Removing CAT from a 2014 GSLC

[ATG]

Hi;

I would like to decat my 2014 GS and would like to know if anyone has done it yet.

There are 2 ways to go about it: remove the cat cutting the original headers or purchase either an Akrapovic or Rhemus headers.

Importing headers to Brazil is a bit complicated so I may go through removing the cat from the original headers.

In a 2006 GS I owned I removed the cat and had a substantial torque increase and horsepower gain, however I had to make the mixture richer to gain best results. At the time I did this through Techlusion TFI.

I have written 3 emails to Techlusion requesting info on available units for my 2014 GS but wasn't dignified with an answer... Perhaps its best not to deal with a company that doesn't reply ones's messages...

I would greatly appreciatte if anyone could share experiences on decating a GSLC

Thanks,

Andre

 

[DING-DONG]

Hi;

I would greatly appreciatte if anyone could share experiences on decating a GSLC

Thanks,

Andre

I have the akro headers however I've had a conversation with BMW HQ and my dealer, they strongly advised me to revert them back to stock, otherwise they may void any warranty issue they feel contributed as a direct replacement of the headers. These bikes can be problematic so tbh I'd not take the chance.

I was also informed if you want to get rid of the cat due to using the bike in countries with low grade fuel destroying it, BMW do a free fuel map for 80ron .

 

[ATG]

Hi Ding Dong;

Thanks for yopur reply. I've heard of these threats also... In Brazil we have high octane fuel, however its due to a high alcohool content; if one hand it makes it a high octane (95) fuel,
on the other hand it has considerable less energy content than pure (100%) gas. In short: in Brazil our bikes end up being less powerful.

I am curious: did yo take your akrapovic out ?

What is your take on decating it ? Did you have to make it richer ? How did you do it ?

Andre

 

[mwhite5471]

As they offer AKRA headers as a in-dealer factory option i'm surprised they wont honor the warranty should something happen.

I specifically choose AKRA and had them installed by the dealer just becuz of this.

The bike breathes so much better without the CAT.

 

[ATG]

Hi mwhite;

|Could elaborate on the results you obtained with Akra full system ? Is it cat less ?

Thanks,

Andre

 

[DING-DONG]

As they offer AKRA headers as a in-dealer factory option i'm surprised they wont honor the warranty should something happen.

I specifically choose AKRA and had them installed by the dealer just becuz of this.

The bike breathes so much better without the CAT.

Breathes better yeah but runs even leaner !

You must have your wires crossed you can order the akro factory exhaust can but bmw do not do the headers as a factory option, theses bikes run lean from stock removing the cat just makes it worse and the lambda censors only allow marginal adjustments.

 

[ATG]

So how did you work around this ?

 

[pistole]

remap.

PC5.

.

 

[mwhite5471]

remap.

PC5.

.

^ this.

However it will be OK with no remap I believe...the power commander 5 just fills in the dips and can be used to boost the mid range.

Here's the dyno with AKRA + PC5 + OEM muffler.

 

[Troppo]

But, but what about the baby seals?

 

[batman1]

From the graph, it looks like your modified bike is much nicer to ride between 3000 & 5000 rpm?

 

[Nick V]

These bikes can be problematic so tbh I'd not take the chance.

I was also informed if you want to get rid of the cat due to using the bike in countries with low grade fuel destroying it, BMW do a free fuel map for 80ron .

What do you mean by 'problematic'?

The fuel mapping is one thing, but there are still countries in the world where unleaded fuel isn't commonly available, and the balance is made up with leaded fuels.
Tetraethyl lead (TEL) reacts with rare earth metals (like platinum and iridium) under high-heat conditions, eroding and destroying the coating. So there go your exhaust catalyst, Lambda sensors and, if you're using them, platinum/iridium spark plugs.

Here in SA, there was at least one performance firm that used to deal with the catalyst honeycomb matrix by simply using a hammer and big screwdriver to knock it out in chunks. Never any issues, and far easier than having to cut and re-weld.
You could almost certainly do this on the LC, but it'll be a little trickier with the exhaust noise valve in the way - unlike the old Camhead, you can't remove the valve and fill the gap with a blanking tube.

In Brazil we have high octane fuel, however its due to a high alcohool content; if one hand it makes it a high octane (95) fuel, on the other hand it has considerable less energy content than pure (100%) gas. In short: in Brazil our bikes end up being less powerful.

I wouldn't worry too much, unless you're after the lap record at Interlagos.
The only thing an octane rating means to us real-world riders is that the higher the number, the more resistant the fuel is to detonation (pinging) and pre-ignition. Octane boosters are basically burn inhibitors - they slow the rate at which fuel burns, so you get optimum combustion at exactly the right time during the power stroke, without the fuel charge combusting spontaneously, too fast, or too early (all of which can cause loss of power and engine damage through overheating).

As they offer AKRA headers as a in-dealer factory option i'm surprised they wont honor the warranty should something happen.
I specifically choose AKRA and had them installed by the dealer just becuz of this.

If the Akra headers ARE backed by BMW, then that's the dealer pushing their luck...
Check this with a head office representative if you can.

 

[pistole]

Here in SA, there was at least one performance firm that used to deal with the catalyst honeycomb matrix by simply using a hammer and big screwdriver to knock it out in chunks. Never any issues, and far easier than having to cut and re-weld. You could almost certainly do this on the LC, but it'll be a little trickier with the exhaust noise valve in the way

you're right Nick. This is a photo :

below the valve is the cat's core. Certainly poor access and there is also the issue of the upwards kink on that pipe.

.

 

[ATG]

Thanks to all for your inputs !

So far, I gather that:

1 Brazilian fuel, a mixture of gas and alcohol (70% + 30% ) will not be a problem as it has not been with the original headers with catalyst.
2 Unless its remaped either through a Power Comander V or other _________ ( Please fill in the blank...) it wil run even poorer than it already is leading to higher working temperatures which I assume is in the order of no more than a few degrees celsius and will cause no harm.
3 Gain in torque and horsepower will be considerable (yes, subjective I know ) even with only decating it and greater if remaped.

So, after posting these, please reply if you agree with all of the above, with some of it or with none of the above. Also feel free to add your comments !

I am still undecided on what to do as I would rather not install a Power Commander 5. I already had a PC III on a hexhead and disliked that it could only be adjusted through a computer. As once a year I travel to Argentina and Chile where the gasoline is of the highest quality, it becomes dificult to remap it on the fly and the very different results obtained with different fuel make the bike close to unridable with pure gas as compared to our mixture.

A unit such as the Dobeck makes it adjustable on the fly and although limited in its range of adjustments does work fine for sucha small engine modification.

Is anyone aware of any other means to adjust the fuel mixture other than the PC V ?

Best regards,

Andre

 

[pistole]

honest advice : since you seem to have to deal with things like fuel quality , etc , maybe just keep the bike stock. The GSLC is plenty quick in stock form.

.