Can catalytic converters be adden to pre 1975 cars WITHOUT AFFECTING PERFORMANCE?

March 22nd, 2009 | by cars |
KenlKoff asked:


I have a ‘65 Mustang (for over 15 years) that is driven occassionally when necessary. When it comes time for yearly inspection I get a free ride from the emmisions test that most other cars are subjected to. Can a catalytic converter be installed or is there something about it that affects the overall operability of older car engines.

JOHN
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  1. 7 Responses to “Can catalytic converters be adden to pre 1975 cars WITHOUT AFFECTING PERFORMANCE?”

  2. By Helper on Mar 23, 2009 | Reply

    LAVERNE

    Cat converter will restrict your air flow and limit HP.

    Good Luck.

  3. By gary o on Mar 24, 2009 | Reply

    REINALDO

    why bother with the expense, but can be added.

  4. By monkey wrench on Mar 27, 2009 | Reply

    HIPOLITO

    Yes you can several manufacturers make cats that fit headers and other performance cars but you are exempt why pay this for no reason unless you love the planet but then when the cat is old where does it go landfill recycle ??

  5. By sn00p on Mar 28, 2009 | Reply

    JEAN

    the whole thing with cat converters is that you can’t run leaded gas through them…. should be no problem with unleaded… but why???? there is no requirement for it to be there and it will pass without it, so don’t do it, it’s silly

  6. By Dave on Mar 30, 2009 | Reply

    LYMAN

    Vehicles built before 1972 are not required (by federal emissions laws) to have catalytic converters. Check local laws about your particular vehicle - I wouldn’t recommend running a Catalytic converter as it becomes a HUGE restriction in exhaust (even the high-flow cat’s do that)

  7. By Country Boy on Apr 1, 2009 | Reply

    JOAN

    Absolutely not. Your Mustang has a carburetor which has not been tuned ( air bleeds, jets power valves, choke) to be used with a catalytic converter. You also have no electrical circuit and onboard computer to run an oxygen sensor.

  8. By Robert M on Apr 1, 2009 | Reply

    MITCHEL

    There is such a thing as a high performance catalytic converter. I don’t know if it is available for your year mustang, shop the inter-net. Older cars like yours were designed to use leaded fuels, no longer available. The right thing to do is to go to a machine shop and find out how much it costs to do a proper “unleaded fuel” valve job on your engine. Then you can use un-leaded fuel and not cause engine trouble or wear. If you want a Cat Conv. on your car, it is probably because your exhaust smells like rotten eggs. Adding a Catalytic Converter would probably stop this. De-sludge your engine as well, since there is probably a large amount of varnish built up inside. Years ago, lead was used as an additive to lubricate the valves, guides, seats, and seals. Un-leaded fuels do not lubricate quite the same way or burn at the same temperature. A little engine modification is usually called for.

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