Rep Power: 0

Wow, I'm finally driving my 2019 Sport 2-door, trying to figure out the little things, (seems the dash lights won't dim during the day?) My main surprise is how warm/hot the engine compartment is after basic driving. The Cat. converter is right there behind the radiator and it's hot. (everything near it is shielded - Alternator, etc) I'm just used to the hot Cat. being UNDER the car. Must be that packaging or underbody airflow requires this. Any other ideas out there? I guess it's good for melting a huge pile of snow off the hood in the winter....

 
Rep Power: 221

Honda's have had the cat right next to the head since at least the early 90s. Gets the cat hot quickly meaning less emissions

 
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Roger that. Must be a lot cheaper to make a log-style vertical Cat. instead of a flat under-chassis type Cat. also. The clutch slave cylinder and AC compressor are just inches away from the hot Cat. Its interesting to look at the engine compartment, it's sealed up so well, especially down below. Not sure how the hot radiator air is supposed to escape. I popped the underbody pan off below the engine to look at things, and everything is really smooth and flush. I'm betting the 11th gen Civic doesn't have a 2L engine option....

 
Rep Power: 243

Like Colin said it’s to heat the cat up quicker for emissions.

The new Mustangs get so hot under the hood you need an oven mit to open it after driving lol.

 
Rep Power: 0

Yeah, even the hood prop rod has a major warning sticker near it, only grab the foam, or else.