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Why Palladium Is Suddenly a More Precious Metal

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Re: Why Palladium Is Suddenly a More Precious Metal

#41
post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I cut mine out of my trucks and put a straight pipe in. Sold them myself. Only able to do that in a state that doesn't regulate citizens to poverty.

Problem: thieves steal mandatory cats One solution: Less government meddling, make cats not mandatory Second solution: More government meddling, i.e. actually do something about the thefts It absolutely blows my mind that people out there think #1 is the better solution

I grew up in Los Angeles during the worst decade of pollution it ever experienced and suffered serious childhood asthma as a result. The decrease in smog after catalytic converters were invented and required in new cars was significant.

After the changes, my ability to breathe improved drastically, and I know I’m not alone. I, for one, strongly support reasonable environmental regulations as a result.

https://www.kcet.org/history-society/how-los-angeles-began-t... is a great history of those times.

Re: Why Palladium Is Suddenly a More Precious Metal

#43
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i have a lifted truck but i'm cheap so i just wrapped a length of chain around the cat, secured with shitty padlocks i had laying around. doesn't actually have to be secure, just look like enough of a PITA to remove that the thief moves on.

I cut mine out of my trucks and put a straight pipe in. Sold them myself. Only able to do that in a state that doesn't regulate citizens to poverty.

Pollution concerns aside, your valves are timed and the manifold ports are shaped to work with the back pressure provided by a working cat.

If you didn't compensate for this during the modification you've likely cut the working life of you head(s) by half.

Re: Why Palladium Is Suddenly a More Precious Metal

#46
post #13

I consulted for an automobile manufacturer that was looking to acquire a new catalytic converter start-up. One of the main reasons for their interest was the fact that this new catalytic converter used 30% less palladium than the next leading product. The other was because of the looming fleet fuel efficiency requirements. If the total fleet fuel efficiency was below the target, the companies would get fined for emis…

>> since catalytic converts could also improve fuel efficiency. For curious, I think this is because fuel economy and complete/proper combustion are directly at odds with each other. Better MPG means nastier exhaust, so a better catalytic converter will help clean that up. OP?

Sorry, why do you think that?

More complete combustion would result in more CO2, H2O, and energy. The by products from incomplete combustion are the ones we want to limit - CO, C, various N and S compounds etc.

Re: Why Palladium Is Suddenly a More Precious Metal

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How exactly does cutting the catalytic converter out of your truck keep you out of poverty?

I don't agree with his sentiment, but some people find it unfair that California basically requires every car sold in the US to come with a $1000 part to control pollution. The argument is that California regulations shouldn't set the price of cars in Mississippi.

Yeah and if it weren't for those pesky Californians and their regulations we would be free to use leaded gasoline like true blue-blooded Americans.

Re: Why Palladium Is Suddenly a More Precious Metal

#48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't agree with his sentiment, but some people find it unfair that California basically requires every car sold in the US to come with a $1000 part to control pollution. The argument is that California regulations shouldn't set the price of cars in Mississippi.

Aren't catalytic converters installed to meet federal emission standards? They might not be explicitly mandated, but in practice you can't meet the standards without one. In which case it's just a factually false statement.

California standards are harder to meet than federal.

Re: Why Palladium Is Suddenly a More Precious Metal

#49
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> since catalytic converts could also improve fuel efficiency. For curious, I think this is because fuel economy and complete/proper combustion are directly at odds with each other. Better MPG means nastier exhaust, so a better catalytic converter will help clean that up. OP?

Sorry, why do you think that? More complete combustion would result in more CO2, H2O, and energy. The by products from incomplete combustion are the ones we want to limit - CO, C, various N and S compounds etc.

Not always. Nitrogen oxides are due to higher temps which is more efficient. In order to meet emissions standards, you often take a hit in efficiency (or at least drive-ability).

Re: Why Palladium Is Suddenly a More Precious Metal

#50
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> since catalytic converts could also improve fuel efficiency. For curious, I think this is because fuel economy and complete/proper combustion are directly at odds with each other. Better MPG means nastier exhaust, so a better catalytic converter will help clean that up. OP?

Sorry, why do you think that? More complete combustion would result in more CO2, H2O, and energy. The by products from incomplete combustion are the ones we want to limit - CO, C, various N and S compounds etc.

The more efficient the combustion, the hotter it is, and the more NOx is formed. Nothing to do with incomplete combustion. Nitrogen doesn't combust.
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