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What is the thermal reactor?


Guest Anonymous

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Guest Anonymous

Used on '74 - '76 at various tiems depending on whether your car sold in California or not. It was on all 2002s at different times.

A thermal reactor is an electric powered version of a catalytic converter, i.e., it's just a big heater that burns unburned fuel in the exhaust manifold. Unfortunately, it bolted directly to the cylinder head and warped a good many of them due to the high heat output.

--Jerry

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Guest Anonymous

Although better definitions will surely be posted, try this for starters!: A thermal reactor was BMW's mid-seventies answer to meeting American emission regulations short of fitting a catalytic converter as most other automakers sought to do. Rather than heating the exhaust 'downstream' within a device designed to heat the charge until noxious emissions were quite cleverly converted into something measurably less harmful to our environment, BMW intially chose another way. If I understand correctly, a thermal reactor is in essence a redesigned exhaust manifold configured to operate at an extremely high temperature - imperfectly reproducing the action of the industry standard catalytic converter considerably 'upstream' right near the exhaust ports/valves. An air pump forces air/oxygen into the vicinity of the exhaust stream - more so than early '02's and common American automaker emission control systems dating from '68. Elevated underhood temperatures, shortened engine life, and cracked thermal reactor housing (understood to be the specific exhaust manifold fitted to '75-'76 2002's) that can be expensive to source are criticisms of the system. Many have been removed, others are plugged and inoperative, few are witnessed to work. I hope this is the beginning of a reasoned discussion. Electrical power has been restored in Shelby Township, MI. What might be the fate of the heralded Woodward Dream Cruise? Best regards...

Mike K

'74 '02 Malaga

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Guest Anonymous

Can one replace the thermal reactor with a standard exhaust manifold from a 73 or 74 and bolt directly to the remainder of the exhaust system? Also, eliminate air pump, hoses, etc.

Don't tell the EPA as well....

Sorry...I think we should also drill for oil in Anwar...

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Guest Anonymous

certification, throw it away and put a different manifold on. The "Tii" exhaust manifold is a good upgrade, but most anything wil be better. Be careful to plug all the hoses leading to the exhaust manifold (at their sources). Take you time, you don't want to introduce any intake/exhaust leaks.

John N

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Guest Anonymous

Yes. You may need a new down pipe as well, but the rest will be okay.

Otherwise, everything will be fine if you take all the stuff off and plug the holes.

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