Features:
Design of Catalytic Converter
The ALTA Performance™ headers feature a four into one (4-1) design converging
exhaust gases just before the metallic catalytic converter. The
catalytic converter is a high quality 300 cell per inch, metallic core. A 5
year/50,000 mile warranty, which follows the needs of aftermarket replacement converters is included. The body of the cat is fully
polished 304SS, with the EPA code left visible. This code is required for
certification during emissions testing. The converter is designed to exceed the
needs of the Mini Cooper 1.6L engine.
The ALTA Performance™ header can be a legal replacement in most states no
requiring CARB approval. (Check local emission laws for restrictions in your
area.)
The catalytic converter is manufactured using a unique spinning process. The
metallic catalyst substrate is held in the middle, and the body is literally
spun around it. This provides a weld free, tightly held substrate that
will never come loose!
The metallic substrate itself is a very important feature to not leave out.
Most converters sold utilize a ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate is
constructed with much thicker walled cells compared to the metallic type. This
added thickness creates friction, and in turn extra heat. This causes the
catalyst to run at very high temps, and can cause the converter to
meltdown! Our metallic catalyst runs cool and strong in any situation!
Proper placement of the converter is crucial for proper operation and legality.
We place the converter in the same location as in the OEM header. This allows
for proper clearance to the body and reduces backpressure from improper
location.
Flex Joint
A small item that goes unnoticed is the flex joint.
Because the MINI Cooper Runs such High EGT's (Exhaust
Gas Temperature), the normal off the shelf flex joints simply can't cut
it. Our flex joint is a specially made joint that used 321 SS bellows
(the part that flexes) and a special liner. The bellows are very thin
corrugated stainless steel. The thickness, and the
corrugation is what allow the part to flex. But because the bellows are so
thin, they can be damaged with extreme heat. This is where our liner
comes into play. The liner provides a heat barrier between the super high EGT's and the thin bellows. This is what will keep our flex
joint lasting for the life of your MINI!
Design of Header
The final critical portion of the ALTA Mini Catalyst Replacement is the
header. The headers go above and beyond the OEM 4-to-1 design.
Constructed of 304 stainless steel, the 1.5"
mandrel-bent primaries are made 11" long to provide smooth transitions
from the exhaust ports to the collector. Our flanges are thick CNC machined
304ss flanges, not mild steel, or chrome plated steel flanges that will rust
over time. After the primaries collect, the mandrel bent 2.5" tubing
connects the catalytic converter to our 2.5" outlet flange. The ALTA
Performance™ headers will fit nicely to either a stock or preferably an ALTA™
cat-back exhaust system.
All of these features make the ALTA Performance™ catalyst replacement w/header,
stand out above all others!
Manufactures and retailers may not fully understand the intricacies of federal
laws surrounding to replacement of catalytic converts and emissions
equipment. We have compiled answers to a few common questions in an
effort to clarify the laws, which pertain to our consumers and the vehicles,
which they drive.
Generally, there are only 3 situations when you can install an aftermarket
converter. They are:
1. If the converter is missing from the vehicle when brought in for exhaust
system repair; or
2. If a State or local inspection program has determined the existing converter
has been lead poisoned, damaged, or otherwise needs replacement; or
3. If the vehicle is more than 5 years old or has more than 50,000 miles* ( 8
years/80,000 miles for 1995 and newer vehicles ) and a legitimate need for
replacement has been established and appropriately documented (e.g., a plugged
converter or unrepairable exhaust leaks).
First and most importantly, the original converter on a car or truck was
designed to last the life of the vehicle if it is properly used and maintained,
and is fully warranted by the vehicle manufacturer to last for at least 5 years
or 50,000 miles (8 years or 80,000 miles on 1995 and newer cars and trucks ), whichever comes first. See the vehicle
warranty booklet for more information.
It is illegal to remove a functional catalytic converter even to replace it
with a new one.
It is illegal to tamper with emission control devices. The Anti-tampering Law
applies to individuals as well as to businesses. Individuals may be
fined as much as $2,500 for each vehicle tampered with, and businesses are
subject to fines of up to $25,000.
Any converter, which meets EPA requirements and is an acceptable, legal, substitute
must be properly labeled and warranted to meet Federal durability and
performance standards.
Manufacturers of new aftermarket converters are required to have a 5
year/50,000 mile warranty on the converter shell and end pipes.
They are also required to be warranted to meet EPA's emission performance
standards for 25,000 miles when the vehicle is properly used and maintained.
All manufacturers who meet the requirements also must state that fact in
writing and obtain an individual manufacturers EPA code. Usually
this is stated in the warranty information or application catalog.
EPA requirements a new, legal replacement catalytic converter must be properly
labeled.
Required labels on the converters will have a series of letters and numbers and
be in the following format:
∑ N/XX/YYYY/ZZZZ
∑ N - indicates a new converter
∑ XX - is the manufacturer's code issued by EPA
∑ YYYY - is usually a numerical designation of the vehicle application
or part
number
∑ ZZZZ - is the month and year of manufacture (i.e., "0187" for
January 1987)
Note: Converters manufactured for sale in California may have the letters
"CA" in place of the "N" or "U".
Since
Besides installing aftermarket converters only in the 3 situations outlined
prior, other requirements and restrictions also apply. These
include completely documenting the need for converter replacement, properly
installing the correct one on the vehicle, and informing the customer of his
rights and certain restrictions. Specifically, these requirements are as
follows:
• If the replacement is not required by a State or local program, both
customer and installer must sign a statement concerning why the converter was
replaced. (Manufacturers either provide such a statement with the converter or
have an example in their catalogs.)
• If the replacement is required by a State or
local program, the installer must keep a copy of the statement or order by the
program representative.
• The invoice for replacement must include the
customer's name and complete address, and the vehicle's make, model year, and
mileage, as well as the reason for replacement.
• Retain copies of the above invoices and
statements for 6 months and the replaced converters for 15 days (converters
must be identified or marked as to which customer's car they came from).
• Install the converter in the same location as
the original.
• Install the same type of converter as the
original (oxidation, 3-way, or 3-way-plusoxidation (dual-bed)).
This information is sometimes available on the emission tuneup
label or from the manufacturer's application catalog.
• Install the proper converter for the vehicle
as determined and specified by the converter manufacturer. There
are engine size and vehicle weight limitations which make it inappropriate to
install certain converters on certain vehicles. Newer vehicles with
On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) systems may not always operate properly with certain
aftermarket products. Therefore, the catalog should always be
consulted for the correct application.
• The converter must always be properly
connected to any existing air injection components.
• Install all the other required converters the
vehicle would have originally come with unless the converter manufacturer has
stated in writing that the aftermarket converter is designed to replace more
than one converter.
• For new aftermarket converters, the installer
must fill out the warranty information card supplied by the manufacturer and
give it to the vehicle owner or operator.
It is a violation of Federal law because it is likely to increase the amount of
pollution coming out of the vehicle. Penalties for violations by
individuals, service or repair shops or fleet operators are up to $2,500 per
violation. (Each improper installation is considered a
violation.) New car dealers can be penalized up to $25,000 per
violation. Any person who causes a violation could be subject to
the same penalty as the installer. Vehicle performance can also be affected by
the use of the wrong converter and, in some severe cases, converter or engine
overheating could occur, resulting in unsafe operation and possibly engine
damage. The conditions or even simply the use of the wrong part on
a vehicle may allow the converter manufacturer to not honor the 25,000 mile of
the 5 year/50,000 mile warranty,
It is illegal to tamper with emission control devices. The Antitampering
Law applies to individuals as well as to businesses. Individuals
may be fined as much as $2,500 for each vehicle tampered with, and businesses
are subject to fines of up to $25,000.