Catalytic Converter for California

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Joined
Jul 14, 2015
Threads
3
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59
Location
Tulare County, CA
So, I am trying to get my 89' Fj62 passed here in Cali.. It has the original cat in it. I am looking everywhere for a catalytic converter, and they all say (Not legal for sale or use in California). Does anyone have any solutions/suggestions. Feeling defeated...
 
Part number 18450-61040. Available from Toyota. Gonna run run you about $625 from a dealer that offers a discount.
 
Not sure why California doesn't want aftermarket cats. Maybe have an out of state friend buy one and send it to you.
 

Those say CA compliant, so one would presume so. Not sure if that's the actual product pictured, but those look like weld-in units, so you'd not longer have a bolt-together stock exhaust if you care about that (muffler shop is either going to weld it in or weld on aftermarket flanges so you won't be able to bolt in a stock unit in the future unless you redo all that).
 
Magnaflow shows a CA-compliant option for the 62 on their website: #339005 (same PN for left and right). You're replacing both? Or do you have a custom exhaust with just one?

The one that Magnaflow makes for the 60 (it just has one cat) is pretty much the only decent aftermarket option here. I put one on last summer and it works fine.

The difference between the CA-compliant cat and the 49-state cat is supposedly little more than the "CA" stamp on the unit, and a higher price point. You can get someone out of state to get you the cheaper 49-state version(s), or pick one up in NV if you're out that way. But if you're paying someone else to install it/them you run the risk of them not wanting to cooperate. If you do the installation yourself, you run the risk of an overly anal smog tech checking for the CA stamp. In most cases, an independent installer and small-time smog shop won't care. But it's worth thinking about.

I bought my cat thru one of the online sellers that Magnaflow linked to on their site. There are a bunch, and prices were very similar across the board. Pick the one with no sales tax and the best shipping option.
 
Magnaflow #39894 CA catalytic converter $270 from Kraegen a few years back for my FJ60. No issues since install.
 
I very much appreciate all of the help. You guys are awesome!! Gonna have to go the magnaflow route, I just don't have the funds to get the factory CC.
 
You don't want the factory CC. The Magnaflow is way more free flowing and way cheaper and CARB compliant.
 
Here is the numbers from the test? Is there anything else I can do besides the CC to lower some of these numbers?

2015-08-11 20.19.11.webp
 
Go to a muffler shop and ask them to put in new cats. I had both of mine (on my 90 FJ62) for about $400. In CA you cannot buy or sell a used cat, and a shop can only install new ones.
 
I just replaced one of the cats, and that got it to pass. A local guy helped me out, installed a universal cat for around 155 out tell door. I officially California legal, just picked up my plates and tags today. I tend to freak myself out for nothing.
 
So, the piping is full of holes, and the muffler is falling apart. Im thinking about putting on a flowmaster when I have the shop put new pipes in. I wouldnt mind having the extra HP/Torque. And I dont really mind the sound. What do yall think.
 
magnaflow and flowmaster both make good products....stock i6 not going to be that loud anyway.
 
Yeah seems like most of the guys end up going with the 40 or 50 series Magnaflow. I am going to have to do the same here real quick but luckily I have no emissions so I can just get a random high flow cat.
 

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