Re: [DML] Catalytic converters

["Rob Hook" <robhook@xxxx>]

Lou,

In most states a car with a missing catalytic converter could have passed up
until a few years ago, assuming the inspector didn't physically look for a
catalytic converter. That's really no longer true. In my state (Virginia)
they now have a four-gas test that specifically looks for nitrous oxide. My
car had had the converter hollowed out by a previous owner and I tried and
tried to get it to pass (even testing it and getting it to pass on my own
three-gas analyzer) before finally taking the catalytic converter off and
realizing it was empty.

I will say that when I put a new converter on it I could definitely notice a
difference in the performance and exhaust tone. The performance hit is not
noticeable at low RPMs but you can tell the difference between 4 and 6K for
sure.

An inspector definitely wouldn't notice a lack of a converter based on
exhaust tone as most of them have never even seen a DeLorean before, much
less know what it's supposed to sound like. Hell, I've had one or two ask
me if mine had the Ford or optional AMC engine! :)

--Rob Hook

----- Original Message -----
From: "Louie Golden" <louie@xxxx>
To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, November 10, 2000 9:44 AM
Subject: Re: [DML] Catalytic converters


> I know a guy who recently took out the catalytic converter on his car and
put a section of pipe in its place, and believe me, it won't go unnoticed.