Catalytic Converter vs Muffler – Comparison, Top Product Reviews & FAQ

Many people get confused between the catalytic converter vs muffler as they both work for the car’s exhaust system. But these devices are different components of the exhaust system with different purposes and principles.

Generally, the catalytic converter is a chemical process, while the muffler is based on a destructive interference process. A catalytic device works to reduce the chances of air pollution, whereas the muffler reduces sound pollution into the environment.

In the following discussion, we’ll review two products where one will be for the catalytic converter, and the other one will be for the muffler. We’ll present more differences between these devices through the reviews. Read along to learn more.

Catalytic Converter Vs Muffler: Which One to Choose?

Though the purpose and principle of a catalytic converter and muffler are totally different, people seem to get confused between the muffler and catalytic converter. It’s not about which device you should choose over the other one; you need to know which one of these devices your car needs.

Here are some differences between the catalytic converter and muffler device:

• Purposes

The catalytic converts are built for reducing toxic material from the exhaust gas. It’s located between the muffler and engine of your vehicle.

On the other hand, a muffler is a device that suppresses the noise coming from your car’s engine. It’s located near the end of the exhaust system.

Generally, mufflers have a chamber with walls built of baffles and metal tubes that trap the sound inside. The wall’s construction absorbs the wave’s energy and stops the sound from releasing in the environment to maintain peace among society.

• Working Process

In a catalytic converter, exhaust gas is released through the honeycomb’s small pores structure. While in the muffler, exhaust gas is released through the baffles and perforated tubes to reduce engine sound.

• Material and Construction

The key material that catalytic converter uses are rhodium, platinum, and palladium consisting of the honeycomb structure. On the contrary, a muffler built with metals like cast iron and aluminized steel with baffles and perforated pipes.

• Defective Sign

Basically, when the catalytic converter reaches its final stage, it’ll start smelling like a rotten egg, or you’ll notice a kind of unpleasant odors coming from your car’s tailpipe. And this is the time when you should consider replacing your catalytic converter with a new one.

In contrast, when a muffler device goes bad, you will experience engine misfire, loud exhaust sound, and condensation coming from the exhaust pipe.

• Lifespan

Now you may wonder what could be the lifespan of the catalytic converter. Well, the lifespan of converters depends on driving conditions. The more you’ll drive your car, the less life it’ll have. But it has been proved that when a converter is maintained right, these devices can last up to 8 years.

Generally, a muffler lasts longer, between 4-8 years, depending on how often you drive your car and where you live. However, riding on a snowy road or near the ocean and driving at high speed on bumpy and potholes roads can negatively affect the lifespan of the muffler.

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Top 2 Catalytic Converter & Muffler Product Review

The purpose of the catalytic convert and muffler is different. We’ll share two device models for each of these devices and compare them for your precise knowledge.

MagnaFlow Universal Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converts are built for reducing toxic material from the exhaust gas. It’s located between the muffler and engine of your vehicle.

When you install this MagnaFlow Universal Catalytic Converter into your vehicle’s exhaust gas, the catalyst will convert harmful gases (CO, HC, NOx) into non-toxic ones (CO2, H2O, N2).

The MagnaFlow Universal Catalytic Converter helps you to keep the engine check light off. Besides, you can easily fit the MagnaFlow catalytic converter with your vehicle by cutting or welding the device as required.

It’s constructed with premium stainless steel and free-flowing mandrel-bent, which ensures perfect consistency fitment, superior longevity, and reliability.

The toxin converting process happens under high temperatures inside the ceramic honeycomb cells of the converter. And after this device purifies the gas, the air will come out through the vehicle’s tailpipe without causing any harm to people with emissions.

Now you wonder what could be the lifespan of this great device of the catalytic converter. Well, the lifespan of converters depends on driving conditions. The more you’ll drive your car, the less life it’ll have.

But don’t worry, you can run your vehicle with this device for about 50,000 miles, aka 5 years. However, if you wonder how to tell if your catalytic converter has reached its limit, then there’s an easy way.

Basically, when the catalytic converter reaches its final stage, it’ll start smelling like a rotten egg, or you’ll notice a kind of unpleasant odors coming from your car’s tailpipe. And this is the time when you should consider replacing your catalytic converter with a new one.

However, the MagnaFlow Universal Catalytic Converter may fail to work properly before the ultimate stage due to choking, overheating, and contamination.

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Flowmaster 40 Series 409s Muffler

A muffler is a device that suppresses the noise coming from your car’s engine. It’s located near the end of the exhaust system.

The main purpose of the Flowmaster 40 Series 409s Muffler is to reduce the unwanted sound wave produced in the engine that comes out through the tailpipe. This device is also known as Silencers.

Generally, mufflers have a chamber with walls built of baffles and metal tubes that trap the sound inside. The wall’s construction absorbs the wave’s energy and stops the sound from releasing in the environment to maintain peace among society.

Unlike a catalytic converter, you can’t fit this Flowmaster Muffler with any vehicle. Muffler usually comes in different sizes and shapes for different vehicles.

This model of muffler device from Flowmaster comes in an oval shape and is made with corrosion-resistant stainless steel materials. Therefore, you’ll need a fitment tool to check whether this muffler is suitable for your vehicle or not.

Generally, a muffler lasts longer, between 4-8 years, depending on how often you drive your car and where you live. The Flowmaster 40 Series 409s Muffler will provide you with uninterrupted service for approximately 50,000 to 80,000 miles of car drive.

However, riding on a snowy road or near the ocean and driving at high speed on bumpy and potholes roads can negatively affect the lifespan of the muffler.

Once your car reaches its final mileage and isn’t in the condition of working properly, it’ll make loud and roaring noise, may produce bad fumes, or create engine issues.

If you experience any issues like this, you should think about replacing your car’s muffler. In normal circumstances, a muffler is built with cheap material compared to a catalytic converter which makes mufflers lightweight and less expensive than converters.

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Can You Drive Your Car Without a Catalytic Converter and Muffler?

It’s not like you can’t drive your car without one of these devices. You can still operate with your car, but you’ll face some unwanted problems and pollute the environment in general.

Here’s what will happen when you drive without a catalytic converter or muffler:

Driving Car Without a Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is an essential part of the car to control emission. It converts the contaminated gas and oil into less toxic emissions before releasing them to prevent air pollution.

It also reduces heavy elements in fuel such as lead, nickel, mercury, and other health hazards metals. Driving a car without this device may invite the below problems:

• Blaring vehicle noise
• Rough driving and acceleration
• Harmful car emissions

Driving Car Without a Muffler

Besides controlling the engine noise, mufflers also control the exhaust fumes. So when you drive a car without a muffler device isn’t safe as the exhaust fume will be released within your car. And it’ll result in increased carbon monoxide leaking into the interior vehicle that has the potential to kill the driver.

Driving your car without the muffler device can bring the following problems:

• Toxic exhaust fumes
• Loud noises
• Awful and unpleasant smell
• Reduce engine performance

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FAQs About Catalytic Converter and Muffler 

Are the muffler and catalytic converter the same thing?

The muffler and catalytic converters are two different parts and devices of the exhaust system of a car. The catalytic converter has designed to control air pollution by cars, while the muffler has designed to control sound pollution.

Is it okay for the engine to remove the catalytic converter?

You won’t face any engine issues if you remove the catalytic converter from the exhaust system. In fact, this device isn’t included in the engine setup. The purpose of the catalytic converter is to discharge the non-harmful emission through the car’s tailpipe within the air.

What happens when the muffler is removed?

Removing the muffler device from the modern car will make the exhaust sensor and ECU go out of control. And consequently, your car will perform and idle poorly.

Does it make the exhaust loud if you remove the catalytic converter?

Yes, if you remove the catalytic converter, it’ll make the exhaust system produce sound. But if your car has installed a muffler device, this device will control the sound. You may still some noise coming from the exhaust system.

Is it illegal to remove catalytic converter or muffler in the USA?

No, you’re not allowed to remove either the catalytic converter or muffler in the United States of America. It’s because cars produce vital pollution that can harm the people.

When you go against the noise and ordinances laws of the USA and remove one of these devices, you’ll need to pay fines if you get caught. The only time you can remove these devices is when you replace them.

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How Does a Catalytic Converter Work? (Video)

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Final Words

So now that you know the differences between the catalytic converter vs muffler, you should not have any difficulties choosing one of them for your car.

However, you should know the rate of the robbery of these devices is high; therefore, you have to be pretty alert. You can install a high-quality protective device or vibration-triggered alarms to protect your car.

We shared the best device model for each exhaust system component so that it becomes easier for you to differentiate these two devices.