A Synopsis Of Exhausts - Universal Exhaust Catalytic Converter By Robert Magda

Universal Exhaust helps to boost the performance of your car engine. They are long lasting and priced reasonably at a low cost. The exhausts are meant to squeeze out as much power as possible from the engine of the car. Since the engine works properly and efficiently, it means that it does not use as much fuel as it did earlier. This helps in attaining fuel economy. A good system is quite affordable. They are also quite easy to install. With the ever-increasing rise in the cost of gas, exhaust systems come as a great way to gain fuel economy. Car manufactures have to balance a lot of aspects while designing a car. They have to take care of cost, performance, weight, gas mileage noise and innumerable other factors. Thus they will not be able to provide you the best of exhaust system, as that would send the price of the vehicle skyrocketing.

The manufacturers also have to abide by various EPA noise restrictions. Thus they cannot customize cars for all its buyers as they have a huge customer base. But on the other hand, the moment you buy the vehicle, you are free to carry out any kinds of modifications. You can install Exhausts - Universal Exhaust in the car to give your vehicle an energy boost. Many people do not give too much importance to exhaust systems. They feel that the exhaust systems are there just to discharge the waste products. True. This is exactly what the exhaust system does. But the way the wastes are flushed out of the car engine is crucial to the performance of your vehicle. Exhaust performs basically three functions.

The first is to canal out the wastes from the process of burning so that the engine is able to continue with the process and as a result performs smoothly. A good exhaust system permits the waste products to get out of the system rapidly. If these waste products get clogged in the engine, then the whole system will choke. it also helps to reduce the noise that is produced in the engine. The waste gases and compounds go out of the engine at very high pressure. If these gases were allowed to escape from the engine directly, then it would generate tremendous amount of noise. So in order to reduce the noise, exhaust systems channels the gases via metal plates and tubes known as muffler. The muffler ensures that the noise is minimized.

Another important task of the exhaust is to clean up all the emissions that may prove harmful to the environment. When the engine burns the fuel, it emits harmful gases like hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The exhaust system, with the help of the catalytic converter, cleanses these gases by breaking down the damaging gas compounds. The chemicals present in the catalytic converter act as catalyst. They change the extremely dangerous gas compounds into less destructive ones. In this era of environment conservation, it is almost a criminal offence in some countries not to have a catalytic converter. The converter is very important for the better performance of any exhaust system. Thus if your catalytic converter is not up to the mark, then you need to replace it immediately.

If your exhaust system is not designed properly, then it will make a lot of noise. Also it may harm the performance of your car. So, if you want your car to perform at its optimum, then you must invest in a good exhaust system. The systems are quite reasonably priced, so you need not worry.

Modern Car exhaust system are a much needed item.

Many styles and brands available at http://www.carstuffoutlet.com

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Catalytic Converters and Your Vehicle's Emission System By Matthew Keegan

Before 1975 no U.S. vehicle came equipped with a catalytic converter. Changes in environmental policy -- started with the formation of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] by the Nixon Administration - soon changed all of that.

Now, with very few exceptions, all vehicles must come outfitted with a catalytic converter. So, what does it do exactly? Good question...we will answer that query in this article.

When your engine burns fuel it produces gases that are harmful to the environment. If not handled properly, these same gases will exit through your vehicle's exhaust and work to do harm on the environment. The EPA, which was established in 1970, mandated that starting in 1975 vehicles were to come equipped with an apparatus to reduce dangerous emissions. The particular piece of equipment created to accomplish this task was the catalytic converter.

The catalytic converter in your vehicle is installed in the exhaust line between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. Pellets inside the converter work to transform detrimental gases into harmless gases before they exit the tailpipe and go out into the open air. As you might guess, a properly functioning catalytic converter is essential toward preserving air quality standards.

There are four telltale signs that indicate a catalytic converter will soon fail:

· Rusted or broken converter body or end tubes.

· Bits of substrate in other sections of the exhaust system.

· No rattle detected in a pellitized converter (If the converter doesn't rattle, the pellets may have melted together or fallen out).

· A rattle detected in a monolithic converter (A rattle in this kind of converter indicates the substrate has separated.)

If you see evidence of any of these signs, then you must replace your catalytic converter right away. If you don't, you risk receiving a ticket from a police officer and you may automatically fail your next motor vehicle inspection.

You can install a new catalytic converter yourself and save money on parts and labor. Shop online for the best deals going.

Copyright 2008-2012 - For additional information regarding Matthew C. Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his automotive site for cutting edge car information.

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What's a Catalytic Converter? By Jason Moore

Colloquially, a catalytic converter is known as "cat" or "catcon". It is a device that is used to reduce the toxicity of emissions from an internal combustion engine. It was first widely introduced on series-production automobiles in the US market for the 1975 model year to comply with tightening EPA regulations regarding auto exhaust. Car of today may have two or more depending on the engine configuration and manufacturer.

It resembles closely to a muffler in appearance and is located in the exhaust system and has an outer shell that is made up of stainless steel. But its similarity with a muffler ends there as catalytic converters contain a catalyst that is made from a noble metal such as platinum, palladium or rhodium. A catalyst is defined as anything that induces or speeds up a change.

Still commonly used in motor vehicle exhaust systems, catalytic converters are also used on generator sets, forklifts, mining equipment, trucks, buses, trains, and other engine-equipped machines. A catalytic converter yields an environment for a chemical reaction wherein toxic combustion by-products are converted to less-toxic substances, making emissions as clean a possible.

The purpose of a catalytic converter, using its internal catalyst, is to massively minimize the level of harmful emissions in a car's exhaust. These are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen and particulates. All of these emissions are dangerous to health and are environmental hazards. Furthermore, they contribute to the build up of photochemical smog.

A catalytic converter transforms these poisonous gases to harmless carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water. In simple terms, the catalytic converter can almost be thought of as an engine of its own. The converter uses fuel and oxygen to stop its internal catalyst, which consumes a big portion of the gases flowing through the converter. However, a converter does not eliminate emissions altogether, though it greatly reduces emissions.

Catalytic converters do not require maintenance of their own. This is because their long-term livelihood depends on proper care and maintenance of your vehicle. For instance, if your vehicle starts to run rough, produces smoke from the tailpipe, or the “service engine soon” or “check engine” light appears, have it checked out immediately by a professional technician. This is particularly true if those mentioned lights flash instead of being steadily lit. Taking for granted these warning signs may cause costly damage to the converter, thus, requiring replacement. Symptoms of a faulty or failing converter may include failing an emissions test, unsatisfactory performance, increasingly high engine temperature, and bucking or hesitation.

A catalytic converter is that important in a car. To avoid its expensive repairs, it is wise to properly maintain your car.

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Jason Moore, a 35 year old freelance writer from Austin, Texas. He also works as a marketing analyst for an established auto parts store in the country.

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The Value of Aftermarket Catalytic Converters By Ryan Kartzke

A catalytic converter is a component of nearly every exhaust system mounted to an internal combustion engine. They are most commonly found on construction equipment, generators, and automobiles. For the purpose of this article, I will mainly focus on the catalytic converters found in automobiles.

The manufacturer of every car maker must include them in the vehicles they produce to satisfy legal requirements set forth by the local government. They are legally required by authorities for public health and environmental reasons. The main purpose of catalytic converters is to reduce the amount of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. In layman's terms, this reduces the amount of smog and greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere. Catalytic converters are made up of a variety of metals, but most commonly include palladium, rhodium, and platinum. Catalytic converters are most efficient when they are hot, roughly 750° Celsius (about 1400° Fahrenheit). However, they will fail over time due to the amount of heat they routinely deal with or if they are operated at temperatures higher than 750° Celsius. The use of an oxygen sensor is integrated into the catalytic convertor to help the ECU (Engine Control Unit) regulate the exhaust gas temperatures (EGT) and ensure maximum life of the catalyst. When catalytic converter fail, the owner of the vehicle is required by law to find a suitable replacement that meets the local emission standards of the state or country.

Catalytic converters can be defined in two categories: two-way and three-way. The two-way catalytic converter oxidizes both carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The three-way does the same duties of the two-way, but also aids in the reduction of nitrogen oxides. In the United States, all catalytic converters that were used in new vehicle production after 1981 were required by law to be three-way converters.

Any aftermarket catalytic converter, or cat, that is sold as a factory replacement can be classified in two ways: standard or high flow. Standard catalytic converters are very similar to what the car manufacturer uses and is compliant with most states emission standards. Hi-flow catalytic converters are specially engineered to help a vehicle produce more horsepower and torque while still reducing harmful emissions. They help the engine create more power by reducing the amount of backpressure in the exhaust system. This means the engine doesn't have to work as hard because it does not have to push hot exhaust gases through a restrictive pipe, rather the exhaust gases flow more freely exiting the vehicle. Hi-flow cats are most commonly used by car enthusiasts who want the most power from their car while staying compliant with local laws. It is important to read the documentation included with replacement catalytic converters to ensure they are compliant with your county, state, or national laws. There are a number of manufacturers who make replacement catalytic converters. Some of the most popular choices include Magnaflow, Pace Setter, and DynoMax.

For more information, I'd definitely recommend researching Exhaust Systems and Catalytic Convertors, particularly Magnaflow Catalytic Converters.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Kartzke

Catalytic Converter Fires: A Real Danger! By Matthew Keegan

Driving down the street with the setting sun at his back, Bob Cummins navigated around parked cars and fire hydrants to find the right place to park. It just wasn’t something that was easy to do – finding a vacant spot – on his narrow, winding suburban street. Wedged between two business districts, Bob’s block was frequently filled with cars from outside the area, taking away from the already limited on street parking. While he knew he could simply pull into his own driveway and park, he also knew that he’d have to move vehicles around later when his wife, Susan, returned home with the kids.

Glancing out of his right mirror he noticed it and slammed on his breaks. A car pulled out of a spot down the street behind him and its driver pulled into a nearby driveway and exited the car. Bob slowly backed up halfway down the block and slipped his Volvo XC90 into the empty spot. A little tight, he thought, as he left just enough room between the driveway in front of him and the car behind him for his SUV. Within moments Bob left the comfort of his Volvo and stepped inside the foyer of his center hall colonial.

Less than ten minutes later the sounds of sirens filled the neighborhood. At first, Bob did not give it much thought, but as the sirens drew closer he decided to step outside to investigate. To his utter horror, a car just two houses down from his home was engulfed in flames. Within moments his worst fears were confirmed: his new Volvo XC90 was on fire! Minutes later the fire was extinguished but Bob's SUV was destroyed.

An important part of your vehicle’s emission system is the catalytic converter. It is tasked with reducing harmful emissions that pollute the atmosphere and it has been a part of nearly every passenger vehicle built since the mid 1970s. Unfortunately, the catalytic converter can also run very hot and, at the same time, spark ignition of anything that it comes into contact with. In Bob’s case, it was his 2005 Volvo that was parked directly over a small leaf pile that started the fire that destroyed his XC90.

When parking your vehicle, take care to make sure that no debris is on the ground directly underneath your car. Even a small pile of dried out leaves can be just enough fodder for a fire. In the case of a high profile vehicle, such as the XC90, the clearance between the bottom of your vehicle and the ground is higher, meaning you many not notice anything underneath when backing into an empty parking space.

Hundreds of vehicle fires every year are attributed to motorists who park their cars over leaves; unfortunately this practice almost always results in the total loss of the vehicle due to excessive fire damage.

Play it safe when parking your car, truck, van, or SUV by examining the area underneath it to make sure that is completely free of all debris.

Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for Auto Parts Canada, a wholesaler of fine Volvo parts and Volvo accessories for your Volvo vehicle.

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Catalytic Converter Failure: Now What? By Matthew Keegan

An important device that is standard equipment on vehicles built since 1975 is the catalytic converter. This part, when properly working, will significantly reduce pollutants from your engine before they leave your exhaust. A catalytic converter is essential toward promoting overall environmental cleanliness; most state auto inspection stations will check to see if yours is working as part of their regular inspection of your vehicle. If your vehicle fails inspection your catalytic converter may need to be replaced. Let’s take a look at what a catalytic converter does and how you can save money in replacing one should it fail.

As your engine burns fuel, it produces environmentally harmful gases. These gases, if not handled properly, will leave your car’s exhaust and work harm on the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency, established in 1970, began to require that cars come equipped with devices to reduce harmful emissions. Thus, the catalytic converter was born.

The catalytic converter in your vehicle is installed in the exhaust line between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. Pellets inside the converter work to change the harmful gases into harmless gases before they leave the tailpipe and out into the open air. Thus, a properly functioning catalytic converter is essential toward maintaining good air quality.

Signs of a deteriorating catalytic converter include the following:

Rusted or broken converter body or end tubes.

Bits of substrate in other sections of the exhaust system.

No rattle detected in a pellitized converter (If the converter doesn't rattle, the pellets may have melted together or fallen out).

A rattle detected in a monolithic converter (A rattle in this kind of converter indicates the substrate has separated.)

In each case the diagnosis is for you to replace your catalytic converter immediately.

Whether you are purchasing a Ford catalytic converter or a BMW catalytic converter it does help to shop around. While some people turn to manufacturers to find replacement parts, ordering through online shops such as Car Parts Stuff can result in significant savings for you. In addition, the information provided online will go far toward helping you decide which product is right for your car.

Matthew Keegan is The Article Writer who writes on a variety of social, human interest, as well as business related topics. You can preview samples from his high performing site at http://www.thearticlewriter.com

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Catalytic Converter Hazards! By Matthew Keegan

Government auto emissions control legislation mandates that virtually all cars built or sold in the U.S. come equipped with a catalytic converter. A smart device, catalytic converters help to convert dangerous and polluting exhaust gases into less harmful carbon dioxide and water. As helpful of a device that it is, there are some hazards that come with the use of a catalytic converter. Read on to learn what you need to know about your vehicle's catalytic converter.

Many consider a catalytic converter to be a godsend. With pollution levels ever climbing, the U.S. government acted to reduce harmful pollutants in a step to clean up the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency was formed by the Nixon Administration and the agency was instrumental in passing the Clean Air Act to help America control pollution. Since 1975 virtually every passenger vehicle has come equipped with a catalytic converter.

As helpful as catalytic converters can be, they can be problematic. Besides failure, which generally goes unnoticed until your vehicle flunks its next inspection, it is the intense heat of the unit that can cause problems.

If you work on your own vehicle, you need to let your car cool down completely before working near the exhaust system. Catalytic converters get very hot, as hot as 1800 degrees, and any burn sustained from touching a hot converter can be very dangerous, even deadly.

Motorists have also learned that a catalytic converter can be a fire hazard. For the past three decades police and fire department reports have indicated that many car fires have been started because a motorist parked their car over dry leaves. Even when the engine is off the hot converter can drop a spark which can ignite leaves underneath. If that happens, your car can be engulfed in mere minutes and destroyed by the conflagration.

There are also hazards that occur to the catalytic converter itself. Because the unit burns at such hot temperatures, catalytic converters can suffer rapid thermal deactivation. Some experts suggest switching to synthetic engine oil to help reduce phosphorous contaminants a known contributor to failure.

No, you cannot legally remove your catalytic converter as you may become subject to stiff fines and penalties. Yes, if your car was built before 1975, none of these concerns matter to ou so enjoy your classic and let her rip without pollution controls holding you back!

Copyright 2008-2012 - For additional information regarding Matthew C. Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit his automotive blog for cutting edge car information.

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Catalytic Converters - Taking the Gas Out of the Greenhouse By Ryan Kartzke

Catalytic converters are catalysts that convert the toxic emissions that are produced by an internal combustion engine into far less toxic and ozone-friendly fumes. They were widely adopted in America in 1975 after the EPA implemented a number of regulations governing the fuel efficiency and emissions standards for cars and trucks. Catalytic converters are frequently found on all types of engines today, from lawnmowers to forklifts to buses and trains. A catalytic converters primary duty is to turn carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and unburnt hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and H2O. Cats work best when they are hot, with an effective operating temperature of 750° Celsius (about 1400° Fahrenheit).

Although the heat is what causes them to work efficiently, it is also what causes their demise. Catalytic converters can also get clogged over time, which will ultimately hurt the performance of your vehicle. It is not uncommon to replace one or several cats on vehicles that are ten years old or older. There are two types you can get: universal fit or direct-fit replacement. Universal fit catalytic converters come in a variety of sizes and are intended to be welded into place. Direct-fit catalytic converters are nearly identical, with the exception that these cat's are intended to be bolted into place. To clarify, the direct-fit catalytic converters replace an entire section of the exhaust system, which means that it was manufactured specifically for your vehicle, versus the universal fit catalytic converters which are designed to be fabricated and welded into place. So while the universal fit catalytic converters are sometimes cheaper, the direct-fit catalytic converters will be easier to install.

Over the last four years, Mazda has been toiling in their secret laboratories. They have managed to develop a new type of catalytic converter that uses 70-90% less platinum, rhodium and palladium in the construction of their cats. These precious metals are what makes the chemical reactions happen and are also the main reason they are so expensive. The potential for cost savings is huge with this new advancement and Mazda expects to be fitting their cars with the new cats by 2010. Nissan has also recently announced that they too have the technology for cheaper catalytic converters, but they only claim a 50% reduction in the precious metals. The core of the new technology is using nano-sized ceramic particles with the precious metal embedded in them. This allows for more surface area so the catalyst can be more effective. Nothing has been said about how well the catalyst flows exhaust gases, which is an important specification for performance vehicles. The more freely the exhaust gases flow out the tail pipes, the more horsepower and torque your engine can make, not to mention that the engine will also be more responsive. Keep your eyes on the news for more updates about this exciting cutting edge technology.

For more information about catalytic converters, click on the following links: catalytic converter & Magnaflow catalytic converter.

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