Choosing a Catalytic Converter by Application (Part II)

Technical Bulletin

SUMMARY: Technical Bulletin #09-0107* (issued 09/24/09) discussed the legislative and technical reasons for the current trend to produce and install vehicle-specific catalytic converters, rather than universal applications. This bulletin explains the reasons why one converter may be different from another.

PROBLEM: The catalytic converter uses a combination of precious metals and an oxygen storage component to convert toxic gases, which are generated by ignition of the internal combustion engine, into harmless water and carbon dioxide.

SOLUTION: A slight variation in the weight of the platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh) - the precious metals in the converter - can affect the conversion efficiency of the unit. To produce a unit that is both functional and cost effective, manufacturers of OEM and aftermarket converters must weight the very high cost of these precious metals against the ratio needed for the converter to efficiently reduce the emission of toxic gases.

The overall efficiency of the chemical reaction inside the converter is thus directly related to vehicle-specific application, including year, make, model, engine size and Engine Family Number. The design of the engine, the Engine Management system, and placement and flow characteristics of the catalytic converter all play an important role in how well the exhaust system functions.

Manufacturer: MagnaFlow

Bulletin Date: 10/30/09

Bulletin Number: 09-0111