catalytic converter question
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Novice
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Plattsburgh NY
catalytic converter question
I was wondering what adverse affects it would have on my 13 ultra classic if I removed the catalytic converter installed a stage 1 air cleaner without a EFI download or a tuner installed. I feel it needs to breath better.I intend to leave the factory mufflerson for now
Last edited by Ozzy61; Feb 5, 2013 at 04:18 PM. Reason: wanted to gie more info
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,584
Likes: 1,147
From: Brandon,Fl
First off, if you add an air cleaner, you're gonna need some type of fuel enrichment device(I'm using a Nightrider VIED). As far as removing the cat, do it!!! The excessive heat will be gone from your legs and I noticed a more responsive throttle after killing the cat. A lot of folks have said they like the sound of the stock pipes with the cat gone......
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
Welcome to the forums! But the first thing you should learn is that there is a search function. This has been discussed in exhausting detail.
Removing the cat will reduce the heat a little and reportedly change the sound. It will NOT improve performance. If you just remove the cat you don't need a tuner or download. If you change out the air cleaner you will, or you will run too lean.
Removing the cat will reduce the heat a little and reportedly change the sound. It will NOT improve performance. If you just remove the cat you don't need a tuner or download. If you change out the air cleaner you will, or you will run too lean.
Last edited by TKDKurt; Feb 5, 2013 at 04:33 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
You will have many things to deal with! smoother engine, more throttle response, lower running and oil temps, better fuel economy, and a bad habit of saying dam this bitch runs good!! also just get the flxeids and mod your stock pipes they will sound awesome and it takes less then half an hour with the right tools.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Treasure Coast, FL
Welcome to the forums! But the first thing you should learn is that there is a search function. This has been discussed in exhausting detail.
Removing the cat will reduce the heat a little and reportedly change the sound. It will NOT improve performance. If you just remove the cat you don't need a tuner or download. If you change out the air cleaner you will, or you will run too lean.
Removing the cat will reduce the heat a little and reportedly change the sound. It will NOT improve performance. If you just remove the cat you don't need a tuner or download. If you change out the air cleaner you will, or you will run too lean.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Leave the O2 sensors in. If you change the air intake you will not need to install a tuner because it is a closed loop system, meaning that it will run the stock fuel ratio that the bike came with. That is what the O2 sensors do, they correct the fuel amount to the set ratio, in this application i think its 14.6:1. Now with that being said the factory fuel ratio is too lean to start with and a fuel enrichment device like the before mentioned nightrider vied will richen it up. A 14.1:1 ratio is what your looking for. If your looking for performance then the tuner is the way to go.
Last edited by ljg; Feb 5, 2013 at 06:14 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,945
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From: Victoria, Australia
Well I gutted my cat and was initially happy but changeed my mind after a while. I gutted it for the heat removal not performance.
What I found was on the first start of the day the bike would idle high and 'hunt' for idle as it warmed up. Also from time to time when I would stop at a light or sign the engine would idle high for about 30 seconds then back down to normal idle (1000rpm). The engine just never ran right with the cat gone.
Those and the fact that I would get a decel pop once in a while for no reason caused me to find a take off header pipe WITH the cat intact and re-install it.
By the way I checked the header welds for leaks post cat removal and all around the header/muffler joints to make sure an exhaust leak wasn't the root cause of my issues.
Good result-- all of the above problems went away. I reckon the 09 models needed to make heat quickly to assist the O2 sensors warm up quickly to enable a faster reading for ECM settings/adjustments.
I'll probably never know exactly why but the bike runs just fine now.
I know it sounds crazy but the above is exactly my findings.
What I found was on the first start of the day the bike would idle high and 'hunt' for idle as it warmed up. Also from time to time when I would stop at a light or sign the engine would idle high for about 30 seconds then back down to normal idle (1000rpm). The engine just never ran right with the cat gone.
Those and the fact that I would get a decel pop once in a while for no reason caused me to find a take off header pipe WITH the cat intact and re-install it.
By the way I checked the header welds for leaks post cat removal and all around the header/muffler joints to make sure an exhaust leak wasn't the root cause of my issues.
Good result-- all of the above problems went away. I reckon the 09 models needed to make heat quickly to assist the O2 sensors warm up quickly to enable a faster reading for ECM settings/adjustments.
I'll probably never know exactly why but the bike runs just fine now.
I know it sounds crazy but the above is exactly my findings.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Queensland Australia
My Experience differs.
I had standard 2012 SG cat in tact backfires and popping on decel.
Remove cat no change in idle, no change in backfiring and still popping on decel.
I do ride hard though.
I had standard 2012 SG cat in tact backfires and popping on decel.
Remove cat no change in idle, no change in backfiring and still popping on decel.
I do ride hard though.