How Does a Sports Catalytic Converter Affect a Vehicle’s Performance?

With emissions regulations even stricter nowadays, several aftermarket options for catalytic converters have been made available in the market that function more effectively and efficiently. High-quality sports catalytic converters (or cats), which are now installed in almost every modern exhaust system, are responsible for neutralising the harmful pollutants that can be found in exhaust gases. 

Turborevs describes the purpose of a sports catalytic converter below, and explains whether it can also help improve a vehicle’s performance. 

What Is a Sports Catalytic Converter?

Similar to the function of a standard catalytic converter, a sports cat has been designed to reduce pollutant emissions (like carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides) at a much quicker pace. It consists of a ceramic honeycomb structure that has a number of thin channels, all of which are lined with multiple precious metals. When the gases flow through the catalytic converter, this coating enables a chemical reaction (oxidation or reduction), which results in the formation of non-toxic substances (such as water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen). 

Sports cats differ from other catalytic converters by having a much finer ceramic matrix within the honeycomb structure, which allows catalysts to convert the gases more effectively. In addition, their chamber is smaller in size, which creates a much smoother surface inside for the gases to flow through at a faster rate.

Impact on Performance

A sports cat can bring about a noticeable difference in a car’s performance. As it comprises fewer cells with thinner walls, the gas flow is significantly improved — which reduces back pressure and the load on the engine, bringing about an improvement in performance and durability. Otherwise, the back pressure could interfere with its air/fuel ratio, making the car run poorly and even stall at some point. 

Some people, however, still choose to buy catalytic converter delete kits, which can not only damage the exhaust system but the car as well. It is also important to note here that removing any type of pollution control system is illegal in some areas (unless you are getting it replaced because it’s faulty). You will notice many changes in your car’s performance as a result, some of which have been outlined below. 

• Loss of power: With no sports cat, you will notice that accelerating your car has become a little sluggish, and that it takes more time to safely overtake other cars. 
• Decline in fuel economy: With the lack of a catalytic converter, the engine would need to work harder to compensate and enable the rapid flow of gases, thus using up more fuel in the process. This will lead to gradual decline in the car’s average fuel economy. 

Thus, it is advised to keep your catalytic converter to avoid a slump in the car’s performance. 

In a Nutshell

By decreasing the amount of pollution caused by your vehicle, a sports cat allows your car to run more smoothly, leading to a performance boost. However, if you are looking to make a more drastic difference, you can optimise your entire exhaust system by investing in sports mufflers, sports exhausts etc.