Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!eagle!harpo!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!parsec!ctvax!uokvax!rctracy From: rctracy@uokvax.UUCP Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: catalytic converters - (nf) Message-ID: <6234@uiucdcs.UUCP> Date: Sat, 17-Mar-84 23:31:09 EST Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.6234 Posted: Sat Mar 17 23:31:09 1984 Date-Received: Mon, 19-Mar-84 06:56:50 EST Lines: 30 #R:ihuxa:-41700:uokvax:1100010:000:1485 uokvax!rctracy Mar 16 01:44:00 1984 I assume that you aren't worried about the legal aspects of replacing your catalytic converter with a "test tube"-type device, so we won't worry about that for the moment. Expect slightly better gas mileage, more power in passing (high-rev) situations, more frequent spark plug and oil changes (if you plan on using leaded regular), and considerable savings at the cash register when buying leaded regular instead of unleaded. Your actual savings will be reduced somewhat due to the increased maintenance I mentioned earlier. These are my experiences after performing the catalytic converter-ectomy you are contemplating. After putting more than 40,000 miles on a car that had 67,000 miles on it before removing the converter, the engine (Chevy 350) seems as healthy as ever. As for the legal aspects, this scene is changing rapidly. Oklahoma (as well as other states, perhaps) is considering legislation that would provide for checking for the presence of catalytic converters (on those cars originally equipped with one) during annual safety inspections. You would do well to remove your converter in a non-destructive fashion and save it for the day when the law will require you to put it back on. Flames from environmentalists will be cheerfully ignored. Driving behind a vehicle with a catalytic converter and getting one's eyes burned out from the fumes is more fun than one person should be allowed to have by him(her)self :-). --Bob Tracy ...!ctvax!uokvax!rctracy