Cat converters-keep or throw away
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Cat converters-keep or throw away
After my '12 motor w/ 24,000mi began spewing oil from the air cleaner all over the side of the bike, I had to have a new top end due to "overheating caused by the after market exhaust" according to the moco, (which BTW they refused to cover under warr) I am purchasing a new '14 Ultra, since I don't trust the "rebuilt" motor. I know, you know, everybody knows, that it wasn't the exhaust (V&H power duals header, Hi output mufflers and their throttle pak and fuel pak), that caused the problem.
So here's the issue; should I leave the Cat and headers on the new bike and purchase a tuner to get the AFR down to between 13.7 and 14 or should I get rid of the Cat altogether? Am considering the Nightrider FL-AF-XIED-10 fuel adjuster to keep the motor cooler, but won't the Cat make it run hot as well? I have been hearing everything from "leave it stock 'til the warr runs out" from the stealer to install the race tuner and have it dyno'd. My biggest concern is if I don't get the temp down asap, i'll be creating issues during the break-in! Any sugg or advice will be appreciated.
Thanks
So here's the issue; should I leave the Cat and headers on the new bike and purchase a tuner to get the AFR down to between 13.7 and 14 or should I get rid of the Cat altogether? Am considering the Nightrider FL-AF-XIED-10 fuel adjuster to keep the motor cooler, but won't the Cat make it run hot as well? I have been hearing everything from "leave it stock 'til the warr runs out" from the stealer to install the race tuner and have it dyno'd. My biggest concern is if I don't get the temp down asap, i'll be creating issues during the break-in! Any sugg or advice will be appreciated.
Thanks
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The MoCo spends a fortune designing and testing our bikes, to prove they meet the latest legal requirements and will work under every condition we are likely to put them through. It is the owner who probably gives them greater concern than the bike! You don't NEED to do anything, except ride the darned thing, the bike is fine. If YOU are getting too hot then take your time deciding what you want in the long term, then make your mods and set the tune right. No need to do anything in a rush!
The 'cat' is a catalytic converter, which depends on reaching a specific temperature so that it can work correctly. If it is the cause of your discomfort, the best thing is to get rid of it and make the necessary mods so you can optimise your bike's tune. Personally I would use a proper tuner and a dyno.
The 'cat' is a catalytic converter, which depends on reaching a specific temperature so that it can work correctly. If it is the cause of your discomfort, the best thing is to get rid of it and make the necessary mods so you can optimise your bike's tune. Personally I would use a proper tuner and a dyno.
I would keep the Catalytic Converter For a little while. I put on a set of FL-ViED-10 on
my 2014 FLHX with all stock exhaust system, and adjusted the AFR at 14.0:1 to help
with the heat here in Nevada. When I am ready to change the exhaust, I may or may
not get a tuner, it depends on what all I change. If I only get a new cat less Header Pipe
I will run the FL-ViED10 at full rich. I may get a tuner if I do a full Stage 1, mufflers, air
cleaner, and a cat less header pipe. Just ride it for now.
my 2014 FLHX with all stock exhaust system, and adjusted the AFR at 14.0:1 to help
with the heat here in Nevada. When I am ready to change the exhaust, I may or may
not get a tuner, it depends on what all I change. If I only get a new cat less Header Pipe
I will run the FL-ViED10 at full rich. I may get a tuner if I do a full Stage 1, mufflers, air
cleaner, and a cat less header pipe. Just ride it for now.
Last edited by OldPhat; Aug 25, 2014 at 08:29 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
You are in New Hampshire. Does it even get hot there?
What did u mean by "spewing oil" out of the breather?? Lots of bikes blow a little oil back out the breather. Hope the dealer wasn't trying to screw u over by being dishonest. Something just don't sound right at all.
If you are going to use the same dealer for service, you had better keep it stock or he may again refuse warranty work if he thinks you have remotely modified anything that remotely might affect the engine performance.
Yea yea guys will come in here and say the dealer can't do this or that, but in the end, you have to deal with him and you already know what he is capable of doing.
What did u mean by "spewing oil" out of the breather?? Lots of bikes blow a little oil back out the breather. Hope the dealer wasn't trying to screw u over by being dishonest. Something just don't sound right at all.
If you are going to use the same dealer for service, you had better keep it stock or he may again refuse warranty work if he thinks you have remotely modified anything that remotely might affect the engine performance.
Yea yea guys will come in here and say the dealer can't do this or that, but in the end, you have to deal with him and you already know what he is capable of doing.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
The cat doesn't make the engine run hotter but a slightly richer A/F ratio could make the cat run hotter. Bottom line. Do what you want, but if you ditch the cat keep the stock header pipe just in case.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 416
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From: Texas
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati, Oh
whatever you do don't throw them in the trash, recycle them...worth some money as there are precious metals in there.
The only reason I've removed cats is when they were sitting right behind my turbos...the heat was cooking 'em so out they came.
The only reason I've removed cats is when they were sitting right behind my turbos...the heat was cooking 'em so out they came.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,107
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From: Goodyear, Az
I just bought a new 2014 limited on Saturday and living in Phoenix it was around a hundred degrees when I left the dealer. Sitting at stopli ghts on the way home, I couldn't believe how much cooler this bike is than ANY of my previous bike's. Between the water cooled heads and those plastic heat shields behind the rear head my legs and thighs weren't feeling like they were on fire for once! Loving the hell out of this bike!
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