Euro 4 cats

[sambo]

Hi everyone. I'm running those large triangular VZ Commodore cats that sit very low under the car due to their odd shape. I'm after suggestions for aftermarket cats that have passed the IM240 test. If I can fit them up beside the trans it means the sump becomes the lowest point on the car again.

Something like this...

Best Mufflers the Muffler and Exhaust Specialists

[kyleb]

Hi Sambo,
I passed the IM240 test late last year using cats that were for an XF falcon.
The main thing is that you use quality cats and they are positioned in the exhaust close enough to the heads so they light off.
You can check this by getting a laser temp gun and check, (whilst the car is running) for a temp rise from the front of the cat to the back.
I have one if you need it.
Cheers Kyle

[sambo]

Hi Kyle, that's interesting as I heard from someone today that late model Falcon cats have had success. XF Falcon is mid 1980s - are you sure about the model?

Thanks for the offer of the laser temp gun. What temp rise are we expecting between front and back of the cat? I think for this trial and error kind of exercise I'll rely on the 5 gas analyser test, which is only about $100 worth of dyno time and should tell me whether I'm going to pass the IM240 - or not, so I can avoid the sting.

[kyleb]

The exhaust I used was an old Robnell exhaust from the 90s. I am told by a reliable source that Ford used to use much better quality cats back then due to the poor emissions of the engines. Now the engines are much better with emissions due to the fuel injection and computer setup means they don't have to be so stringent.
I will find out what sort of a temp rise you should expect, just bear in mind a cat acts like a blowtorch just completing inefficient combustion. So you will see an appreciable rise.
I think if whatever cat you use lights off properly you will be fine.
Its more the tune and positioning of your MAF which seems to have more of an effect on Emissions than anything. I am told 400mm from throttle body is ideal to give the computer time to respond, with that being said mine passed, (albeit only just) with it about 100mm from the throttle body.

[Rebel1]

I have a friend who is a Manager at one of the Major mine sites. Part of his duties is managing the emissions of Gasoline Engines in enclosed conditions.

He swears by adding a little acetone to ULP. He says they use it in
very small amounts in all engines on the site. He also claims that their on-site procedure manuals insist on the acetone be added to their bulk fuel tanks at the time of delivery of the bulk fuel.

It is even added to their diesel fuel at the time of delivery.

ie. For every 5000Ltrs of fuel delivered they add X amount of acetone.

So I took his suggestion and googled it and came up with the following:
Acetone In Fuel Said to Increase Mileage

This cut n Paste from that site is interesting:

Acetone can reduce hydrocarbon emissions up to 60 percent. In some older cars, the HC readings with acetone in a 1986 GMC went from 440 PPM to 195, as just one example. Though mileage gains taper off with too much acetone, hydrocarbon emissions are nevertheless greatly reduced.

Just thought I'd throw it in here. Try at your own peril as I've certainly not done any tests.

[Rob. Smith]

Acetone is one of the 'products' used to "cut" and extend fuel in dodgey petrol stations. Thinners, turps, kero are also used along with some electrical solvents. I've got some in the shed for the fibreglass so I'll mix a bit with fuel and see what happens.

[Rebel1]

Good onya Rob, This so called mate of mine swears by it .... not for the cutting but for the lower emissions. Claims all engines run better on it.

I will do a similar test but only when I have access to proper testing equipment.

He claims you don't need much.

[suthol]

Originally Posted by Rob. Smith

Acetone is one of the 'products' used to "cut" and extend fuel in dodgey petrol stations. Thinners, turps, kero are also used along with some electrical solvents. I've got some in the shed for the fibreglass so I'll mix a bit with fuel and see what happens.

It also does bloody horrible things to the plastics in your fuel system which in turn become very corrosive on the alloy bits.

I have lost an engine to this stuff, had to bash the pistons out with a lump hammer.

The car was run for about 20 minutes after the fill and then left sit for two days the EPA was very interested in the fuel sample I gave them and the servo is no longer a no name one and the tanks have been replaced.

Your engine so feel free but I wouldn't.

[sambo]

Some horror stories there - worth noting! BP Ultimate all the way for me, been filling up the 2.0L turbo with it for 5+ years and whenever I swap to the Shell alternative I can literally hear the difference. Sounds like it's pinging or slapping, hard to believe I know.

Have decided to stick with the VZ cats for the IM240, will see how it goes on the 5 gas analyser tomorrow morning then off to VIPAC for the big one.