Member Since: 23 Aug 2006
Location: Sandton
Posts: 23
Removal of catalytic converter
In South Africa we have no legistration which requires the catalytic converter to remain as part of the exhaust system.
Several owners of the D3 TDV6's have removed the cat by simply cutting it off at each end, and replacing it with a straight pipe.
I'm told that this improves the power and fuel consumption, and also may prevent problems with the turbo.
It's a simple job in that unlike the V8's, the diesels do not have sensors on the converter.
I'd appreciate any useful comments and what the downside may be - if any!
Thanks
Alan
5th Jan 2012 12:50 pm
jamieg7762
Member Since: 05 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1232
I have been running with a de-cat pipe on my d3 now for just over a year and the only downside I have noticed is that you get extra fumes, which some people dont like if they are stuck behind you in a traffic jam
The bennefits far outway this,
better throttle responce
improved power
better sound d4 HSE in Corris Grey with Black options pack
D3 with the following
Alive Tuning EGR blanking kit
Alive Tuning Re-map
Alive Atrics console
Samco intercooler hoses (from Alive Tuning)
Alive Tuning De-Cat pipe, lovely tone!
Retrofit OEM Hybrid TV tuner
5th Jan 2012 12:59 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14347
De cat over a year ago. No issues at all.
5th Jan 2012 1:07 pm
woody32 Site Sponsor
Member Since: 11 Mar 2009
Location: Somerset
Posts: 3551
As B691PN said,I removed mine but have put it back on due to the extra fumes/smell but on the plus side throttle Respones was the first thing i noticed
Should I go and remove mine again thinking about it Wanted D4s non runners pm for competitive price.
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5th Jan 2012 1:12 pm
Alancal
Member Since: 23 Aug 2006
Location: Sandton
Posts: 23
Thank you guys!
I'm going to remove the cat!
5th Jan 2012 7:09 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73057
Those that have removed the cat, did you cut and weld in a section pipe or is there a decat pipe avaialble?Altox GSM FBH controller thread
IID Pro MV License - D3, D4 & RRS - Enabling, Updates, D4 & RRS Timed / Remote Climate, D4 Bluetooth fitting
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D4 & RRS style D3 grilles made to order
5th Jan 2012 7:22 pm
jamieg7762
Member Since: 05 Mar 2010
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 1232
Mine is a replacement pipe that was supplied and fitted by Gary and the team up at Alive Tuning
I have the CAT in the store if I need/want to fit it back on for any reasond4 HSE in Corris Grey with Black options pack
D3 with the following
Alive Tuning EGR blanking kit
Alive Tuning Re-map
Alive Atrics console
Samco intercooler hoses (from Alive Tuning)
Alive Tuning De-Cat pipe, lovely tone!
Retrofit OEM Hybrid TV tuner
5th Jan 2012 7:33 pm
woody32 Site Sponsor
Member Since: 11 Mar 2009
Location: Somerset
Posts: 3551
DSL wrote:
Nice avatar Woody!!
You like! Good to see you back on line DSL
I cut mine out and welded a straight pipe in its place Wanted D4s non runners pm for competitive price.
IID Pro MV License - D3/4 RRS - Enabling, Updates,Transmission flushing.
Mobile or workshop,PM for details.
5th Jan 2012 8:05 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73057
Cheers, have wandered back from the wilderness. Beemer forums are way too
5th Jan 2012 8:08 pm
The Transformer
Member Since: 22 Jan 2010
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 1791
Had ours on for a while, all good here
5th Jan 2012 8:13 pm
Robbie
Member Since: 05 Feb 2006
Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posts: 17932
Nice avatar Woody. Martin made off with my signature 'spanner-wielding lady' but I live in hope that he will allow her back one day.Land Rover - Turning Drivers into Mechanics Since 1948
Member Since: 11 Mar 2009
Location: Somerset
Posts: 3551
Yeah i liked your spanner lady one Robbie very good, wonder how long my one will last
DSL see you know it makes sense never a dull moment here!
Right thats it im going to cut my cat off AGAIN as reading this made me think the good points defiantly out weigh the bad ones,so a bit of smelly smoke it is then .
So a quick recap
Good points
1,Sounds sweet I also have rear silencers removed
2,Feels more smoother low down in the rev range
3,Pulls much better low down i.e the turbo seems to spin up earlier
4,makes me smile at every junction i pull away from
Bad points
1,Smelly smoke
2,Umm
3,Tree huggers might not like it so sshh
Woody Wanted D4s non runners pm for competitive price.
IID Pro MV License - D3/4 RRS - Enabling, Updates,Transmission flushing.
Mobile or workshop,PM for details.
5th Jan 2012 11:10 pm
zarnd
Member Since: 23 Apr 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 794
Read the MOT magazine we get at work the end of last year and vehicles can now be failed if they have had CATS removed when there was one when it was built. I didn't see whether or not there was any age restrictions but sure it has already started this year now as well as warning lights on dash and tow bars and tow bar wiring being part of the test too!
Member Since: 11 Mar 2009
Location: Somerset
Posts: 3551
Zarnd I read it like this but I maybe wrong
Hi it states that On vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test, check the presence of the catalytic converter.
So the only vehicles that qualify for a full cat emissions test is a petrol engine vehicle and the equipment used to test it is looking for hydrocarbons (HC) Carbon monoxide (CO) and a lambda reading, and on a diesel engine it is only a smoke test not a full cat emissions test and uses a different machine so During this test, a calibrated smoke meter is used to assess the density of the smoke from compression ignition(diesel) engined vehicles.
Â
WoodyWanted D4s non runners pm for competitive price.
IID Pro MV License - D3/4 RRS - Enabling, Updates,Transmission flushing.
Mobile or workshop,PM for details.
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Good to see you back on line DSL 
as reading this made me think the good points defiantly out weigh the bad ones,so a bit of smelly smoke it is then 
