Has anyone in the forum fitted these Catalytic Converters on their engines?

The manufacturers, at least one who is establishing presence in Nairobi, say they can boost engine power by up to 20% and reduce fuel consumption by 10-15% depending on driving style.

With the ever increasing traffic jams and pump prices, this sounds like a nice idea. Not to mention that it could be a chance to shrink my personal carbon footprint and demand for fossil fuels.

But Wazua always has guys who may know more about the issue. Guka, does your mbinjot have these, thimioni?

Are these devices worth the money?

@Spend.thrift,
Some of this things are utter nonsense and i think i have heard many more before,including one where an engine would be given a tablet...What happens?.Lemme guess.Your engines grow at night from a purr (660cc) to a 2000 cc.Now you can overtake you neighbour just like that!......upus!

Viagra for cars eh?

[quote=Spend.thrift]@ Ondiek, I guess it is not standard equipment for cars in Kenya, although the Environment Protection Agency in the US insists that every car must have one.

@Guka, I was tempted to believe it was utter nonsense but after being taken through a demo at the TOTAL service station at Madaraka, and knowing how engines work, it made some sense. But knowing too, that test conditions and actual running conditions amy vary, I would like to hear from someone who has installed the devices before I make up my mind. They say the device can't be fitted on a MIVEC, VVTi or other engine with similar technology but works perfectly on other EFI models even piki pikis.

This is the reference site they give. http://www.savepetrol.com/[/quote]

@spend.thrift

It is a converter yes but its not catalytic. The figures given are generous approximations. I would not take their word for it. If there was a device that could achieve such it would be in mass production and taken up by every car manufacturer.

@Ondiek, you are right these are standard gadgets in modern cars to check on emmissions and break the Hydro carbons(HC) and carbon dioxide (CO) to extemely low levels.

@Spend.thrift, forget about these fuel saving gadgets they hardly work. If you want to save on fuel

1.Use low viscocity motor oil
The only way to reduce internal engine friction is to run a lower viscosity oil with a "fuel saving" rating. Switching from a 10W-30 to a 5W-30 or 5W-20 oil may improve fuel economy a few tenths of a percent, but that's about all the improvement you're going to get.

2.Check you air filter
A dirty air filter that is clogged with debris will restrict airflow into the engine and hurt fuel economy, performance and emissions. Inspect the air filter and replace it if it is dirty. Installing a less restrictive performance filter may improve performance slightly at high engine speed, but for normal driving it probably won't have any measurable impact on fuel economy.

3.Replace worn out or dirty plugs
Ignition misfire can waste a lot of fuel and cause a big increase in exhaust emissions. On 1996 and newer vehicles with OBD II, the engine management system is capable of detecting engine misfires and will turn on the Check Engine light and set a diagnostic trouble code (P0300 series) if it detects a misfire problem.

Misfire can be caused by worn or dirty spark plugs, high resistance in spark plug wires, a weak ignition coil, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure (weak pump or dirty fuel filter), or compression problems (burned valves, weak or broken valve springs, leaky head gasket etc.

4.Check the tyres

One way you can maximize fuel economy is to keep you tyres properly inflated. Increasing tire pressure reduces rolling resistance, but also adds ride harshness.

5.Open up the exhaust
A less restrictive exhaust allows the engine to breathe easier and use less fuel. Replacing a restrictive muffler(The nyungu like thing on the exhaust) with an aftermarket performance muffler can reduce backpressure and improve performance and fuel economy slightly. But the trade-off is usually a significant increase in exhaust noise.

6.GET RID OF DEAD WEIGHT
Lightening a vehicle by removing unnecessary junk from the trunk or cargo area can also improve fuel economy a bit. But don't throw away the the spare tyre or jack because you may need these items.

Again don't fill the tank to the brim, learn to drive on half tank ata kama una cash ya kujaza tank! this will relieve your car a few Kgs of fuel not reqired!