Cat replace or fix?

[steelynorm]

I live in CALIFORNIA. I had an exhaust leak on catalytic converter, the flange and piping weld failed and it is two separate pieces, pipes are not in horrible condition despite being original. The sheet metal on the cat is perforated in several places,
is this catalytic converter salvageable ?
catalytic converters for CALIFORNIA are expensive !!

[Stanley Rockafella]

IIRC there are replacement cats for the e30. Not sure on their fitment or quality as I've heard others complain about them.
To determine if it's salvageable, we'd need to see pics at least.

[Vincenze]

I think the outer heat shield can be replaced by a generic shield.

Something similar to this one.

https://www.heatshieldproducts.com/muffler-armor

[Stanley Rockafella]

I think the outer heat shield can be replaced by a generic shield.

Something similar to this one.
https://www.heatshieldproducts.com/muffler-armor

The "heat shield" on our resonators/cats also have a layer of insulation wrapped around them.
As a result, they use the additional insulation as a noise suppressor/muffler.

[Lefty_lifestyle44]

California native here, check craigslist often. I've seen plenty of full stock 325i exhausts go for $100-200

[Vincenze]

California native here, check craigslist often. I've seen plenty of full stock 325i exhausts go for $100-200

Do they pass smog checks?

[Lefty_lifestyle44]

Do they pass smog checks?

I would sure hope so since they’re OEM

[Vincenze]

I would sure hope so since they’re OEM

They're OEM, but after 150k miles they can be clogged.

[ZeKahr]

Best option would be to move out of Cali. That state has utterly horrid emissions regulations; I have no idea how you guys in Cali put up with that BS. But I realize in this economic climate that might not be doable.

You’ll want to cough up for a new unit. Most of the used units you’ll come across will probably be 30-35 years old and I would not trust those to pass Cali emissions tests.

Aftermarket units will be shoddily built and require a mechanic who’s an expert in E30s to put it on correctly - else you’ll get lots of rattling. I have a aftermarket Bosal on my auto Eta (stock cat is NLA) and I had to go to 3 different shops before I found one competent enough to work with the exhaust to prevent it from rattling.

[808ETA]

Best option would be to move out of Cali. That state has utterly horrid emissions regulations; I have no idea how you guys in Cali put up with that BS. But I realize in this economic climate that might not be doable.

You’ll want to cough up for a new unit. Most of the used units you’ll come across will probably be 30-35 years old and I would not trust those to pass Cali emissions tests.

Aftermarket units will be shoddily built and require a mechanic who’s an expert in E30s to put it on correctly - else you’ll get lots of rattling. I have a aftermarket Bosal on my auto Eta (stock cat is NLA) and I had to go to 3 different shops before I found one competent enough to work with the exhaust to prevent it from rattling.

How did you like the Bosal once you got it to fit?

[ZeKahr]

How did you like the Bosal once you got it to fit?

Still making noise. Going to redo it with an OEM cat.

[808ETA]

Still making noise. Going to redo it with an OEM cat.

That sucks