Any way to test a cat? | FerrariChat
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Any way to test a cat?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by GrigioGuy, Aug 21, 2006.

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  1. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    Nov 26, 2001
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    Enzo Gorlomi
    #1 GrigioGuy, Aug 21, 2006
    Other than a before-and-after exhaust gas analysis, is there any way to test if a catalytic converter is functioning properly? We're talking about a stock 328 cat if it matters.
     
  2. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

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    #2 jm3, Aug 21, 2006
    Throw it in the middle of a lake. If it floats, it is still good. But seriously, any muffler shop has a tool that compares backpressure before and after the cat by drilling small holes. The holes are then plugged with screws.

    I wouldn't spend much time or money on on the current cat. A modern cat will wake the car up, think of it as Viagra for a 25 year old. Just put in a new cat.

    Here is a pic of a computer from the era of your cat.
    http://www.minotaurz.com/compmuse/museum/pix/NEC_oldcomp.jpg

    Jay
     
  3. dakharris

    dakharris Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 dakharris, Aug 21, 2006
    Check the temperature in front of and behind the cat. It should be warmer behind. A muffler shop will have a proper thermometer
     
  4. damaged

    damaged Karting
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    #4 damaged, Aug 22, 2006
    Correct, this is the best way to check a cat function, it should be a lot hotter at the back of the cat than the front ( due to the chemical reaction)
    Make sure you are testing on the pipe and not the heat shield. I have seen up to a 400 deg/f difference frt to rear.
    No need to go to a muffler shop, a simple laser thermometer from Home depot, or "as seen on TV" will work great.
     
  5. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 jimpo1, Aug 23, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

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    David Driver
    #6 DavidDriver, Aug 23, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. BT

    BT F1 World Champ
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    #7 BT, Aug 23, 2006
    One of my favorite tools for keeping the cats in line.
    BT
     

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