The fact that motorsport and the environment need not be contradictory is demonstrated not least by the pioneering role played by international sports authorities in promoting the use of catalytic converters in motorsport. Since the mid-1990s, it has been mandatory in national and international motor sports to start with catalytic converters. No matter if racing or rally series, in all common regulations (like WRC, R5, TCR, Formula 3, etc.) the use of FIA approved catalysts is mandatory. All manufacturers of FIA homologated catalytic converters must have their products tested for their exhaust-reducing effect. Only if the values specified by the FIA are complied with will a corresponding homologation be granted.
But approval is only the basic requirement. In addition to this emissions-related test, it is of course also crucial that the catalytic converters meet the extreme requirements of motorsport. And here it quickly becomes apparent: not all sport cats are the same! Virtually all vehicle manufacturers involved in motorsport therefore rely on the products of the renowned German manufacturer HJS. Only these catalysts can withstand the extreme loads – such as peak temperatures of up to 1150 degrees and continuous temperatures of over 1000 degrees – without any problems. And the combination of metal carriers with 100 cells (cpsi = cells per square inch) with aerodynamically favorably designed cones means that no increased, performance-reducing exhaust backpressure forms. In addition, of course – as everywhere in motorsport – weight also plays a decisive role.

Technology transfer from motorsport

The experience gained in motorsport could then be used directly for the development of ECE-approved tuning catalytic converters for production vehicles. For a large number of current Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles, HJS now offers vehicle-specific downpipes directly from the turbo, which replace the standard components as a plug-and-play solution. In contrast to the OE ceramic catalysts from the series with 400-600 cells, metal catalysts with 200-300 cells are used here.
The advantages are clear: the exhaust backpressure of the exhaust system is thus significantly reduced. At the same time, the response of the turbocharger is improved, the exhaust gas temperature in the engine environment is reduced, and a power increase of up to 5% can be achieved. And with full compliance with legal noise levels, the sound becomes much sportier. In the meantime, all renowned tuners also resort to tuning catalytic converters in their performance-enhancing measures. The products are already available for a large number of current vehicle models. Since the components are ECE approved, an entry in the vehicle documents or a presentation at a test center after installation is not necessary.