ANY NEED TO REMOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR AFRICA TRIP

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Ethopia

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Planning a trip from Dijobuti through Ethopia to Kenya any ideas on the need to remove the catalytic converter as unleaded may not be freely available.
 
I have a same question for a long time here for Iran where mostly isn't any undleaded available as far as i'm concerned.

I've heard it's possible just to cut the CAT out and replace it with simple pipe. But the question is how it will affect Motronic and is there any modifications needed?

I'll asked it from my local BMW dealer, but they sayed don't have any Motronic diagnostics device to test it. They forwarded me to Tallinn's BMW, hopefully i'll visit them soon, will let you know what info i'll get...

Meanwhile seriously looking forward what 'experienced' people have to say about it.

Good luck, Margus
 
Ethopia said:
Planning a trip from Dijobuti through Ethopia to Kenya any ideas on the need to remove the catalytic converter as unleaded may not be freely available.

Just ditch the Cat and fit a Y-piece (many owners have done it), you'll save a bit of weight and release a better mid-range anyway.

The plus point is that you won't melt the Cat if you do have to use leaded.
 
Re: Re: ANY NEED TO REMOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR AFRICA TRIP

Gotterdammerung said:
you'll save a bit of weight and release a better mid-range anyway.

But you'll lose low-end torque as i've heard. Myself don't want to give it away - low end power i use it the most. Though, being more nature friendly gives some positive thinking too :) So i'd look for CAT-skip option and put it back when returning. Indeed, there's no Y-piece available for 1100, right?
 
Re: Re: Re: ANY NEED TO REMOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR AFRICA TRIP

Tsiklonaut said:
But you'll lose low-end torque as i've heard. Myself don't want to give it away - low end power i use it the most. Though, being more nature friendly gives some positive thinking too :) So i'd look for CAT-skip option and put it back when returning. Indeed, there's no Y-piece available for 1100, right?

Nippy Norman does a Cat replacement for the 1100 but it doesn't fit the OE silencer.

Not sure about 1100's or pre-twin spark 1150's but I've not noticed any loss of lower end torque with my bike.

As for nature friendly, that's debatable.
 
Ethopia said:
Planning a trip from Dijobuti through Ethopia to Kenya any ideas on the need to remove the catalytic converter as unleaded may not be freely available.

Absolutely vital to the continued good running of the 'bike......... at least that's what I told my insurers as the reason for switching to a Y piece/Remus.

;)
 
Re: Re: ANY NEED TO REMOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR AFRICA TRIP

Gotterdammerung said:

The plus point is that you won't melt the Cat if you do have to use leaded.

This is the point I've never been clear on... if you run the cat with leaded you will damage the cat... right?
Is that a problem for the long term running of the bike with a damaged cat? Will the bike continue to run OK but simply the environment protection properties of the cat will no longer be effective?

OR... will the whole running of the bike be screwed up??
 
Derek,

When we ran Sierra Cosworths down here, one Traffic unit didn't have access to a pump and used to use Agency Cards. Some crews just put in leaded. It melted the Cats internals. First noticed when the power fell away to nothing followed by a dead stop.

I doubt this is restricted to Cossies. Probably why cars with Cats often have restricted fillers that will only take narrow Unleaded pump nozzles.

I stand to be corrected about the GS though.
 
Good replies thank you, we are planning to do approx 2,500 km, dont really need the expense of changing if not necessary, still a little unsure.
 
Computer setting

Is there a need to reset the computer after removing the Cat and how big is the job/
 
Mine was a 30 minute job. Just unbolt the Cat and the Y-piece is a straight replacement.

My bike 04 twin spark, no other mods. Just make sure a good joint as you would with any exhaust replacement work.

Ensure that you re-fit the Lambda sensor wotsit. The Y-Piece should have a mounting for it otherwise it will confuse the engine management.
 
Another bonus about removing the CAT is that you can jump start the bike if you have difficulties starting. With the CAT the injection of fuel causes problems.

Harps
 
Lead will also poision any O2 (lamdba) sensor - if you have one of them fitted you'll have to remove it or replace it once you get back. Bike will probably run rich without the O2 sensor (or with it poisioned).
 


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