New kid has a question(cat converters)

[Not Jo3L]

Allright so after my CEL came on i took my car into a shop by my house and they said i needed a new cat converter that will cost me $800. I don't really want to spend this much because i know its overpriced. I would rather get a new exhaust instead. Does anybody know the cheapest way to fix my problem? Do i just need to buy a new exhaust system like the racing beat or do i need to buy a new midpipe with cat converter?

Thanks

[Jeph]

A midpipe with a cat would be a nice option, waaayyyyyy less than $800 You can buy a full exhaust with a header for that much...

[Not Jo3L]

So you think I should buy this?

http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=281_21_31_47&products_id=487

[Jeph]

http://www.slsperformance.com/slsp/ListProduct.asp?bSub=T&idCategory=171

For $25 more you can get one that replaces your j-pipe as well :)

[Not Jo3L]

Nice i will probably end up buying this pipe then, but i still need to buy a muffler right?

[Jeph]

No, it will bolt right up to your stock catback, but you can buy a catback section as well.

[mickeyreategui]

don't you have two cats, one by the header and one on the exhaust??

[jeg0024]

Yeah...which cat is bad? Im guessing the primary cat up front, the one a header replaces, because the one on the midpipe isnt monitored by any O2 sensors...

[Jeph]

Good point, i didn't even think about that. If your first cat is bad, then i'd get a header too, and just extend your O2 sensors into the midpipe so you don't throw a CEL

[jeg0024]

Good point, i didn't even think about that. If your first cat is bad, then i'd get a header too, and just extend your O2 sensors into the midpipe so you don't throw a CEL

Either that or use the non-fouler you can buy at NAPA for $3. But I guess it depends on if you get a header with a second bung or not.

[Not Jo3L]

Well for right now I dont know which cat went bad for all I know it could be both because the car has 100,000+ miles on it.

The autoshop is closed for the weekend so i wont be able to check into it till Monday.

The cat converted doesn't affect performance though right? If it is only emissions then i have recently passed a smog check in the beginning of the year so i still have time to solve this problem.

[qualityrockola]

Well for right now I dont know which cat went bad for all I know it could be both because the car has 100,000+ miles on it.

The autoshop is closed for the weekend so i wont be able to check into it till Monday.

The cat converted doesn't affect performance though right? If it is only emissions then i have recently passed a smog check in the beginning of the year so i still have time to solve this problem.


It shouldnt effect your performance...I wouldnt install a header, here in CA we dont have the free choice to do that on our post-1975 vehicles(hump) ...unless of course you can find one that is CARB approved. You might squeak by emissions if your tech is lazy and doesnt know or care that you have tampered with the emissions equipment, but its kind of a risk. It is a big hassle if you fail an emissions inspection...it takes a lot of time and money by the time you are done. It burns me up that even if your car passes the sniffer test, if you have changed anything illegaly you get failed. This state drives me nuts most of the time.

[jeg0024]

Yeah...I didnt read the CA part:( If they said your cat was bad because of a CEL then its for sure the first cat, if they had other reasons why it was bad it may be the second one, or both. You can buy used cats on here to replace your burnt out one, I acually have a primary cat sitting in my garage with about 58k on it and its still good. Look around though, I know a few people acually that might be looking to get rid of theirs.

[mickeyreategui]

suck for yall ca folks, in va they just plug it into the obd II plug and get the emissions by that, basically if you don't have cel light then you pass.

[Not Jo3L]

Yeah...I didnt read the CA part:( If they said your cat was bad because of a CEL then its for sure the first cat, if they had other reasons why it was bad it may be the second one, or both. You can buy used cats on here to replace your burnt out one, I acually have a primary cat sitting in my garage with about 58k on it and its still good. Look around though, I know a few people acually that might be looking to get rid of theirs.

Allright thanks jeg. By monday I will see which one it is and if it is the primary cat then I might look to you for your cat.

And yes CA sucks with their strict emmission laws.

[Not Jo3L]

Ok i got my car back today and the shop gave me this code P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Low Bank 1.

My question is should i just forget about this by removing the primary cat with OBX headers and then replace the midpipe and buy a racing beat an exhaust?

Or replace the cat and buy the mentioned products?

[swmeng3]

Ok i got my car back today and the shop gave me this code P0420 Catalyst Efficiency Low Bank 1.

My question is should i just forget about this by removing the primary cat with OBX headers and then replace the midpipe and buy a racing beat an exhaust?

Or replace the cat and buy the mentioned products?


Hey Not Jo3L] did you ever get a fix for this? I have the same exact issue.

[Not Jo3L]

Hey Not Jo3L] did you ever get a fix for this? I have the same exact issue.

Well I ended up having to replace the coil packs, wires, plugs, o2 sensors for my car to finally run stable and not misfire anymore. But as of now im debating on whether to replace my cat with obx headers and spark plug non fouler..which is cheaper...but not legal in CA (I dont haveta get a smog check for 2 years.) ..or replace the catalytic converter for more money then the headers and be legal. (uhm)