Catalytic Converter Removal

[BigKriss]

I read this post recently on removing the Catalytic Converter (http://www.bimmer.info/forum/showthread.php?p=17970&highlight=catalytic+converter).

Aside from the legalities of not having one on your car, and failing pollution tests etc. Is it a good mod to increase overall power and torque?

I have the BMW Technical Information System CD, they list a 7kw power increase and a 10Nm torque increase for non-catalytic converter cars for the M30 3.5L engine (See attachment). I was thinking of replacing the cat with a straight through pipe. The exhaust on the current car is stock, and the catalytic converter is 15 years old (never been replaced).

What do you guys think?

[Craig]

When looking at power output don't forget that the non-cat version has a slightly higher compression ratio .

You won't hurt the car by removing it if that's what you're worried about.