What is a high flow catalytic converter?
A high flow catalytic converter is usually the next step in increasing exhaust system performance after installing an aftermarket system, particularly a “cat-back” system. The term cat-back is where the catalytic converter (or cat, for short) is the next link in the chain as the exhaust system is traced back towards the motor.
What is a high flow exhaust system?
Performance modifications to the exhaust system always focus on increasing flow capability to allow the engine to breathe more easily so that it can make more power. The more quickly the catalytic converter can do its job, the higher its flow capability is. High flow units typically use honeycomb designs.
What is the difference between a catless and high flow downpipe?
Catless downpipes allow engine exhaust to flow without any restrictions and rely on the high-flow catalytic converter for pollution control, while high flow cats restrict engine exhaust to reduce noise and emissions. High flow cats are required in some regions but not all, depending on local regulations. What is a catless downpipe?
How do you increase the flow rate of a high flow converter?
High flow units typically use honeycomb designs. The flow rate can be increased either by increasing the overall cross section of the honeycomb (which allows the converter to contain more passages where the chemical reaction can take place) or widening the passages (which allows exhaust gasses to flow more freely).

Does high flow cats make a difference?
Do high-flow catalytic converters add more horsepower? Adding a high-flow catalytic converter to your car can add horsepower since it does free up the exhaust flow overall. However, it's usually recommend as final piece to your exhaust system, especially if your car is making at least 20 percent more horsepower.
How do I know if my catalytic converter is high flow?
0:000:38DIFFERENCE between “high flow catalytic converter” vs stockYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'll show you the difference between a high flow catalytic converter. And a normal one if you lookMoreI'll show you the difference between a high flow catalytic converter. And a normal one if you look at the honeycomb. Inside the high flow you can see how big the holes.
Will a high flow cat pass inspection?
They should pass the sniffer just fine with proper tuning. it will not pass a visual inspection.
Are high flow cats louder?
High flow cats will be a tad bit louder for sure. Depending on what you find loud, it may not be a significant amount however.
Will a high flow cat throw a code?
Since the high flow catalytic converters do not cause the same readings at the secondary oxygen sensor as stock, typically the ECM will trigger the P0420 code. This code does not necessarily mean that the high flow catalytic converter is not doing its job.
How much horsepower does high flow cats add?
However, adding a high-flow catalytic converter can boost your horsepower by 4hp to 10 hp. A high-flow cat is ideal if your vehicle is heavily modified or turbocharged since the extra airflow can help in adding more power. A high-flow catalytic converter is better than a normal cat.
Can you pass emissions test with a downpipe?
any aftermarket downpipe with a euro 6 rated cat should pass an emissions test.
Will a high flow Catted downpipe pass emissions?
Catted downpipe does not pass emissions inspection. Thanks for the info sir! This was the post I was expecting for a long time. Catted downpipe does not pass emissions inspection.
Are high flow cats legal in Florida?
Yes! Florida's State Statute requires all vehicles to have their OEM catalytic converter or an aftermarket EPA-approved catalytic converter.
Is Catless louder than high flow cats?
It's is probably only a 5 to 10hp difference depending on setup "FI". Catless will be louder.
Do high flow cats affect sound?
Changing to long-tube headers along with the required x-pipe and high-flow cats will make for a louder exhaust tone at wide-open throttle but not change the exhaust tone much during normal driving. However, just replacing the stock cats with aftermarket high-flow cats might not change the sound at all.
Are flowmaster cats loud?
Besides being way too loud and bad for the environment, the cat-less setup scrubbed a bit of torque and exhaust fumes entered the cabin after hard accelerations. (After just 20 minutes of driving, my ears would hurt and I'd have a headache!) This Flowmaster cat is smaller and flows better than the OEM BMW cat.
Do high flow cats improve MPG?
HFC should theoretically improve your mileage as they increase the engines efficiency, that's to say as long as you can keep your right foot out of the pedal. If you can't that extra efficiency at moving air will require more fuel to be combined with it...
Will high flow cats pass smog?
HF cats will not pass the visual inspection since they do not have a CARB number.
How long do high flow catalytic converters last?
The truth is, on modern vehicles, the catalytic converter should last the life of the car or truck, given an "average" life of about 100,000 miles (160,934 kilometers). Good thing, too, because this auto part uses rare, precious and therefore expensive metals such as gold, palladium or rhodium.
Is a high flow cat a downpipe?
High-Flow Catted Downpipes. The only difference between these two options, as you can imagine, is a catalytic converter. Catless options will completely remove the catalytic converter while high-flow options will use an upgraded or higher performance cat that is less restrictive than the OEM system.
What Is A High Flow Catalytic Converter?
It’s a win-win, right? This is where high flow catalytic converters come in to save the day.
How Much More Power Does A High Flow Catalytic Converter Add?
There are a vast array of variables to consider, such as what engine do you have, what sort of fuel does it burn, and whether you have other mods on it.
How Does The “Cat” In Your Car Work?
But how does this reaction work? In chemistry, the concept of a “catalyst” is a substance that causes or accelerates a reaction without itself being affected. Most catalytic converters today – including a high flow catalytic converter – are two-stage. As such, they have 2 different catalysts going on as part of the emissions reduction process. This is a ‘reduction’ catalyst and an ‘oxidation’ catalyst.
What Does The Catalytic Converter On Your Car Do?
Namely, that would be to scrub off the most harmful gases from the exhaust fumes, and subsequently turn them into relatively less death-inducing tailpipe emissions.
What Is a High Flow Catalytic Converter?
A high-flow catalytic converter has fewer restrictions than a normal catalytic converter so that exhaust gases flow at an increased rate. This modified exhaust system optimizes the flow of exhaust gases, and so all performance modifications.
What Is a Catalytic Converter?
Before we get too far, let’s back up to the basics: what is a catalytic converter? A catalytic converter converts exhaust fumes to be safely released from the exhaust system. As part of the exhaust system, it’s responsible for altering the chemicals produced from the piston and exhaust manifold.
A High Flow Catalytic Converter vs. a Normal Catalytic Converter
A high-flow catalytic converter still uses the honeycomb design, but its design is even more complicated. The honeycomb has a larger cross-section to allow more gases to travel through it. Plus the “high flow cat” has more metals throughout it to quickly catalyze the initial exhaust fumes.
Horsepower
One important thing to keep in mind when adding a high flow catalytic converter is that it’s best to add as the final piece to an exhaust system modification. The converter will free up the exhaust flow, but it’s optimal when it works in coordination with other vehicle modifications.
Should I Get a High Flow Catalytic Converter?
If you’re looking for the final piece of your exhaust system’s performance, a high-flow catalytic converter is for you. If you’re looking to modify your exhaust system from scratch, this converter is something to keep in mind.
Get a Free Quote
Let the professionals at Performance Muffler help you optimize your vehicle’s performance with a high flow catalytic converter. Contact us today for a quote or other automotive services. We’re proud of our exhaust repairs and replacements, catalytic converter services, cat-back exhaust systems, and more.
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What is high flow unit?
High flow units typically use honeycomb designs . The flow rate can be increased either by increasing the overall cross section of the honeycomb (which allows the converter to contain more passages where the chemical reaction can take place) or widening the passages (which allows exhaust gasses to flow more freely).
What is a high flow catalytic converter?
A high flow catalytic converter is usually the next step in increasing exhaust system performance after installing an aftermarket system, particularly a “cat-back” system. The term cat-back is where the catalytic converter (or cat, for short) is the next link in the chain as the exhaust system is traced back towards the motor. The catalytic converter can also be one of the main “choke points” or obstructions in the exhaust system, so replacing it can yield a definite increase in horsepower and overall performance.
Why do performance modifications to exhaust systems always focus on increasing flow capability?
Performance modifications to the exhaust system always focus on increasing flow capability to allow the engine to breathe more easily so that it can make more power.
How does a catalytic converter work?
The way that the catalytic converter functions is simple. It forces the exhaust gasses to come in contact with a chemical catalyst, in this case the metals platinum or palladium. The catalyst causes the gasses to quickly degrade into less harmful substances, like carbon dioxide and water.
What Is A Catalytic Converter?
Before knowing about the pros and cons of the cats, let’s talk about what a catalytic converter is and what it does. The catalytic converter is one of the important components of the car that fits into the car’s exhaust system, and its job is to reduce the emission of harmful gases and other components from the engine.
Do High-Flow Cats Make A Difference?
Yes, high flow makes a difference as it positively affects the exhaust and allows gases to move freely. So this helps to improve the fuel economy and help boost the power of the car. So if you want power and better fuel economy, you can surely go for this upgrade in your vehicle.
Do High-Flow Cats Restrict Power?
If you want to have high flow cats upgrade, then you should know that a stock exhaust might cause an issue when it comes to receiving the fullness of the power of a high flow catalytic converter.
Do High-Flow Cats Smell?
Yes, one of the cons or demerits of using a high-flow cat is that have an exhaust odor smell that you can notice while driving the car at a low speed or gears.
Do High-Flow Cats Require A Tune?
No. High-flow catalytic converters do not require tuning as they are well designed to work at high speed and emission levels.
What is a catalytic converter?
A catalytic converter is designed to reduce harmful exhaust gasses... that's all! Basically all aftermarket cats have a ceramic substrate (the guts) that during manufacturing is coated with a solution of platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Is an aftermarket cat better than an O.E. cat?
In theory, an aftermarket cat is higher flow than it's O.E. counterpart, because the O.E. converter has a substrate made up of 700 cells per square inch, so the exhaust flow with an aftermarket converter is a little freer, but not dramatically!
Is a catalytic converter a muffler?
A catalytic converter has no moving parts nor is chambered like a mu ffler, or have elaborate packing like a muffler. It's interior is not designed to move exhaust gasses along more quickly such as having a spiral core. A catalytic converter is designed to reduce harmful exhaust gasses...that's all!
BONILORA 2.5 inch Universal Catalytic Converter Stainless Steel High Flow Performance Cat 410250
EPA Certification,High corrosion and wear resistance.,Great emissions control,high efficient and work efficiently.
Brand
When buying high flow cats, it is important that you stick with well-known brands instead of opting for lesser-known ones.
Price
If you’re looking for high flow cats cheap and cheerful, check out Amazon to see if anyone is selling what you need at a bargain price. For big-ticket items, however, it’s worth paying extra for quality and durability over a cheaper alternative that might break down more frequently and cost more in repairs over time.
Durability
A good quality high flow catswill last longer than something cheap and nasty. Durability also determines how long a product will last before needing replacement parts. If these are available from the manufacturer, it’s usually less expensive than buying another whole device just because one part broke down.
Quality
The first thing to consider is the quality of high flow cats. The quality of a product will determine how long it lasts and whether or not it will last as long as it claims to. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you buy a product that has been tested and proven by users and experts.
What is a Catless Downpipe?
A catalytic converter is a device that converts harmful gases like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) into less harmful substances. A catless downpipe is designed to replace the stock exhaust system on your car with an aftermarket one but without the catalytic converters.
What is a High Flow Cat?
High-flow cat converters are catalytic converters that have been modified to increase their airflow. These modifications include enlarged inlets, reduced internal diameter, and an increased number of honeycomb cells inside the converter. High-flow cats can provide an additional 10% – 20% more fuel efficiency than stock catalytic converters.
Catless Downpipe Vs High Flow Cat: Major Differences
A downpipe is a connection of the exhaust pipe of an engine to the atmosphere. A high flow cat is an emission control device that reduces emissions by changing the chemical composition of gases before they are released into the atmosphere.
