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Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:12 am

I'm certain I'm not the only environmentalist who drives a VW... I love my bug, but I feel guilty every time I drive it because I know that without a catalytic converter I'm polluting a lot more than I should be.

I've been trying to look into how to affix one to a bug but to no avail. It seems everyone wants to get rid of them, and that nobody ever wants to add one to a car that's already smog except. So is there way for me to put one in without too many modifications? I know most cars have a single pipe which goes to the muffler etc., but the Bug exhaust system is definitely unique. So I'm not really sure how you'd approach putting one on... Is my best bet to just weld a catalytic converter to the end of each tailpipe so they're just kinda hanging off there? :roll:

Thanks!

Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:44 am

run an exhaust system from a 75-79 bug. they had cats in them back then. you will need different heaterboxes as well.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:29 am

The best way to upgrade to a CAT is to get the parts that fit the last Mexican made Beetles. It replaces your muffler and connects up to your existing heaterboxes. The only bad part is that you must change your rear apron for the later bulged type since the CAT is larger than your current muffler.

Contact this guy in Mexico City, he can supply you with all the genuine VW parts to do this conversion.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=14183

Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:23 am

If driving your Bug really makes you feel guilty, then convert it over to DC electric drive like I did. Then it'll be zero-emissions at the tailpipe.

If you still feel guilty about pushing your emissions upstream to the power plant, then get a solar array that generates about 300kwh a month and it'll run on sunshine.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:04 pm

DMC-12 wrote: If driving your Bug really makes you feel guilty, then convert it over to DC electric drive like I did. Then it'll be zero-emissions at the tailpipe.

If you still feel guilty about pushing your emissions upstream to the power plant, then get a solar array that generates about 300kwh a month and it'll run on sunshine.

What will the batteries do to the enviroment once it's time to replace them?

Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:17 pm

Batteries can be recycled. They use the old plates to make new ones.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:25 pm

There is big money in recycling batteries right now. Obviously there is more to be made from large industrial batteries, but even the small Trojan T105 catches some cash.

Old batteries are only a big problem when they are thrown in the woods...

Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:38 pm

Awww phooey. I've been moderated! I had a clever 3rd option but it was removed.

But anyway, why else do you think the FLAPS pays or charges you a core on your old battery? :)

Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:47 pm

If you truly buy into the "I'm an environmentalist" nonsense then you wouldn't be driving a car, let alone a Beetle :roll:

Ditch the catalytic converter idea. That car isn't spewing as much pollution as you think it is.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:39 pm

I agree with Icy. If the car is tuned perfectly and running well, then you are burning most, if not all of the pollutants. Take your Beetle and have a sniffer test on it and see how it stacks up against newer cars.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:47 pm

Dat motor gotta carbon footprint like king kong no matter what you do ....cabureted engines with cats never achieved the results,only through computerization and fuel injection were emissions really handled...water vapor draw to ported vacuum ,hydrogen hybrid fuel cells and other fuel modification devices will yield cleaner exhaust without robbing power...

Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:03 pm

Icy wrote: If you truly buy into the "I'm an environmentalist" nonsense then you wouldn't be driving a car, let alone a Beetle :roll:

Ditch the catalytic converter idea. That car isn't spewing as much pollution as you think it is.

x2 - if you feel real bad, turn off the key and get your friends to push you around, you can install some playing cards for noise 8-[ (I think there is a thread on the inet somewhere) and feel better.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:10 pm

BrookShadow_RC wrote: I agree with Icy. If the car is tuned perfectly and running well, then you are burning most, if not all of the pollutants. Take your Beetle and have a sniffer test on it and see how it stacks up against newer cars.
No matter how good you think you've got it tuned, compared to ANY modern FI car with a CAT, it is a big polluter. 10-50 times more on a good day.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:15 pm

I have the tailpipe readings from '03 and '05 on my bug, but I have reason to believe the 2005 test was not actually done on the bug. The numbers are significantly lower than the 2003 numbers with only a tune-up, timing, and stock air bath put back on.

I also have the numbers off of my '05 Vibe, but they are in GPM instead of the older tests PPM so I don't know how they translate.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:15 pm

once agian, i just threw up a little in my mouth. Nothing I hate more than enviromenalists. Shit I cant even spell it. All of you who bought into the al gore crock of shit are insane. anyway, my 2 cents. drive the car screw the environment. or start walking.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:31 pm

Aren't you guys big on that "restore, reuse, recycle" thing?

Look, it's a 40 (or so) year old car that was designed to last about 10 years.

If you were to replace it with some new boring jellybean car building that new car would create far more pollution than your bug ever will.

If you really want to salve your conscience go plant some trees in a park or national forest that needs them, that will do a lot more good than trying to install cats on an engine that was never designed to have them.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:45 pm

itfitz98 wrote: All of you who bought into the al gore crock of shit are insane.
You are confusing 2 completely separate issues. Al Gore is hot on reducing CO2. CO2 is a normal byproduct of an engine, it is NOT a pollutant. What this topic is about is reducing the pollutants that come out of the tail pipe, namely HC, CO, and NOx. A CAT can reduce the pollutants that come out the tail pipe. The only way to reduce the CO2 is to drive less.
Al Gore is an idiot.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:44 pm

I would get the car into as tune as possible. A stock VW in proper working order isn't all that bad. If you really want to go further and add an oxygen sensor and cat converter, you could as stated use the 92.5-'04 Mexican Beetle muffler and cat. Tiger at A1 Muffler in Santa Ana, CA can also build you a performance muffler and cat system. Not cheap though-I priced one from him a little while back: Performance muffler, cat w/o2 sensor, heater boxes-all ceramic coated was about $1200.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:37 pm

Bruce wrote: itfitz98 wrote: All of you who bought into the al gore crock of shit are insane.
Al Gore is an idiot.

Finally some one who agrees with me.

This is the number one reason why I dont believe in Global warming. AL GORE.

As far as the car goes.....do what you want with it, its your car. if reducing emmisions lets you sleep at night, have at it. Me? I will continue to drive the biggest, loudest, unfriendly vehicles I can. cutting down on emmisions isnt even on my list of life long goals.

Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:48 pm

itfitz98 wrote: once agian, i just threw up a little in my mouth. Nothing I hate more than enviromenalists. Shit I cant even spell it. All of you who bought into the al gore crock of shit are insane. anyway, my 2 cents. drive the car screw the environment. or start walking.

Amen brother =D> 1 tree left burning due to green environmental regulations will spill more toxins in the air than my 35 year old bug during its lifetime.