Cutting off the Resonator

[gene0108]

To clear up a few questions about the catalytic convertor, or shall we say resonator on the RT. A friend of mine had his resonator, not catalytic convertor, cut off of his 2012 RT yesterday at a local muffler shop. I was not brave enough to get it done. He said the muffler shop charged him $ 200 and it took them three hours. BUT they spent about one hour trying to cut open the resonator. It said resonator on the part. He road it about 50 miles yesterday to meet me. He said it sounded different and he claims it runs cooler.
The muffler shop made the piece to fit where the resonator was.
So my conclusion is that the Spyder does not have a catalytic convertor, it has a resonator.
I will keep everyone up to date on his bike. I don't know if this will help with some of the heat on the RT.

 

[NancysToy]

No matter what they call it (in French), it is a catalytic converter...necessary to meet USEPA and CA emissions standards.

 

[SteveMac]

No matter what they call it (in French), it is a catalytic converter...necessary to meet USEPA and CA emissions standards.

:agree:

 

[Blue Star]

No matter what they call it (in French), it is a catalytic converter...necessary to meet USEPA and CA emissions standards.

I understand that the catalytic converter (resonator) is necessary to meet USEPA and CA emissions, but since CA does not require smog (emissions) testing for renewal of registration. What difference does it make? I understand the need if the bike was to be resold.

 

[AWEInCA]

I understand that the catalytic converter (resonator) is necessary to meet USEPA and CA emissions, but since CA does not require smog (emissions) testing for renewal of registration. What difference does it make? I understand the need if the bike was to be resold.

I'm not sure about bikes but cars are required to get retested after a few years of use (I think it's every 5 years maybe?)

 

[Jeriatric]

[h=4]My car is new. Am I still required to get the biennial smog inspection?[/h]Vehicles registered in areas subject to the biennial smog certification program are required to submit evidence of a smog certification every other renewal period. Starting January 1, 2005, owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification.

The registration renewal notice mailed to you by the department will indicate if a smog certification is required. If a smog certification is required and you have not had a smog inspection, you may still pay your registration fees to avoid any late fees. However, you will not receive your new registration or year sticker until the smog information has been received by DMV.


[h=1]California considers requiring motorcycle smog checks[/h]
May 05, 2009

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/05/local/me-smog-motorcycles59

Do not know how the bill died but needless to say it was never made law.

 

[NancysToy]

I understand that the catalytic converter (resonator) is necessary to meet USEPA and CA emissions, but since CA does not require smog (emissions) testing for renewal of registration. What difference does it make? I understand the need if the bike was to be resold.

It doesn't matter a fat rat's behind to the consumer in most, if not all, states...even for resale. It does matter to the manufacturer and the OEM dealer. They cannot manufacture or sell a non-compliant vehicle. What you do with it is between you and your conscience.

 

[gene0108]

In Louisiana they have never tested the emisions on my bike. I really have no idea if it is required or not.

 

[Bob Denman]

Removing that big "heat skink", (how's THAT term for you?), seems to be one way to really reduce temperatures under the Tupperware...
Schultzie sells a bypass pipe...

 

[AWEInCA]

Removing that big "heat skink", (how's THAT term for you?), seems to be one way to really reduce temperatures under the Tupperware...
Schultzie sells a bypass pipe...

Ooooh! Is that what the bypass pipe is for. I was wondering why some owners on here have that mod.

 

[AWEInCA]

[h=4]My car is new. Am I still required to get the biennial smog inspection?[/h]Vehicles registered in areas subject to the biennial smog certification program are required to submit evidence of a smog certification every other renewal period. Starting January 1, 2005, owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification.

The registration renewal notice mailed to you by the department will indicate if a smog certification is required. If a smog certification is required and you have not had a smog inspection, you may still pay your registration fees to avoid any late fees. However, you will not receive your new registration or year sticker until the smog information has been received by DMV.


[h=1]California considers requiring motorcycle smog checks[/h]
May 05, 2009

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/may/05/local/me-smog-motorcycles59

Do not know how the bill died but needless to say it was never made law.

Couldn't get the link to work

 

[Bob Ledford]

Kat Pipe

Removing the Cat converter definitely would remove a built in heater. It would also change the exhaust DB numbers.

And remove the vehicle clean air certification. So anyone doing so would be well advised to hang on to it in case your state decides to invoke vehicle inspections to include emissions. I would venture a good guess they retail for a good price. OUCH!

 

[AWEInCA]

Removing the Cat converter definitely would remove a built in heater. It would also change the exhaust DB numbers.

And remove the vehicle clean air certification. So anyone doing so would be well advised to hang on to it in case your state decides to invoke vehicle inspections to include emissions. I would venture a good guess they retail for a good price. OUCH!

Wasn't there a time the converters were being stolen off of vehicles because they contained some kind of high value metal that could be sold for scrap?

 

[Blue Star]

I'm not sure about bikes but cars are required to get retested after a few years of use (I think it's every 5 years maybe?)

My car is new. Am I still required to get the biennial smog inspection?

Vehicles registered in areas subject to the biennial smog certification program are required to submit evidence of a smog certification every other renewal period. Starting January 1, 2005, owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification.

:agree:

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Wasn't there a time the converters were being stolen off of vehicles because they contained some kind of high value metal that could be sold for scrap?

The Catalytic converter/resonator/heat sink contains platinum. In the olden days (when i was middle aged!) it was quite a lot, but now its only plated onto a screen or substrate. it does add to the cost along with the usual amount of greed of course.

 

[DriftersWay]

Will removing this resonator cause any codes with Nanny :sour:

 

[gene0108]

As of today he is still riding it with no codes showing up.

 

[BajaRon]

Resonator... that is an interesting term for a catalytic converter.

A resonator is simply a 2nd muffler specifically designed to interrupt or counter harmonic sound at specific frequencies (in this case, exhaust noise). Think of them as similar to noise canceling headphones. A resonator does not create or generate any additional heat in the exhaust system and creates little if any restriction to the exhaust flow. In other words, removing a resonator will make very little difference other than increasing exhaust noise. (Example in 1st picture).

A catalytic converter contains specific rare elements (like Platinum) spread thinly over a ceramic honeycomb or wire mesh. They are designed to make chemical changes to the exhaust gases as they pass by, converting harmful chemicals to less harmful chemicals. One requirement for this process to work is temperatures of 1,200 - 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Normal exhaust gas temperature varies by vehicle but by the time it gets to the muffler it's usually between 600~900 degrees Fahrenheit. With short exhausts like our Spyder it's probably at the upper range. So you can see that adding a catalytic converter also adds a lot of heat and a fair amount of restriction. The internal elements (pictured below) get so hot that they glow bright red.

Removing a catalytic converter will make a noticeable difference in both heat and exhaust flow. Since any restriction in the exhaust will also reduce noise, removing a catalytic converter will also increase exhaust noise somewhat.

 

[lookerjdc]

I just read that and now my brain hurts......

 

[Blue Star]

Resonator... that is an interesting term for a catalytic converter.

A resonator is simply a 2nd muffler specifically designed to interrupt or counter harmonic sound at specific frequencies (in this case, exhaust noise). Think of them as similar to noise canceling headphones. A resonator does not create or generate any additional heat in the exhaust system and creates little if any restriction to the exhaust flow. In other words, removing a resonator will make very little difference other than increasing exhaust noise. (Example in 1st picture).

A catalytic converter contains specific rare elements (like Platinum) spread thinly over a ceramic honeycomb or wire mesh. They are designed to make chemical changes to the exhaust gases as they pass by, converting harmful chemicals to less harmful chemicals. One requirement for this process to work is temperatures of 1,200 - 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Normal exhaust gas temperature varies by vehicle but by the time it gets to the muffler it's usually between 600~900 degrees Fahrenheit. With short exhausts like our Spyder it's probably at the upper range. So you can see that adding a catalytic converter also adds a lot of heat and a fair amount of restriction. The internal elements (pictured below) get so hot that they glow bright red.

Removing a catalytic converter will make a noticeable difference in both heat and exhaust flow. Since any restriction in the exhaust will also reduce noise, removing a catalytic converter will also increase exhaust noise somewhat.

The more I read about removing the cat, the more I like it. This post just made me think even more about it.