Replacing a catalyst with a flame arrester: consequences

Hello, dear friends! I would like to study in more detail such an issue as replacing the catalyst with a flame arrester. Many people strive to carry out such a procedure, sometimes without understanding what it can lead to.

But I will try to be as objective as possible. I will tell you not only about the consequences, but also about what positive aspects arise when replacing the standard catalyst in the exhaust system of a car with a flame arrester or stronger. This is the same concept, but it is the flame arrester that is most widespread among car enthusiasts.

This is not to say that this is a universal element that can be installed always and everywhere. We need to understand this issue and get the most important answers.

Preliminary nuances

Let's start with the simple concept of a catalyst, which for some reason they want to replace with their own hands or the hands of a craftsman with a flame arrester. The catalyst is a device that is part of the exhaust system. It serves to purify gases produced during fuel combustion from all kinds of impurities.

But if this device breaks down or becomes dirty, returning it to its original level of performance is not so easy. In fact, car owners make one of 2 decisions. In the first case, they buy a new part and install it in place of the old one. The second option is to replace the catalyst with a device called a flame arrester. He's a strongman. At the same time, there is a lot of controversy and talk around the second method. Motorists sometimes do not understand why they should do this, what such modification will do and whether it will worsen the performance of the car.

Car enthusiasts are divided into 2 camps. Some argue that installing a stronger is an excellent tuning solution. Others are confident that such modernization will only cause harm.

But how dangerous would it actually be to remove the catalyst? And if this is harmful, then why do service stations actively offer this service in Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg, cities such as Moscow, Voronezh, Volgograd and other parts of the country? And the price isn't that bad.

It's all about the myths that have formed around flame arresters. They look like this:

the motor begins to quickly fail;
the muffler breaks down;
the engine is very noisy;
exhaust gases become more dangerous in their composition;
great harm is caused to nature;
in the cabin you can be poisoned by the exhaust;
the engine consumes fuel in huge quantities;
motor life is reduced significantly;
the exhaust system lasts quite a bit, etc.

But it was not in vain that I focused on the fact that these are myths. Most of them are very far from the truth.

Therefore, now we need to study all the pros and cons, consider the essence and concept of a flame arrester, and come to the appropriate conclusions.

How much does the replacement service cost?

Here the amounts can vary quite a lot, it all depends on what brand you have and the location of this element.

For example, let's take the capital regions, these are Moscow and St. Petersburg.

SO:

Replacing the manifold version involves removal, welding, installation + ECU firmware, costs approximately from 9,000 to 15,000 rubles
Replacement of the main version - also removal, welding, flashing, installation - from 6,000 to 10,000 rubles.

The run-up is approximately this, of course, if you have two catalysts, THIS also happens, for example, a bifurcated muffler for every three or four cylinders, then you can safely multiply the work by two.

Which companies to choose - now there are several brands that are quite high quality, these are Sprint, MG-Race, AWG. It is also worth noting that there are quite high-quality homemade options.

Now we are watching a short video

This is where I end, I think the article was useful to you.

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The essence of a stronger

Based on the principle of operation, there is much in common between a damper and a resonator. But the task of the first is to dampen sound waves and vibrations from the engine, as well as at the same time reduce the temperature of the exhaust gases.

In simple words, you can describe a stronger like this. This is a device that performs 2 functions simultaneously. Namely, it reduces the temperature, lowering it to a level that is safe for the car and specifically the exhaust system itself, and also reduces the noise level. This automatically refutes some of the myths presented earlier. Thus, you can already draw some of your own conclusions regarding the fairness of blaming the flame arrester for all the troubles associated with the exhaust system of the car.

If we talk about installation, it is carried out on the car muffler pipe, or in the exhaust manifold itself. This allows you to distinguish the main (on the pipe) and collector stronger.

Moreover, according to experts, there is no significant difference in noise level. After replacement, as confirmed by reviews from motorists, the noise of the car even decreases.

Benefits of replacement

Replacing an expensive catalytic converter with a cheaper flame arrester makes a lot of sense.

The following advantages can be highlighted:

The cost in the second case is 7-9 times lower, so the savings are obvious here.
The catalyst reduces the power of the power unit because it creates an obstacle to the passage of exhaust gases, because of this, the “horses” can decrease by up to 7%. On the other hand, when replacing, the exhaust flow encounters virtually no resistance.
The absence of an expensive filter element makes it possible to use gasoline with a lower octane number, since the more reliable, durable design is resistant to aggressive technical fluids.
The flame arrester is characterized by strength, reliability, and durability. The possibility of its burning out and the occurrence of corrosion foci is practically eliminated.

Thus, the advantages of replacement are not too many, but they really work. Unstable operation of the power unit can be caused by incorrect settings of the electronic control unit, so it is necessary to make a new electronics setting when replacing devices.

Why do they replace?

I won’t tell anyone a secret if I say that the decision to replace the catalyst with a flame arrester is largely due to the economic component. That is, the car owner simply wants to save money.

Just look at the cost of this element. If we take into account even domestic cars, the price tag will look impressive. Now imagine that your VAZ has already covered about 200-300 thousand kilometers. And here the need arises to change the catalyst. Such a purchase will cost 50-70 thousand rubles. Agree, the amount is more than serious. And compare it with the cost of a flame arrester, the price of which is several times less. Some even make it with their own hands from a piece of pipe, making many holes in it. Then the price will be completely zero.

If you decide to install such a design for yourself, do not forget about the mandatory equipment of a stronger with blende. Decoy, catalyst emulator, lambda decoy. Call it what you want. This will not change the essence.

The lambda decoy serves to correct the incoming signal from the oxygen sensor to the electronic control unit of your car. Moreover, it is necessary to install such a device if a flame arrester is installed in place of the catalyst.

Without doing this, the ECU will begin to perceive the operation of the exhaust system as problematic, and the emergency mode of operation of the internal combustion engine will begin to constantly turn on. This will result in a decrease in engine life and an increase in fuel consumption.

Similar designs, made from stronger and blende, can be installed on any car:

Minuses

Ecology

A catalytic converter is a filter that removes harmful substances from exhaust gases. Many car owners, after replacing the catalyst with a flame arrester, complained that their car began to smell very strongly. Apparently, they had lost the habit or did not know the real exhaust of a Zhiguli.

But if a new part would cost not 70,000 rubles, but ten, then no one would have to worry about replacing it with a flame arrester. Even if it costs 20-30 thousand on a VAZ.

Additional expenses

When replacing, as mentioned above, it is necessary to correctly reconfigure the car’s computer. It is not always possible to find high-quality software. If you use the wrong software, the engine will be unstable and may not last long.

The service life of the muffler is reduced

This is also not accurate. If the catalyst burns unburnt fuel in the exhaust gases, the flame arrester does not do this. They penetrate the entire system with high temperatures.

I may not agree with this, if I’m wrong, correct me in the comments.

Take for example domestic cars, the same VAZ 2101-07, etc. They do not have a catalytic converter, but the mufflers can “quietly” last for thousands of kilometers.

Other factors can destroy a muffler, which I wrote about in detail in a previous article. Therefore, this statement is ambiguous.

Myth No. 2 – after knocking out the catalyst, the car will roar.

This myth is considered by many to be a disadvantage. But in practice, precisely without a flame arrester, some save on installing it; after removing the neutralizer, the exhaust becomes louder and louder.

The catalyst is not a resonator; it does not muffle the sounds of exhaust gases

, it “afterburns” the fuel in the exhaust gases and removes harmful substances from them. Resonators located further along the exhaust tract combat the sound.

Numbers of Russian regions on cars

Mazda 3;
Hyundai Elantra;
Chevrolet Lacetti;
Ford Focus;
Renault Megane;
Toyota Prado 120;
Hyundai Solaris;
Opel Astra;
Niva Chevrolet;
Kia Rio, etc.

The use of deception should not be ignored. You already know about the consequences of such a rash decision.

Advantages and disadvantages

In conclusion, I propose to look at the pros and cons, that is, at the possible negative and positive consequences if you replace the standard catalyst with a not quite standard flame arrester.

What is a flame arrester and what is it made of?

This is a metal pipe with perforation (analogous to a resonator) and additional elements to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas flow and reduce the noise level.

By design, the element can be:

Passive. Non-flammable sound-absorbing materials are installed around the perforated pipe.
Active. Reducing noise levels is achieved through the use of diffusers with smaller diameters.
Combined. Both diffusers and upholstery made of non-combustible materials are used.

Popular brands:
Acura MDX, BMW X6, Citroen C4, Dodge Caravan

Some car enthusiasts independently manufacture and install flame arresters instead of factory neutralizers. However, based on reviews from real users, you should buy a ready-made element. A factory-made component without special maintenance can last up to 10 years, and a self-made component (subject to high-quality welding) can last from 3 to 5 years.

Replacing a catalyst with a flame arrester: what consequences can there be