Subscribe: One year subscriptions to Grassroots Motorsports magazine are only $19.95. Try a free issue of Grassroots Motorsports, No cost, no obligation.

Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » aftermarket catalytic converters

  • shuttlepilot

    Sept. 6, 2008 7:45 p.m. shuttlepilot New Reader

    I found my source of exhaust rattle on the Golf today. The honey comb inside my cat is broken up into fist sized chunks. I can see clear through to the other side. Suprisingly, I just passed a dyno test with emissions. I am tempted to punch the remains out, but then my concience would bug me about it.

    With salvage cats bringing big cash, What is the differences between a used oem and a aftermarket high flow. I am looking for more durability plus flow than just something to take its place for 3 years. The stock cat supposedly has decent flow. Is it worth sourcing a used oem cat over a new aftermarket high flow in the long run?

  • internetautomart

    Sept. 6, 2008 9:23 p.m. internetautomart SuperDork

    you can't legally install a used cat

  • YaNi

    Sept. 6, 2008 9:32 p.m. YaNi New Reader

    You pay the extra money for a bolt-in OEM style cat. If you can weld a couple flanges onto the cat, you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars. The price difference between a Magnaflow universal and a direct fit replacement are even $100+.

  • shuttlepilot

    Sept. 6, 2008 9:58 p.m. shuttlepilot New Reader

    YaNi wrote:

    You pay the extra money for a bolt-in OEM style cat. If you can weld a couple flanges onto the cat, you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars. The price difference between a Magnaflow universal and a direct fit replacement are even $100+.

    Not looking to save some money by welding it on myself. Just looking for something reliable and actually scrubs the air.

  • cwh

    Sept. 7, 2008 8:22 a.m. cwh Dork

    Do old cats cause exhaust blockage? My B-3000 Mazda/ Ranger with 3.0 has well over 200k, and shall we say, lacks power. I was wondering if it might be partially related to exhaust obstruction.

  • ignorant

    Sept. 7, 2008 8:38 a.m. ignorant UberDork

    cwh wrote:

    Do old cats cause exhaust blockage? My B-3000 Mazda/ Ranger with 3.0 has well over 200k, and shall we say, lacks power. I was wondering if it might be partially related to exhaust obstruction.

    could happen. Smell rotten eggs? Rotten egg smell is a sign of a trashed cat. Also try running the truck around at night for a half hour or more drive. When you park the truck, look underneath the truck, If the cat is glowing red its prob. plugged.

  • HappyAndy

    Sept. 7, 2008 8:51 a.m. HappyAndy New Reader

    internetautomart wrote:

    you can't legally install a used cat

    maybee true in some places but lots of people do it any way and if your car passes inspection does any body know or care that a used oem cat was in there? Its probably better than many universal replacements. Also you can get a remanufactured cat from several sources including these people. http://www.smithcat.com/index.htm (never used these guys, just found them in quick search)

  • Sept. 7, 2008 10:12 a.m. mistanfo Dork

    HappyAndy wrote:

    internetautomart wrote:

    you can't legally install a used cat

    maybee true in some places but lots of people do it any way and if your car passes inspection does any body know or care that a used oem cat was in there? Its probably better than many universal replacements. Also you can get a remanufactured cat from several sources including these people. http://www.smithcat.com/index.htm (never used these guys, just found them in quick search)

    According to the local Meineke Manager, a shop cannot legally install a used cat, but he was more than willing to use his heat wrench on mine so that I could take it home and "bolt up whatever you have around." I highly doubt that as you are tightening the final fastener on the cat, that the EPA Swat Team will repel down from a black helicopter and send you to an interrogation center in an undisclosed "cooperative nation."

  • mrhappy

    Sept. 7, 2008 10:51 a.m. mrhappy New Reader

    techtonics tuning is the best place for a cheap bolt on.

  • Chris_V

    Sept. 7, 2008 2:41 p.m. Chris_V SuperDork

    YaNi wrote:

    You pay the extra money for a bolt-in OEM style cat. If you can weld a couple flanges onto the cat, you can save yourself a couple hundred dollars. The price difference between a Magnaflow universal and a direct fit replacement are even $100+.

    I just had a pair of magnaflow universals installed on my 740iL. Aftermarket oem style were $1000, and factory units are $2000 new. The Magnaflows were $65 each and teh install was around a hundred bucks (I also removed my stock mufflers and has magnaflow tips put in in their place and that added an other hundred to the install).

    A lot of people have had great luck with the magnaflows.

You'll need to log in to post.