Everything You Wanted to Know about Catalytic Converters but You Were Too Frightened to Ask

Oh, the mysterious catalytic converter. Sure, they play a role in smog control. But beyond that, what are they? What do they do? They’re actually an essential component in your exhaust system, removing harmful contaminates before they make their way into the air. Here’s everything you always wanted to know about catalytic converters (and a little bit more).

A catalytic converter reduces the amount of pollution produced by an internal combustion engine by filtering it through a system similar to a Brita filter. Hot exhaust gases containing carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons make their way through the exhaust pipe and are filtered through a coating of precious metals found on the converter's substrate. With a honeycomb-patterned catalyst, the substrate is a network of small ceramic passageways that weaken the polluting chemicals and convert them into a more environmentally-friendly byproduct of combustion. At the same time, it maximizes the surface area your exhaust flows over to further reduce restrictions.

In doing so, a stock catalytic converter creates considerable engine backpressure due to the constrictive effects placed on engine exhaust gases as they pass through. To achieve the ultimate in unbridled performance, you should upgrade to performance-grade catalytic converters, like a Nissan Altima catalytic converter, Camry catalytic converter, or Honda Accord catalytic converter. Most modern cars are equipped with three-way catalytic converters. This refers to the three regulated emissions it helps to reduce: carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2, together called NOx).

In the catalytic converter, there are two different types of catalysts at work: a reduction catalyst and an oxidation catalyst. Both types feature a ceramic structure coated with a metal catalyst, usually platinum, rhodium, or palladium. The structure is intended to expose the widest possible surface area to the exhaust stream while minimizing the amount of catalyst required for the process to take place effectively, due to the high costs of the materials. In fact, some of the newest converters are incorporating gold mixed with the more traditional catalysts. It’s cheaper and some suggest it may even increase the reduction of pollutants by up to 40 percent.

A traditional catalytic converter does a great job at reducing the pollution, but is ripe for improvement. One of its biggest shortcomings is that it only works at a fairly high temperature. A catalytic converter does very little to reduce the pollution in the exhaust produced by a vehicle that has just been started (which is probably why you should always let your car run for a few minutes before taking it in for an emissions test). An aftermarket catalytic converter is finely tuned to allow exhaust gases to exit the engine cleaner and more efficiently. It’s a performance exhaust component engineered specifically to maximize your engine’s exhaust flow, allowing the engine to breathe easier, immediately boosting power from 5 - 10 percent by increasing horsepower and torque. These improvements create an overall efficiency that translates to a greater fuel economy and a noticeable savings at the pump. An Civic catalytic converter, Nissan Sentra catalytic converter, and Toyota Corolla catalytic converter are just three of the highly-calibrated aftermarket performance exhaust components proven to streamline the efficiency of your engine to maximize your power and fuel economy.

Performance-grade catalytic converters are available for just about every make, model, and year.

Conclusion: If you've ever wondered about catalytic converters and what they do, now you know their essential role in reducing pollution and enhancing your vehicle's performance. Upgrading to performance-grade catalytic converters can improve engine efficiency and save you money on fuel. So, whether you drive a Nissan Altima, Camry, or Honda Accord, consider these upgrades to maximize your power and fuel economy.