replacing CATs with High Flow CATs either reduces performance or increases it. Sounds more like a hit or miss.
The following are the results of what I've found.
1. Loose power and torque on the low end range but Gain on the high end range
2. Loose power on both
3. Gain power on both
4. Ensure the CAT matches what your car is i.e. ODB or ODBII
5. Replace O2 Sensors if you replace CATs
6. Metallic honeycombs are ideal for high performance and can withstand more heat than ceramic type.
What I could not find was an article that talked about CATs in relationship to CFM and CELs.
My main concern is increasing low end torque performance than HP. Of course it would be great to know what the CEL rating is on the MB CATs.
June/July time frame PowerChip will be opening shop in Tokyo where I will get my ECU tuned. If I still have a need for more speed then I'm looking into doing a Centrifugal Supercharger on my CLK320. If not, then on to a Fully Fabricated Custom Stereo. Then that should be all folks. Wondering what I will do if I have nothing left to mod
hmmm maybe save moneyHere is one of the articles I was reading
Import Tuner.com
