What will happen to a car without a catalyic converter?

Answer 1

First, you won't pass the emissions test. Next, in some states it's a violation of the law and will cost you a fine. In addition, the car pollutes the air more. No harm will come to the car without a catalytic converter.
I tell you first hand that removing the catalytic converter will make the car louder. I shipped a new car to Saudi Arabia in 1992. Over there they sell leaded gasoline only. I had to remove the converter and replace it with a piece of straight pipe. the exhaust noise was noticeably louder but not like some of the loud mufflers you hear now a days
Here in my state, only vehicles less than 20 years old must have a catalytic converter. We have no emissions testing, only a visual inspection that the converter is in place. When the converter gets plugged, many people simply poke the middle out of them and continue driving the car. The inspection station doesn't know the converter is inoperable.

Answer 2

First, it is illegal in ALL states to remove or alter the catalytic converter. This is a Federal emissions law, not state laws, the only exception a state can put on the law is to be more strict than the Federal guidelines (such as California does). As such, driving it on the roads without the converter is illegal anywhere in the United States.

It will not make much difference in the exhaust noise, any change will be minimal.

On newer vehicles, they have oxygen sensors in the exhaust. Removing the converter will affect how that sensor reads and will send that signal to the computer. This will almost always set the check engine light, and will cause the vehicle to get poorer fuel mileage and not run nearly as efficiently as it was designed. This will not give you better performance, it will make it perform worse than before and use more gas doing it.

Finally, if you ever have to have it checked for an emissions inspection or other safety inspection, it WILL NOT pass.

BTW, converters are covered under at least an 8 year, 80k mile warranty (some are longer) so if you're having problems with it, and you're within that range, take it to the dealer and have them inspect it.

Answer 3

most of these answers are 90% correct. removing the converter will make the car run better, but release more noxious gases into the environment. It will not, however, make the car louder. Removing the MUFFLER is what makes a car louder. Also, most cars now have sensors screwed into the catalytic converter so that if that sensor isn't hooked up, the car will run poorly or not at all. So, don't take it off, is what i'm saying.

Answer 4

A catalytic converter cuts down on toxic emissions. The only effect will be that the exhaust from the car will be more dangerous and your exhaust will be louder. I do believe that in the US it is illegal to operate a gasoline powered motor vehicle without one.

Answer 5

It won't hurt your car and will make it run better, their is more air flow so the car will be faster. But on the other hand you car will be very loud.

Answer 6

the car will be louder