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All automobiles produce several noxious and harmful gases during the
combustion process. These gases, such as unburned hydrocarbons,
carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxides can have negative consequences on
health and on the environment. Some of these gases can accumulate
to dangerous or lethal levels (CO) and others burn the eyes and mucus
membranes(NOX, HC) Catalytic converters were adapted for
automotive use to reduce the harmful emissions of automobiles.
They contain various precious metals and convert these harmful gases
into water and carbon dioxide. They have since become a very
important and critical component of todays vehicles.
Catalytic converters have changed over the
years, from the old style 2 way bead types to todays modern 3 way
ceramic substrate and steel mesh. Various emission control
devices have been in use to assist the converters in their critical
functions and to help improve the tailpipe emissions. These
methods include, air injection, EGR valves, and todays oxygen
cycling. Each method may be used in conjuction with other
methods For more information regarding catalytic converters,
please read " Catalytic Converter Theory,
Operation, and Testing"
While you could always replace your catalytic
converter with new dealer parts, this is often cost prohibitive and
there are viable alternatives to new OEM parts. There are two kinds of
aftermarket converters and those are remanufactured OEM and new
aftermarket. Below these two types are compared to demonstrate
their pros and cons.
Remanufactured OEM
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New
Aftermarket
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Quality
Typically made with
stainless steel bodies and sheilds. These parts were originally
designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Precious metal
content is higher, and deterioration tends to be lower
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Quality
Typically made from lower
grade steel. Shields are often plated with aluminum, which can
deteriorate allowing rust. Precious metal content tends to be
much
lower than the original unit.
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Size
These are designed by the
manufacturer for specific flow requirements, back pressure,
performance, and sounds. Typically much larger than universal
converters.
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Size
Usually smaller with a
universal manufacturing and marketing logic of one-size-fits-most.
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Testing
Each part is bench tested
to ensure that it is operating to EPA (and sometimes CARB) quality
standards.
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Testing
Sample units are tested
by the EPA (and sometimes CARB) criteria. These criteria are
often lower than OEM standards.
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Sound
Larger catalyts help
quite exhaust noise. The original equipment sound is retained.
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Sound
Since most units are
small and have small catalysts, they tend to be loud, espcecially on
larger engines.
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Performance
Larger units designed to
give optimum performance and sound, while still meeting strict emission
requirements.
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Performance
Since these are often
much smaller than original equipment, they often restrict exhaust flow
especially on large or high performance engines.
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Price
May be higher because of
precious metal content and labor costs involved in reconditioning each
unit. May cost less to install in some applications
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Price
Most units on the market
are engineered to be inexpensivly priced. When manufactured with
pipes
and flanges, they may cost more than remanufactured units.
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Vehicle Resale Value
Keeping your vehicle
original has always been to the vehicle owners advantage.
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Vehicle Resale Value
Systems which appear to
be obviously altered may adversely affect the vehicles resale
value. This includes vehicles with high performance modifications.
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Warranty
2 years/25,000 miles on
the catalyst, 5 years/50,000 miles on the shell and pipes.
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Warranty
2 years/25,000 miles on
the catalyst, 5 years/50,000 miles on the shell and pipes.
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Environment
Original equipment is
designed to help protect the environment. Remanufactured
converter helps conserve resources. Recycling is always
environmentally friendly.
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Environment
Aftermarket converter are
often less efficient than original equipment. May discourage
recycling of the old converters. Old converters typically get
reprocessed for their precious metal content.
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There are many cases where aftermarket parts may be comparable to or
superior to original equipment, but as you can see, it is generally
better to use OEM parts. Bear River Converters also carries many
direct fit aftermarket converters that are designed to meet or exceed
OEM requirements and help maintain proper sound and performance.
We also carry a full line of universal aftermarket converters,
including heavy duty and large body designed to give you better sound
and performance on applications such as Trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps..
For more information regarding catalytic
converters, testing, and for information about remanufactured
converters and the requirements, please read the following
document.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf
We also recommend reading this guide on
replacing converters on OBD-II applications when the converter is being
replaced due to a P420 or catalyst inefficiency code.
Tech Sheet (top reasons a catalytic converter will
fail)
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