Catalytic converters started appearing on gasoline-fueled automobiles around 1975. The environmental effects of fossil fuels were starting to become apparent, so the device was developed to reduce carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions by breaking them down into their relatively harmless component molecules - essentially, CO2 and water vapor. The catalyst - made of platinum and palladium coated ceramic and resembling a honeycomb - breaks molecular bonds by stripping atoms from the gaseous compounds as they pass through on their way to the exhaust pipe.

Although the relatively innocuous CO2 has been shown to contribute to climate change, the poisonous gases - carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide - has been greatly reduced since the catalytic converters came into widespread use. As you can see, the Chevy C1500 catalytic converter is important to reducing the effects of automobile exhaust on the air we breathe.

The Chevy C1500 catalytic converter can be damaged when an engine is not properly tuned. If a fuel mixture is consistently too "rich" - that is, containing too much fuel for the amount of air - some unburned fuel winds up in the exhaust system. In the old days, one would hear a backfire when a bit of unburned gasoline would explode inside the tailpipe. Today, it melts the catalyst and clogs the tailpipe. This, in turn can reduce your engine's performance and fuel economy. Because of platinum, a new Chevy C1500 catalytic converter can be expensive. You won't pay top dollar for a factory replacement when you buy it from us, however. You'll definitely save substantially on all Chevy parts and accessories by shopping with us, so log on today and check out our great deals.