Cat Implementation UK - Replace or not

[ae1hini]

An earlier thread mentioned not replacing the cat on a 92 model car as the law does not mandate them at that age.

I have a 91-92 190e 2.0 that will need a replacement at some point in the next 12 months.

What are;

a) The legalities.
b) The tuning/performane/economy implications.

?

TIA

 

[DaveK]

Cat Implementation UK

Any car in the UK that was first registered prior to September 1992 does not need to be fitted with catalytic convertors. If your car fits into this category, then you may remove them and remain road legal. The benefits of removing them are arguable. Some say they get better performance and fuel consumption, some say not.

 

[Spike]

Cat Implementation UK

I couldnt say I noticed a difference in performance although in theory, removing the cat should improve it if anything.

Economy, I recon it improved  -but only slightly. I must say though, on a gentle motorway run I can get over 500 miles on a tankfull in my 230CE  

The emmissions will go up but unless you have a pretty sick engine it shouldn effect the MOT as the emmission levels for a 1992 car are pretty relaxed.

To be honest, the bit that swayed me into not replacing the CAT was cost. MB Cats are nearly a grand but to get the straight through replacement pipe was only a few quid. On a ten year old car its rather difficult to justify spending that kind of money on something unnecessary.

 

[nickh]

Cat Implementation UK

I am in the process of replacing my cat, i noticed the first registration of my car was April  1992, So am i right in saying i can have no catalyst at all??  If so if i go straight through then wont my exhaust be much noisier and boom? more without the CAT..

 

[MarkSL]

Cat Implementation UK

Its really quite easy

K reg cars need a cat
Pre K reg cars dont

Its not exactly that simple - but close enough#

Mark

 

[nickh]

Cat Implementation UK

I asked a knowledgable chap I know at Mercedes, and it would appear that I am better off with a CAT, abeit a cheaper one, as running without one would probably cause some starting and running problems, even though the car would run.

 

[Spike]

Cat Implementation UK

Perhaps this chap knows his stuff, perhaps not. All I can say is that mine runs fine without it....mebbe even slightly better.

 

[Stewart Smith]

Cat Implementation UK

Any ideas on where to get replacement CAT's?
A grand is a lot to spend on a P reg  car, never mind a K reg one !

 

[Spike]

Cat Implementation UK

You could check the thread in the link below.

http://www.MBCLUB.co.uk/cgi-bin/ikonboard/ikonboard.cgi?s=3db9222a1cdeffff;act=ST;f=6;t=250;st=0



(Edited by Spike at 11:56 am on Oct. 25, 2002)

 

[Jim_C180]

Cat Implementation UK

I can supply good quality non-genuine cats, e-mail me for details if you are interested.

 

[imported_dieselman]

Cat Implementation UK

Removing the Cat should give no noticible difference.  The Cat will have been specified to allow a greater gas volume than the engine can deliver, although there may be a slight reduction in back pressure at full chat.

The reason why Cat equipped cars have less performance than non-cat cars is that the engine is tuned to be over rich to feed the cat with fuel for ignition.  Re-tune 0.5% CO leaner to recover the extra power.

 

[ae1hini]

Cat Implementation UK

Thanks for all the replies thus far, interesting topic. Are the mountings similar for a straight through pipe?

 

[DavidBlake]

Cat Implementation UK

Removing the cat will not improve performance or economy because your engine still thinks its there! You would have to fit the engine management from an earlier non cat equiped car.