Muffler shop, by law, says it must keep old cat

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D'Animal said:
So what are your plans with your old cat if you get to keep it?
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I will be getting a tucked up system with a new cat soon and will be keeping the old cats. My reasoning is, I trust the local emissions law makers about as far as I can toss a dead hooker. With my luck, about the time I get the system in and toss the cats, they would pass a law like Calf has, cats must be original type and configuration and I would be looking for a set of stock cats. Having the stock cats, just put a flange on the down pipe and at the muffler, then swap cats once every other year for the test.
 
Tools R Us said:
I will be getting a tucked up system with a new cat soon and will be keeping the old cats. My reasoning is, I trust the local emissions law makers about as far as I can toss a dead hooker. With my luck, about the time I get the system in and toss the cats, they would pass a law like Calf has, cats must be original type and configuration and I would be looking for a set of stock cats. Having the stock cats, just put a flange on the down pipe and at the muffler, then swap cats once every other year for the test.
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You're already subject to a federal law that says your replacement cats have to be the same type as OE.
 
Ruadhrigh said:
I will advise against this trick, because even with gloves you surely will be burnt.

remove the cats at home, drive to the shop with earplugs, if they ask tell them straight, no need to be sneaky when its YOUR property.
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oh come on nancy! you need to build up some calluses on your hands so you wont get burnt:flipoff2:
lets get real here you don't need to touch the cat to saw it off:rolleyes:
 
ed97fzj80 said:
You're already subject to a federal law that says your replacement cats have to be the same type as OE.
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Correct, as explained to me this means; function with the same or better specs than the factory cat. In other words, it acceptable to use an after market cat as long as it works the same, has the same or better capacity as the cats it's replacing, no matter how it looks. But there is the possibility of getting a Ca transplant in the law making process that could "upgrade" us to the Ca law, that says it must look like the stock cat, even if the newer type cats work better, are cheaper, etc.

Catalyst tech has advanced a bunch since the '80 was designed, the newer cats are much smaller and more efficient. The spun metallic cats are very efficient, this one is overkill for the '80 and very compact.

Product Search Results - MagnaFlow Catalytic Converters by Car Sound
 
WOW. Lots of discussion.

My plans are to replace the two cats with one. Nothing else at the moment. I already have a magnaflow muffler and retained the resonator for noise reduction. I have the Hannah sliders so whatever route I go it will need to fit between cat protection and the body.

I have no problem paying for what I perceive to be a good value for my money. I felt as though I was getting shafted in the quotes. All three shops wanted to give me $20 for both cats. No way. It is worth it to spend some time researching to ensure I feel good about my decison and purchase. BTW Nay, this thread and the links provided should help me to save $200.

I will order on line and go the route of a friend/fabricator welding it in for me. I'll retain the flanges for a just in case scenario.

Thanks for all the insight. I'll let yall know what happens this week.

Buck
 
Buck,

When i replaced my exhaust i asked for the cat back and was told also that they could not release it to me (NC) and i was dubious for sure. I had planned to recycle it to offset the cost of the custom work done in replacement but that plan fell apart fast.

Also they are not allowed to replace a cat conv. here unless it is not functioning and/or is damaged. Luckily mine was cracked all to hell somehow :D
 
Napa sells flexible exhaust tubing for cheap. Cut your cats out, splice a piece of this tubing with exhaust clamps then drive to the muffler shop and, if they ask, say someone stole 'em. This way at least you're not driving anywhere uncorked.
 
They might want to keep it for liability so you don't burn yourself or for fumes? Find another shop or keep calling their headquarters for answers... 15 days is about right considering the scrap guy comes at the end of the day to pickup the "trash" and it's polite to tell the customer that the old nasty Cat was hauled off.

When you call for quotes tell them it's a Toyota Landcruiser and not a LX450, might be a difference of pricing... I used to know a shop ran by some Vietnamese people, the welding wasn't the greatest but functional and priced well... ( red building a little north of little york off of airline) For custom stuff I goto Nathaniels Performance off of Harwin, no BS using quality materials and best welding I have seen. (Has a full machine shop and TIG welders.) They can do a custom Stainless header or intercooled Turbo setup just the same...
 
Sc0- said:
I used to know a shop ran by some Vietnamese people, the welding wasn't the greatest but functional and priced well... ( red building a little north of little york off of airline) For custom stuff I goto Nathaniels Performance off of Harwin, no BS using quality materials and best welding I have seen. (Has a full machine shop and TIG welders.) They can do a custom Stainless header or intercooled Turbo setup just the same...
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This is my kind of info.
Thank God for fellow Houstonians. :cheers:
 
IIRC the rule said they have to keep it 15 days. Does not mean they can't return it to the customer after that.
So, yes, I think they just want to sell the thing if they tell you they can't give it back to ya.
 
For what it is worth, I ran into similar trouble here in Utah.
I called two or three shops about replacing my existing cats with a couple Magnaflow spun 59900 series--they all said they "had to keep the old cats."
Sounded like bull$hit to me.
I kept looking around and found a shop that would let me keep the old ones. I brought in the new cats myself, and just paid for their labor to cut out the old ones and weld the new ones on. Left the old cats on the PS floor. I sold them $120 scrap.

Believe it or not--the shop that decided to work with me was not some shady little back alley garage--they were the most upscale and polished of the bunch.
 
So, which type of Cats do we have in the 80?

(oxidation, 3-way, or 3-way-plus oxidation (dual-bed))
 
So, no one knows which type of cats that Toyota uses? Wouldn't this info be real handy before purchasing an aftermarket cat? :hhmm:
 
UPDATE

I purchased the Magnaflow 59906 spun metallic converter
Called a buddy who owns a fab shop and referred me to a specific Meineke he trusts and personally knows the manager and the guy doing the installation. Install was quick and they did a good job. They had no problem letting me keep my old cats. I'll hang on to them just in case some emmission laws change and I can have them reinstalled.

Cat 89.93
Install 60.00

Not bad and doing some research saved me 175.00.

Buck
 
alia176 said:
So, no one knows which type of cats that Toyota uses? Wouldn't this info be real handy before purchasing an aftermarket cat? :hhmm:
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When I asked the emissions referee, their spec is two cats, three way. His interpretation; the two stock cats add up to 3 way, said that was common years ago, now it's common, acceptable to get 3 way from one cat. For Arizona a single 3 way that is rated for the proper test weight and motor displacement is acceptable.
 
Tools R Us said:
When I asked the emissions referee, their spec is two cats, three way. His interpretation; the two stock cats add up to 3 way, said that was common years ago, now it's common, acceptable to get 3 way from one cat. For Arizona a single 3 way that is rated for the proper test weight and motor displacement is acceptable.
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ok, that's the info I needed before purchasing a cat - 3 way cat it is.

thanks.
 
As to any requirement that the shop keep the cat. I have been in the biz recently. This is bunk. They should give your catalist back to you on demand. The real rules are as follows;
It is not legal to sell a used cat, (as in a salvage yard selling one to you). It is borderline legal to install any used cat in any vehicle. Any cat installed in a governed motor vehicle must be new, not used, by law. You can fudge the law to a certain extent. Sales of used catalist converters is prohibited in most states, except for recycle sales. This does not stop you from recycling your own used catalist for personal profit.
If you have the ability to weld in your cat, you have the right to weld in whatever you have. This includes anything that you can get from your neighbors or friends. I have done it several times. It is legal to weld in a good working cat, as long as you can claim that you got it from your own vehicle, or you can fudge it so that it looks legit. Remember that a used cat will not work as well as a new one. The newer cats clean up things better than the old ones did. They are worth the money.
 
Ive read that they can sell these to recycling centers anywhere from $80.00 to $130 per cat. The precious metals in these cats have skyrocketed in the last 2 years and are worth $$$. Ive also read that 80-85% of all cats stolen in the country are off of toyota trucks because of both accessability and nut and bolt flange design. they obviously are using the old cats for an additional source of income by either the store or the individuals...So...are you planning on selling them yourself to recoup replacement expense? I agree with taking them off and driving it in ~ your stuff!
 
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