Clogged cat?

[John Larson <jdlarson@ix.netcom.com>]

Josiah Erikson's description of the function of the Cat is Waaaaay off
base. The Catalyst in it's earliest form was used primarily to reduce
hydrocarbons and some of the CO, and the later three way catalysts help
reduce NOX as well. It is NOT a screen to remove particulates. Some MBZ
diesels had a particulate trap. Some late model Volvos actually produce
air which is cleaner at the tailpipe than it was when it entered the
inlet. Running without a converter in a modern motor vehicle is against
Federal law, and derives little, if any, HP benefit, and the argument
that such a practices reduces greenhouse damaging gasses is probably
fallacious.
John