Removing the catalyst on a <em>Nissan Note</em>: is it worth the gamble?

Removing the catalyst Nissan Note - a topic that causes heated debate among car owners. On the one hand, promises of increased power and savings on repairs sound tempting. On the other hand, there are environmental risks, possible problems with the law and hidden technical nuances that are kept silent in garage workshops. This article is not just a retelling of general advice, but an in-depth analysis specifically for the Note model (including generations E11 And E12), taking into account the characteristics of its engines HR15DE, HR16DE and diesel K9K.

We analyzed owner reviews, technical documentation Nissan, as well as regulations of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate and the Customs Union, to give you up-to-date information for 2026 - without embellishment and marketing gimmicks. Here you will find not only step-by-step instructions, but also an honest answer to the question: “Isn’t it better to leave the catalyst in place?”

Why the owners Nissan Note remove the catalyst?

There are three main reasons, and all of them are related to the operating features of a compact van. Firstly, clogged catalytic converter - a problem faced by owners of cars older than 100,000 km. On engines HR15DE/HR16DE this manifests itself as a loss of power, jerks during acceleration and an error P0420 (“low catalyst efficiency”). Services for replacing an original catalyst ask from 40,000 to 80,000 rubles - an amount comparable to the cost of a used one Note.

Secondly, desire for tuning. Removing the catalytic converter is often promoted as the "easy way" to increase power by 5-15 hp. In practice, the increase on naturally aspirated engines Note rarely exceeds 3–7 hp, but the exhaust sound becomes louder - which appeals to fans of a “sporty” character. Finally, the third reason - saving on fuel. Theoretically, without a catalyst, the engine spends less energy pumping exhaust gases, but Nissan Note the difference in consumption usually does not exceed 0.3–0.5 l/100 km.

• 💰 Saving on repairs: a new catalyst costs 1/3 of the car, and removal costs 5,000–15,000 rubles.
• 🚗 Subjective improvement in dynamics: especially noticeable on engines with mileage over 150,000 km.
• 🔧 Simplification of the exhaust system: fewer parts means less things that can break.
• ⚠️ The illusion of free tuning: Real power gains are often overestimated.

It is important to understand that Nissan Note — this is not a sports car, but a city compact van. Its engines are initially tuned for efficiency, not for high speeds. Therefore, removing the catalyst here provides fewer benefits than, for example, in Nissan GT-R or even Juke with a turbo engine. If your goal is to save on repairs, it's worth considering alternatives: installation universal catalyst (from 15,000 rubles) or flame arrester (from 3,000 rubles) instead of complete removal.

Legal implications: what does the law say in 2026?

In Russia, catalyst removal not directly prohibited, but there are a number of nuances that can lead to fines or problems when passing inspection. According to the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR TS 018/2011, the car must comply with the environmental standards specified in the PTS. For Nissan Note this is usually Euro-4 or Euro-5.

After removing the catalyst, the exhaust no longer meets these standards, but this is rarely checked - only during a targeted inspection (for example, if the car smokes a lot). However, there are two critical points:

1. Passing a technical inspection: from 2022, new rules have been introduced according to which the diagnostic card can be canceled if the inspector suspects tampering with the exhaust system. In practice, this happens in less than 5% of cases, but the risk remains.
2. Fines for exceeding emissions: according to the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (Article 8.23), for exceeding the maximum permissible concentration of harmful substances you can receive a fine of up to 2,000 rubles (for individuals). But to do this, the inspector needs to measure gases - which is done extremely rarely.

⚠️ Attention: If you are planning to sell Nissan Note after removing the catalyst, the new owner may make claims for hidden defects. In judicial practice, there are cases when the removal of a catalyst was recognized deliberate concealment of information, which leads to termination of the transaction.

Situation	Risk	Probability	Consequences
Passing a technical inspection	Low	~5%	Refusal to issue a diagnostic card
Traffic police stop with emissions check	Very low	<1%	Fine 500–2,000 RUR
Selling a car without mention of removal	Medium	~20%	Disputes with the buyer, possible court
Travel abroad (EU, China)	High	~90%	Fine or entry ban

If you decide to delete it, keep all receipts and documents from the workshop. In case of disputes, this will help prove that the work was carried out professionally and not artisanally. It is also worth considering that in some regions (for example, Moscow, St. Petersburg) environmental inspections are carried out more often than in the provinces.

Technical consequences: what will happen to the engine?

Removing the catalyst Nissan Note affects the engine differently, depending on its type and mileage. Let's consider three scenarios:

1. Gasoline engines HR15DE And HR16DE

On these engines, after removing the catalyst, an error most often appears P0420 (“low catalytic converter efficiency”). To eliminate it, you need to either flash the ECU (from 3,000 rubles), or install lambda probe decoy (from 1,500 rubles). Without these measures, the engine may go into emergency mode, which will lead to increased fuel consumption.

In the long term (after 50,000 km without a catalyst) the following are possible:

• 🔥 Increased wear of exhaust valves due to higher exhaust temperatures.
• 🛢️ Accelerated oil aging — products of incomplete combustion enter the crankcase.
• 📉 Reduced turbine life (on supercharged versions, for example, Note 1.6 DIG-T).

2. Diesel engine K9K

On diesel Note (we are talking about the version 1.5 dCi) removing the catalyst is fraught with more serious problems. The fact is that modern diesel engines are equipped diesel particulate filter (DPF), which is closely related to the catalyst. If you remove only the catalyst and leave the DPF in place, the system may begin to become clogged with soot much faster.

In addition, an error often occurs on diesel engines P2002 (“particulate filter malfunction”), and it cannot be eliminated with a simple trick. Here you will need complete ECU flashing under Euro 2, which will cost 10,000–20,000 rubles. Without this, the engine will constantly go into emergency mode, and fuel consumption will increase by 1–2 liters.

3. Impact on engine life

Counter-argument from removal supporters: “Before, we drove without catalysts, and nothing!” Yes, but before there were no such strict toxicity standards, and engines were designed for different conditions. Modern engines Nissan designed to work with a catalyst that:

• 🔄 Stabilizes back pressure in the exhaust system.
• 🌡️ Reduces exhaust gas temperature at 100–150°C.
• 🛡️ Protects the exhaust manifold from corrosion.

Without a catalyst, no one can compensate for these functions. For example, on Note With a mileage of 200,000 km, the exhaust manifold gasket often begins to “leak” - precisely because of elevated temperatures. Repairs will cost 5,000–8,000 rubles, which negates the savings from removal.

What happens if you don’t flash the ECU after removing the catalyst?

Without firmware or deception of the lambda probe, the ECU will “see” that the catalyst is not working and will turn on emergency mode. This will lead to:

• Limit speed to 3,000–3,500 rpm.
• Increased fuel consumption (up to +2 l/100 km).
• Inability to undergo diagnostics at a service station (the “check” will light up).
• Accelerated wear of spark plugs and ignition coils due to incorrect fuel mixture.

On diesel Note the consequences are even more serious - the engine may be blocked after 3-5 weeks of driving without a catalyst.

Step-by-step instructions: how to remove a catalytic converter Nissan Note?

If you still decide to delete, here step-by-step algorithm for petrol versions (HR15DE/HR16DE). For diesel K9K the process is more complicated - it requires dismantling the particulate filter and reflashing it for Euro 2, which is better to entrust to specialists.

Required tools and materials

• 🔧 Set of sockets and keys (10, 12, 14 mm).
• 🔨 Grinder or hacksaw for metal.
• 🔥 Welding machine (or clamps for seamless connection).
• 🛠️ Lambda probe deception or ECU firmware.
• 🧤 Gloves, safety glasses, respirator (dust from the catalyst is toxic!).

Removal process

1. Removing the exhaust system: Unscrew the bolts securing the exhaust pipe to the manifold and resonator. On Note this is usually 4 bolts of 14 mm. Be careful - on cars older than 10 years, the bolts often stick, you may need WD-40 or a gas torch.
2. Catalyst cutting: Carefully cut the body with a grinder along the weld seam. Inside you will see honeycombs - they need to be removed (knocked out with a hammer or burned with a torch).
3. Installing a flame arrester (optional): If you don't want the exhaust to become too loud, insert a flame arrester (such as a Bosch or Walker). It will reduce noise and slightly compensate for the lack of a catalyst.
4. Welding or assembly on clamps: If using welding, make sure the seam is sealed. An alternative is special repair clamps (for example, ABRO), but they are less reliable.
5. Installing a lambda probe decoy: the simplest option is a mechanical snag (inserted into the gap in the sensor wire). For more accurate work you need emulator (from 3,000 rubles).
6. ECU firmware (recommended): if your budget allows, order chip tuning for Euro 2. This will eliminate errors and optimize engine performance.

Check for errors on the lambda probe (using a scanner or via the on-board computer)

Buy a snag or agree on ECU firmware

Prepare a work site (pit, lift or jacks)

Purchase consumables: gaskets, bolts, exhaust sealant

Take a photo of the original design (useful when selling)

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⚠️ Attention: On Nissan Note with engine HR16DE (110 hp) after removing the catalyst, vibration may appear at idle. This is due to a change in back pressure. Solved by installation additional resonator or updating the firmware.

Average cost of service:

• Removal + welding: 5,000–10,000 rubles.
• Lambda probe decoy: 1,500–3,000 rubles.
• ECU firmware: 3,000–8,000 rubles.
• Flame arrestor: 3,000–6,000 rubles.

If you do everything yourself, you can spend 3,000–5,000 rubles (without firmware). But remember: welding quality critical - a bad seam can lead to exhaust gases leaking into the cabin!

Alternatives to deletion: what can you do instead?

Removing the catalyst is not the only way to solve problems with the exhaust system. Here 4 alternativesthat are worth considering:

1. Installation of a universal catalyst

Cost: 15,000–25,000 rubles (including work). Benefits:

• ✅ Complies with environmental standards (you will pass inspection without problems).
• ✅ Does not require ECU firmware.
• ✅ Resource - 80,000–100,000 km.

Minus: does not provide an increase in power, but does not harm the engine.

2. Cleaning the catalyst

If the honeycombs are clogged but not destroyed, the catalyst can be washed with special compounds (for example, Liqui Moly Pro-Line Katalysator-Reiniger). Cost: 2,000–4,000 rubles. Efficiency: 60–80% capacity recovery. Suitable for cars with mileage up to 150,000 km.

3. Installing a flame arrester instead of a catalyst

Flame arrestor (for example, from Magnum or Sprint) costs 3,000–6,000 rubles and performs two functions:

• 🔇 Reduces exhaust noise (unlike a straight pipe).
• 🔥 Extinguishes high-temperature pulsations, protecting the resonator.

Minus: you will still need a lambda probe snag.

4. Switching to gas (GBO)

If the main goal is to save on fuel, installing 4th generation gas equipment (from 35,000 rubles) may be more profitable. On Nissan Note with engine HR16DE gas consumption will be ~7–8 l/100 km, and payback will be about 50,000 km. Plus: the gas is cleaner than gasoline, so the catalyst will last longer.

Method	Cost	Pros	Cons
Removing the catalyst	5 000–15 000 ₽	Cheap, subjective increase in power	Legal risks, engine damage
Universal catalyst	15 000–25 000 ₽	Legal, no harm to the engine	No power gain
Cleaning the catalyst	2 000–4 000 ₽	Cheap, fast	The effect is temporary (30–50 thousand km)
Flame arrestor	3 000–6 000 ₽	Less noise, resonator protection	Requires lambda snag

Owner reviews: real experience

To objectively assess the consequences of removing the catalyst, we analyzed reviews from owners Nissan Note on the forums (Drive2, NoteClub) and on social networks. Here are the key observations:

Positive Feedback

• 🚀 "The car has become faster" - the most common comment. Owners note that acceleration to 100 km/h has become 0.5–1 second faster (from 11.5 to 10.5 s for HR16DE).
• 💰 "Save on repairs" — those who removed the catalyst instead of replacing it note savings of 30,000–50,000 rubles.
• 🔧 "It's easier to pass MOT" - some workshops do not check for the presence of a catalyst if there is no visible smoke.

Negative reviews

• ⚠️ "There was a smell in the cabin" - if the welding is performed poorly, exhaust gases can leak through the cracks.
• 🛑 "The check light is constantly on" - without firmware or decoy error P0420 returns in 1–2 weeks.
• 🔊 "The neighbors began to annoy me" — the exhaust sound without a catalyst becomes louder by 5–10 dB, which is noticeable in the city.
• 🔥 "The collector is overheating" — on cars with mileage over 200,000 km, the gasket between the manifold and the block begins to “sweat”.

Interesting fact: among the owners Note 1.5 dCi there are 3 times more negative reviews than among owners of gasoline versions. This is due to the features of diesel exhaust cleaning systems, where the catalyst is closely integrated with the particulate filter.

⚠️ Attention: On forums they often advise to “just knock out the cells and move on.” On Nissan Note this risks the risk that ceramic fragments may enter the cylinders through an open exhaust valve (if the engine stalls at the time of removal). This leads to scoring on the cylinder walls and major repairs (from 50,000 rubles).

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to remove the catalyst on Nissan Note with a guarantee?

No. Any tampering with the exhaust system will automatically void the warranty on the engine and associated systems. If the catalyst is clogged on a car under warranty, contact the official service - sometimes it is replaced free of charge (if you can prove that the fault is not in the fuel).

How often do you need to change the lambda probe?

Mechanical fakes last 30,000–50,000 km, electronic emulators - up to 100,000 km. Signs of malfunction: blinking "check", increased fuel consumption, jerking during acceleration. Replacement cost: 1,500–3,000 rubles.

Is it true that after removing the catalyst, oil consumption increases?

Yes, but only slightly (by 50–100 ml per 1,000 km). This is due to the fact that without a catalyst, more products of incomplete combustion enter the crankcase, which accelerate the aging of the oil. Solution: reduce the oil change interval from 15,000 to 10,000 km.

Is it possible to put the catalyst back if it has already been removed?

Technically yes, but it will cost more than the initial removal. You will need:

• Buy a new catalyst (15,000–30,000 rubles).
• Restore the standard ECU firmware (3,000–5,000 rubles).
• Digest the exhaust system (5,000–8,000 rubles).

Total: 23,000–43,000 rubles. Most often this is not practical.

What engines Nissan Note What is the worst reaction to catalytic converter removal?

The worst option is diesel K9K 1.5 dCi. Its catalyst is integrated with a particulate filter, and the removal of one leads to a malfunction of the other. Among gasoline engines, the most “gentle” is HR15DE (1.5 l, 109 hp), since it has a more sensitive exhaust control system.

1. The catalyst is physically destroyed, and replacing it will cost more than 30,000 rubles.
2. You are prepared for legal risks and potential engine problems.
3. The car is not used for daily driving (for example, for track or off-road).

In all other cases, it is better to consider alternatives: cleaning, a universal catalyst or a flame arrester.

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