Catalytic Converter questions

[celica_xr9145]

Since i have this week off work, i'd like to get some work done on my Trueno (AE101 4AFE) and try as restore some of its power.

One thing i have noticed is that when i floor it and take it up to high revs, the car smells like it has sh@t itself.

I've read that the catalytic converter could be at fault.

My question is can a bad catalytic converter make a noticable difference on performance?

Reason i ask is when the car is cold, it has a lot of power but once warmed up it looses a lot of power.

Also when you floor it to overtake, it goes down a gear, has a sudden burst of power, goes up a gear but then thats it. Its like it runs out of power.

Do you think a bad catalytic converter converter could cause this?

As far as i know, cats only go bad due to the way the engine is running but not long ago the car blew a headgasket and has been reconditioned so maybe thats why the cat is bad

[RS13]

Leave it alone, save up for a silver or blacktop. Removing or gutting a cat may give you slightly more power, but given that you're still going to be left with a gutless 4AFE regardless of what you do I certainly wouldn't bother.

[celica_xr9145]

Leave it alone, save up for a silver or blacktop. Removing or gutting a cat may give you slightly more power, but given that you're still going to be left with a gutless 4AFE regardless of what you do I certainly wouldn't bother.

Not really doing it for a power gain as such, that was more of a bonus. Just not really keen on the nasty smell and rather have it put right, also told it will help my gas milaege too.

Just wondered if a bad cat would cause the power loss and whatnot.

[Bling]

Power loss is most likely down to 4afe and auto.... what do you expect? They are economical engines, not performance ones. Sure replace the cat if its stuffed, but I doubt its changing the power output much. If its creating the smell you speak of, getting rid of it will obvious fix that, it won't fix anything else though.

[RS13]

Yes, it would reduce power if it was blocked, if you're really not keen on that smell, just get a resonator welded in, or a just a piece of pipe if you're cheap.

Petrol contains organic sulphur, and as it burns lean, it breaks the sulphur down into mostly sulphur dioxide, which the catalytic converter changes chemically into sulphur trioxide. The trioxide reacts with the catalyst and forms sulphates.

When you fang it, and your engine runs rich, the sulphates become unstable and form hydrogen sulphide, which is what you can smell out the exhaust.

So basically, if you can smell that smell, your cat is working fine. You can try replacing the oxygen sensor if has done over 100,000km, as a faulty oxy sensor can cause your car to to run rich.

Just drive it man! You should be stoked that your car is doing its' part for the environment!

[celica_xr9145]

I know its a 4AFE and Auto, just doesn't feel right how it runs out of power. Also a PITA to overtake aswell.

If the smell means is ok then its ok, just something that i'll put up with.

I don't have too get used to it for long anyway, going to upgrade to a BZG or something along those lines, need something with far more power and a manual gearbox!

You should be stoked that your car is doing its' part for the environment!

Suprisingly i've found that my old 2.0 3SGE Celica was far more economical than the 4AFE, not that i really care about that kind of stuff anyway.

[Mr Revhead]

Leave it alone, save up for a silver or blacktop. Removing or gutting a cat may give you slightly more power, but given that you're still going to be left with a gutless 4AFE regardless of what you do I certainly wouldn't bother.

I don't think I would bother putting a 4age in a 4afe powered car for road use. 4afe is actually better around town, is fine on the open road and is not any slower than a 4age in every day use.

[solitaire]

What fuel mileage are you getting? That should indicate if you are having problems i would think? Although if you are fanging it around overtaking and driving it like a sports car you economy will suffer.

[RS13]

Yeah, I hadn't realised that he had an auto as well! Just save up for a BZG then bro.

Suprisingly i've found that my old 2.0 3SGE Celica was far more economical than the 4AFE, not that i really care about that kind of stuff anyway.

Gutless cars are generally driven harder. I'm sure if you took it easy for a week, use minimal throttle, low revs and keep to the speed limit you'll find the 4AFE to be ridiculously economical. But you're young, so doubtful you'll bother!

[celica_xr9145]

$20 of 91 gets me around 150-170 a week (depending on how im driving), my Celica got me around the same, possibly a bit more on 98 octane. Its hard not too drive with a heavy foot, if you don't it doesn't go anywhere

Will be getting a HUGE lump sum of cash around october time so will be on the lookout for a new car around then

[Bling]

I'd be stoked with that fuel economy Just drive it then if you're going to blow a wad of $$ on another car in 6 months or so. Unless the smells gets worse, then as above, get it replaced with a resonator. Not a big job, had it done to mine when it dropped its guts and smelt like crap when parked in garage overnight

[MR2BOY23]

I'd be stoked with that fuel economy

Heh same here, I get about a third of that if I drive with a heavy foot

[MR2SIK]

I only get 100-120kms to $20 of 91 in my shitty little 1.3L Laser lol

[RS13]

I only get 100-120kms to $20 of 91 in my shitty little 1.3L Laser lol

Really? I got that mileage in my FXGT! I have a 91 Laser with a 1300 carb powerhouse, when I first got it 6months ago $20 could get me 170km! Has gone down a bit now with fuel prices etc, but I've never had it that bad.

[cogent]

keep in mind that $20 gets you less petrol than it did when you had your celica

[MR2SIK]

I only get 100-120kms to $20 of 91 in my shitty little 1.3L Laser lol

Really? I got that mileage in my FXGT! I have a 91 Laser with a 1300 carb powerhouse, when I first got it 6months ago $20 could get me 170km! Has gone down a bit now with fuel prices etc, but I've never had it that bad.

Just over 200kms to $30 when I topped up last night.

[frost]

when comparing distance traveled you should say liters not dollars.
e,g my bmw uses 11.6 liters per 100kms

[gtpornstar]

when comparing distance traveled you should say liters not dollars.

Agreed
My starlet 1.5L turbo is around 10L/100m wth boost here and there
and my merc with 5.0L non turbo is around 13-16L/100km depending on how happy i feel

[Boosted_162]

when comparing distance traveled you should say liters not dollars.

Agreed
My starlet 1.5L turbo is around 10L/100m wth boost here and there
and my merc with 5.0L non turbo is around 13-16L/100km depending on how happy i feel

Might wanna get that starlet sorted out then, cos i have a feeling 10L/100m is a little much

[gtpornstar]

haha true that, yeah i should get it looked at