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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
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