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Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair

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    Your quote tells why cars don't run lean, right? So the catalytic converter will function properly. Also, and air pump for an engine is called a "turbo" or a "supercharger". You may have heard of those. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 19:09
  • @JPhi1618 Oh yes that makes so much sense now. I'd better change the question a bit now that I've had that sudden realisation! Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 19:11
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    IIRC from other posts here, when running lean the combustion chamber temperature increases as you run lean. The higher temperature bring it's own issues. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 19:21
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    I like your intent, but it's still two questions, and "because catalytic converter" is still the answer to the first question. Commented Jan 26, 2016 at 19:42
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    "However, I don't understand why the catalytic converter can't handle or be adapted to handle more air in the engine." Because science - it's as simple as that. Remember that catalysts already use REALLY expensive metal because it's the only stuff that works, and the limits of what catalysts can handle are what set how the engine has to work. If you invent a lean-NOx catalyst that works at exhaust temperatures and costs less than $500 per car, every automotive manufacturer and environmental agency on Earth will sell their children for a chance to get that patent. But so far, no dice. Commented Jan 27, 2016 at 12:13