To Californians. Catyletic Converters...

[SoEm0]

yeah magnaflow cat's can be had from auto zone. it was $177, i know this only because i have one sitting in my back seet ready to be install.

[E30Nova]

Wow screw that. I think I paid like $70 or so for a universal Magnaflow cat on ebay.

Matt

[Jon325i]

Wow screw that. I think I paid like $70 or so for a universal Magnaflow cat on ebay.

Matt

I didn't need to get a replacement catalytic converter for my car to pass emissions, but performance peddler quoted me $117 shipped for a proper, CARB legal replacement cat. I did a lot of research on this (over a months' worth) and that was the cheapest price I could find for a legit part....CARB Executive Order number included so everything would be nice and legal.

Jon

[E30Nova]

Eh, I've never seen smog shops actually look at the cats and/or ask for the EO numbers. Guess it depends on the shop, though. *shrug*

Matt

[Raven Tooth]

I didn't need to get a replacement catalytic converter for my car to pass emissions, but performance peddler quoted me $117 shipped for a proper, CARB legal replacement cat. I did a lot of research on this (over a months' worth) and that was the cheapest price I could find for a legit part....CARB Executive Order number included so everything would be nice and legal.

Jon

Was this for a direct fit cat or one that you needed to get welded on?

[tjts1]

Check the MAX HC and NO numbers for your specific car (model year, engine, trans) before going in to smog it. The MAX limits change every year for each specific combination based on a super secret BS formula CARB uses to decided if too many or too few cars are failing smog.

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/pubwebquery/cutpoints/ShowMake.aspx

This will give you an idea of how strict the smog check for your car will be. If you MAX HC at 15mph is down to 80PPM or below, watch out.

Also before you run out and buy a new cat, replace the O2 sensor first. Its much cheaper. I took my old mercedes 190e 2.6 (primitive KE-jet) with 175k miles and it failed 15mph HC and NO was also close to failing. The Smog tech said I need a new cat. I replaced the 3 wire O2 sensor ($44) and and it passed the next day with extremely low numbers. First test top, second test bottom.


A new cat can mask a failing O2 sensor but why bother when the O2 sensor is much cheaper.

[bmwstephen]

bump thread revival!

anyone ever tried the magnaflow direct fit versions instead of the universale ones?

for us californians, aftermarket is the only way to go because they don't even allow brand new OEM ones in your car anymore. DEC brand has crappy fitment despite claims of it being a direct fit.

[kronus]

yeah, a friend just installed a "direct fit" one. It's a 2-into-1 design, which is wrong, and it still requires a bunch of welding and generally isn't great.

I got a magnaflow dual in/out universal (for an e34) and passed just fine.

[Cabriolet]

yeah, a friend just installed a "direct fit" one. It's a 2-into-1 design, which is wrong, and it still requires a bunch of welding and generally isn't great.

I got a magnaflow dual in/out universal (for an e34) and passed just fine.

my friend just did this to my extra exhaust system. 1x2" in and 2x1.5" out. ruined the look of the system. so had to buy another. it works in a pinch tho.

[36brua]

bump thread revival!

anyone ever tried the magnaflow direct fit versions instead of the universale ones?

for us californians, aftermarket is the only way to go because they don't even allow brand new OEM ones in your car anymore. DEC brand has crappy fitment despite claims of it being a direct fit.

Check into Walker cats. http://www.walkerexhaust.com/ CALIF direct replacements. in/out has to match stk . I used these on my swap. GL
.

[bmwstephen]

Check into Walker cats. http://www.walkerexhaust.com/ CALIF direct replacements. in/out has to match stk . I used these on my swap. GL
.

tried them. they do not have any legal direct fits for CA anymore.

[Thizzelle]

I have taken an exhaust off one car and put on another so it can pass LOL

[36brua]

tried them. they do not have any legal direct fits for CA anymore.

dang ! ya the exhaust shop did have to do some cut/ weld . mine were for s5x swap to 89I. required 2 cats. GL

[bmwstephen]

I have taken an exhaust off one car and put on another so it can pass LOL

impossible for me now. Smog guys marked my CAT and reported it. Can only get approved aftermarket ones now. Not even BMW OEM because they do not comply with California standards

[36brua]

impossible for me now. Smog guys marked my CAT and reported it. Can only get approved aftermarket ones now. Not even BMW OEM because they do not comply with California standards

say what ? marked your cat ?what smog guys? at the test station ??