A catalytic converter includes a housing defining an interior space, with a monolith supported therein. The monolith includes a catalyst disposed thereon. The catalytic converter includes a flow directing mechanism defined by one of the housing and/or the monolith to re-direct a flow of exhaust gas across the monolith to obtain a more even flow distribution of exhaust gas across the monolith. The monolith may include different regions, with each region including a different catalyst density disposed thereon. The catalyst density of each region may be optimized for the flow rate of exhaust gas across the monolith through each region.