Allen -
Too lean makes the >>engine<< run hotter, but too rich makes the
catalytic converter run hotter. A CatCon works by "burning"
(technically, oxidizing) unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust stream, by
passing them through a hot catalytic matrix. The richer the fuel, the
more unburned hydrocarbons, the more burning goes on in the catylist,
the hotter the CatCon gets.
Actually, a number of cars have passed the emissions standards with the
catalytic converters removed. The early VW Rabbits had a Federally
approved recall to "gut" the CatCons because the cars ran cleaner
without them, and the converters posed a fire hazard.
I don't live in a "non attainment" area, but just for fun, I had a
friend do a "sniffer" test on my '77 Midget (no CatCon, PaceSetter
header system, stock ZS carb with different needle). It was cleaner
than the standard.
Chris Kotting
ckotting@iwaynet.net
Ajhsys@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 1/19/00 2:46:23 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> samesq@pacbell.net writes:
>
> << Having once had a red hot convertor (which is now hollow and still passes
> smog,
> shh-don't tell AQMD) There are only two reasons that I know of for the cat
> to
> glow cherry red:
>
> 1. Mixture is WAY too rich
> 2. The cat is blocked or partially blocked. >>
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>
> Actually, I think #1 would be way to lean.
>
> Allen Hefner
> SCCA Philly Region Rally Steward
> '77 Midget
> '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport
|