Does Removing the Catalytic Converter Make the Car More Powerful?
3 Answers
Whether removing the catalytic converter makes the car more powerful depends on the specific situation: 1. If the catalytic converter is clogged: removing it can improve power; 2. If the catalytic converter is not clogged: removing it will not enhance power. The effects of removing the catalytic converter include: 1. Reduced low-speed torque; 2. Failure to meet emission standards, leading to environmental pollution; 3. Vehicles with dual oxygen sensors may display faults. The catalytic converter is an external purification device installed in the car's exhaust system, which converts harmful carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas into harmless carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen through oxidation and reduction reactions.
I was also curious about whether removing the catalytic converter could actually boost performance, so I tried a friend's modified car. After removal, the throttle did feel slightly more responsive at low RPMs, and the exhaust note became extremely loud. However, at highway speeds, the car felt sluggish—even flooring the accelerator struggled to deliver strong acceleration. Later, I learned that removing the catalytic converter disrupts exhaust backpressure, which may slightly improve low-end torque but significantly reduces high-RPM power. Even worse, the exhaust fumes became unbearably smelly, making it impossible to pass emissions tests, and the check engine light would frequently turn on. Looking back, it really wasn't worth it. A better option would be upgrading to a high-flow catalytic converter or tuning the ECU—both legal and more reliable ways to improve performance.
I've researched removing the catalytic converter. In the short term, the exhaust flows more freely and the car feels more powerful, but it actually disrupts the balance of the exhaust system. It's like cutting out a section of the exhaust pipe - the direct emission of exhaust gases causes the oxygen sensor to misread, making the ECU adjust fuel injection erratically. I've seen people get check engine lights just three days after removal, with fuel consumption skyrocketing by 2-3 liters. The worst part is the unbearable noise after removal - it gives you a headache on long drives with constant ringing in your ears. If you really want to improve performance, spending a few hundred yuan on iridium spark plugs or upgrading the air filter is much more sensible. At least these modifications won't cause issues during annual inspections.
