stormtigers

Hi Guys
Okay 'FRITZ' has a rattle - inside the Cack-a-lipstick convertors,... sorry crapalytic convertors..... damn I'll get it right Cat-epileptic convertor.

Okay the PONG BOX... Enough attempt at humour.
One I roughly understand it makes exhaust fumes cleaner for the sake of the enviroment. But what I don't understand is what impact a stuffed one has other than not cleaning up the exhaust fumes.

Can someone please answer

(a) does it impact on performance and
(b) does it effect fuel economy and
(c) are newer non-mercedes made which claim to improve (a) and (b) the real deal or just sales blurb ??

Experiences, warnings and/or annecdotes cheerfully accepted.

Thanks Guys

Saijin_Naib

a) yes
b) yes
c) potentially.

If you don't feel like going Mercedes, the Magnaflow spun cats (200-300 cell) are very high-flow and are even C.A.R.B certified, also very reasonable.

Shoomakan

OR you can do what I did and de-cat the thing. If you have a yearly MOT, just re-install them for the day.

De-catting does free up some power up top, but it's above the daily driving range and you really won't feel it no matter what anyone says. It just pulls a slight bit harder over 5500 rpms.

It's just the cheapest option. And the car sounds nicer, too. When revved my car really does sound like an E46 M3, albeit much lower. :P

Saijin_Naib

Mercedes manual specs m104 for 7.8s KAT and 7.5s DE-KAT in the 0-60 test. Sounds like usable change for most

Shoomakan

I really didn't feel the difference. Maybe due to the manual swap it was already a bit more powerful. I spin all of first gear anyway. :P

DuaneC63

If you can get away without cats (emissions testing, etc) dump em.

AdrianL

Boo cats. As said above, if you can get away with having them removed do so. Less resistance on your exhaust, think how powerboats and piston aircraft have pipes instead of exhaust systems. Saves weight and cuts back pressure.

slickbenzo

yeah, cut it off and sell it to me for $100+

stormtigers

S O L D I take bank cheques amd or cash !
I'll even through in a packet of used Gum ro fix in place !

slickbenzo

just send me a picture of it once it's off. pm me if and when you remove it.

matt

stormtigers

Wow my spelling was way off on my reply post.
Not sure it is really worth having - if the ceramic internals are broke it ain't gonna be
worth using for anything other than scrap. Not too mention I am on the other side of the planet in Australia !

Shoomakan

The internals don't matter. It's something else that's valuable in those things. :P

slickbenzo

sorry didn't realize you were in Australia, and yes it is the insides that matter. i give full, 3/4 full, 1/2 full or 1/4 full depending.

stormtigers

I'm ignorant - what some hide their stash in my catalytic convertor ?
Or is it made of titanium or something ?

Saijin_Naib

The cats are made from precious and semi-precious metals. Rare stuff, very pricey.