Catalytic Converter Autopsy

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

I believe! I'm amazed the engine can exhale at all through that nasty catalytic honeycomb. 8O

Honda is notorious for adding SMOG pumps to their engines; however, I don't think Honda ever resorts to catalytic converters. :roll: I was a happy man when I removed the SMOG tumors from my XR650L.

The exhaust system on my Zong was very heavy, and highly restrictive. I can't believe I waited so long to remove it, and install an FMF Universal Spark Arrestor! :roll:

Spud

I might be wrong but I think pretty much all street legal bikes run cats now. BMW, IIRC, started it in the 80's with the K bikes.

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I agree that the catalyst is terribly restrictive, but I don't think that the AIR pump (in this application) hurts peformance. In fact, the idea is that a burst of air will enter the hot exhaust stream to provide fuel to further burn any unburned hydrocarbons. That might make the folks at the EPA happier, but on a child's machine it's just another device to get in the way and break on a tree or a rock.

I had a similar device on an old four cylinder Chev when I was a kid, and the internal valve failed, which provided a steady stream of oxygen all the time. Every time I lifted the throttle to shift gears, BANG! Shortly thereafter was the first time I ever performed a smog-ectomy.

I had that happen to me when I was an EMT driving a big Ford ambulance with a 460 back in the '80's. It detonated the mid muffler 8O . Thank God I didn't have a patient aboard would have scared him to death 8) .

My buddy Jimmy and I were between calls doing some top speed testing... :roll:

[lego1970]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Creation is amazing.

The more I learn, the more degrees I accumilate, and the older (wiser?) I get the more I am amazed with Creation and the more certain I am of the Creator.

It's good that different people are blessed with different abilities. Some guy is a scientist and understands catalysts but can't fix his sink. The plumber makes quick work of the sink but can't fly a plane. The pilot flys fine but can't play golf. The pro golfer can't fix his Harley and so on...

I would agree that age has changed my thinking. Sure drinking 8 days a week has probably altered my thinking over the years, but not much considering I've been drinking that way for 20+ years, yet my beliefs stayed pretty much the same for the first 15 of those 20 years and has really only changed over the last 5. Ok, I'm just joking on the "8 days a week". I've been wanting to use that line for....well, weeks :wink: .

Seriously though, I used to be somewhat atheist in my beliefs but as I get older, I tend to believe that there is some truth towards religions. While I'm not sold on any one particuliar religion, I am starting to think that there could be something else orchrestrating everything known to mankind. I also don't think my judgement is being clouded by other physicological events taking place in my body and mind. I think it's more of those :idea: "that makes sense" moments that have kinda swayed me more towards taking religion serious.

Sorry for hijacking your thread Weld. Kinda getting back on the topic. What I find interesting is that, while I'm sure they could tune a car or motorcycle to run even better without the converters, the modern sports car or sportsbike is definatly not suffering much by having a converter on it. Todays Mustangs and Camaro's and or Yamaha R1's, ZX-10's, etc, etc, put out a tremendous amount of HP, still get pretty good fuel mileage (considering) and are reliable. They have started putting smog devices on Semi trucks since 03, with another round in 07 and in 10 and they have really affected the reliability and maintenance of the semi trucks. The trucking industry is going though the same phase the cars did in the mid to late 70's.

[lego1970]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

My buddy Jimmy and I were between calls doing some top speed testing... :roll:

That statement cracks me up because I know you're not just saying that......I know you actually went out and topped out an ambulance. The visual is hilarious.

I agree with doing that. I think any self-respecting EMS or Doctor should know the top speed of an ambulance. How can you accurately do your job without such information 8)

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I might be wrong but I think pretty much all street legal bikes run cats now. BMW, IIRC, started it in the 80's with the K bikes.

Neither my 2006 Zong, nor my 2005 XR650L had catalytic converters, Doc.

Spud

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by lego1970

That statement cracks me up because I know you're not just saying that......I know you actually went out and topped out an ambulance. The visual is hilarious.

I agree with doing that. I think any self-respecting EMS or Doctor should know the top speed of an ambulance. How can you accurately do your job without such information 8)

They would do what we called M-speed.

This was in the days of 85 MPH speedos and at the bottom would be the letters M P H. We could get the needle past the '85' and get it to point to the M. Unstable over 80 though, and don't even try it unless ther is no wind.

[katoranger]

I performed a top speed test on the ranger today. 78mph.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

My buddy Jimmy and I were between calls doing some top speed testing... :roll:

I appreciated that image as well. Is that the same buddy that rides your buddy bike once a year?

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by lego1970

Sorry for hijacking your thread Weld.

Totally cool with me. Even though I'm sure that management would prefer to keep threads on topic, I consider my threads to be somewhat of a jumping point. Besides, you reeled it back in.

BTW, I can totally appreciate your "that makes sense" moments. They are happening to me with increasing frequency.