The catalytic converter is responsi

The catalytic converter is responsible for the ignition and burning of engine exhaust gases which remain after the initial reaction occurs. This product became standard equipment in the U.S. for all vehicles with the 1975 model year. They help the exhaust gases become cleaner without a significant impact to the performance of the vehicle.The catalyst in this device uses platinum and palladium to turn the initial exhaust created by the engine into gases which are less harmful to the environment. Each vehicle releases hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides during the combustion process. The catalytic converter then turns the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide while the hydrocarbons become CO2 and water. The nitrogen oxides become oxygen and nitrogen.Although this is a clear benefit compared to what is normally created, the high levels of carbon dioxide still create a greenhouse gas issue. If you remove the catalytic converter, then this conversion process disappears.Here are some of the other pros and cons associated with the removal of a catalytic converter.List of the Pros of Removing a Catalytic Converter1. Your exhaust sounds better.The catalytic converter works like a muffler on the average vehicle. Its job is to reduce the impact of the gases emerging from the engine due to the combustion and burning of fuel. This action muffles the sound of your exhaust in combination with the muffler on your vehicle. When the catalytic converter is no longer present, then the sound your vehicle emits is louder. (This is a possible “con” as well, depending on your viewpoint. See below.)2. You can generate more horsepower without it.Once the catalytic converter is removed from a vehicle, some models do experience a significant increase in power. This advantage occurs because the unit creates a source of back-pressure on the engine. It uses constriction as a way to impact the exhaust gases before they leave the vehicle’s system. Since the gas releases through the exhaust with added speed when the catalytic converter is not present, the engine can perform with its maximum potential since there is nothing left to hold it back.3. You have access to more fuel options.Up until the 1990s, fuel stations in the United States offered leaded and unleaded gasoline for sale. That’s because the presence of a catalytic converter eliminated the option of using a leaded fuel. When you take away this device, you have access to several additional high-performance fuel options for your engine that you wouldn’t be able to use otherwise. If you were to run leaded fuel through a catalytic converter, it would destroy the materials inside, rendering the vehicle useless.4. You can operate the engine at a lower temperature.When constriction occurs during the exhaust process, the extra work that the engine does to generate power creates more heat under the hood. By removing the catalytic converter, you remove this constriction, which means you can operate at a lower operating temperature. You’ll experience the benefits of less friction and load with the unit gone too, which can reduce the overall wear-and-tear on the vehicle over time.5. You can achieve better gas mileage.Since the catalytic converter places a strain on the engine with its constrictive design, it must work harder to achieve the same energy than it does without the device in place. Removing it lessens this burden, creating a net effect where the engine can perform significantly better without working as hard. That means you receive an improvement in fuel consumption which translates to an improvement in your overall fuel economy. Many have said the mpg gain is slight.6. You can do it yourself.Anyone with some decent car se