Jaguar 200 Cell Catalytic Converters: Flow, Power and What to Check Before You Buy

This article was adapted for drivers and tuning professionals in the United States by Viezu USA. Measurements are shown in US units alongside the originals.

Jaguar 200 Cell Catalytic Converters

Jaguar 200 cell catalytic converters are high-performance exhaust components, built especially for Jaguar models. They use a 200 cells per square inch (CPSI) design, CPSI being the number of cells or channels inside the converter. Compared with standard converters, which usually have a higher CPSI, this layout creates less restriction and lets the exhaust flow better.

The main benefits of a 200 cell catalytic converter are:

1. Better performance: lower exhaust backpressure can improve engine efficiency, with potential gains in horsepower and torque.
2. Better sound: many enthusiasts love the deeper, fuller exhaust note a high-flow catalytic converter brings.
3. Emissions control: although less restrictive, these converters still reduce harmful emissions effectively. Rules vary, so always check the specific regulations where you live.
4. Durability: quality materials such as stainless steel give long life and resistance to high temperatures and corrosion.
5. Compatibility: designed to fit Jaguar models properly, they often need little modification to install, which makes them a practical upgrade.

Why Fit Jaguar 200 Cell Catalytic Converters?

If you're thinking about a 200 cell upgrade, get proper advice instead of buying purely on price and availability. Make sure the converter suits your exact model and meets every legal requirement where you live and drive.

A Jaguar 200 cell converter is designed to improve exhaust flow and performance while still cutting harmful emissions. It has 200 cells per square inch, fewer than the 600 cells found in standard OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) converters.

With fewer cells, the exhaust flows more freely, and the drop in backpressure can raise horsepower and torque. That's why the upgrade is popular with enthusiasts who want more performance without giving up too much on environmental standards. Bear in mind, though, that while 200 cell converters perform better, they may not meet emissions standards everywhere, and the quality and size of the converter's core are key to doing so.

Before fitting one, make sure it complies with your local emissions regulations so you avoid legal problems. Have it installed by a professional mechanic, too, for the best performance and to avoid damaging the exhaust system. Whether you want more performance for racing or just a more responsive drive, a 200 cell catalytic converter can be an effective Jaguar upgrade.

A Short History of Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters first arrived in the US in the early 90s, and there was a fair amount of controversy. Rather like VHS versus Betamax, there were two main contenders for cutting vehicle emissions. One was lean burn engine technology, where the engine runs on much less fuel than a conventional combustion engine. Its air-fuel ratio is far higher and it runs a lot hotter, and in theory it could reach 58.3 mpg (US) or more.

The other contender was the catalytic converter, and to many people's disappointment it won. Depending on where you lived, cars from around 1990 onward were fitted with catalytic converters, and the chance of a gasoline engine returning around 50 to 58 mpg (US) was sadly lost.

A catalytic converter is a vital part of a car's exhaust system, built to cut the harmful emissions the engine produces. It turns toxic gases into less harmful substances before they leave the tailpipe.

How a Catalytic Converter Works

Watch the video below to find out more.

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1. Structure and materials: a catalytic converter usually contains a honeycomb or ceramic monolith coated with catalysts such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. These materials drive chemical reactions without being used up.
2. Chemical reactions: exhaust gas passing through the converter goes through two main kinds of reaction:
   • Oxidation: carbon monoxide (CO), a poisonous gas, becomes carbon dioxide (CO2), and unburned hydrocarbons (HC) become water (H2O) and carbon dioxide.
   • Reduction: nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to smog and acid rain, are reduced to nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).
3. Temperature: the converter works efficiently when hot, usually between 752°F (400°C) and 1472°F (800°C), because heat speeds up the reactions needed to clean the exhaust.
4. Overall impact: by converting these toxic substances, catalytic converters play a crucial part in cutting air pollution and meeting environmental regulations, reducing the vehicle's environmental impact and improving air quality.

How Much Power Will 200 Cell Cats Add to My Supercharged Jaguar?

We're often asked how much extra power 200 cell catalytic converters will bring. It matters most on a turbocharged or supercharged engine, especially one tuned for more boost. Put more air and fuel in and, by definition, more exhaust gas comes out. A modern ECU constantly monitors many different readings to keep the engine running at its best, and one of them is exhaust gas temperature, or EGT.

On an engine with a catalytic converter, the ECU watches how quickly exhaust gas is getting through. If the gas starts backing up, pressure builds ahead of the converter, EGTs climb too high and the ECU starts pulling power. Fit 200 cell catalytic converters and the exhaust gas passes through much faster, so EGTs stay down and the ECU can keep the car at full power.

Independent Emissions Testing and Approval

When you choose 200 cell catalytic converters, remember they aren't all equal. In many countries, emissions-tested and approved parts are a legal requirement, and many aftermarket cats don't carry an approved testing number, so check carefully before you buy. In the US, look at EPA requirements and, in California, CARB requirements.

Does Size Matter?

Physical size is the other thing to think about when replacing your catalytic converters. The new cat needs to be big enough to be a genuine upgrade over the factory units. If it's much smaller, exhaust flow won't improve and you won't see any performance gain; small 200 cell cats simply won't deliver. They'll also struggle with emissions testing and burn out and fail much sooner.

Paramount Performance Jaguar Upgrades

Paramount, part of the Viezu group, has specialized in Jaguar tuning for nearly 40 years. It has led the way in developing quality performance upgrades for Jaguars and taken achievable tuning, performance and power to new levels.

Here's some of the Paramount range of high-performance Jaguar catalytic converters:

XKR catalysts:

XFR 200 cell catalytic converters:

F-Type V8 200 cell catalytic converters:

Can't find what you need, or have questions? Contact us.

Worldwide mail order and fast shipping are available to most destinations.

US emissions compliance note

In the United States, modifying, removing or disabling emissions-control equipment (including DPF*, EGR*, SCR*/DEF* and catalytic converter systems) on a vehicle used on public roads may violate the federal Clean Air Act and EPA rules, and in California and other states that follow CARB standards, additional restrictions apply. Any off-road, race or competition-only modification described here is not intended for street use. Nothing in this article claims that any product or calibration is EPA- or CARB-certified or street legal. For guidance on options for your vehicle, contact Viezu USA.

Talk to Viezu USA

Want to know what Viezu can do for your vehicle or your business? Request a performance upgrade quote, browse viezuusa.com or contact the Viezu USA team.